EndoCa: 7 Days Post-Op, What Treatment Decision?

Had daVinci Hysterectomy...everything out plus 24 lymph nodes removed--1 lymph node came back positive (from lower left pelvis), plus small tumor in uterus: Grade 2, Stage 3C. In discussing treatment with nurse, I have a choice of "Standard of Care" (4 months of chemo/radiation) or being in a "Clinical Trial" (either 5 weeks chemo/radiation) or (6 months just chemo), with only random selection (through computer). If I had a choice, the 5-week treatment chemo/radiation sounds better to me than the 6-month treatment of daily chemo. Decisions, Decisions? Oh, by the way, my DvH Surgery went very well and I have felt much better than I expected since I got out of recovery on July 30. : )

Personally, I'd ask for as much info as possible on side effect severity with the different options, assuming they think the effectiveness would be equal. Would shorter overall time in treatment mean higher doses and more side effects, or would it not really matter as to severity? Or don't they really know? (I had only surgery but my mom required chemo as well). If they think treatment outcomes would all be good, then I guess it may come to how much you want to be in a trial, and side effect profiles. It's a hard decision and if they have info on pros and cons, it might help. Daily chemo for 6 months? How many hours a day? 7 days a wk? But the computer decides which one? I hope they can answer all your questions to help you decide. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this, I hope your recovery continues to go well.

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Originally Posted by greyown Personally, I'd ask for as much info as possible on side effect severity with the different options, assuming they think the effectiveness would be equal. Would shorter overall time in treatment mean higher doses and more side effects, or would it not really matter as to severity? Or don't they really know? (I had only surgery but my mom required chemo as well). If they think treatment outcomes would all be good, then I guess it may come to how much you want to be in a trial, and side effect profiles. It's a hard decision and if they have info on pros and cons, it might help. Daily chemo for 6 months? How many hours a day? 7 days a wk? But the computer decides which one? I hope they can answer all your questions to help you decide. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this, I hope your recovery continues to go well.

Thanks Greyown for your well wishes and good info. I see my gynocologic oncologist on Aug. 16, and want to hear her opinion (have just talked with 2 nurses on the phone up until now). Good questions you suggested to keep in mind. All the the treatments are 5 days a week. I'm thinking if I sign up for the trial and don't get the one that sounds best, maybe I could then opt for the 4 month treatment? Probably doesn't work that way, though. Glad you only had to have the surgery with no further treatment. : )

This really is a hard decision for you to make! I don't think I'd want to do Chemo 5 days a week for 6 months myself. The clinical trial does sound like a better option, having the chemo and radiation for 5 weeks. Six months is a long time to go through chemo! I had it for 3 months every three weeks and that seemed pretty long to me!

I'm sure you'll make the best decision for you and it will go fine. It's not easy going through treatment but you can get make it ! I'm glad your surgery went well and pray for the best outcome for you whichever way you go!

Thanks for your nice reply "Heart & Home!" I'm thinking that I'll probably go with the "Standard of Care" option (4 months chemo/radiation), instead of the "Clynical Trial" that has a 50/50 chance of 6 months of Chemo. I did have small positive tumor contained in my uterus (good riddance to that!), and one positive lymph node (out of 24 removed), but I did have a negative wash and negative on the rest of the stuff removed.

How did you make out with your 3 months of chemo...side effects, etc.? Hope you're doing just fine now "Heart & Home." Guess we'll both be having lots of future check ups, huh?

I sure anxious to get these chemo/radiation treatments behind me and try to get back to normal.

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Endo Cancer stage 3C grade 2
DvH/BSO - 7/30/12

I wouldn't say the Chemo is easy but I think I got through it pretty well. I had some loss of appetite because everything tastes weird and I had a bad taste in mouth all the time (you sort of get used to it after awhile). I was able to eat but not that much and only certain things. I did lose weight over that time, which was nice! I had some anxiety issues because I felt strange and just not myself (it's sort of hard to explain). A lot of ladies never deal with this, though.

I ended up taking an anti-depressant and that helped a lot. They can also give you an anti-anxiety drug if needed and I also took that a couple of times. The anti-nausea drugs work very well so I never had nausea or vomiting at all. I did lose my hair over time (after about the second one).I also lost all my hair all over my body-legs, arms, eyelashes and eyebrows, too! But it started growing back pretty fast after my last treatment.

The biggest thing I think for me was the fatigue and loss of energy. Plus the leg pain that would start the 3rd through the 7th day. I just took advil but if you take something stronger it pretty much takes care of it. I just didn't want to because I was already taking so many medications.

I usually felt better the last week before my next treatment. I started feeling pretty good about 2 weeks after my last treatment. Now I feel really well and back to myself for the most part! It's been 3 months since my last treatment now. I just had my 6 month check-up since my surgery and all is well!

Yeah, we'll be having a lot of check-ups for now on! But I think that's a good thing. The earlier anything is caught the better! I hope you can start your treatments soon and get them behind you and go on to be totally healed!