indianar6girl's Cancer Blog
July 5, 2010
I got diagnosed with cervical cancer about 6 months ago. I have been through cervical conization, chemo, 30 radiations, 4 internal radiations and a radical hysterectomy May 17, 2010. I recovered from the surgery within one to two weeks. My docs said they would do another PET scan sometime after treatment, but I’m not sure when. I think the purpose of this scan is to compare it with the first to make sure they got it all.
I don’t think I’m supposed to be having symptoms, but I have horrible pain in my hip bones, especially at night. I cannot sit Indian style on the floor because of the pain it causes in my bones. They feel like they are going to break if I try. I have drowsiness at odd times, nausea and numbness in my toes.
They have ruled out blood deficiencies and arthritis. They indicated that it could be that the cancer got into my bones and they would do a scan “later.”
Of course, in the interim, I have tried to locate information on this condition.
I have learned that primary bone cancer is much different than secondary bone cancer (which started somewhere else). Apparently the method of treatment and prognosis depends in part on what type of cancer you had before it went into your bones. I haven’t been able to find someone who started with cervical cancer and then it metasisized (or how ever you spell that) into the bones. cervical cancer usually goes to the lungs or liver and bones is the third most likely location to which it likes to travel.
I was not really completely panicked with the cervical cancer, because I know that they have well tested methods of treatment and in many cases, they are able to treat it and the patient might gain another 5 to 20 years.
Unfortunately, when I went looking for information on secondary bone cancer (generically), all the information indicates that they cannot cure it, but can use chemo and radiaiton to slow down the progression of the growth and they can give you pain medication to “make you more comfortable” during this dying process. I have a 3 year old, who isn’t fortunate enough to have a dad in her life. He’s a complete mess.
So, does anyone know someone who had secondary bone cancer which started out as cervical cancer? Any positive treatment stories. I would feel so much better if I knew someone who had a better result than I am reading about – or at least to hear about the course of treatment she might have gone through.
thanks so much for any info you might have or know of.
looking for information on bone metasis after cervical cancer, 
7 comments)
May 20, 2010
Today the gyn/onc surgeon called with the pathology results from my peri-aortic lymph nodes – they are all clear! I’m so glad it wasn’t his nurse calling to schedule an appointment – but the doctor calling directly to be the bearer of good news.
SO, they tried to kill my cancer before operating (because of the risk of spreading), and then as a precaution, to cut out the dead tumor and dead diseased material. Well, a number of different problems occurred and they weren’t able to kill all of the cancer prior to surgery, so I’m hoping the surgeon was able to get every microscopic bit with the Da vinci robot.
So, no traceable cancer cells in the upper lymph nodes. They willo another scan to make sure that all of the cancer was cut out, which of course isn’t a definite all clear because there is a possibility of microscopic cells having survived that aren’t significant enough to show up on the scan – but so far, so good.
Oh, and I am REALLY a fan of the Da Vinci robot! Had it done by Dr. Sandefur in Evansville, Indiana at the Deaconess Women’s Hospital. My recovery has been so much less complicated than I expected. I am amazed.
So glad to hear your lymph nodes are clear! I’m hoping my ultrasound from Tuesday will have similar status :)
Posted on Woo hoo! So happy to hear your good news!
Posted on Great news! Thanks for sharing! -Melissa
Posted on Congratulations on the good news.
That’s fantastic and I’m glad to know your recovery is going smoothly!
:)
Jill
Posted on 
Thanks for your support - 
The pain in your hip may be side effects from the radiation. After 25 radiation treatments, I was not able to sit cross legged, couldn’t lift my legs far off the ground, and had severe cramping in my thighs, calves, toes, and back. I’ve been NED for two years now and have pretty much gained back flexibility of all my joints. I keep doing stretching excercises because when I don’t, the stiffness and pain start to creep back. So, be sure to talk to your doctors about your symptoms, but I am hoping for you that they are just side effects from your treatment and not a new diagnosis of cancer. I know that every ache and pain causes great anxiety after what we have been through, but do your best not to worry about possibilities until you know for sure. God bless.
i agree with the previous poster. it seems that many people have endured joint pain after chemo and radiation. perhaps this is the cause of your pain rather than bone cancer. i will be praying that this is true in your case. keep hanging in there. i know how our minds tend to always go to the “dark side” after once being diagnosed with cancer. we think too much sometimes. God bless you. debby
I also agree with other posters—get your scan and stay off the internet search engines! We all know its easier said than done—we’ve all had our hours of searching by symptoms and freaking out as we read the results. I’m starting radiation and Cisplatin on the 12th…Take care, Colleen
I’ve had the same problem since rads over 2 years ago. I used to be the most limber person. And now can not even sit Indian style, like you described, it feels like something is going to break. I’m not sure if we were to get physical therapy if that would help or not. My legs just aren’t what they were prior to treatments. I hope that eases some of your fears. Since my big op, pardon me, but I have had a constant pain in the butt which is why I am still on narcs for the pain. I think it is because they removed almost all of my rectum and I am not active at all.
I will be praying for you that this is just rad damage, sounds like your issues are like mine. Radiation does cause alot of damage and sometimes the damage doesn’t show up for a coupld of years to decades. Please let us know what you find out. Oh, I was supposed to have a bone scan, not to check for cancer but for osteoporosis (sp?), never did have it, not sure why.
Please stay strong, prayers for you and your children.
I agree radiation hits you in places you never thought possible. I had it 6 yrs ago and still have numbness in my hands and feet. They told me that it was nerve damage (nueropathy sp?) and it may go away. I quit holding my breath. Even though it seems sometimes like they don’t know what they are doing, like when they told me to prepare my family for my death in six weeks, six years ago, on the most part I believe they over check rather than let it go, so know in your heart it is symptoms brought on by treatment. You are in our prayers. Peace, Sharron
I read your comment on Wolfies blog and want to say I support you all the way.