Back to Chemotherapy

[Jerry_NJ]

This is a duplicate of a post on "cancer" which had not gotten any responses so I try it here. I am mainly looking for experience/knowledge about those who have to make a second, or more runs at Chemo.
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My wife who had uterus and ovaries removed due to cancer and underwent Chemo for about a year that ended in March of 2011, is scheduled to return to Chemo next week.

She has gotten a CT scan periodically as a check on the previous cancer and the second of the last two CT scans has  confirmed that there is cell activity inside her chest/stomach cavity that did not respond/stabilize to the first defense, some hormone medications, started after the previous CT scan about two months previously.  She goes back on chemotherapy next week.  

This causes her to stop her volunteer work at the hospital and return to going there for cancer treatment - thus a real downturn emotionally - as well a frightening.  .  The Oncologist also ordered a needle biopsy (they use a long needle to get a sample of the tissue/growth rather than open the patient up to get the sample) which will tell us if the growth is just active cells or cancer cells.

I post mostly to see what others who have had to return to chemo after being in remission (if that is what it is called) for a year or two, can share on this situation.

[Jerry_NJ]

My wife had both, all were removed with surgery at the Carol G. Simon
Cancer Center at Morristown Medical Center - I believe it is one of the best in our area and NYC and Philadelphia are no more than 25 miles further from our home.  That surgery was done with a fully open, nor endoscope (not sure that is the correct term, surgery through small incisions), to give the surgeon access to surrounding tissue.  He said he believed he had gotten all infected flesh - but she went through Chemo anyway.  As stated, I think, she finished that in March of 2011 - about the same period as your second cycle.

As followup she had gotten a CT scan (which I have read some scary stuff about - it is a dangerous damaging procedure in its own right) perhaps every 6 months.  Two months back they detected nodules on her lungs and in the cavity where the uterus and ovaries were located.  So she had the follow up 2 months late and it showed increased growth in size and number - so the Oncologist said she has to go back on Chemo and has referred the lung question to a lung specialist (don't recall the name of that field).  

I'll admit I just today picked up an advertisement on the web concerning cancer treatment and it has nothing good to say about Chemo, or indeed about the progress made in cancer treatment over the past 80 years, it said no progress.  Did make one feel good.    

[Jane39]

First of all, I am sorry that you all are going through this.  I am sorry, what is your wife's "form" of cancer, is it uterine or ovarian?  This forum is ovarian, but I can tell you from experience, any form of cancer, *****, sorry, but it is, I had Ovarian in 2006, had chemo from 2006-2007.  It's exhausting.  Still managed to work full time, and maintain my normal family duties to the best of my ability.  And yes it did (the cancer) sneak back up on me in 2010, had more surgery and another 12 cycles of chemo from 2010 thru 2011.  It's a kick in the teeth, but you have to fight, fight fight.  I am not sure what it's like from your perspective.  I did go to my treatments by myself.  Told my husband to go to work.  My infusion center was 5 minutes from my house, so I did drive myself.  Didn't want people missing work and just sitting there staring at me.  But be brave, and my prayers will be with you and your wife.  Best Wishes.