Womb cancer diagnosed

Mo K

Hi Mo. I'm so sorry I wasn't around to welcome you when you posted this. I myself have recently started palliative chemo so I know exactly where you're coming from with the shock and devastation but like me, you're going to kick this thing in the ar**e. You're not alone in this!

I haven't been about for the last couple of days, had my second chemo on 31/1 and it's on about day 8 (yesterday) the worst of the side effects hit me with sickness and diarrhoea. I'm having 6 cycles, the next on 21/1, then a short break whilst I have my CT scan to see how the tumours are reacting. If you read my bio you'll see I had a hysterectomy 18 months ago and had the all clear from the womb cancer but blooming thing has popped up all over.

I'm sure the other ladies in this group, who are brilliantly supportive will be along to chat and offer a virtual hug.

Fire away any questions you may have, someone's usually around to answer.

Sending welcoming hugs, Barb xx

Thanks Barb so lovely to hear from someone who’s going through the same traumatic experience but so sorry too have my first chemo 14th Jan Carbiplatin and pacitaxel one after the other how were u a after your first one did the effects kick in straight away sickness tiredness any pins and needles in feet and hands not sure whether u are having the same chemo and how long were u there for. I have to go for covid text on Tuesday and self isolate until the I go n the Friday.  Thanks so much for the support 

hugs back to you too xx

Mo K

Hi Mo. yes I'm on the same treatment Paclitaxel and Carboplatin. The day following I felt on top of the world but that was due to being pumped up with steroids, antihistamine and anti-nausea. Slight side effects kicked in on day 3 which was the pins and needles in the fingers due to peripheral neuropathy, the following day my feet were a bit sore. Day 8 was the worst on both occasions with diarrhoea and vomiting, then, once purged, feel a bit better. The pins and needles persisted all the time and it's important to tell the nurses about it. I now find typing difficult, another reason I'm not about quite so much.

It was a long day, arrived at 09.00, was weighed, height taken, bloods results checked and a chat about what to expect then signed paperwork. The canula was put in and steroids, antihistamine and anti nausea given. Takes about half an hour then a half hour wait then Paclitaxel given over about 3 hours, saline wash through then Carboplatin given over an hour. Final saline wash through and good to go with a 3 day supply of steroids and anti-sickness pills. I left about 15.30 so just over 6 hours.

Take something to occupy you, kindle, tablet sudoku etc. You're supplied with tea, coffee and lunch and looked after very well!

As you'll have your blood test usually the same day as your covid swab, I'd recommend you call the chemo suite that afternoon to make sure the results are through (or the next day). When I last went on 31/1 my blood results taken on 29/1 weren't available so I had to have more taken that morning. Sometimes the lab can take up to 2 hours to process so it's an idea to call and check, otherwise a wait before you start as they won't do anything until they have them. On occasion I've read elsewhere if the bloods flag something like an infection up they can't continue that day and will delay.

I also started a daily journal and put everything in it, temperature, weight, constipation, diarrhoea, tablets taken whether I had an appetite or not. Helps when you go for each cycle as they'll ask about all these things.

BTW food tasted like cardboard days 6 - 11 so spice things up!

Hugs, Barb xx

Hi Barb

Thanks for all the info, I have my covid test on Tues and to go for bloods on the day or 2 days before my chemo which is Fri so that will mean bloods done Weds or Thurs, I’m supposed to self isolate then after Tues so they’ve done that a bit wrong as how can I self isolate if I have to go for bloods but my Daughter in law is a practice nurse so she said she would do them for me which will be a bit better than going to the hospital I still seem to have this urine infection thought it was improving but then seemed worse then started wondering  is it infection or the cancer with everything been near that end where the cancer is so I will be ringing Drs tomorrow got 2 days left antibiotics she said if it wasn’t improving to ring her back as she wanted to get it sorted before my chemo I’m taking cystocalm as well and bought some cranberry juice yesterday so here’s hoping. I was just wondering if you have started losing your hair yet as they told me I would and that there is a wig shop my hairdresser was asking when it may occur so she can come to the house when needed so I thought you or someone else might know or is everyone different I have very thick hair too.  I read yr history that must of been so devastating for you for if to return, Hoping yr ok lovely hearing from you.

Sending hugs back

Mo xxxx

Hi Mo

I started to lose my hair exactly 14 days after the first treatment. I was prepared for it but confess it was a big shock. Especially when I washed my hair in the sink which has one of those drainer thingies. When I scooped it out the sink I really blubbed. I'd already had my hair, which was shoulder length and thick, cut short but, thinking about I should've asked my hairdresser who comes to my house, to shave it off completely.

