just diagnosed

oscar · New User Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Posts: 5

Hi - this is my first time on this site but after reading just a few entries I want to say thank you for how wonderfully supportive people are here & I want to especially say thank you to Rhonda. Your sensitivity is so beautiful - your encourage people to get answers especially when you sense a potentially serious situation but you do it in such an encouraging way so as not to increase fear or anxiety.
My friend Pat has just yesterday been diagnosed with uterine cancer. It has been a challenging month of trying to get test results in a timely manner - she seemed to have 'slipped through the cracks" and the way she was finally told the pathology results was very inappropriate but that is discussion for another time.
In March Pat (age 65) told me she had been bleeding occasionally since October 08. Because of her situation, it was very difficult to convince Pat to see a dr. For some reason I had a strong suspicion it might be uterine cancer so eventually I convinced her to see a dr in April. Pat is a wonderfully gifted woman who happens to have a slight communication challenge and finds it difficult to speak to people sometimes especially in new or anxious situations. For this reason, some people have assumed she has an intellectual handicap but nothing could be further from the truth - she is a highly intellegent & creative person. Pat has been alone most of her life - she lives a very secluded life with very few friends or family members. I want to walk this difficult journey alongside her.
On monday afternoon Pat goes to see her family dr. My questions at this time: what questions do I ask her dr (she has asked if I would help advocate & speak for her); how best can I help her at the moment?
Thank you for your support and prayers. Many of my friends are praying for Pat but she is so very alone.

rmaureen · Moderator Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 237

Hi Oscar,

I have been out of town, and just now seeing your post for the first time this morning. Thank you for your kind words too.

How is Pat and what did her doctor say? How did they find the cancer, was it through surgery or a biopsy? I wish I had seen your post sooner, but it is obvious she has already seen her doctor.

I apologize Oscar, I need to check these posts more often, yet sometimes, as most people here, we get caught up in a whirlwind frenzy of medical activity. But do know I will be praying for Pat, and I believe in a God bigger than all of this mess. And it is so commendable how you are sticking with her during a time like this. It means everything to someone facing cancer not to face it alone. And let her know she is most welcomed to partake in this forum.

Please write again, and let us know what is happening with her. Like Pat, I slipped through the cracks--for 1.5 years doctors told me I did NOT have cancer, but it was raging in my body. I have learned, unfortunately, that at times, one must be a "bear" concerning getting needed treatment. Tell Pat she is my prayers.

Rhonda
_________________
Diagnosed Sept. 2005
Stage III-C Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Grade 2

oscar · New User Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Posts: 5

Thanks Rhonda for your reply. Please don't apologize for not replying sooner - I'm glad you had a 'break' - I hope your time away was very
positive. I'm just very thankful that people respond when they are able.
We just visited the oncologist today. Pat has stage 2 uterine cancer. Her
cat scan showed no evidence of spread beyond the uterus & cervix. The
recommended treatment: radiation therapy for 5 weeks (possibly both
kinds - internal & external) before surgery. Surgery will follow 1 to 2
weeks after radiation. We're waiting to get the appt with the radiologist probably within the next week and then the radiation will probably start a week later.
We're just trying to get our minds around this this evening. I'm researching alot online as Pat does not have a computer.
Logistically, it will be challenging for Pat. We have to travel 3 1/2 hours each way to the oncologist/hospital/cancer centre. She will stay in a lodge by the cancer centre for her radiation treatments & will come home on weekends. Tomorrow I will try to set up some cancer drivers for some of the trips anyway. We live in a small town in Canada. Pat has
rarely ventured far from her home so she's trying to get her mind around what the next couple months might look like. After her surgery she will move into my home for as long as she needs to. A big concern is her cat
but we'll take care of that.
I guess I just want some advice as to what to ask the radiologist, what Pat might expect during her 5 weeks of radiation and whether it might make her following surgery a more difficult experience and recovery. Other than that I'm not sure what else to ask at this point. I would just appreciate any guidance anyone could give and how I could best help.
Thank you all so much.

rmaureen · Moderator Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 237

Hi Oscar,

Thanks for responding! I think Pat is in good hands to have a friend like you. Pat seems to be going through a similar regiment like I went through.

One thing you may ask the radiation oncologist is to prescribe something for nausea as she takes these treatments. Radiation to the pelvis generates a great deal of nausea. The first two weeks of radiation, I threw up every time I went for radiation, usually within thirty minutes after taking the treatment. She will need something in the car to throw up in, to be blunt. Even taking a prescription for nausea, I threw up frequently the first couple of weeks. Later, I also found ginger tablets helped my nausea significantly.

