Endometrial Cancer diagnosis at 40

I’m new to the forum as I’ve only just been diagnosed. It’s been a rollercoaster month and I’m finding everything quite overwhelming at the moment, though really really trying to stay positive. 

A month ago I was on the most amazing holiday to California (that’s if been dreaming about for years) to celebrate my 40th birthday. Just before we went I had a polypectomy and hysteroscopy to remove a polyp from my uterus. I felt fine and we went on holiday and had the most perfect time. As soon as we got back, everything just crumbled as I was called in to discuss the histology report from the polypectomy and was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. 

I was told my only option was a full hysterectomy and this was scheduled for 12 days later. I was devastated - we don’t have children (have tried but it never happened) but I really wanted them and this just felt like the end of the world to be told that it would be impossible. 

I turned up for the operation and the consultant freaked out that I was too young to go through a full hysterectomy and he wasn’t happy to do it that day. Instead, he did another hysteroscopy to get a better sample and establish if there were any other options for me. They also fitted a mirena coil and put me on progesterone tablets which they said could help slow down the progression while a solution was established. This was a massive shock but I was relieved to not go through the surgery which he told me would put me at risk of other illnesses and that it would make me miserable for the next 40 years as I wouldn’t be able to have any HRT. I was also told at this point that they would be able to refer me to discuss fertility treatment so this was a little glimmer of hope in amongst the panic. 

unfortunately, the results of the hysteroscopy showed that I actually have grade 2 endometrial cancer (originally thought to be grade 1) so I was referred for an MRI which I had on Monday. The results came back quickly and have shown that the cancer has started to spread into the walls of my womb and not just the lining as originally thought. I’ve now been told that I will in fact have to have the hysterectomy after all and that they will also remove and test a random sample of lymph nodes to see if there is any indication of spread through my lymph nodes. I’ll also require radiotherapy, and depending on if there is any spread through lymph nodes detected, possible chemotherapy as well. 

I’ve been told countless times that I am super young for this type of cancer as it usually happens to older ladies who have already been through menopause. I’m really worried about the surgery and the follow up treatment and devastated that the option of children has once again been taken away from me. Everyone has been so lovely to me but I feel so sad and so guilty that people are upset because of me. 

I am now being referred for a CT scan prior to surgery and then I should be in for the hysterectomy within a month. By this time it should be clearer what will be required by way of additional treatment. Im really scared of the surgical menopause that I know is heading my way and of the repercussions of that. This has all happened really quickly (literally a month ago I was the happiest I’ve ever been in California) and I’m just not sure how to think about anything else - I can’t sleep and feel very anxious all the time. 

I was advised to join the Macmillan online community as there are others here who understand or have experienced this all before. It would be great to hear some positive stories and to try and offer support to others if I can. It’s a lot to take on board and I’m just so sad about it all.