adjuvant chemo and surgery, anyone had?

[marleerose]

Newly Dx in June. I have completed 2 rounds of chemo, with the plan being 3 rounds, then surgery at Sloan Kettering, then 3 more rounds of chemo. Surgery is complete hysterectomy and removal of 3 cm mass in right paracolic gutter, there are enlarged nodes in retroperitoneum and upper abdomen, omentum caking, etc. Has anyone been thru this? What is recovery from surgery like? I am very scared but trying to keep positive. I have a great family and my daughter, who is pregnant with my first grandchild, lives with us now and is a great support. She works during the day, is due in October. My husband is fabulous and upbeat.Physically I feel good, mentally I am wondering why me and cry from anger and frustration, usually when I have my coffee in the morning. I have been reading this site and would love to be a part of this group. I am 60 yrs old, in great shape, and ironically just retired fro NYS service, and BOOM, this! We bought a house in Florida about 3 weeks before all this began and my Docs say I will be there to enjoy it. My good friend was just Dx with Breast Ca a few weeks ago, and we have been a support to each other , she lost her husband to Lung CA a few years back.( she has surgery today) Anyways, thanks for letting me babble, it feels good to be able to let some of this stuff out, very different than talking with family and friends!

[paula29]

Hi, Marlee,

I, too am in my early 60's and was diagnosed in Oct.of '07.  I had surgery (complete hysterectormy including removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries) the following month.  I was hospitalized for 5 days and was up and walking by the second day folllowing surgery.  There was some pain and discomfort but I had a morphine drip I could control if I needed pain medication.  After a few days, I didn't need it anymore.

I stayed in bed at home for about a week and then spent another two weeks just taking it easy.  I regained my strength easily.

After a few weeks, I had the staples removed from the incision.  It was completely painless and was done in less than 10 minutes.  The gyn/onc told me he had gotten 99% of the cancer but there was just a small amount he could not reach so he decided to place me on chemo just to be sure the last vestiges were removed.

The chemo itself was fine.  They gave me anti-nausea drugs by IV and Benedryl before each round.  They told me I might experience some side effects.  What they didn't tell me was that the side effects were cumulative.  After Round 1, I thought, "Oh this is nothing.  I can handle this."  

By Round 5, I had to be hospitalized and had 28 pints of blood transfused plus platelets and then after my release, I had to go to the hematologist's office for daily shots of Neupagen for white blood cell development and then Procrit for red blood cell development.  After three weeks, my levels were almost normal, so I did not have to return.  It is now four months since I finished chemo and I am still fighting the side effects.  I am plagued with infections and have developed neuropathy in my hands and feet.  I amon meds for that, but they don't help very much.  I was told that this will go away eventually but who knows when that will be?  I am always tired but the insurance company cut off the shots.  The hematologist told me the further you get away from your last chemo treatment, the less likely they are to pay.

The side effects were very toxic in my case from Taxol, followed by paraplatin.  The cure was every bit as bad as the disease itself.  I have had two CT scans, mammogram, chest x-ray and blood work and everything looks normal.  I will have to do the CT scan every three months.  So I am cancer free but those side effects are killer. Be sure to discuss preventative measures with your gyn/onc before beginning chemo.

My hair is growing back and has some gray init!  I am just glad to have hair again.  By the way, the American Cancer Society offers free, new wigs to cancer patients.    

[jlock]

I had my debulking surgery 1st,and had all the areas you mentioned removed and came out (unexpectantly) with a colostomy bag!  I was in shock I think.for at leat 5 days before I even looked at the bag. I then had 6 rounds of chemo afterwards,which brought my number down to 9.  you will get lots of support,love and advice here...welcome to the club on one wants to belong to!!!!!  Good luck and keep us posted~~~Joanne

[marleerose]

Thank you, I needed that story of hope!! I hope my story is a duplicate of hers! Best to you both! Love, Barb

[PinkTissue]

I wished the very best for you. My mum is 63. She was diagnozed with 4th stage cancer last December . She had adjuvant srugery - 3 chemo, surgery followed by 3 chemo. She made a full recovery and is in remission now. I fully believed that for my mother's case, adjuvant surgery is the best option for her because when she was diagnozed with cancer, it had spread EVERYWHERE that it is unlikely that all the cancer could be removed. The doctors decided to let chemo has the first shot. By the time of surgery, there was so little cancer left that the surgeons thought they opened up the wrong patient.But having said that, the last 3 chemos would be tough but with plenty of drink and rest, it is manageable.

Take care. You could read my mum' story at http://www.diaryquirkylady.com
My mum is 3 years older than you.

[crecco]

You have every right to be scared, we all were (and still are at times). I also had my chemo first, but I had a full 8 rounds and then my surgery. They wanted to shrink the tumors down before the surgery and get me in to better shape physically as I was very sick. The surgery went very smoothly. And I am glad that you are having a gyn/onc do yours. After my 6 week check up I resumed chemo as a preventive maintenence and have been on it ever since.
To help against constipation afterwards my Dr had me on a stool softener. Other than forgetting that he said take it easy for 6 weeks, my recovery went just fine. Please remember that. Even though you may begin feeling better much sooner, when they say 6 weeks, they mean 6 weeks. You will know if you have tried to do to much too soon.
I wish you the best of luck!
  Chris

[bohan54]

Yes, I'm in a clinical trial.  Had my first chemo on 7/29.  Will undergo 5 more rounds of standard carbo/taxol plus either a placebo or Avastin.  Then 15 more rounds of either placebo or Avastin.  Tummy woes have been pretty relentless.  Hoping to get a handle on it, seeing my doc today.

[marleerose]

Yes, WHY NOT ME, thank you so much for that! I hope this finds you doing well!!

[vegas2cr]

I had exporatory surgery then 6 rounds of chemo and then my debulking surgey last September... I am a type 1 diabetic and still healed wonderfully and quickly...With all your support it sounds like you are doing wonderfully... When I asked myself WHY ME the answer came quickly.. WHY NOT ME.  Hope you continue to well with chemo and surgery... Ronni

[marleerose]

Thank you! Yes, gyn oncologist is doing surgery. The constipation thing is certainly an issue, have the same from chemo. I do Colace every nite, Metamucil every day, seems to keep it in check.(p.s. My friend I referenced wirh Breast CA is Sharon B., interesting!) Are you having chemo after surgery?

[bohan54]

You will find this forum to be a great source of information and comfort.  These ladies have a wealth of first hand knowledge.  Sounds like you are in good medical hands, surgery will be perfomed by a gyn oncologist I hope.  My biggest problem during recovery from surgery (6/16/08) was and is constipation.  
Best of luck to you,
Sharon B