Hello Ladies
Ive popped over to this forum as Big bang theory suggested I may find answers here. I was diagnosed with Grade 3 Serous & Clear cell uterine cancer staged at 2 post my radical hysterectomy 6 weeks ago as cells had spread to top of cervix although lymph nodes omentum and parametria were all clear which was a relief. The treatment plan agreed with my oncologist is Chemoradiation- 25 radiotherapy sessions over 5 weeks with one session per week of Cisplatin followed by 3 brachytherapy over 2 weeks. I’m starting on 9th June if my wound has completely healed 
( still having daily dressing after infection) . All of the ladies in the Womb cancer forum seem to be having rounds of chemo with 2 drugs followed by radiotherapy so I haven’t been able to chat with anyone having concurrent chemo and radiation.
Oncologist has told me I won’t lose my hair but it may thin - what is the experience of others ?
im expecting some sickness and diarrhoea but is it more severe because of having both treatments together? How soon after completing treatment did you start and feel normal again ? Did you experience side effects immediately or after a couple of weeks? What other side effects were experienced?
I know everyone is different and some people react more severely than others so I will just have to wait and see how I am but I would be interested how others coped
thankyou
Chrissie xx
Hi Chrissie, my chemo days started at 8.00am and I was usually out by 3.30pm - 4.00pm. It takes so long as they give you a "flush through" drip before and after the chemo drip to keep you hydrated but it can actually be a very relaxing day. You are usually offered a sandwich or a lunch menu and a couple of times they will come with tea/coffee and biscuits. After treatment had finished everything settled down again pretty quickly, say two to three weeks. My apetite took the longest to return to normal. Was about three weeks before I could properly face my beloved coffee again!
xxxx
Hello Chrissie and welcome to the group!
Sorry to hear you have to have more treatment after your surgery, but we’ve got lots of experience in the group of exactly what you’ll be doing. Chemo days are long..I would start at about 10am, finish around 4pm and then head for radiotherapy. The chemo is low dose to make the radiation more effective, and it didn’t affect me, nor did I lose my hair at all or have it thin. Radio side effects kicked in at week three with diarrhoea and cystitis, but these cleared up very quickly after treatment ended. I didn’t have any sickness with treatment but I was very tired, which got worse for me as treatment went on. I had 32 radio, 4 chemo, no brachy (story of why in my profile)
Your team will give you lots of things to help is you get any side effects..lI also had heartburn for some reason, but if you mention anything there will be a pill or lotion to help! You may be lucky enough not to suffer from side effects-some ladies sail through everything.
As regards brachytherapy, it is not the same treatment for womb and cervical cancer as having no womb changes how it’s done. So I’d stick to the brachytherapy thread in the womb forum for support with this as the experiences there will be relevant for you, rather than any stories here. It does seem that the brachytherapy is more straight forward without a womb, and quicker to undergo. With cervical cancer it’s a whole different ballgame!
I felt fine physically quite quickly after treatment finished, but was more tired than usual.
Glad to have you with us, and just let us know if we can help with anything.
Sarah xx
Hi Chrissie
I think the thought of the treatment can be the worst thing, especially if you’ve read negative stories-coupled with the “unknown” it’s hard not to be nervous.
I’m glad your mind is a little more at ease now-just take it day by day, as any side effects tend to be cumulative as treatment goes on, and can be hard to predict.
I’m very lucky to be sat on my villa decking listening to the sea, but managing 2 stomas in this climate and having limited mobility it’s not all perfection! I’m still glad to get this once in a lifetime experience though!
Stick with us and the lovely ladies in the womb group and we will all support you as much as we can from our experiences.
Sarah xx
