Small Cell Cervical Cancer

Hi Vicky,

So far I am doing well. I have had no signs of cancer for about 8 months now. I was stage 3B--my first symptom was back pain, which may be unusual. Then I started having slight bleeding and discharge. And from there, the nightmare started!

Initially, I had 6 rounds of cisplatin and etoposide (5 days a week every 21 days). During the attempted hysterectomy, they found residual tumor on the small intestine, so they closed me back up. Then I had more cisplatin, irinotecan and internal and external radiation. Ever since then, I have been clear according to PET and CT scans. I'm sort of a pessimist by nature, so I anticipate the cancer coming back. All the information I've found says that it almost always does come back, but still I don't let it run my life! For the most part, I live a normal life; the only long term problems I have had are some pelvic pain and neuropathy (nerve damage in legs caused by chemo). If it does return, I'll have to deal with it the best I can.

It sounds like your daughter was a very special young woman and you love her very much. I'm sure you made many precious memories together. My mom (who also posts on this message board) had been wonderful and strong for me through this whole thing. I don't know what I'd do without her and the rest of my family.

It seems the editors have "erased" your e-mail for privacy/security reasons. But if we can somehow exchange e-mails, I would love to speak with you!

Take care,
Meredith

I was diagnosed in March 2005, so it's been about 16-17 months now.

Hi Meredith
I am happy to hear that you are doing well. I would love to talk to you further but the site removed my private email address.I do not know how we can contact each other outside of this site. If you have a suggestion PLMK. Take care of yourself hope to talk to you soon.

Hugs Vicky

Vicky,
Hello. I am Meredith's sister. I have read your messages. I am truely sorry for your loss. I saw that you & Meredith tried to leave your email information, but the website took it out. If you have yahoo, please try to get in touch with Meredith there. Her ID is --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----. I hope this will help.

Kerri

Hi Kerri
Nice to hear from you. Thank you for your kind words I feel so bad that another family has to go through what we did. I have another daughter Heather that is older than Megin was and who knows what it has been like for her possibly the two of you could correspond as well?
I would like to communicate with Meredith and you as well if you would like. The site removed the contact information again. I do not know how we can exchange personal email information. The cancer compass site will not allow personal id or email information to be posted on the site it against their policy.
Hope to hear from you soon Don't give up.
Vicky
--- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----

hi kerri
i was just wondering how your sister meredith is doing? i have not heard from either of you and you have been on my mind a lot lately. i have tried on several occasions to leave an email address where you could reach me but the site keeps removing them. i guess we will just have to communicate the best we can.please let me know how things are i do pray that all is well with you & your family. i hope to hear from you soon. you are all in my prayers
huggs
vicky

Hi. Thanks for your concern. I am doing really well. I have a check-up (no scans though) in a couple of weeks, so we'll see how it goes. But life is continuing as usual!

How are you doing?

I do wish they wouldn't keep removing the e-mail info, but I guess they have their policies about it. I check these messages from time to time and I'll try to keep you updated as I know things.

Again, thanks for your concern. Talk soon.

--Meredith

Hi there
So happy to here from you. I keep trying to leave you a private email address but the site keeps removing it.
I am hanging in there doing the best I can. Some days are better than others you know how that is.

When are you scheduled for more scans? What are they saying as far as your treatment plan goes? My daughter had HPV & now I see on TV that they say that certain cancers are caused by the HPV virus. How did they diagnose your cancer? I was wondering if that is the link to this form of cancer. If I am being to personal just tell me I will not be offended. I suppose I am grasping at straws trying to find a reason why this is so rare?
Right now my husband is in the hospital for the second time in a month so that has added to the stress but I suppose things could be worse sometimes I wonder.

You take care of yourself you are in my thoughts & prayers. Talk soon
Hugs
Vicky

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. Sorry to hear about your husband. How is he now?

I was diagnosed with a biopsy after having back pain and some slight bleeding. I know very much how you feel about wanting to know more about this rare cancer and how your daughter was struck with it. My oncologists told me and my family that this type of cancer is not caused by HPV, but my mother and I have found information linking it to HPV 18. However, most women who have HPV 18 (or any other strain of HPV) and get cancer end up with SQUAMOUS cell cervical cancer, so it still doesn't solve the question why a few of us get the small cell variety. I am often looking for the answers myself while doing research, but as you know, it's so rare that there isn't much information to be found.

I'm going to keep looking.

Take care,
Meredith

Vicky,
How are you? Meredith goes for her scans tomorrow. I think this is the time that my whole family just holds their breath. We hope and pray for the all clear so that we can breath again. It doesn't get easier. When Meredith is due for a scan I feel like we are all sitting on the side of a cliff. I can't even begin to know how Meredith is feeling. I just know how I feel. I catch myself watching her and wonder how she does it, how she gets thru everyday with this hanging over her head? I read your story again tonight about your daughter. I can't even begin to imagine this world without my sister. I pray and ask the same question why my sister? You might have asked the same question " Why my daughter?" Who knows? I do ask god to let Meredith be the miracle. I can't even begin to tell you what a wonderful person she is. She did not deserve this nobody does. I will let you know how the scans come out.

Kerri