CancerCompass message board discussion started by Memmawof9 on 9/22/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,16406,0.htm Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi, I was just diaognosed on Thursday after a biospy and got a call from my doctor that said I was in stage 111... This was by a fluke as I  haven't been to my gyno for years , as I didn't think I needed to having a complete hysterctomy. Boy, was I wrong. I had been having having alot of pain, bleeding, and burning when I urinated. My main doctor had said I had a bladder infection and started me on atibiotics...Everytime I got up, walked or layed, I had the urge to urinate, even a when it was only a small amount. I hurt everytime I felt the need to go to the bathroom...Well, I just figured I had a fallen bladder again, which I had surgery for almost 25 years ago. My primary physician referred me to the gyno. They immediately saw the lump lesion and said they were concerned and wanted to do a biposy right then. Two more doctors were called in and the procedure was done immediatley...The only pain I had with the prodecedure was when the needle to deaden the area was administered and it was excruciating, but went away soon...They also did a pap which came out normal...I bled, but it also soon went away... They said they would call me within the week if anything came up abnormal... Two days later I got that dreaded call...I go in Oct. 2, for another procedure to see if its spread to my bladder and lympnodes...Yes, I am scared. Especially after hearing it is in stage 111...I don't want to put my family through all the radiation and chemo and having to take care of me, although they would without any hesitation...The reason, I have taken care of my father-in-law when he was alive and had multimyloma cancer which he only lived 2 years after diaonosed... I don't want to have my family to go through what I did with him, although I would have done it again...My main question is: Is there really a cure for this rare cancer, or is it just prolonged with the treatments and your quality of like is not good and your family suffers longer too? Is there a reason to really go through all of this, or just take day by day as it comes? Is this a death sentence? I just don't want my family to have to do through a prolonged depressing life if there really isn't a light at the end of the tunnel? Any answers would be greatly appreciated...I Do Love Life As It Is Now, enjoying my family, grandchildren and children...I just don't want to prolong anyones misery and worry...Am I wrong? Memmawof9 Sat, 22 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT I am almost one year post diagnosis, Stage II, One thing about this cancer is it is slow growing, so you have time to make a decision, explore all your options, get a second opinion, I was lucky in that I was able to be treated with just chemo and radiation( I say lucky because I didn't have surgery, but it's still hell). When I was going through treatment, there were moments I did not want to go on, I actually prayed for God to take me and put me out of my pain. But, now...I would actually go through it all again. I'm 8 months post treatment, I've had two biopsies that looked suspicious but thankfully were nothing. I think it's always worth it, especially when you have family, children, grandchildren. I cherish life to the fullest and would do anything to stay here. It certainly is a personal decision, but from what you say, I think it would be worth the treatment and the chance at a longer life. Good luck in whatever your decision. And don't worry about the burden you feel you will be to your family, I felt the same way and they actually thanked me for allowing them to take care of me (in the beginning i swore I would take care of myself, but I finally got to the point where I had to ask for help. I'm sure your family would feel grateful to be able to take care of you.Good LuckPatty positive Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT HiMy mother in laws treatment starts on Monday and it sounds as if its much the same as what you had.  She is getting raditherapy and chemo.  Can you give me any idea as to what she can expect?  At the minute the area around her vulva is very painful - do you have any tips for pain relief?Eileen craftsmaddie Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT