endometrial recurrence

Hi I'm new here. Just joined as I am at a loss and quite depressed over my mom's recurrence.

She had stage 1 endometrial cancer and had a hyst with no radiation after and was told her survival rate was very good and now 1 and a half years later she has a recurrence.

She had a cT scan in Aug and was told all clear come back next year and in Sept started getting bowel obstruction, diarrhoea and consitipation. She kept going back to the hospital and they said your scan shows you are fine and took a few X rays and told her it was a bowel obstruction, no cancer. She insisted on further investigations.

We were shocked when a MRI in Oct showed a 7.5cm tumour. A biopsy confirmed it and doc says there is clear cell activity ?? She will have her tumour removed on 9 Nov (can't get earlier date) and her colon and bladder cut and attached to bags. I cried for days when I heard it. How is she going to travel and get around as she is such an active woman.

I am now wondering whether the doctor missed anything in Aug.
Please any advice on how to support my mom now would help greatly. Her op is on 9 Nov.
The doctor says chemo doesn't really help for this type of cancer. What about radiation etc.

dear lumiere...i am so sorry your mom has had a recurrence. there is another "sister" on this website that has had that surgery re bowel and/or bladder and is quite comfortable with it. i'm not sure her name...i hope she will come along soon and read your post. good luck!

Hi Lumiere
Sorry to hear about your mother's news,,, I have stage 1 endometrial cancer and I was told that the survival rate is 85-90% over 5 years so your mum's chances were good but as we know, statistics can go against us.
I can't help you with your other questions but please come to this forum with any worries or queries - the sisters here are amazing !!! x x x

Dear Lumiere,

I'm sorry to read about your mother's recurrence. My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 uterine cancer in Feb 2007. She had 2 rounds of carbo/taxol chemo that didn't do much. She also had radiation to the pelvic bone and uterus. They do not want to do a hysterectomy as it has spread to her lungs, pelvic bone, tail bone, cervix and pelvic lymph node. She has been on hormonal treatment, a pill called megace since April, and her scans in Oct show the cancer has decreased about 50%. We are so grateful for this great news. She looks and feels very good...tires easily, but is doing quite well. Ask your mom's oncologist about megace. I will keep you and your mom in my prayers.

cleopatra,
What an encouraging post. Let's hope the cancers continue to decrease in size and maybe others can ask about this drug as well!

Dear Hope,
Thank you for your post. Yes, my mother has been doing well over these past few months. She will have more scans in mid Dec. Please pray this drug continues to work for her and maybe it can also help others. It is giving us all much hope.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by lumiere Hi I'm new here. Just joined as I am at a loss and quite depressed over my mom's recurrence. She had stage 1 endometrial cancer and had a hyst with no radiation after and was told her survival rate was very good and now 1 and a half years later she has a recurrence. She had a cT scan in Aug and was told all clear come back next year and in Sept started getting bowel obstruction, diarrhoea and consitipation. She kept going back to the hospital and they said your scan shows you are fine and took a few X rays and told her it was a bowel obstruction, no cancer. She insisted on further investigations. We were shocked when a MRI in Oct showed a 7.5cm tumour. A biopsy confirmed it and doc says there is clear cell activity ?? She will have her tumour removed on 9 Nov (can't get earlier date) and her colon and bladder cut and attached to bags. I cried for days when I heard it. How is she going to travel and get around as she is such an active woman. I am now wondering whether the doctor missed anything in Aug. Please any advice on how to support my mom now would help greatly. Her op is on 9 Nov. The doctor says chemo doesn't really help for this type of cancer. What about radiation etc.

Hi Lumi and big HUGS to you and your mom.

I can't address your concerns about the recurrence and surgery, but wanted to give you some hope about the planned Ostomies (bags for bladder and bowel).

A lot of people have had these and while it's not something to be wished for, it is quite manageable and life can continue on a nearly normal basis. Please contact your local hospital (or the one where the surgery will be done, if it's not your local hosp) and ask to speak to the ostomy nurse. She/he will be able to answer many of your questions and allay most of your fears.

Best of luck to you and your mom on this journey.

Lumi,

Love to you and mom.

I faced the same surgery and while under they could not continue due to other factors.

Anyway, I was going to have my bladder, vagina and colon out and 2 bags. I researched it and was really not bothered by it. I know many, many people have the bags, even small children. I know it is traumatic to think about but the options are worse.

We do have ladies on here and I have personal friends with this who are doing great. Some adjustments to make but they seem fine.

Good info about talking to a nurse trained in this area.

Hope mom is ok with this.

Juanita

I do know many people with both colostomies and ileostomies. It is quite an adjustment, but many people do it and live well-rounded lives. Remember, if this saves her life, she can adjust to anything. My brother has had two occurences of colon cancer and has had a colostomy for 17 years. There are times when he has problems, mostly with scar tissue or nutrition issues. However, he has worked and traveled, and wouldn't have missed these years for anything.

My best to you and your mom. We'll be thinking of her.