Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | May 4, 2023
@afowler876 Is this a procedure recommended by your oncology surgeon for yourself or for a loved one? I’d like to offer my concern for being in the position to make such a huge decision as this.
Here is a video of Dr. Amanika Kumar from Mayo Clinic explaining what pelvic extenteration is and the reasons it is done. Dr. Kumar was my GYNOncology surgeon for a hysterectomy when I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.
@afowler876 Is this a procedure recommended by your oncology surgeon for yourself or for a loved one? I’d like to offer my concern for being in the position to make such a huge decision as this.
Here is a video of Dr. Amanika Kumar from Mayo Clinic explaining what pelvic extenteration is and the reasons it is done. Dr. Kumar was my GYNOncology surgeon for a hysterectomy when I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.
My daughter was diagnosed with stage 3b cervical cancer. Already completed chemo/radiation, she is almost 1 year out. Recent CT shows soft tissue mass, biopsy done, but Dr said he would do hysterectomy it would just be a pelvic exenteration which to me is to agressive since her cancer is localized at this point. Doesnt really agree with a radical hysterectomy due to not being able to get clear margins.
My daughter was diagnosed with stage 3b cervical cancer. Already completed chemo/radiation, she is almost 1 year out. Recent CT shows soft tissue mass, biopsy done, but Dr said he would do hysterectomy it would just be a pelvic exenteration which to me is to agressive since her cancer is localized at this point. Doesnt really agree with a radical hysterectomy due to not being able to get clear margins.
@afowler876 This must be frightening for both you and your daughter. Are you in the U.S.? Is your daughter seeing a doctor in one of the national cancer centers? Would she like another opinion? Mayo Clinic is on this list and there are many others across the country.
@afowler876 This must be frightening for both you and your daughter. Are you in the U.S.? Is your daughter seeing a doctor in one of the national cancer centers? Would she like another opinion? Mayo Clinic is on this list and there are many others across the country.
We are in the U.S, and yes its very frightening as she is only 26yrs old. We arent at one of the national cancer centers and I am considering a second opinion.
We are in the U.S, and yes its very frightening as she is only 26yrs old. We arent at one of the national cancer centers and I am considering a second opinion.
@afowler876 Your daughter is so very young to be facing cervical cancer and such a decision. It’s so good that she has you to advocate for her. I hope your daughter makes an appointment for that second opinion. Will you let me know what she decides and where she will go?
I’m scheduled to have pelvic exenteration and wondering about recovery from surgery. I will not be able to sit for 6-8 weeks and wondering how to manage such especially for car travel to doctor apts.
I’m scheduled to have pelvic exenteration and wondering about recovery from surgery. I will not be able to sit for 6-8 weeks and wondering how to manage such especially for car travel to doctor apts.
@bevmarant Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I do not recall a question like yours in the past and so I posted an explanation from Cleveland Clinic of pelvic exenteration surgery:
I’m scheduled to have pelvic exenteration and wondering about recovery from surgery. I will not be able to sit for 6-8 weeks and wondering how to manage such especially for car travel to doctor apts.
My surgery is scheduled 10/14.
My cancer is a vaginal wall cancer treated with radiation and chemo initially but I now have reoccurring cancer in same location. Surgery is to remove tumor with intent to get cancer free clear margins. Because of the tissue grafting needed to support the pelvic floor I am unable to sit for 6-8 weeks. I can stand and walk but no sitting. My doctors are a distance from my home. Will likely require lying in a car in some way but wondered if anyone else had a good suggestion.
My surgery is scheduled 10/14.
My cancer is a vaginal wall cancer treated with radiation and chemo initially but I now have reoccurring cancer in same location. Surgery is to remove tumor with intent to get cancer free clear margins. Because of the tissue grafting needed to support the pelvic floor I am unable to sit for 6-8 weeks. I can stand and walk but no sitting. My doctors are a distance from my home. Will likely require lying in a car in some way but wondered if anyone else had a good suggestion.
Hi @bevmarant, Not being able to sit for 6-8 weeks sounds challenging for sure. I wonder if the nursing staff might have some helpful suggestions for you as well. I'd also be interested in hearing how others have transitioned from standing to lying down without issue.
