Info on women with e c

Hi My wife who has just turned 53 was diagnoesed with stage 4 EC two weeks ago and is just starting on her chemo combination of 5fu and the other two I forget what they are but from reading the boards they are fairly common.

Is there a place on here that has information on ladies who are going through the same as my wife and how their husbands / partners are coping with the situation as I would like to be able to relate to people in this situation. I also know that it is mainly men that get this crappy (sorry) disease  around 2 in 5 women and it is more common with those who smoke and drink a fair amount but in wifes case she does neither so it is just hard to understand why this thing has happened to us.

Sorry for whinging but I have no other way to express myself at the moment.

Hi,

Sorry to hear the news.  I know how you feel.  I sent you a private message.  There are many people here with similar stories that can help.  It helps me to read the stories because I don't feel so alone. 

Sherri

I feel for you. My husband also doesn't smoke or drink...except an Ultra every now and then. We try to eat well including proteins and high fiber foods. Cancer has no boundries. You need to feel confident that you are with the right doctor and you are doing the best possible for her. You are in my prayers.

I'm so sorry to hear about what you and your wife are going through. My husband (47) was diagnosed this year and he doesn't drink or smoke. He had no symptoms at all, and continues not to have any. This is a terrible disease and we all need to vent. You've found a great place to come to vent, learn new information, seek information, etc. You're probably both in a daze right now and not sure what to do.....but just know that there is hope. Keep your hope and be strong. ~Kelly

So sorry.  I was diagnosed at 58 and my husband was my 24/7 caregiver.  He did a wonderful job, but it took a toll on him physically and emotionally.  What you are going through is not easy at all.  My surgeon said that my EC was caused by GERD and only GERD.  I have now alerted my family to be checked regularly since my son and one of his daughters has acid reflux.  I never really knew I had it, but thought I just suffered the same stomach problems as the rest of the country and relied on Tums.  I should have been on Prilosec years ago.

Anyhow, from my husband's experience, he just hung in there for me waiting for the treatments to end with a good report.  In my case, it worked and I am cancer free.  But, he got tired as he set the clock for 4 hour intervals to give me my meds and he took care of my feeding tube and also did the phone calling to the doctors and pharmacy.  My sister came in one day a week to give him respite and a chance to shop and pick up meds and get out of the house.  He was running a business and needed to also go to car auction every Friday. During that time my sister came in on Tuesdays and Fridays.   He kept his cell phone with him.  I know he often sneaked out into the garage and had a good cry. 

I hope you have a good friend or relative you can depend on to give you some respite for yourself.  I hope and pray that your wife has a quick recovery and will be completely cancer free.  Stay tuned to this board...you will get support from the others here too.

Thanks Guys for responding to my message so quickly and yes it has helped me to slowly start to come to terms with this problem.

I will keep you updated as to our progress over the next few weeks and feel free to contact me if you have any more suggestions or tips to get us through I would be very happy to receive them.

Graham.

hi Graham,

let me start by saying i am so sorry your wife as well as you have to go through this...  i am a 37 year old female...i was dx with squamous cell carcinoma in march of 2008.  i did smoke, however, all my dr.s didn't feel it could be a cause.  i was told smoking was a risk, but even so, i did not fit the 'bill' for what i had.... more importantly,  after advanced treatment, major surgery and lots of support from my family, i am cancer free and doing fine!

my husband was the biggest help for me and i thank God for him everyday....he truly is a God send and i could not have done it without him.

the key is to do your best to stay positive...a good attitude goes a looong way!

if you have any questions or just need to vent, feel free to come here...it's a great place and everyone is extraordinary.

God bless and be well!

-Stacey

Hi Graham,

sorry you are going through this. My mother has recently been diagnosed too and you can't help wondering why, why, why?

I found this link useful: http://www.eccafe.org/cnt/causes.html

Good luck with everything.