I got a call last week from a young lady that I've been mentoring and she began to tell me that her pap came back abnormal. After doing a biopsy, her gyno referred her to an oncologist, which she was scheduled to see on the 15th of this month. After reviewing her chart, he (the oncologist) called and told her that she had an aggressive form of cancer and that she needed to come in to his office asap! He was not optimistic with her - why are doctors like that?!! Anyway, she is only 27 years old and besides having a 7 year old, she just had a baby girl almost three months ago. She has resigned herself to the fact that she will have to have a hysto, but chemo and radiation is now a possibility she had not counted on. Needless to say, she is freaking out in every sense of the word! I, myself, was blown away by the news when she called. Please, ladies, if you could lift her up in prayer, I know she would greatly appreciate it! Also, if anyone out there has had a similar experience or know of someone who has gone through this, please respond - she needs encouragement more than ever right now!!


You ladies are THEEEEE best!!!
Hugs to all,
gyz

Gyzzie,

That's so sad, I feel so horrible hearing this news. I dont' know anyone that has had this but all I can do is pray for her.

Moozie

I too don't know anyone with this, but of course I will pray.
For you too, gyz. I'm sure you'll be a wise and comforting support to her in this very difficult time.
God bless, Jonie

My mother was a victim of cervical cancer-any form of cancer is rough. Does she have a good support system? This can be very important. Plus catching it early can be very beneficial.
Anyway, my thoughts and prayers will be with your friend and her family and you as well. Knowing that she has someone to be there for her is very important. This is true in any case.

Hugs

God Bless my meno buds
Anna

I will certainly keep this young woman in my thoughts and prayers. I am hoping for the best - maybe it was caught early.
Healing prayers being lifted up to her...

Di

Keeping your dear friend in my thoughts and prayers.

((((hugs))))

My Mother and Sister had CC -- You and ur friend are in my thoughts ---

Gyz,

I will definitely pray for your friend.

Take care,
Deb

Gyz,
Your friend is in my thoughts and prayers.
Arla.

I just said a prayer for your friend. Please tell her to get a second opinion, and a third, too. There is a huge difference in the competency of oncologists in the world. Cervical cancer is the most curable type of cancer, and there are all sorts of treatment options beyond conventional radiation and chemotherapy. Has she ever heard of Cancer Treatment Centers of America? It might be worth looking into.

I have been a health insurance broker for 10 years now...mostly supplemental policies...one of the most popular ones I sell is a Cancer Indemnity Plan. The reason I'm telling you this is to give your friend some hope...out of all the thousands of policyholders I've sold this plan to, I've never had even one die from cervical cancer. Lung cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic, yes. But not cervical. She is young; I hope she can keep her spirits high and fight this.

I'll say another prayer tomorrow...please keep us posted on her progress..

Hi there Gyzwyf83,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and you friend at this time.

Your friend is way too young to have cancer at just 27.

Tell your friend to think positive thoughts. I hope all goes well for her.

Take care From Deb

Gyz:

I will keep your friend in my thoughts and prayers - pookish

UPDATE: My friend, Stacie, went to see the oncologist yesterday and he found the tumor to have doubled in size in just over a week's time. He gave her one of two options: hysto or chemo and radiation. If she does just treatment, there is no guarantee they'll get it IF it is in the lymph nodes. If she does the hysto, he'll examine the ovaries and leave them if at all possible, but take everything else. This hysterectomy would be a radical hysto with taking quite a bit of tissue around the bladder, rectum, etc. With surgery, he can take the nodes and examine them to see if they are affected. There was so much info, I can't even remember everything she said. She and her hub have decided to do the surgery so it is scheduled for this Friday. From the sound of it, it could possibly be a pretty rough go afterward!

I relayed all the prayers and good thoughts to her from you ladies and she was overwhelmed. Thank you for your responses and all the support!! Who knows, maybe one day, Stacie may become a part of this sisterhood and see for herself just how wonderful you all are?!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you again!!!!!

I will continue to keep you posted.

gyz

gyz....please keep us updated......I'm so sorry to hear and will pray for her full recovery.

hi, i just wanted to let you know that i have been treated for cervical cancer stage 3b..chemo and radiation...both external and internal. we didnt have the option to do surgery....... i was never told that mine was aggressive, but it has been drastically decreased as of now....i was diagnosed a yr ago this month...i have no symptoms now and all looked well as of january..not due for another check until june....i am back to my normal life with no limitations...i have a lot of faith that God will help me through anything i should face in the future...please let your friend know that her life is not over....things may look grim now, but she should lean on GOD...thats what i did!!!

