1. < Gynecologic Cancers

My mom has recurrent UTIs.

Posted by angierivas1 @angierivas1, Mar 29 9:48am

My mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2018 after experiencing postmenopausal bleeding in her late 60s. She underwent a complete hysterectomy and was staged 1B. Following the surgery, she had several sessions of radiation therapy.
A couple of months later, she began complaining of extreme pain in her coccyx. Her oncologist attributed the pain to arthritis and suggested that she use a patch for back pain. However, in December, I took her to the emergency room because she was in so much pain that she was crying. A CT scan revealed a large tumor in her coccyx, and the oncologist informed us that she was now stage 4 and would require additional radiation.
Mom was doing so poorly that we feared for her life, so we transferred her care to City of Hope. She began treatment with Keytruda and experienced significant improvement. Now, years later, her kidney and liver test levels have not been good, but her tumor has remained stable, which led her current oncologist to give her a break from treatment, stating that she was stable.
Since December 2024, she has been experiencing recurrent UTIs, with intense burning and pain when urinating.
Her primary doctor has been prescribing antibiotics and some vaginal cream since she may be experiencing dryness.
Recently, my mom noticed some pink discharge, which caused her to panic and worry, and we are all concerned.
The hospital where her oncologist practices is aware of this, and she has been asked to undergo a CT scan immediately.
I feel so guilty because, all this time, she hasn't had a pelvic exam, and I overlooked requesting one for her.
Although I'm grateful for all these years she has been with us, I can't help but wonder if she was misdiagnosed and was more advanced on the cancer than what they told us. Perhaps then she could have better treatment and could be cancer-free.
This cancer journey is so emotional, painful, and sad, 😔

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angierivas1 | @angierivas1 | Mar 31 1:28pm
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@angierivas1 It's reassuring your mother continues at City of Hope with her same oncologist and that..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@angierivas1 It's reassuring your mother continues at City of Hope with her same oncologist and that she feels comfortable with him. Hopefully when she sees her oncologist they can talk together about the vaginal cream and whether or not to continue with that. Also, hoping that the City of Hope gynecologist sees your mother soon.

As I look back at my own cancer journey I also think of what I could have done differently. I wish I had gone to Mayo Clinic at the onset of the vaginal bleeding instead of the local gynecologist. But we cannot change what's already happened in the past. We can try to make our choices now and in the future based on what we've already experienced. Isn't this how you knew to get your mother to be seen right away because of your own cancer journey and that of your younger sister?

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This morning, I received a call from City of Hope, and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly they accommodated my mom. Although her oncologist is fully booked until June, they were able to schedule her preferred appointments in a short time. She is set to be seen this Thursday. I’m very grateful!

REPLY
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Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Mar 31 4:12pm
In reply to @angierivas1 "This morning, I received a call from City of Hope, and I was pleasantly surprised at..." + (show)
@angierivas1

This morning, I received a call from City of Hope, and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly they accommodated my mom. Although her oncologist is fully booked until June, they were able to schedule her preferred appointments in a short time. She is set to be seen this Thursday. I’m very grateful!

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@angieivas1 This is good news that you mom's oncologist will see her this week. Will you come back here and let me know what her oncologist advises?

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1 reply
angierivas1 | @angierivas1 | Apr 6 5:30am
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@angieivas1 This is good news that you mom's oncologist will see her this week. Will you..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@angieivas1 This is good news that you mom's oncologist will see her this week. Will you come back here and let me know what her oncologist advises?

