Chemo & Radiation Are Done...

now on to surgery. *GULP*

hi.

I am a 36 year old female, mother of 2,  who was diagnosed with stage 3/4 EC back in early March od this year.  Since then I have seen, I have had a total of 8 chemo, combined with 28 radiation (4 chemo w/out radiation and 4 with).  The treatments were pretty intense, as took part in a clinical study.  However, they were tolerable and I am glad I went for it, because by mid way through my treatments (prior to any radiation) my PET/CT had shown an 80% improvement from when I started. 

And so now, here I am...treatments are all done and all my tests have come back CLEAN!  WHOOOO HOOOO!  I was so pleased and proud when I got the news.  I was hoping to maybe not have to have the surgery!  But, then I was told I would be crazy to opt out of the surgery...I was told this is my last chance at 100% cure...I am told, altho, I have responded amazingly well to the treatments and my tests have come back clear, I still have about a 45% chance of having something microscopic.  Sugery is the protocol and because I am young and have good health, I should do very well with the surgery.

As the days pass, I am accepting having to have the surgery a little more, but, at the same time I am scared out of my mind.  I have never had any kind of surgery before and have so many concerns.  I am scared of the surgery itself as well as how I am going to be afterwards....there are so many things that bother me...the fact, that I won't be able to lie down (flat) at night with my kids kills me, but, I suppose it's a small price to pay for life, right?

 I guess what I am looking for here is some insight....to both the surgery and life after surgery....

Thanks!  And I wish you all well!

Hi Stacey-

Congratulations on completing your radiation and chemotherapy.  I want to encourage you to have the surgery.  You are young and have much to live for.  Do everything you can to decrease the likelyhood of recurrence.  It is so uplifting to hear that you came through radiation and chemo alright.  My dad has Stage 3 EC and just started radiation and chemo this week.  He will be doing 4 cycles of chemo and 5-7 weeks of radiation.  I just love to hear the success stories of this horrible disease.  I will be praying for you and your family.  Hang in there, the surgery will be tough but you can get through it.  God Bless You-Staci

Hi,

 first of all, well done for getting through the first bit!  I was only 32 when diagnosed nd like you after the chemo was told that the cancer was gone.  I still was advised (and did) go ahead with the surgery as I wanted to have the biggest chance of having a total cure.  It is now 18 months (tomorrow) since I had the surgery and I am almost back to full strenght now and hoping to start a family in 6 months time.  the first few months after the surgery were not easy, i had to get used to eating less and more often and was very tired but both these symptoms have improved with time - I am working full time now and just changed jobs so that I could work with my husband (who I married 2 weeks after finishing chemo).  Life is good and I am glad that I had the surgery.

 Hope that this helps with your decision,

 Aoife

 Ps.  I may be unusual but I can sleep flat and have no problems (well maybe I use 2 pillows but that is it!)

thank you so much for your responses and your support...i know you know how much it all means. 

karrick...thank you!  i like that i am able to give some inspiration and hope to you and your dad.  i wish your dad well with his treatments.  i will keep him in my prayers...God Bless!

 Aoife.....your post is very encouraging!  thank you for replying...its nice to have a place like this where we can come and discuss these sorts of things...i can't tell you how good you made me feel!  it might sound silly, but, the 'sleeping on an incline' thing has really got me....your response made my day! ; )  I am so happy hear you are doing well...I wish you the best with your new family....God Bless!

 Also....i was reading something in here about a foul odor that can come up from the stomach, causing bad breath....have you experienced anything like this?  is this something that will definitely occur?

Hi Stacey: Like you I am awaiting surgery which will be Aug. 14. I have alot of questions and I am very nervous. I had just chemo which ended July 18th,  and will have chemo again after surgery. I guess we have to try to take things as they come, because things are different for each of us. I questioned if I should have the surgery or not as my stage is yet to be determined, but I have to give it my best shot so I may continue to life and what I've read and people here have told me it does get better, so I wish for you and myself to go through this operation easily and I know things will turn out fine. I am very scared but I really do not have a choice but to have the surgery. So I am right beside you on this.

Evelyn

Hi Everyone,

Stacey, I could have written this message 4+ years ago.  I know how you feel and I had the same heart-wrenching decision to make.  My radiologist said he was 100% sure my cancer was dead and I probably didn't need any surgery.  Then he said, "But do you want to be the first to try going without the surgery?"  That hit me hard and I was 58 at the time.  Noone could make that decision for me and noone can make it for you. 

I went ahead and had the surgery.  I had the old fashioned kind but now my surgeon does it with microscopic non-invasive surgery and I hear it is much better. (If you are a candidate for it.) I also only had Stage 2 EC.  Anyhow, I feel like Aoife.  You will have a huge adjustment to make if you do have the surgery, but the chances of it recurring are much improved with the surgery and you want to give your family the best possible chance of having Mom around for as long as possible.  I appreciate hearing from some of the other survivors on this Board. 

You have many here praying for you. Ever4015 is scared too,  just like those of us who have been there.  The doctors will do the best they can for you and in a few months this will all be something behind you.  I even forget sometimes what I went through. 

Remember,  you are fighting a war for your life and you want to have the longest possible life.  PS.  If I dont' eat just before bed, I can lay flatter than if I load up on all kinds of junk before I retire.  We purchased the adjustable beds, but at your age I would suggest just trying to get along with the pillows or top of bed elevated on bricks and a small wedge. 

To be very honest with you all........I do miss laying close to my hubby and feeling his body close to mine like we did before the adjustable twin beds.  So much for honesty!!!

God bless you and  Ever4015 as you go through the surgery.  It will be okay. 

Hi Stacey,

       I just wanted to wish you luck on your surgery. I will be praying for you.

                             Pat

just wanted to pop in and thank all of you.....

well wishes and prayers, back at you all!  God Bless!

Hi Stacy:  You sound like a real trooper, and you've gotten some good advice from others on this board, so I'll just add my experience.  I got a diagnosis of T3, N1 last January.  CT and PET scans showed no metastasis.  Had chemo (once a week) and radiation (5x weekly) for 6 weeks, then another PET scan that showed tumor significantly reduced.  Surgery (laparoscopic) on 5/21, 1 week in hospital, then home.  Feeding tube for only 5 days.  Recovery was slow but uneventful.  After about 6 more weeks I was walking 1 mile a day.  Now I'm back to the gym, mainly for strength training (chemo, radiation and surgery take their toll!).  As for eating, yes it does take getting used to.  I still have trouble gauging the correct amount--if I eat too much I'm very uncomfortable but if too little, I lose weight.  I asked my internist, oncologist, the surgeon and a nutritionist and the best advice I could get was "trial & error--eventually you'll get the hang of it...."  As for sleeping, it only took a couple of weeks before i could sleep comfortably on my side again.  I still use a wedge and 2 pillows, but that's mainly for relaxing when I first get into bed.

Oh, did I mention that the Path report following my surgery showed NO CANCER, and they biopsied 11 lymph nodes.  The medical oncologist and radiation oncologist did high-fives when they got the Path report!

I was 75 on July 7th and look forward to many years of enjoying my 8 grandchildren.

Hang in there Stacy.  The surgery isn't bad at all.