u/loveyhowellthethird

Hello all! Just providing an update on my circumstances—and for those who may be traveling the same road as me with high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC).

HER2/POS+3 | p53 abnormal | pMMR | ER+ | Lynch syndrome negative

I was diagnosed in mid-May ’26 with a ghastly, almost 10 cm tumor/lesion residing in my uterus, along with worrisome findings suspicious for potential metastases to the omentum/peritoneal lining and a couple of enlarged pelvic lymph nodes.

My interim CT scan at the end of July, after three infusions of Taxol/Carbo/Herceptin, showed a major response across all of the problem areas. The previously suspicious areas in the omentum/peritoneal lining are no longer visible on CT—apparently, they got the message and cleared out, dissolved, and left the premises! 😏

My swollen lymph nodes showed a dramatic decrease in size—38% to 71% smaller—with two returning to normal size at under 0.5 cm and the other now just under 1 cm.

My uterus has also shrunk back to normal size, and my uterine bleeding stopped more than 45 days ago. The tumor has significantly decreased as well. During my pelvic examination, my oncologic surgeon found the tumor to be mobile, which he considers a good sign.

Another encouraging change: a portion of my upper cervix that had felt somewhat “barreled” during my initial examination on 4/28 now feels and responds normally—another positive sign according to my surgeon.

So, what’s next?

My radical hysterectomy is a GO for the end of August!

My surgeon recommended continuing with the 4th infusion since it was already scheduled, with the goal of giving surgery the best possible opportunity for clear margins. He may be able to perform the procedure robotically/laparoscopically. His plan is to first insert a camera and look for any evidence of spread that may not have shown up on the CT. From there, he’ll determine the best surgical approach.

He is leaning toward a larger incision because he wants to remove and biopsy my omentum, but his goal is still to accomplish the surgery with as little incisions as reasonably possible. The objective is to debulk/remove everything visible.

And here’s the part that really lifted my spirits: based on my encouraging response to treatment and the likelihood of a successful surgery, my oncologist believes I have a 95%+ chance of remission.

After surgery, I’ll have two additional infusions and then continue with Herceptin maintenance infusions indefinitely, assuming everything continues as planned.

Of course, the final pathology remains the ultimate storyteller. That will tell us how much, if any, active cancer remains and give us the definitive answers we’ve been waiting for.

I’m hoping the pathology report reads something along the lines of lots of scar tissue and very few active cancer cells—or, dare I say, none at all. I realize that may be wishful thinking, but I’m allowed a little wishful thinking at this point! 😊

I’m also eager to finally learn exactly what happened: Was there full invasion through the uterine wall? Did anything travel through the fallopian tubes? Did the cancer spread through the lymphatic system? How much of what was seen on the original imaging was actually cancer?

My MRI was not conclusive on some of these questions. My adnexa were clear, my ovaries were unremarkable, and there was no concerning involvement of my bladder. My most recent CT showed the same reassuring findings, with the other organs remaining clear.

For the first time in a while, I’m feeling genuinely encouraged. The combination of Taxol, Carboplatin and Herceptin appears to have delivered a major blow to this unwelcome intruder, and I’m hopeful that Herceptin will help keep HGSC in check moving forward.

I have plenty to live for, and I’m moving forward with gratitude, determination and a whole lot of fight left in me.

My outlook is better, my spirits are higher, and I’m determined to prove that Stage IV cancer can be beaten.

One battle at a time. One treatment at a time. One victory at a time. ❤️

Hey all, I'm undergoing neoadjuvant therapy before my planned radical hysterectomy. So far, I've tolerated the chemo cocktail referenced above well. No diarrhea, bone pain, or nausea after the second infusion. I have high grade serous carcinoma, mostly confined to uterus, with some swollen nodes under 1.8 cm, and suspicious small scattered spots in my omentum. I do want to state, I have a 3.5" lesion, longest at length in utero. 8 days ago, the illegal squatter stopped bleeding. Nothing, nadda, no cramps, no flow, it's dried up down south. I feel fantastic, more energy and have resumed swimming laps. I'm becoming more optimistic Im responding to the chemo cocktail.

I have more scans scheduled end of July and a surgical consult. I am wondering if my oncologist is going to recommend a full 6 cycle regimen before surgery with hopes of a more successful hysterectomy. Wait and see. So far so good.

I've also read on various message boards, there is a significant number women who are having reoccurences, that only received taxol/carbo chemo when their cancer was diagnosed at earlier stages. Is immunotherapy only offered to those with advanced cancer? Some of these patients had the cancer type that would have benefitted from having added immunotherapy.

Hey all, 62F here, I posted a few weeks ago about my MRI results, my medical team now have a game plan to battle my cancer.  I was classified as Stage 42b, due to suspicious small scattered soft tissue nodes in my omentum and invasive wall penetration at cervical junction, suspicious small tissue leaking outside my uterine wall near my bladder.  A couple of nodes along my pelvic iliac chain are swollen, all under 2cm.  Fortunately, my other main organs are clear.  Given this criteria, my team has prescribed neoadjuvant therapy to knock out these bad guys now and do some damage to my uterine lesion, which is pretty large.  The goal is to perform a successful radical hysterectomy yielding clearer margins etc., and will likely take Herceptin shots indefinitely to keep it in control.  

My cancer type is high grade serous carcinoma, HER2/POS +3.  I’m currently on Carbo/Taxol + Herceptin regimen.  Herceptin specifically attacks my cancer type, yielding significant results.  I had my first infusion 11 days ago and am doing fantastic.  My bloodwork rebounded very well, even my WBC cells were normal at the 8 day mark.   On days 3 & 4, I crashed and endured major menstrual cramping, was on the heating pad all day on day 4, felt like fireworks, lightning pinging in the lower ab region.

  Today, I feel less bloated, less pressure, decreased urgency to urinate and have more energy, not as fatigued as I had been feeling in the past two months.

I’m cautiously optimistic moving forward and looking forward to my next infusion to eradicate these cancer cells.   After my 3rd infusion, another set of scans will be required for assessment to determine response to regimen and whether to continue for another 3 infusions or implement surgery.  Will keep you up to date, so far so good given the circumstances.  Temporary bump in the road, I will get through this.

62F-post menopausal. Perplexed, stunned and feelings of disbelief after reviewing my MRI results. The language is terrifying! What I thought would be another examination of existing uterine fibroids, has now evolved to endometrial cancer--high grade serous carcinoma--and the fibroids are still there. Giving my best Ricky Gervais impression---F ME!!!

My symptoms of bleeding began in mid-Jan '26, no pain, no cramps, no fatigue, no nausea, nadda, just a heavy flow with clots for 1/2 days then tapering off to light spotting for 1-2 weeks, then back to heavy 1-2 days, the cycle repeats.

My pap smear came back abnormal for adenocarcinoma. My endometrial biospy came back high grade serous carcinoma.

My MRI results came in yesterday. I'm aghast that I have a 10cm almost 4inch tumor invading my uterine wall, extending into my cervical stroma, penetrating my lower uterine wall with possible extrauterine tissue mass abutting my bladder dome. WTH??? I cannot believe this kind of destruction has been going on symptomless till Jan '26. I'm shaking my head here. MRI lists three KNOWNS, then lots of possibilities, suspicious, probable scenarios with respect to lymph nodes, parametrial fat etc. I just want the doctor to call me and admit me to the hospital to get my hysterectomy. I'm concerned they may want to do chemo (neoadjuvant therapy) first cause of the tumor size. I hate this!!! I feel like I could jump on my motorcycle and ride 500 miles today, I don't feel bad.

CAT scan today. Will report later on this journey. Keep the faith ladies.