Just a quick bit of back story: I retired at 56 to make sure I got an actual retirement and boy am I glad I did. I was diagnosed on 27/12 with what is currently believed to be stage 1a undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma- high grade but no spread. Still waiting the very detailed histology (to rule out what was originally thought to be endometrial stromal sarcoma) apparently, my case is very interesting 
I felt well, and the only symptom I had was post menopausal bleeding - and like many women, the lack of proper info about what is abnormal at this stage of life meant I didn’t take it as seriously as I should have until, that is, that my very best friend was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in October with similar symptoms
My internal dialogue largely revolved around not wanting to bother those busy doctors with what was probably nothing but in the end, fear won out and following a failed clinic hysteroscopy (lots of issues with the state of my anatomy), and having seen something on the scan, I went into biopsy surgery under GA with a likely polyp and came out with cancer
my cance surgery was initially scheduled for 20/2 but on 13/1, I got a phone call offering me a surgery slot on 17/1. I thought about it for a nano second and accepted the offer. It meant that I went in blind because all the research I planned to do went out of the window. But if I had had to wait 5 weeks for surgery, I would have been a mess
The surgery went well and I was informed that they think they got it all/ no sign of any spread. Plus I was told I was recovering well because I was young fit and healthy (yes, I was very happy with that)
the absence of a clear diagnosis as to what sort of cancer it was meant there was a decision to be made. A stromal sarcoma wouldn’t respond to chemo, but an undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma will. They wanted to do chemo and radiotherapy
So, to avoid any further delay,the chemo pathway was commenced. The chemo consultant told me that the they were very sure it was undifferentiated carcinoma, and the detailed histology would only be relevant in the event of recurrence.
we discussed the fact that I could be cured already, but there was no way to be sure so I agreed that the recommendation for adjuvant chemo and that’s where we are
Inhad my first session yesterday (it’s 1am on 26/3 because the steroids won’t let me sleep hence the blog)
I tried the cold cap ( not as bad as I feared - 10 mins of nasty, with me doing deep breathing relaxation and then at 12 mins - my partner timed it - my head went numb and the rest is history)
I’m having 6 cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel. I had no real side effects during the day apart from when the taxel quickly caused deep pain in my forearm (apparently because it was going in faster). Wrapping it int he heated pad helped, but it’s still sore now (took paracetamol this eve and and out to top up).
I’m also starting to feel a bit sick so I’ll be taking those tabs now
and although I thought I had good veins, I had problems for the precop blood tests so I made sure I was very warm and hydrated when I arrived for the chemo and they got the cannula in with no problems, thank goodness. I used hand warmers inside my gloves, which really helped
I’ll try and post that I think will help other people in their own journey and you can take away what you need and leave the rest. I have to say, on a very topical note, altho I’m not a royalist, I found HRH’s announcement moving, inspiring and it made me feel brave because she is being so brave
What have I learned?
So good luck to us all and I’ll update soon
