Recurrent Cervical Cancer

emotionalpond
  • By emotionalpond · January 29, 2013 at 2:16 pm · 21 replies
  • In Cervical cancer stages and treatment
  • 1 Recommend      
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Hi all. I'm new here. I am the caregiver to my wife, she was diagnosed with stage 4 a cervical cancer in March 2011. She went through chemo radiation and bracky. We got a NED Nov. 12. IT was awesome. She then when into kidney failure do to the cancer crushing her uters. She as Nephrostomy tubes in that keep her kidneys functioning. She's had them for about a year now. We continued to get NEDs even until Dec. 7th, 2012. Well about 2 and a half weeks ago we got the news that she has 3 tumors in her pelvic each being about an inch big. We also found out that they are inoperable. The reason they can't operate is too much radiation damage. They have started her on 6 rounds of chemo hoping it will put her into remission. So needless to say we are a bit scared but we know there is hope. I'm just hoping for some similar stories.

Thank you
Jennifer

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21 replies   

maggiegal

my daughter has her cancer back too. its s 4 inch mass in her pelvic region. may involve her pelvic. we are at sloan kettering right now . they are deciding if they will do a pelvic exenteration or not. I will keep you posted. My daughter had radiation and a radical hysterectomy and they followed it with radiation

emotionalpond

We are in BC, Canada. I find it very different from treatment from USA to Canada.

heybop

Hi, Jennifer. I'm sorry for all you and your wife are going through. I don't have much experience in common with hers, I mainly just wanted to welcome you to this site and suggest that if you could change your setting from "public" to "members only" you may get more replies, as public replies are visible on the Internet.

tabor
  • By tabor
  • Reply 3755196 · In reply to 3753610 by emotionalpond
  • January 30, 2013 at 9:15 am
  • Report post

emotionalpond,
How is treatment different in C anada from in US, in your experience? Thanks.

emotionalpond

Well they will not give her a Pelvic Extraction eventhough there is only tumors in the pelvic. I read all over the place that in the US they will do the extration or cyber knife. We don't have that option here. I find it fusterating that we can't get surgery done. I just find that cancer treatment in the US is more advanced then Canada I guess.

emotionalpond

Thanks Heybop for the welcome! I'm not too sure how to change my settings?

BobbieSS

Emotionalpond,

There are also studies in the US indicating the emotional damage done to a patient if a pelvic exeneration is done, when it does not improve the outcome. So a lot of US providers backed off of that as a first step in treatment. I read a bit about that when I was investigating it for my Sister.

Is there anyway you can come to a US facility and be examined there or at least send a copy of your records?

Prayers for your soon recovery ~

heybop

At the top of your thread, click on "Options." You should see "Edit" as one of the options. Click that and new window opens: Below "Edit discussion" you'll see "Share with" and that's where you'll see the choice between "public" or "members."

emotionalpond

Thank you.

We cannot come to US since her medical will not be covered there. I'm hoping if the chemo doesn't work that we might be able to got to Hamilton, ON since they have the cyberknife there (if it's at all possible)

BobbieSS

Do you guys have clinical trials up there?

emotionalpond

I have looked but have not been able to find anything. We see the Chemo doc on Friday so I have a few questions for him and that's gonna be one of them.

tabor

emotionalpond,

Where in CANADA are you? Rochester Minnesota is not too far down into the US, has an airport -- site of The Mayo Clinic main center, thhouogh they also have clinics in Scottsdale AZ and Sarasota FL, which are not bad places to visit at this time of year.

emotionalpond

I'm in BC. The closest to me would be Seattle or Blaine.

tabor

If your Canadian insurance situation does not cover a second opinion -- usually here ins does cover -- could you pay your way here (to US) just to get a second opinion and take that report back home? Also, are there not private docs in Canada, outside the national system, whom you could consult?

Do you have a cancer society there? Here ours sometimes can help with special transportation costs. Talk to a social worker in cancer dept. (Not just any social worker for this situation.)

I don't know what "Blaine" is or means or where it is. VERY BEST WISHES.

onecollie

hi Jennifer
welcome to this site, so sorry to hear about your wife :(
My sister was diagnosed with stage 4 in Oct of 2011, we are also in Canada, she lives in Ont. I'm in Alberta. She was able to get into a clinical trial in Thunder Bay when first diagnosed, she is one of the ones able to get PET scans. They also told her she could not have any surgery as her cancer was far too advanced, she has it in some aeortic lympth nodes.
These woman are amazing, I am glad you found them on here, they gave me alot of comfort & answers whenver I need them
((hugs))
Jolene

emotionalpond

Thank you!

sumrluvin66

I am really sorry to hear that. I will pray for a good response from chemo.

maggiegal
  • By maggiegal
  • Reply 3757874 · In reply to 3755729 by BobbieSS
  • January 30, 2013 at 9:42 pm
  • Report post

In the US a good DR will not do a pelvic exenteration if it would not offer a cure. my daughter is waiting to see if they will agree to do the surgery. we are in New York visiting with 7 Different Drs and then it goes before a board. my daughter has two children and if this will cure her we are all for it. i do wish she didnt have to do this but we accept whatever we have to.

tabor

I am so sorry for these difficult prospects you face, but so very glad you have been able to get some consults. May your family find courage and stamina. Rooting for you, all of you.

maggiegal

surgery off the table. they want her to have chemo. they said to shrink the tumor then check in three months. anyone have experience with this

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