Before they begin radiation, they will "mark" the area to be radiated with marks. The technicians will draw lines on her body, and she might receive a few permanent marks--very tiny dot shaped, hardly noticeable.

After several treatments, her skin will likely become irritated, so ask the radiation oncologist for ointments and creams for this. My radiation oncologist gave me several tubes of Aquaphor and Biafine. I think Biafine is by prescription only, but it worked great. Eventually any chapped and radiation burns disappeared on me, and I only experience slight burning. She should have something like this on hand to apply to the area radiated.

Oscar, you mentioned Pat would have surgery after her radiation. Is the surgery brachytherapy (putting an internal radiation implant in her) or is it a hysterectomy? Just to post for all reading, and quoting a definition off of cancer.org, concerning "... vaginal brachytherapy, a cylinder containing a source of radiation is inserted into the vagina. With this method, the radiation mainly affects the area in contact with the cylinder, such as the vaginal cuff (the upper third of the vagina). Nearby structures such as the bladder and rectum get less radiation exposure than the area in contact with the cylinder."

I had my hysterectomy first (it was how the cancer was discovered), than 31 rounds of radiation and brachytherapy. During the hysterectomy they took out the lymph nodes out in that area, and one tested positive. The brachytherapy I had required about a two day hospital stay, although I recall the implant was in for about 24 hours. I was told to be very still, and when I moved it hurt quite badly. After the implant was removed, most of the pain left. The procedure was about a month after my external radiation rounds were completed. However, for a hysterectomy, recovery time takes several weeks for total abdominal or radical hysterectomies--usually 6 to 8 weeks. It is typically painful the first couple of weeks, there will be fatigue, and she must do no heavy lifting.

Pat will likely be tired for the next couple of months, and will find her activities severely curtailed. Pelvic radiation will make her feel nauseated, a very common side effect which eventually passes. For me, I could not eat most foods, I ate mostly applesauce, crackers--very lightly through my treatments. She may experience a metallic taste in her mouth--this is common among many people experiencing radiation for different types of cancers. It did effect my taste for a while, a yucky taste. Radiation seemed a surreal experience, even the noise the radiation machines made, I abhorred the sound--rather difficult to explain. I think because you lay there knowing you have cancer, and your mind is racing as people and machines are hovering over you.

My family and I has always been dysfunctional in a big time way--not close at all; but my cancer trial was one period in our history we all pulled together. Having someone by my side when I went through treatments and my surgery gave me strength. I think all you need to do Oscar is to let her know you are there for her. And I think she sees that already, and believe me, its those things that matter. None of us knew anything about this disease, or about treatments, but what matter to me was knowing someone would be by my side when I went into different medical places, and into hospitals. Yet others look after my house, cleaning, and still people I barely knew wrote me and sent cards. Believe me Oscar, you are already doing what you should be doing; and you are preparing to receive her into your home, which will help her tremendously. Knowing her cat will be looked after will give her a greater sense of peace. I will keep Pat in my prayers, and please keep us posted on how things are going with her. Yes, it is a very tough road, but she will get through this. Take care now, Very Happy

Rhonda
_________________
Diagnosed Sept. 2005
Stage III-C Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Grade 2

oscar · New User Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Posts: 5

Hi Rhonda,
Thanks so much for your reply, all the info and your encouragement.
Pat goes tomorrow to start her treatments - 23 days of external radiation,
then after a couple weeks, 3 days in hospital for internal radiation(brachytherapy) then maybe a hysterectomy a few weeks after that depending on the results of the radiation. So much to take in and anticipate. She just wants to get it done - she's in pain and very bloated and uncomfortable. She'll be staying at great accomodations right beside the hospital and will have cancer drivers return her home on weekends when I can't (we're a 3 1/2 hour drive away) Pat was so concerned about costs (we are in Canada so all treatments costs are covered) but her accomodation & driving costs are all free too! We are so blessed that she doesn't have to worry about monetary things right now. I so wish that were the same situation for everyone.
Much love and blessings to all reading this & also travelling this difficult road.
Patti

rmaureen · Moderator Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 237

Hi oscar,

Oh what a blessing indeed, to be next to the hospital and, and to have her medical costs, accommodations, and driving details covered! That must be a tremendous relief for her! Please let us know how things go with her treatments, and come back anytime with questions. I will continue to keep her in my prayers, tell her to keep her chin up and stay strong in the fight. Wink

Rhonda
_________________
Diagnosed Sept. 2005
Stage III-C Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Grade 2

kumar · Regular Joined: 17 Jul 2009 Posts: 19

How she is doing.Please advise me

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