((angel)),

thanks so much for that reply. i will certainly relay your info on to stacie! can i ask why you had no option for a hysterectomy? your story is so encouraging and i can't wait to call her with it!!!

i think, as of right now, she is as well as can be expected. is keeping busy until tomorrow when she goes in for surgery.

she knows God is the only One who is going to get her through this. He's already brought her through so much in her young life and i try to remind her of that when she begins to waiver. we don't know what it is, but He's showing her something through this. it's all going to good!

also... thank you to all you ladies and your good wishes. surgery is on friday (tomorrow) at 9 am central time. she's expected to be in the hospital until tuesday or so.

i will post again with another report tomorrow.

hugs to all,
gyz

Dear gyz..............

I'm adding to and sending more heartfelt prayers, thoughts, and steady strong vibes of love and healing to your friend. See's lucky to have you as such a good friend............

boo

oncologist said he didnt want to open me up.....cancer was confined to this area but it extended to the bony walls. my husband and i were in agreement with his decision..

gyz....keeping your friend in prayer through her surgery and recovery. It must be very scary to be so young and facing this. I hope all goes well for her. Keep us posted. Gardenbear

i will keep her in my prayers throughout her surgery and recovery.... quiltangel you have so much to share and you are so strong. you are such a wonderful friend to me and i am so grateful to have you in my life...

UPDATE AFTER SURGERY: Stacie was in surgery for about 4 hours and by all reports, it went well. Doctor thinks the cancer was contained so he was able to leave the ovaries. The pathology report regarding the lymph nodes should be back in about two days. I've been pretty much homebound due to back issues (hard to ride in a car right now) so I'm frustrated that I cannot be there by her side. She is in a hospital that is about an hour away from where we live. I do plan, however, to be with her at home once she gets discharged.

Her husband sounded like he was quite relieved, as are the rest of us! Continue to pray for her recovery and that those of us who are lined up to help her out will be able to go above and beyond for their family.

I'm hoping to be able to talk to her on the phone tomorrow so if there is anything else to report, I will do so.


Thank you just doesn't seem adequate, but please know that we are very grateful to each of you for your thoughts, prayers, responses and help!!

Love and hugs!!!
Stephanie aka gyz

Hi- glad to hear that the surgery went well and that your friend was able to keep her ovaries. Here's hoping that her lymph nodes come back clear, too. Wishing her a speedy recovery. Gardenbear

i would like to hear how your friend is doing?? any updates for us?

Stephanie,

Yes, please give us another update on your friend. Keeping her in my prayers today.

Hugs,
Karen

Hi Ladies!

Sorry it's taken me so long to report back, but here is the latest:

Doctors say this was an unusual cancer that typically starts in the lung. He had never seen it begin in the cervix. He was quite certain that from the looks of things it will return, just don't know where.

She went for her first visit yesterday with the oncologist that will be monitoring her chemo, which is to begin next week. The schedule for preventative therapy is three days on and three weeks off... didn't hear how long this round will take. This doctor also told her that there were only about 50 documented cases of this type of cancer.

Stacie has been googling a lot lately... too much! She's discouraged that research shows that her survival rate is only 5 years. The doctor, yesterday, said that was probably being optimistic.

It's all kind of left us with our heads spinning. Not sure what else to report as it seems there's so much happening so quickly! All I know to do is continue to pray, not only for strength for her to get through this, but for her mind and emotional health to be guarded. As you can imagine, this is really 'messing' with her mind.

I will try to do better with updates as they come.

Thanks for your concern and prayers!!!
Stephanie

Sorry, I forgot to add that the lymph nodes and tissue biopsies were all clear, which is great news!

gyz

Sounds awful for your friend gyz......I really can't imagine what she is going through.

I will pray for her and imagine sprinkling some 'magical hope dust' on her.

Caz

I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT MY PRAYERS ARE WITH STACIE....GOD DOES PERFORM MIRACLES..TELL HER TO GO TO THE BIBLE FOR WORDS ON COMPLETE HEALING....DON'T LET HER BE DISCOURAGED BY A DOCTORS LACK OF FAITH!!
YOU ONLY NEED TO BELEIVE!!! SHE NEEDS TO LIVE HER LIFE TO THE FULLEST...ONE DAY AT A TIME!!! DON'T LET HER SPEND HER LIFE WORRYING!!! PLEASE !!!

My sil has been free of lung cancer for more than five years now. Her prognosis was not good but she is cancer-free now and doing well.

It is still very sad that this has happened to someone so young. This is a reminder to me to live each day with gratitude in my heart and to try my best to find the joy in just being alive. I will think of this on my down days, and will pray for your friend's recovery.

I pray all is well and they are able to completely take care of all the cancer - that she is cancer free!

Zelma

Steph: Hope your friend is doing well...tell her not to listen to or look at the 'statistics.' They're averages, and people beat them every day of the week. She will be in my thoughts...

Dear Gyz
I just came across this thread. I am holding your friend in my positive thoughts and praying that her outcome will be a positive one. How sad...so young. SHE WILL BEAT THIS!!

In my prayers and thoughts
Dottie

Ladies -

Thank you again for the wonderful show of support for Stacie! I've been relaying messages to her and she is so touched. She said, "I've never had anyone reach out to me like this before!"

Wednesday she is to begin her first chemo treatment and I'm sure she is quite anxious about it. She's not returning my calls so I'm not quite sure what is going on. Last time she did this, she was in a bad place so I'm hoping to be able to get over there and see her face to face. She needs lots of hugs and shoulders to cry on right now.

Deep down inside I just know that everything is going be ok and that she will overcome! There is no victory without a battle!

Praying each of you be blessed as you've blessed us!!!

xoxo
Steph

Just wanted to update you on the latest: Stacie came back from MD Anderson Cancer Clinic in Houston last week and got some results from all the testing they did while she was there. Appearantly they have found more cancer in the lymph nodes, which means she will now have to go through not only chemo, but radiation for five weeks in Houston beginning June 9th. As you can imagine, this has put a strain on her family, not only financially, but emotionally, physically and in every other way. They are now telling her that her survival rate (for 5 years) has gone down to 10%. I can hear it in her voice that she is about to the point of giving up and giving in and accepting this.

Please continue to lift her up in prayer. Pray for wisdom on my part as to what to say and how to say it as she is very bitter and angry, which is understandable.

Thanks again for all your support!!!

xoxo
gyz

(((gyz)))
This is sad news. I pray that God gives you wisdom and words that give her peace and hope. Sometimes it's not so much the words, it's just being there - holding her hand, hugging her, listening to what her soul and heart are saying. Making sure she eats and doesn't fall into depression.
Of course she's angry, but she probably is very frightened as well. I pray that you both will draw close on this walk together and that you will be able to support her and give her strength.
When I was going through a very difficult time on my life I found most comfort with a friend who just sat beside me, accepting my ranting, my fear and anguish and saying "I understand, I know".
I do pray that the treatment works and that she will recover.
God bless you,
Jonie

gyz....I'm so sorry to read this news about your friend. What a friend you are to her....I hope you realize that. Just be there for her as much as you can....there is no reason why she can't be in the 10% five year suvival rate now is there. She could be one of the luck ones.

Will say special prayers for her gyz....thank you for sharing this.

Hugs,
Karen

Well, here we are again. The latest update is that Stacie has just returned from Houston's MD Anderson Cancer Center after five long weeks of daily radiation, plus weekly chemo treatments. Since she has been so ready to get home to her children, she agreed to double up on the radiation to get through it faster. One of the treatments involved internal radiation, which means they have had to radiate inside the vagina. From what I understand, it is not a pleasant procedure, but necessary.

Upon examination at this last internal treament, the radiologist found another growth so she tried to reassure Stacie and for her not to get too worked up as of yet. Stacie heard the radiologist on the phone with her doctor making the comment that she thinks this might very well be a recurrance of the cancer. They immediately scheduled her for surgery and while in there, they found TWO growths. After biopsying them, they were found to be benign. The doctors were quite convinced that this cancer had returned already, but after the pathology results, they had them retested... another 5-6 times. They were dumbfounded. We are rejoicing like you can't imagine!!

Now that she's back, she will take a month off from chemo and then begin treatments again (here in town) for the next year. So far, she has tolerated the chemo very well due to the anti-nausea meds they've given her.

My hub and I have had Stacie's children (ages 5 mos and 7 years) for the last two weeks so that her hub could do down and be with her. They are quite excited that mommy is home and coming to pick them up today!!!

