Chemoradiation: Anyone had combination of chemo and radiation?

Hi there,
I have endometrial cancer, but the systemic and radiation route follows surgery just the same.. I was unable to get radiation since I have already had my life-time dose. I'm in Canada too, and I know how our medical system is so backed up. However, in my experience, I started post-opp treatment at the designated time--6 weeks after. You can't undergo therapy before you've healed somewhat.
As for going to the Mayo clinic, or any US clinic, you'll have to pay big time. If you're flush by all means check them out. There are good cancer clinics in other parts of the US- e.g., Seattle and Texas.
Have you thought about getting a second opinion? Or enrolling in a clinical study here? Ask your oncologist about it. They're free to volunteers.
Hope this helps and eases your anxiety. I am anxious too.

I have for anal/rectal cancer. It was brutal, but the results have been good. I’m 15 months post treatment, stage IV metastatic.

@shelleymac There are likely other women within our Gynecological Cancers Support Group that have had chemotherapy and radiation therapy simultaneously. I don’t know, however, if this has been for vulvar cancer. Have you read through this Discussion where many of our members discuss vulvar cancer and share their experiences?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/vulvar-squamous-cell-carcinoma/
I’m inclined to agree with @cookercooker who suggests talking with your oncologist about a second opinion and/or clinical trials that may be available to you in your province or another province with Canada.

When was your radical vulvarectomy and how long will you wait until starting chemotherapy and radiation therapy?

Hi amyb5,
I had anal cancer 13 years ago, and I received chem. and rad. simultaneously. I did not have surgery, which is why, I'm guessing, I had the two treatments at the same time. That was thirteen years ago. So, I hope this is encouraging news.

@amyb5 thanks for sharing. It is encouraging to hear that 13 years later you are able to answer my questions :). I imagine the skin where you had your radiation was very tender as well, can you tell me how raw I should anticipate being? Any ideas to help with easing symptoms? I am so happy you are well!

@naturegirl5 Thanks for taking the time to respond. My oncologist is amazing and she is advocating for me, but unfortunately our healthcare system is on a quick decline with so many medical professionals leaving our province and it appears most provinces in Canada are in the same situation and with public medicine, they would not take me ahead of their local patients, which I completely understand.

I had my radical vulvectomy Aug 6 and my consult with the radiologist to set the treatment plan is not until October 22 (11 weeks post surgery), which means I would not start treatment for 1-2 weeks after the consult. We know that they did not get good margins around my urethra. The game plan is that the chemoradiation would hopefully take care of that, which is part of my concern about the delay in treatments.

Again, thank you so much for your time in responding, it is helpful to be part of the discussions. I just need to make sure I check my junk mail, my notifications seem to be headed there.

@cookercooker thanks for taking the time to share some of your story, I certainly am not flush, but with the outcomes of my pathology (not clear margins around my urethra), I am concern with the 12-13 weeks wait time I am currently booked for. My oncologist will be advocating for me next week at their tumor board, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Although, I don't want to spend my retirement money, better to do that than not be able to retire...

I definitely helps with anxiety to hear other's journeys and share information.

Well, yeah. Still raw. The skin is very thin and although the radiation was focused on my anus it went through my uterus and vagina. That progressed into vaginal stenosis:( Makes it next to impossible to have a pap smear without knocking me out. This situation progressed over the years.
When I had my total hysterectomy for my uterine cancer 13 years later, the surgeon noted he had a really difficult time of it.
I was on dilaudid (sp?) for several weeks after the radiation so I could pee.You'll have to ask your oncologist or GP what you can use to salve the area.
Wish I could offer a miracle cure.

Best of luck. You'll get through it:)

@shelleymac I'm heartened to hear that you have an oncologist who is advocating for you. I've been following the news/crisis in the healthcare system in various provinces of Canada. I lived in Montréal for several years and experienced the provincial system at that time. Even then the waits were often long and so I asked for assistance from physicians I knew just to get those specialist referrals moved forward.

I'm not a medical professional but I do know about the anxiety of the wait. With your diagnosis and surgery and then waiting 11 weeks after surgery to meet with your cancer care team seems like a long time to me. I realize that you need time to heal before starting chemoradiation but getting that treatment plan in place soon would certainly be on your mind.

It's been a month since your surgery. How are you feeling today? Are you able to manage pain?

I send you positive energy and blessings.