Results today

1. Thanks.   Can I ask how she explained the LVSI

Hi Tashton

I was stage 1b grade 2 with extensive LVSI. I had all the planning done for 5 weeks of radiotherapy and 3 sessions of brachytherapy and then they found I had the POLE mutation so I didn’t have it. I used to be a radiotherapy radiographer and we used to explain the adjuvant treatment as an insurance policy … belts and braces… a just in case scenario. It is a lot of information to take in but I think with time it all becomes a bit clearer.

Linda

Hi Teshton, I’ve been where you are today ,I was grade2 stage 1B with extensive LVSI. I was offered and took 6 cycles of chemotherapy and 3 brachytherapy. I started my chemotherapy 4 weeks after surgery. My oncologist said the 3 Brachytherapy were because the tumour had been more than 50% through. The chemotherapy was for the LVSI. He explained to me that cells were found in my blood vessels and if they were to get in to my bloodstream they could attach to organs and there is no testing that can be done to tell if this was happening. I can only speak for myself but it was the best thing I done and I’ve no regrets. It’s one year passed Christmas,that I finished my treatment and am keeping well. I got check ups at first every 3 months and now am every 6 months. I do understand how you must be feeling because when I was told I had LVSI ,I panicked as I had never heard of it . Take care and be kind to yourself.xx

Thanks.  Confusing though how people are offered different treatments at different hospitals and doctors even though stage and grade the same?.   My nurse said unlikely to be chemo as grade not aggressive enough, guess I will just have to see.  Can I ask how often you were given the chemo?

I had 6 cycles each cycle is 3 weeks apart but I ended up having all mine 4 weeks apart as my blood count was alway too low. I got my bloods checked 2 days before each chemo session. I was told by my oncologist that there isn’t one set treatment as they take age, fitness,other underlying health problems into account. 

Am I likely to need further scans before treatment.  Before my operation I had chest x ray and MRI scan

Hi I’ve been told I’ll need a CT scan as part of planning for radiotherapy- think this is to assess where it should be directed as they’ll mark my skin. 

I got a MRI and a CT scan before surgery. The week before my brachytherapy I had to go and get fitted with the prob that goes internally, I got an internal first then they insert the prob then I got a X-ray to make sure it was fitted in the correct place. They then removed the prob. My treatment started the next week and I got one treatment a week for 3 week. My first treatment was 9 minutes the second was 9 half minutes and the 3 rd was 10 minutes. I got a internal before each treatment. I have to say it was not painful I was nervous when they mentioned a internal the first time but if you can relax it’s fine. What I will say is you have to leave your dignity at the door and pick it up on the way out.lol After my treatments were finished I was given dilator of various sizes for to use. This was my treatment Tashton,I can only talk for myself as I know there are ladies on here that have had different to me.

It will depend on what treatment you’re offered. A couple of weeks after my oncologist appointment, i had an appointment for a chat and questions with a lovely technician and a “mini” planning CT a couple of weeks before my radio. At my oncologist appointment I asked if I could express a preference to have my radio sessions mid to late afternoon, and she noted that down. 

What are the average times from seeing the consultant to discuss treatment to actually having the treatment?