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2b cervical cancer, Grade 3, lymph nodes involved... how bad

Kay82
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Hello everyone!

It's my first post here, but I've been reading so many other posts over the past weeks, that it seems I already know so many wonderful women and men on here...

My mom has been diagnosed mid October with Grade3, 4.5cm tumor in her cervix that has spread to her lymph nodes. For me the initial news has been so crushing that I just cant sleep properly or think of anything else... we are extremely close and I cant imagine my life without her, she's only 57 and has so much to live for...

The doctors at our local oncology clinic initially told her her csncer was 95% curable, but after the pet scan, which showed a lymph node involvement high almost towards her spine, they lowered the chance to 75%... and it terrifies me. Even though I know the doctors want to be as optimistic as possible...

On 29/10 she started her treatment plan: 30 radio, 6 chemo and 3-4 brachy to be done (6 weeks, if her body will take it they said). So far she's in the end of week 2 and her worst side effects are on days 3-4 after chemo, with a lot of weakness and stomack spasms... she's also loosing a lot of calcium, as blood analysis showed.

It's so hard to wrap my head atound this and try to stay positive. Even though she is keeping her brave face on at all times when Im around.

Can anyone tell me if her situation is really as bad as I think.. (the truth). are there many survivors with similar diagnose?? I would really appreciate your stories and opinions, as I cant talk to anyone else about it...

xxx

  • Offline

    Hello,

     

    im afraid i cant help you with your mums situation, but i can tell you im feeling similar confusion about my fathers situation, were a very close family, my parents havent told me a percentage curability, and i dont know how to ask or what to know, its a tongue cancer, also spread into nodes, and i saw some paperwork but i dont know if it said stage 2 or 4 or size 4 or what, the codes and numbers didnt make sense. He has 7 weeks radio and 5 sessions of chemo, about three months, we are just in the first one and its been extremely hard, he hasnt eaten anythig for over a week and cant stop being sick, hes already changed so much. brave face is well out of the window, were just counting small blessing, everytime hour he isnt sick or seems to keep some water down.

    sorry to go on about me, but so you realise our situations are similar, i think you have to trust the doctors, 75% is a good chance and they wont sugar coat it, there is no point. 

    The treatment will be awful, we just have to remember the alternative is worse, and do everything we can to help. 

    you have to remember everyone is different and a positive attiude and loads of research and talking to people can help. 

     

    I bought my dad a fabulous masticating juicer, but sadly he cant take any juices in at the moment, but if your mum can thats a lovely way to get frech raw veg and fruit juices into her. 

     

    good luck and im sorry you are scared, i am too. 

    x

     

  • Offline in reply to graceindia

    Hello Grace!

    So sorry you are going through this... (and yes, please, share your story, it really helps to know Im not alone). Having a very close family is a blessing, but also so so painful to see them hurt in any way. My parents also tell me very little, I'm trying to find things out in other ways, but my mom is not really liking me doing that... so now Im also just going by what they tell me. Usually I find out she had a bad day a few days later, as she's always saying that she is fine. 

    I hope your dads stage is curable and he gets through all the treatment successfully. Not eating could be psychological also, as he is coming to terms with the diagnose and I hope he gets better soon. It should help him tremendously having you next to him...

    My moms birthday is actually coming up soon, so thank you for the juicer idea, I will check it out! Also thought about a steamer, as her stomach issues arent going away much, plus her diet changed a lot...

    Keep in touch and let me know how your dad is doing... you are right, we can only try to stay positive and help them in every way possible... even if its just being there for them... xx

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