They should give you details of your £100 wig voucher when you go with the rest of your paperwork. They gave me details of 4 places fairly local to where I live. If you live in Scotland or Ireland it's free. If I had a bit more energy I'd lobby my MP to get it for free!

I also now drink Green ginger and lemon grass cordial which helps the nausea.

I'm finding day 8 after treatment is the worst and TBH if that's the worst it can throw at me it's not a problem. I'm now on day 10 and only peripheral neuropathy in my fingers bother me. 

Hugs, Barb

Hi Barb

Thanks for that it's really helpful I’ve informed my hairdresser who is going to come to my house when it happens my hair is already short  I’ll get some of those cordials in ready.  Going to my sons for Sunday dinner soon he’s happy go lucky like me so should have a lovely time bonus they have downstairs loo there too, as still going frequently.  

Hugs go back to you

Mo xx

Hi again Barb 

i did get more antibiotics and sent a sample sample in Monday but the results aren’t back yet so wasn’t sure until today I’d it would be going ahead but I am improving all the time on these sites antibiotics so after speaking to my CNS the chemo dept and then they contacted the consultant it was her decision because I’m ok my bloods were ok and my covid test she’s allowing it to go ahead I’ve had a really anxious couple of days not knowing I did so much phoning around sending emails yesterday to get these results it was the straw that broke the camels back but I’m over it now back ready to fight again so I’ll be there 12.30 tomorrow.  Got my code breaker books ready iPad for games and books to read so I should pass the time away I know some of the nurses are still there from when I had Bowel cancer 9 years ago the nurse who rang today said she gave me my 4th round of chemo so will be nice to see them again, hope yr ok after your last treatment. 

Sending hugs to you 

Mo xxx

Hi Barb

I went for my chemo Fri, they tested urine too and that was clear.  Paxlitacil given first they said it was over an hour I said oh I thought this was over 3 hours they said only if you have an allergic reaction so guess what I had an allergic reaction pains in back chest and stomach, all ok though they gave me hydrocortisone and flushed the drip then carried on with it I couldn’t have the other chemo carboplatin as I didn’t have appt until 12.30 and it would of been too late there was no Dr if I had a reaction to the next one. Was ok when I got home didn’t sleep much rested Sat, not much sleep Sat either think it’s the steroids, then Sunday started with pains in my pelvic area and underneath like in muscles in vagina went for a little walk to see if that may help but that night it was real bad so I rang triage nurse who advised heat pads and ring 111 for stronger pain killers if didn’t settle, and not to worry they would sort it all out in the treatment unit  I managed through the night I had frequency of urine too but thought that may have been all the fluids from the drip, I was back in chemo next day worrying I may not be able to have chemo mentioned everything but the nurse said they hadn’t heard anything like that before checked my temp was ok and I had it done told me to mention the symptoms to Gynaecologist and Dr.  When I got home I rang the Dr he said for me to have another urine test red cap one the next day to make sure it wasn’t back, also gave me co-codramol not the strongest in case made me more constipated and some gastro tablets. Things have eased I’m glad to say finally but just wondered if you had experienced anything like it no other symptoms as yet and still waiting for urine test results.

kind regards 

Mo 

Hi Mo K. Oh, that's a bummer to not get it all over in one day, hopefully next time it'll be better.

I think the amount of chemo they give you depends on your weight (I'm 75 kgs) and also the spread of the tumours. I've lesions on my spleen and liver and masses in my peritoneum, above my vaginal cuff and up against my bowel. I didn't have any allergic reactions to anything and I think the Paclitaxel was 2.5 litres which would take about 3 hours, then the Carboplatin was a litre I think. Thankfully I didn't suffer any pains.

I felt good the next day I think due to the steroids and antihistamine and anti-nausea drugs given.

I had no aches or pains but had co-codamol for pain. This didn't work and did cause constipation so I'm now on oral morphine. At one time I was on 3 x 2.5ml spoonfuls and 1x5ml at night but the last few nights I've just had the 1x5ml spoonful which is making me pray the treatments working and the tumours are shrinking. I've a CT scan next Thursday so all will revealed shortly after that.

I've my next chemo tomorrow so will report how it goes. Big hugs, Barb xx

Hi Mrs BJH

My urine sample was ok as I say was feeling a bit better but still back and too  to pass urine then the laxido laxatives started but not much coming out then got like bad colicky pains in my Bowel and vagina region had to start my pain killers and ibuprofen and heat pads again so a bit rough this morning with me having bowel cancer 9 years ago I’m wondering if that’s why as it was re sectioned just hoping for a day it all settles maybe I should ask about the morphine instead thanks for answering me it does help hope all goes ok with yr scan and yr next chemo how dues the morphine affect you xx

Kind regards

Mo