Keep those prayers goin', girls! We are seeing results and it has caused Stacie's faith to skyrocket!!! I have to say that I'm so proud of her for the strength and courage she's shown through this ordeal, although not every day is easy. What an amazing inspiration she is to so many.

Thank you again, girls! You are a wonderful support system for me and I appreciate you all soooooo very much!!!!

xoxo
Steph

((((Steph))))

I'm so happy to hear she is doing better! Prayer does workk and Stacie and her family will continue to be in mine for continued healing!!!

Steph...this is wonderful news.....and how great it is that you can take care of her children...you are a beautiful person for doing that.

Keep us posted.....I pray for everyone here who is suffering almost every day....I truly hope she gets well.

Hugs,
Karen

Steph, sending prayers and positive vibes for your friend !!!! Hope the chemo goes smoothly, and she will be cancer free in no time !!!!!

Dear Steph
I am still thinking and sending your friend ..... positive healing vibes

How are YOU doing? My goodness ----- you have been taking care of a FIVE month old AND a SEVEN year old!! I would be zonked.....
You are a fabulsicious friend indeed

Dottie

I am lifting her up in my prayers, her and her family. I am praying for the strength they are going to need and pray that she finds comfort through God.

i am so happy to hear good news about stacie....it is wonderful to hear her faith has skyrocketed....i have been there and done that..internal and external radiation and weekly chemo treatments.....as they say...my faith is so much deeper now...having gone through the cervical cancer ordeal...we just don't know how much strength we have until we are put to the test!!!!please give stacie my best and hug her children for me....i can only imagine how i would have felt if it happened to me when my children were young.....
the new anti-nausea drugs they give are a GODSENT....MY GRANDPA WAS SO SICK WHEN HE WENT THROUGH TREATMENTS FOR CANCER YEARS AGO...and i never had any sickness..except diarrhea....love to stacie and her husband.....PRAY FOR MY CONTINUED GOOD HEALTH, ALSO.......ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR NOW FOR ME....EACH DAY IS A BLESSING!!!! AND AS TIM MCGRAW SINGS>>>>>>LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING.......LIFE IS A PRECIOUS THING---WE SHOULD NEVER TAKE TOO LIGHTLY!!!!!!!

This is wonderful news. I am sending positive healing thoughts her way.
What a wonderful friend you are to help in this way.
Hugs,
Arla.

Such young children! I pray all goes well and their Mommy is completely cured!!!

Zelma

Steph, I hope your friend has pulled through and is Cancer free! I just had my own Cervical Cancer scare and will have a hysterectomy next month. My thoughts are with her as she has had a rough go with it and at such a young age. If she isn't already reading on hystersisters, there is an awesome cancer forum there. If nothing else her story could help others.

Sending my well wishes to her and her family.

Bethanie

My dear friends -

I've not updated in the last month as Stacie has taken the month off from all treatment. However, today, she flew back down to Houston for experimental treatment and is scheduled to come back home on Tuesday. We're praying she tolerates this well.

As for her mental state... some days are better than others, which is understandable. Her hub isn't handling things very well so there is tension beyond belief in the home. My hub and other mutual friends we have (all men) have reached out and tried to support him, get him to talk about it and all, but he just says, "I'm ok."

She continues to need your prayers, more for her emotional issues than anything else. The other day she told me that she had begun to think about her funeral, just in case. It's hard for me to try and encourage her to think more on the positive side, with me not ever having dealt with anything like this, and she reminds me of it on a regular basis. I see her dealing with alot of self pity and with the new friends she's bringing in, they are feeding that, which isn't good.

As for now, this is all I have to report. I wish I had more to share, but at this point, we won't know anything until she gets back.

Thank you again for all the encouragement, prayers and supportive words/thoughts. I'm so thankful for this site and all you wonderful women that are a part of it!!!

Stephanie

Dear ((((Stephanie)))))
I am glad that you posted an update. I have been wondering how your dear friend has been fairing.

I shall keep both her, her family and ofcourse you in my healing luvin' good vibes.

Dottie

Stephanie,

Thank you for the update.
I will continue to send positive thoughts her way.

Hugs,
Arla.

Blessings to you. You are a good friend! Cancer treatment that has been shown to be quite good for restoring energy is mega dosages of Vitamin C. In Canada here, one naturopathic doctor (both) highly recommends it. I know someone that is doing this and really feels alot better for taking it.

Hang in there,
Suzanne