Chemo Radiation Anyone?

I am scheduled to start chemo radiation next week - has anyone has any experience with this? I am not sure of my stage at this time, when i was diagnosed back in feb, i was stage 1b, after cone biopsy and one delay after next now hysterectomy cancelled last week and new therapy is chemo radiation - i am 43 and have 3 kids. 

I think you will be getting chemotherapy and radiation, two different types of treatment.  If your hysterectomy was cancelled, it is probably because the stage of cancer that you have is better treated by chemo and radiation.  Don't know about others, but I received a low dose of chemo once a week to enhance the effectiveness of the radiation (for five weeks) and had 5 days/5 weeks of external radiation, eight externals boosters and five treatment of internal radiation.

Hi there- have you considered getting a second opinion? I was stage 1B1 and had full hysterectomy, lymph node removal and 5 weeks of chemo and radiation. The website www.hystersisters.com under the cancer section has lots of women in your same situation with good advice. Be strong- you can do this! I would recommend lining up help for the children during this time. Take care of yourself and try to get a lot of rest and eat healthy- even try to gain weight before your treatments. Most lose weight during the treatments. Thinking of you!

Hello there, I can't help with treatment but what I do see is a lot of unanswered questions going around in your head.

Write them all down and no matter how long the list, go to the surgeon and ASK.   WHY am I not having hysterectomy now?  WHY is this new treatment better?  Don't be side-tracked..... Tick each question off as it is answered and have someone with you.  You think you will remember what is told to you but when you get outside you won't have done!!!!    Good luck. 

 

hi- the surgeon felt that they could not get a good margin of clear tissue around the tumor so the recommended treatment is 5 days/5 weeks radiation with cisplatin (chemo) once a week.  I will not be getting hysterectomy now.  How long ago did you have your treatment and how are you doing/feeling?  also- what stage were you - i know that i am still stage 1B1, confined still to cervix but about 6 cm.   I  am starting treatment this tuesday june 3rd and soooo relieved to finally start as i learned back in February that i had cervical cancer and it's taken this long to finally get started - unfortunately i had cone biopsy that delayed treatment by a good 2 months, ( which was an unnecessary procedure for me) but i was told that it was next step, all they could do at that time. i should have got a second opinion as now i only have this treatment option available

 

On 5/31/2008 Sherriann wrote:

hi- the surgeon felt that they could not get a good margin of clear tissue around the tumor so the recommended treatment is 5 days/5 weeks radiation with cisplatin (chemo) once a week.  I will not be getting hysterectomy now.  How long ago did you have your treatment and how are you doing/feeling?  also- what stage were you - i know that i am still stage 1B1, confined still to cervix but about 6 cm.   I  am starting treatment this tuesday june 3rd and soooo relieved to finally start as i learned back in February that i had cervical cancer and it's taken this long to finally get started - unfortunately i had cone biopsy that delayed treatment by a good 2 months, ( which was an unnecessary procedure for me) but i was told that it was next step, all they could do at that time. i should have got a second opinion as now i only have this treatment option available

I started my treatment in February 2007 and finished up in April 2007.  I was 3b.  The tumor was fairly large and I had one lymph node involved.  Three months after the last internal radiation treatment, I underwent a PET scan that showed no evidence of disease.  My radiation oncologist said that 90% of women who have NED in that first PET scan post-treatment will have been cured.  I've been going for Pap smears and internal exams every three months and am now celebrating one year of being clean.  Of course I am hoping that it's gone forever.  I was treated at one of the best institutions in the country and I was treated with great respect and care.

As I said, the chemo was low dose and it didn't cause me to lose much hair or any other side effects aside from some gastro-intestinal stuff (constipation).  The radiation made me fatigued after a couple of weeks and it caused diarrhea which was unpleasant but things could have been a lot worse.  I took a leave of absence from work, my kids are grown, I'm on my own, so I could concentrate on myself and my needs, which was nice for me.  It takes a while to rebound and regain your full strength...for me it was about 4-6 weeks. 

Make sure you ask your doctors whatever questions you might have.  The nurses are also wonderful and take great pride in their work.  You can email me privately if you'd like.  Good luck and keep us posted.

I am starting treatment tomorrow, looking so forward to starting something, the anxiety has been tough. Thanks for sharing your story, it really helps to hear of others experiences. I am in B.C., canada -  the cancer agency is really awesome and they do want the best outcome for all patients. thanks again

Hi everyone,

My mum is at stage 2b cervical cancer and is having a pet scan tommorrow to see if any lymph nodes are affected.

We are seeing the radiotherapy doctor on Wednesday so he can schedule her treatment. She is going to have radiotherapy/chemo.

Can anyone tell me how severe the side affects of this treatment are??

She is 81 and I am really concerned that she won't be able to handle the treatment.

My dad died of lung cancer 8 years ago and I'm finding it difficult to go through all these feelings again.

I guess we find strength we didn't know we had.

 

R