What Kind of Radiation Did You Get for Your Gynecological Cancer?

Hi Diana,@dlgbb
Just three days left and counting?

Red is my favorite color. Not because I am a Flames fan either. I just love the color so to see all those flaming red jerseys on the ice of a powerhouse hockey team would be quite the sight. And then your friends surprise you with hot air balloon ride tickets!! Now, that's a homecoming gift. There is a hot air balloon festival in Vermont that I went to a few times. I loved seeing those gorgeous colors in the air and watching the process of getting the hot air balloons in the air. and coming back down. It felt like something out of the 19th century. And of course it is.

I am hoping, too, that the cardiology appointment goes well in May. As the weather warms up we are all just itching to get outside and even more so for you and your activities that you enjoy. In my experience I was fatigued for a few weeks after I finished radiation therapy. I would say it took me a good month or two to get my energy back. I don't recall having much diarrhea after the radiation therapy ended. I listened to my body and did not push myself too much. My radiation therapy ended in mid-January which is a time I would be doing winter sports but that winter I did not. I went back to the gym and continued my workouts to slowly build up my energy and endurance again.

Thank you for asking after me. It's been 3 years since I finished radiation therapy so my appointments now are every 6 months (previously the appointments were every 4 months). My next appointments will be just 4 weeks away in May. I live in a small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so I continue to get my speciality care at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. When the weather is pleasant we break up the drive to and from Minnesota by staying overnight near a wildlife refuge. I can hike and go birding to my heart's content before we continue on to Mayo Clinic.

I so appreciate your posts. You have helped others understand and learn about the gynecological radiation therapy journey. You get to know the providers and techs who work in the radiation therapy setting and form a sort of community with them. And other patients who have appointments at the same time as you.

I'd like to "tag" @dlgbb, you, Diana, to come back here and support others who are trying to figure their way through the endometrial cancer that you and I have and are experiencing.

Please let me know when you get back home and how your recovery goes, OK?

I was diagnosed with stage 1b vulvar cancer in may 2023. Still seems like yesterday. I had 32 rounds of radiation & 2 rounds of chemo (was supposed to have 5 but couldn’t do it), my radiologist & staff including my obgyn oncologist were all great! I got thru it all. The only complaint I have is that no one prepares you for the after effects of all your treatments such as side affects! Does anyone have any??

Did you have chemo? or only radiation? I have stage 3 endo cancer, but have the Pole mutation

@tdfraze Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect and our Gynecological Cancers Support Group. I was diagnosed with endometroid adenocarcinoma FIGO Grade 1, Stage 1a in 2019. In 2019 I had a radical hysterectomy with additional removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix. I did not have any other treatment at that time. No radiation therapy or chemotherapy. I had a recurrence in 2021 found by physical exam by my nurse practitioner. I then had 5 weeks of external radiation therapy and 2 sessions of brachytherapy. I have had no recurrences since then or any evidence of disease.

When were you diagnosed and what treatment have you had or what is planned. How are you feeling?

Was diagnosed in May this year, stage 3 or grade 3 idk, but had the related organ failure, kidney due to tumors comprising tubes etc. Once tumors removed, the kidneys were fine. Had blood clots in legs,so those issues left my body at 95lbs, very weak couldn't eat much. So I gave myself recovery after surgery to gain weight,get stable. I gained 20lbs, and now trying to see what treatment is best, accurate to do. They want yo start radiation this next week 5 weeks. I do have the "Pole E"

Pole Mutation noted on my Path Report

@tdfraze What a terrible journey you've been on. Now that you've had surgery and gained back some weight are you feeling any better.

Here is some information that may be helpful to you in interpreting your pathology report.
Grade is used in gynecological cancers to characterize the appearance of the cells (from the biopsy that are sent to pathology). Stage is used in cancer to refer to whether or not the cancer has spread to other organs or places in the body.

Here is very good website that explains Grade and Stage in Gynecological Cancers:

American Cancer Society: Endometrial Cancer, Stages and Grades

-- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/endometrial-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html

Will you be starting radiation therapy starting the week of May 6?

I had the same total hysterectomy, including lymph nodes…..that were clear,
A week after surgery, I started my six infusions of chemo…no port….these were three weeks apart.
A week after my last chemo, I had five sessions of internal brachytherapy.
As of Friday blood work was good and I start my three month plan to visit my oncologist gynecologist along with blood work.
So far, so good!

@irenemargaret This is such good news after the surgery, chemo and internal brachytherapy. That's a lot of treatment. And then, after your recent blood work you will visit your gyn oncologist every 3 months. Yes, wonderful, and so far, so good. Bravo!!

How are you feeling today?

I’m doing very well….finally being “done” for a while is a blessing for sure. Here’s hoping, in my case and everyone here that we are all done!