Bev, I agree that hearing from others is priceless. In the meantime, what instructions has the surgical team provided?
I’m scheduled to have pelvic exenteration and wondering about recovery from surgery. I will not be able to sit for 6-8 weeks and wondering how to manage such especially for car travel to doctor apts.
Thank you Colleen. Yes I’m having surgery at University of Penn in Phila, PA. My cousin is a radiation oncologist there and has helped in navigating doctors for my care. I did view the Mayo Clinic video you provided.. Mobilizing from lying to standing will be done rather quickly. While the surgery is rather extensive my cancer is also effecting my urethra so surgery as such is necessary.
Will stay hopeful to make a connection.
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@afowler876 Is this a procedure recommended by your oncology surgeon for yourself or for a loved one? I’d like to offer my concern for being in the position to make such a huge decision as this.
Here is a video of Dr. Amanika Kumar from Mayo Clinic explaining what pelvic extenteration is and the reasons it is done. Dr. Kumar was my GYNOncology surgeon for a hysterectomy when I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.
— what is pelvic extenteration
https://medprofvideos.mayoclinic.org/videos/what-is-a-pelvic-exenteration
—Pelvic ententeration
https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/obstetrics-gynecology/news/pelvic-exenteration-radical-but-positive-for-carefully-selected-patients-with-pelvic-cancer/mac-20505403
My daughter was diagnosed with stage 3b cervical cancer. Already completed chemo/radiation, she is almost 1 year out. Recent CT shows soft tissue mass, biopsy done, but Dr said he would do hysterectomy it would just be a pelvic exenteration which to me is to agressive since her cancer is localized at this point. Doesnt really agree with a radical hysterectomy due to not being able to get clear margins.
@afowler876 This must be frightening for both you and your daughter. Are you in the U.S.? Is your daughter seeing a doctor in one of the national cancer centers? Would she like another opinion? Mayo Clinic is on this list and there are many others across the country.
—NCI-Designated Cancer Centers
https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers
Here is the link to request an appointment at Mayo Clinic:
http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
Does this help?
We are in the U.S, and yes its very frightening as she is only 26yrs old. We arent at one of the national cancer centers and I am considering a second opinion.
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1 Reaction@afowler876 Your daughter is so very young to be facing cervical cancer and such a decision. It’s so good that she has you to advocate for her. I hope your daughter makes an appointment for that second opinion. Will you let me know what she decides and where she will go?
I’m scheduled to have pelvic exenteration and wondering about recovery from surgery. I will not be able to sit for 6-8 weeks and wondering how to manage such especially for car travel to doctor apts.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@bevmarant Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I do not recall a question like yours in the past and so I posted an explanation from Cleveland Clinic of pelvic exenteration surgery:
-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22455-pelvic-exenteration
While we wait for other members of our Gynecological Cancers support group may I ask you a few questions?
When is your surgery scheduled?
Would you feel comfortable sharing the reason for the surgery such as gynecological cancer?
What information have your doctors and nurses provided to you already?
My surgery is scheduled 10/14.
My cancer is a vaginal wall cancer treated with radiation and chemo initially but I now have reoccurring cancer in same location. Surgery is to remove tumor with intent to get cancer free clear margins. Because of the tissue grafting needed to support the pelvic floor I am unable to sit for 6-8 weeks. I can stand and walk but no sitting. My doctors are a distance from my home. Will likely require lying in a car in some way but wondered if anyone else had a good suggestion.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi @bevmarant, Not being able to sit for 6-8 weeks sounds challenging for sure. I wonder if the nursing staff might have some helpful suggestions for you as well. I'd also be interested in hearing how others have transitioned from standing to lying down without issue.
Bev, I agree that hearing from others is priceless. In the meantime, what instructions has the surgical team provided?
Thank you Colleen. Yes I’m having surgery at University of Penn in Phila, PA. My cousin is a radiation oncologist there and has helped in navigating doctors for my care. I did view the Mayo Clinic video you provided.. Mobilizing from lying to standing will be done rather quickly. While the surgery is rather extensive my cancer is also effecting my urethra so surgery as such is necessary.
Will stay hopeful to make a connection.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction