Endometriam Cancer Grade 111C; coping with low survival rate info

1 minute read time.

Wondering how women with Papillary Serous Adencarcinoma with clear cells Grade 111C cope with the poor survival rate they read about when they look it up on the internet?  At the moment it seems there's a 33% chance of survival for us.  Is this your reading? Has it improved? Would like to know more!

I tend to not automatically believe I will be the lucky 1 in 3.  What kind  of presumtious thinking is this:

"Oh of course it's going to be me. I'm so special, so strong, I know how to do this!"  

Fundementally, I don't see why it should necessarily be me, though it could be, of course.  I have told myself that I preferred to try to be realistic and say

"this could be a very long haul and so you would be better to organize your life to be as well as you can, emotionally." 

In those dark days of chemo, post op, I spoke to my new female God, I meditated and flushed out my cancer cells, I found all sorts of internal strengths to feel good about. I worked on dealing with my cancer the best I could,;so if there was a chance of being the 1 in 3, it might just be me

But gradually, through feeling ill for so many months (now I'm on 55th Radio Therapy treatment), I've stopped meditating, stopped vizualizing, stopped delighting in my female god and I've become maudlin.

Until today.  I went to have a head massage and a facial.  I felt good, less mentally tired, prettier, alive, less DIZZY!!!    I enjoyed my lunch, which I don't usually enjoy.

I read the Budwig Protocal,which is helpful, especially the spiritual aspect of it (havent dared tried the diet since I have a nuttritionalist).

Some friends are coming round for a short visit in a few hours. I have wonderful family and friends.I don't know more than this.

The future bothers me.  I can have dreams I enjoy, (for example my youngest son is going to have a baby. I'm going to visit my mother in California and see friends in LA).  Then I experience deep secret  fears which are like bad dreams (mostly financial).  I would appreciate sharing experiences with someone, or others who are also dealing with this roller coaster ride. 

 

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Dear Lorraine,

    You are so right to want to promise not to worry about cancer coming back, great! Good!  Yes - and together it'll be very very helpful.  You can nudge and scream at me (kind of?) if you hear I'm going off the rails again.  And I might do the same if I hear you're on the wobbly side road myself.

    Talking about it here helps A LOT. So lets keep on blogging shall we? I've got a funny feeling that the aftermath of all this is interesting and also unpredictable - since everything must change.

    I know I need to change the way I live so that I'm truly much more serene and content with whatever it is I chose to do with life from now on (make the most of things, whatever they are).

    The grey cloud has lifted for you too.  That's so good. I'm very happy for you. I was worried you'd be going through weirdness .  But it seems you've been quick to move that cloud .  

    You must be very strong.  Maybe that's why you had a few days of tears; letting the pain and strangeness and all the tension of the treatments go a bit. It's good to give in sometimes;let the good tear roll.

    I'm beginning to feel well enough to go into Rome Centre. I've been in twice, (once in the car, once by bus!) seen some really good friends (as well as the Christmas lights and ALL THAT STUFF FOR SALE - and felt much better for the connection with them.   Everyone was so normal, and  we all  found it easy to chat and catch up. People, friends, are wonderful aren't they? The support is so strong and touching isn't it?

    I'm off to Hereford on Tuesday but before that I've got a slew of doctors appoinments - and the dentist. (My teeth really suffered. did yours?)  I've got to do the blood, urine and heart tests in prep for the next scan (which I have the day after I get back from Hereford).I've got a gyne visit tomorrow......it goes on and on!!!

    In Hereford I'm going to go looking for a hop pillow with my sister Ruth... (for Daisy) ....yes, and a trip to TKMax for a white blouse with frills for Christmas...that's the fanatsy of the day, oh and pick up my Christmas decorations from my house.  (Turns out the tenants are moving out the day I arrive, so I can go and have a look at it). I've also go to go to the bank and sort out some credit card payments, all that jolly catching up business.  I'll see my other sister and brother and a few nephews and nieces and eat at leat one mince pie. oh I'm so excited. Ruth lives in an 15th century farmhouse she's been doing up, so between the draughts, there's a huge log fire and beamed ceiling and it's just so comfy...mmmmm.

    Talking of surviving another day and wondering about what 2010 will bring.  Well, as much as possible, dear friend Lorraine, I'm going to try to keep an open mind, look for the 'nicer' thought, the 'better' feeling, and be up for the surprises (the good ones) that will come along because after all, life has also been pretty amazing at times too...i just look at my beautiful children - what a miracle! Baby Atia on the way.  She'll be born at the end of Feb.

    And when I look back on all the love and care I've had this bizarre year of 2009...it's been nothing short of miraculous...so Lorraine, I do promise to do my best to steer clear of 'cancer coming back' thoughts.   Thanks.  I really like your encouragement to do the right thing here.  You are a friend.

    Huge hug and hope you have a really good time in New Jersey, catching up, and feeling a little stronger every day, slowly slowly, gently gently now.

    Byeeee, lots love

    Penny xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Penny,

    It's very strange being back over here and not working.  It was surreal at the airport last Monday.  I was standing in line (how American is that), looking around and wondering about all the other people - were they holiday makers, businessmen/women and did they have a care in the world?  My life has changed for ever as I'm sure yours has and I look at everything differently post cancer.  I used to be so vain and would never be seen outside the house without mascara or having immaculate hair and now realise that stuff just isn't important (just as well because I only have about half an inch of hair).

    My best friend and I cried when we saw each for the first time in 7 months and the staff decorated my office with hellium balloons etc.  Very sweet.  We went to a neighbour's holiday party (not allowed to say Christmas over here) - idiotitic isn't it?  Sunday we went to see our old neighbours with triplet boys.  They have moved to the most amazing house I have ever seen - absolutely beautiful.  I love houses that are different and this has cathedral ceilings and is all open plan in typical American style.  Nearly 4,000 sq feet.  We are going to the triplets first birthday party next Saturday.  I'm not sure where this year has gone as it only seems like yesterday when they born all around 2lb.  

    Your sister's 15th century farmhouse sounds amazing - I can just imagine you sipping mulled wine in front of a rouring fire.

    Bloomin' freezin' over here right now.  Temperature is -2 and snow is forecast for tonight.  Donna and I have been walking round the lake every day.  It's only about a mile but it's good to get out every day and exercise.  She is due to have her staples removed today and I will be going to the hospital with her.  I can't believe that she has had her staples in for 25 days - in the UK they wouldn't leave them in that long would they?  Mine were out after 10 days.  

    John is going to Kentucky next week so I will spend that week doing Christmas shopping and stocking up on make up etc.  

    My appointment is Jan 7th for my first follow up.  It will work out well as we fly back to Manchester on Dec 22nd and then will return for one last trip on Jan 10th.  My recovery is nothing short of miraculous - no side effects whatsoever.  Now that is unbelievable.  My appetite has increased and I am enjoying a glass of red wine in the evening.  

    Take good care of yourself and continue with your positive thinking - it will pay dividends.

    Lots of love

    Lorraine

    x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi there Lorraine,

    I'm back in Rome after a lovely time in Hereford; really beautiful, with a lot of luxury, spoiling, that great English Christmas feel (which we dont really have here in Italy) and yup, it's still called Chrismas...

    did everything, saw everyone, had a LOAD of laughts - even though I was on paracetomol the whole time (fo ra flu bug or something).  My white blood count is still low (it's 2.2).  So I'm not that resiliant yet.

    I've had the full body scan and I'll see the oncologist on Monday. Can NOT help worrying just a bit.  I asked the Scan doctor if all was clear and she told me she'd be writing the report for Monday...

    I immediately thought "If I'm OK why dont you just tell me?"  -

    so since she didn't I thought "Oh there's some cancer back!"

    Most of the time I'm fine, getting ready for Christmas (just bought a really pretty tree!) I'm not really  giving into the stuff  that'll do my head in (though I can't help a bit of a worry sometimes Lorraine...god damn this cancer).

    It's 'bloomin freezin' over in Italy too at the moment, and I'm not going out again today....

    Have a good trip back and I'll drop you a line to let you know what Mondays results are...anyway I'll be in touch to catch up and send  a  Happy Holidays line.

    If we could find a way to write each other an email I'd send you a card....

    be well and lots of love Penny xxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    A big hi from a very snowy New Jersey,

    It sounds as though you've had a great time in Hereford and I'm glad they spoilt you - you deserve it.  

    We've just had record a breaking snow fall of 24" in one day.  It absolutely beautiful and it's amazing how geared up they are for it.  The snow ploughs have already been out and everything carries on as normal.  If this was the UK we would have ground to a halt and total chaos would ensue.  

    I've also had a stinking cold which has hampered my Christmas shopping somewhat.  I decided to leave it until I came over here but haven't felt like going out and tackling the malls.  Hopefully after we (that's the royal we) have dug the car out of the snow I can complete the Christmas shopping.

    Good luck with yoru scan results on Monday and please let me know how you go on.  The scan doctors in the UK are not allowed to give you any results and it has to be your own oncologist so please don't worry too much - although, I know it's easier said than done.  

    I have my first check up on 7th Jan and so far so good - now that my cold has gone I feel more like my old self.  So much so that we had some friends over last night for dinner and we had a great night.  Unfortunately her car got stuck in the snow and John had to help push it out onto the main road.  Because she doesn't live too far away John drove her back to her house and then they walked here.  

    They stayed over as the snow hadn't been ploughed until this morning.  We danced, drank and ate.  I drank far too many spiced rum and cokes - but by heck Penny, I feel fantastic, haha.

    My friend over here had bad news last Monday - her mum has stage 1V colon cancer which is now in her liver.  She is so upset. This damn club is growing and growing and noone really wants to join.  She is coming over for a glass of wine today to chat.  

    Oki Penny, better go and do some shoveling or else I will never get my shopping done.

    Take care and have a wonderful Christmas.  Stay strong my friend.

    Love

    Lorraine

    x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Dear Lorraine,

    My oncologists eyes were sparkling with pure pleasure when he told me that 'IM ALL CEAR!!!!!!!!!

    so we'll have a happy happy christmas...

    You MIGHT be back in Manchester when you read this...though I've been watching the weather reports for that area and it's looking pretty cold..but let hope your travel back goes OK.

    HAPPY CHRISTMAS dear Lorraine  and lets look forward to an amazing 2010.

    Lots of love to you (and your loved ones)

    Penny xxx  ps (I'm off to Milan on 2nd and then to LA on 4th for five weeks!!! but hope to be able to stay in touch and hear your news after Jan 7th. X fingers for you. It'll be fine  Lorraine. We are doing this just RIGHT)