I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2020.Had a hysterectomy with follow up brach therapy. Clear of cancer for 3 months but 3 month scan revealed swollen lympnodes pelvic area.
I have had chemo which was successful putting cancer into remission for 6 months but cancer returned. More chemo, 8 months remission.
It's back again and still confined to pelvic area. Have been offered chemo and immunotherapy. Have to decide which treatment to have. My team seem keen on immuno. But having read up on side effects I am hesitant to go with immuno. They can be pretty awful and permanent and life threatening. Stressing about it all and simply scared of making wrong decision. I don't think I could cope with immuno. Severe side effects should they occur. It's all a gamble I guess and I feel I will never be free of cancer. Chemo side effects I can handle just about. Damned if I do damned if I dont.
Hi Oak2
I am sorry to hear that your cancer active again and that you need more treatment. I can understand how scary and stressful this is and I think that it is a big fear for many ladies on here.
I wonder if calling the Support Line and speaking to one of the nurses might be helpful? The number is below. They would be able to talk you through the potential side effects and help make sure you have all the info to make the right treatment decision for you.
When I read your post my immediate thought was the chemo has kept it at bay but only for a few months. However you seem to have tolerated the chemo and if you did have it again- would it be the same type and regime? I had chemo and it did make me quite poorly and I did feel that I didn't have many good days within the cycle and when I did (tended to be week 3) I was having bloods and seeing the consultant so did not have much time to enjoy it. If you had chemo again can they give you any idea how effective they feel it would be? Would it be an option to have some chemo first and then re scan after the first couple of cycles to see if it was working?
I have not had immunotherapy but there are ladies on here who will have. If you do a search within the group then any posts connected to immunotherapy should come up.
If the doctors are recommending the immunotherapy, can they tell you about the regime and why they think it is more favourable over having chemo again? I know that for most cancer treatments there are a long list of potentially frightening and serious side effects but I suppose its a case of weighing up the pros and cons and deciding what is right for you. As a potential question to ask- Would you be able to have one immunotherapy treatment to see how you tolerate it and then if it was too much, go back to chemo?
It is scary to make such a big decision which is why I think speaking with one of the nurses on here, who will know the different medications may help. Its about having enough facts to make an informed decision- it's your body and your choice.
You mention about potential side effects being pretty awful, permanent and life threatening but that can also be the experience with chemo. I have permanent effects from my chemo. These effects are such that if I ever had to do it again and was offered immunotherapy- I would definitely consider trying it.
Another thing to potentially ask is whether there are any other possible treatments you could have? Radiotherapy/ surgery to the lymph nodes, targeted drugs or whether there are any trials worth looking into.
Hope this helps a bit and these questions are only suggestions but are the sort of things that I would want to ask to make sure I had all the info need to make the decision. I am sorry that you are having to go through this and if there is anything you need, then please do ask.
Jane
Hello Oak2
I am sorry you are going through this. I don't know anything about chemo or immunology but there will be other ladies on here who know more. I just wanted to send you a hug
and to wish you all the best with your decision and treatment.
