Cancer appointments - what is normal? Those with experience only please :)

[Happygogoat]

Background... my Mum went through stage 3 cancer last year (currently in remission ) so we have a vague sense of what is normal and how things work etc albeit every trust is different and moreso now with covid etc.

My Nan was recently diagnosed with uterine cancer. It's been difficult to ascertain exactly what the prognosis/staging was because she gets so confused and hasn't been able to have companions. She's also received some confusing information/letters. Anyway.

She had a hysterectomy a couple of weeks ago which went well. Samples etc then to histiology to confirm whether that was the end of it.... She has now been invited back to another consultants appointment and been told to bring a companion.

• is this bad news? ie would they really invite someone elderly in to a hospital face to face just to say you're all done? where possible they've done what they can by phone but appreciate restrictions are easing now.

• is it also bad they've told her to bring a partner? They haven't previously but again not sure if that's a sign of recent improvements.

Finally if anyone is/has family that are elderly and with cancer.... do they even offer treatment? Particularly the more aggressive kinds such as chemo?

As I say she is elderly and we obviously don't want her to go anywhere but recognise her age. The fear is more that a horrible diagnosis and/or treatment would ruin her quality of life. I know you don't have to have treatment but she wouldn't want to prematurely leave us and so she would....

Since the op she is not in pain or suffering the bleeding symptoms etc and is otherwise happy and generally in a good place. Hoping this won't get turned upside down so just interested in other experiences so we can prepare. X

So sorry to hear this. I can't see an age for your Nan but my experience with my grandad in his mid 80s was that they didn't believe treatment like chemo was worth it, that is it would deteriorate his quality of life more than his cancer. Therefore he was given pain relief and monitored but was told because of age and some other ailments he was more likely to die with cancer than of it.

He had a good 3 more years, spent lots of time with the family and passed away peacefully.

My Mum was 85 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her lump was very visible and she had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. No chemo but to be honest I don’t know if that was because of her age or because it was unnecessary. I have also had breast cancer and didn’t need chemo so not necessarily an age thing.
I suspect she’s been asked to bring a companion because they know she doesn’t remember much about the consultation. They probably do have information they want to tell her about treatment.
What age is she?

With uterine cancer, it may be that they feel that she needs some further treatment. Some ladies need a form of radiotherapy (brachytherapy) to reduce the chance of the cancer returning - its a very simple treament over 4 sessions normally and you are in and out in 15 minutes or so total, with very few side effects.
Of course we don't know in your nans case why they want to see her with someone to support her, but thats something that might be the case

Thanks for replies, that's helpful. She's mid 80s.

Good to know there are less invasive treatments. My mum had 2 surgeries and the strongest and longest chemo available so I guess we're a bit traumatised from that.

Mind blowing really - uterine cancer risk is lowered from having kids and my Nan had 6!? Life can be unfair but just don't want her to suffer at this point.

Hard to tell but I know some departments have very recently started allowing people to bring someone again. Hospital letters can be really clumsy and you have to use an automated letter with no ability to change clunky wording.

I can't help with the 'bring someone with you' bit, but I've recently had uterine cancer. Mine was caught early and I need no further treatment after having a hysterectomy, tubes and ovaries removed. But it is possible that she may need further therapy and perhaps because your Nan is elderly they are aware she may get confused so have suggested she bring someone with her. Before I knew what grade and stage mine was, they talked to me about brachytherapy which is a type of radiotherapy which is performed by putting the necessary bits internally to target the right area. Hope all goes well OP.