timetoshare

Been thinking about you since your post 3 days ago. I hope your sister is doing ok. Lymphedema of the pelvis is so little studied compared to the arms etc of other cancers. I went to lymphedema therapy. Had lymphedema compression panty hose made (those are hot and annoying but help) hard to get on and I'm sweating by time get them on and need a break but help with compression. Exercises to a point help. The best thing that helps is massage by a lymph therapist but the machine I posted a pic of on the pin board of a machine I got to trial in home. It took 3.5 cm off my abdomen in 40 minutes and 1.5 off my legs. Prescribed tx would be two hours a day if I get it. Think two hours everyday would show great results. Will post when I hopefully get that.

Pls let me know if I can help you in any way!

How are things?

Hello how are things for you and sister? Just wanted say thinking of you.

Thanks so much!! There is so much to learn!

Hello time, I didn't have bracy treatment. It scared me, but I've heard that it goes directly to the area it needs to go to. I talked with a woman at my center who was having it. She told me that you have to lay still for a couple of hours. I asked about having to go to the bathroom. She said they catherize you, and give you something to keep you from moving for the couple of hours. I hope all goes well for your sister.

Hello, and thanks for all the kind words,
I found the brachytherapy itself wasn't too bad. Just like chemo, the first one was the easiest to deal with. The second one was a little harder, and so on. The treatment itself is painless unless you count the possible distress of the set-up for treatment. After each treatment there was a little discomfort, tiredness, minor pain, and so on. I had three treatments, alternating with chemotherapy, so I was weaker each time. Therefore, it took a little longer each time to recover. Some brachytherapy methods insert radioactive seeds that have to stay in place longer, and the other type is high dose but fewer treatments. I had the high dose version. I don't really know anything about the other type. Hope all goes really, really well.

Hello how are things? I've tried to read through ur post again. Has she started the brachytherapy yet? I had 5 all went well. Constipation lots of water to help move the bowels. If can walk about as much as can. Sorry for all she is going through, you are a great sister.

Sorry for the delay in response my notifications were not getting to me until yesterday so I wasn't aware you had asked me direct questions. Again I am doing well and almost done. My whole story is listed as whatnexter of the week I think under the pinboard tab.

Hello I was trying to catch up on what is happening for you. Sounds like your sister is the patient? Nice of you to navigate and advocate for her. Where is she in treatment? As far your question to me: external pelvic radiation did not go well for me. I chose to end external after 5 treatments. Brachytherapy or internal was always part of the plan to happen after the external but when I quit external, brachy was increased from 3 treatments to 5. Finished those dec 23 and they were twice a week. I had no pain, difficulty or side effects from the brachytherapy. I had 3 chemo of taxol and carboplatin, 21 days apart prior to radiation. Returned to chemo after radiation jan 7 for again taxol/carbo. I have two more chemo left. It's called sand which therapy to do this way. If can answer any more questions or be of any help please let me know.

Greetings. I see you have chosen to follow me. I'm usually a bit of a smart Aleck as my humor has gotten me through. That might be a bit dim right now, as you know about my mom. But if there is any help I can provide, please let me know.

I welcome you to this site. There have been many answers for me and has made not to feel so alone in my journey. If I can help you let me know. I had surgery 5 years ago and thought I had beat it, but last spring they found 14 nodules in my lungs. After 9 chemo treatments my Dr. wanted to give me a break as 13 of 14 were gone. After 3 moths the new scan showed 6 nodules so he is trying anti-hormone meds. I also have diabetes and had blood clots and cellulites in my legs. That is the reason for the break from chemo. Not sure but will probably have chemo again. Wish you the best with the care you give your sister.

Hi Timetoshare! No worries at all, I am still struggling with this site sometimes and I've been here awhile now. I have stage IV breast cancer spread to bones and I also had stage 1 endometrial cancer and thyroid cancer as well. I'm still in treatment for stage IV breast cancer, but I had surgery and chemo for the endometrial cancer and I have finished my treatments for that but I see that oncologist regularly for check ups just in case it comes back. So basically I have had 3 primary cancers. I'm so sorry that you have stage IV cancer like I do, and I hope that you find others with stage IV endometrial cancer but I have noticed that I have more in common with other stage IV cancer survivors than early stage breast cancer survivors because us stage IV folks are all living with cancer as a chronic illness and that is very different than someone who goes through treatment, finishes it and heals. Although cancer is so unpredictable that once you have it, it is never too far out of your mind. I am doing well and thank you asking! I hope that you are doing well also! xoxoxoxo

Welcome to the WhatNext family! The WhatNext family is made up of people like you who are looking for help or looking to help others. To help you along your journey the WhatNext family has put together a Beginner's Guide to Cancer that I highly recommend you check-out here: http://bit.ly/10BQKCi. Also, please do not hesitate to reach out to others or ask for help.

Wishing you the best.

David
Founder, WhatNexter