Jump to this post

Thank you, Helen.
Last Thursday, my mom had appointments with her oncologist and a gynecologist nurse practitioner. The results of her CT scan indicated no progression of her cancer, which was a huge relief! Her oncologist was very pleased with the news, and so were we.
Her blood tests showed that her CA125 level is within the normal range, but the amylase level is elevated. During the pelvic exam, the gynecologist diagnosed my mom with a yeast infection and vaginal atrophy. She prescribed medication and will schedule a follow-up check once a year.
My mom's journey is truly a miracle. There was a time when she was in very poor health before joining City of Hope. After her second round of radiation, we genuinely thought we were losing her, as she was bedridden for a month. After being genetically tested and found positive for Lynch Syndrome, she began a new treatment with Keytruda, which marked the beginning of her improvement.
Since 2019, she has been receiving Keytruda, and we are incredibly proud of her strength, her medical team, and her tremendous faith.
Her Keytruda treatment has been on hold since mid-2023. We continue to have hope and pray for my mom as we also navigate my younger sister’s cancer journey. Her CT scan was done on Friday.
Additionally, my gynecological surveillance six-month check is scheduled for the end of this month.
We do the best we can to live in hope and be joyfully present in the moment.
I hope you're doing well. Take care. 💗

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Apr 6 10:01am
In reply to @angierivas1 "Thank you, Helen. Last Thursday, my mom had appointments with her oncologist and a gynecologist nurse..." + (show)
@angierivas1

Thank you, Helen.
Last Thursday, my mom had appointments with her oncologist and a gynecologist nurse practitioner. The results of her CT scan indicated no progression of her cancer, which was a huge relief! Her oncologist was very pleased with the news, and so were we.
Her blood tests showed that her CA125 level is within the normal range, but the amylase level is elevated. During the pelvic exam, the gynecologist diagnosed my mom with a yeast infection and vaginal atrophy. She prescribed medication and will schedule a follow-up check once a year.
My mom's journey is truly a miracle. There was a time when she was in very poor health before joining City of Hope. After her second round of radiation, we genuinely thought we were losing her, as she was bedridden for a month. After being genetically tested and found positive for Lynch Syndrome, she began a new treatment with Keytruda, which marked the beginning of her improvement.
Since 2019, she has been receiving Keytruda, and we are incredibly proud of her strength, her medical team, and her tremendous faith.
Her Keytruda treatment has been on hold since mid-2023. We continue to have hope and pray for my mom as we also navigate my younger sister’s cancer journey. Her CT scan was done on Friday.
Additionally, my gynecological surveillance six-month check is scheduled for the end of this month.
We do the best we can to live in hope and be joyfully present in the moment.
I hope you're doing well. Take care. 💗

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@angierivas1. Thank you for sharing this news about your mom. To this, I'd like to say - well done to you and your family. Your mom surely landed in just the right place - City of Hope - and I'm heartened and impressed by the care she receives. It must be such a relief to now know that your mother's symptoms were related to an infection that's easily treatable. Yes, after almost losing your mom during her 2nd radiation and then to see her rally once she started on Keytruda is surely a blessing to you all.

Other than the aches and pains that go with osteoarthritis I'm doing well. Thank you for asking.

My next gynecological surveillance is schedule for mid-May so I'm right there with you on that. Do you also go to City of Hope?

REPLY
1 reply
angierivas1 | @angierivas1 | Apr 7 9:49am
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@angierivas1. Thank you for sharing this news about your mom. To this, I'd like to say..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@angierivas1. Thank you for sharing this news about your mom. To this, I'd like to say - well done to you and your family. Your mom surely landed in just the right place - City of Hope - and I'm heartened and impressed by the care she receives. It must be such a relief to now know that your mother's symptoms were related to an infection that's easily treatable. Yes, after almost losing your mom during her 2nd radiation and then to see her rally once she started on Keytruda is surely a blessing to you all.

Other than the aches and pains that go with osteoarthritis I'm doing well. Thank you for asking.

My next gynecological surveillance is schedule for mid-May so I'm right there with you on that. Do you also go to City of Hope?

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Awe, Helen, you have a way with words. Thank you for your kindness.💗
It is truly is a blessing, and we are so thankful my mom is still with us.
I go to Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center every six months. I will keep both you and myself in prayer for our upcoming surveillance appointments. Everything will be well. 🙏

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