New & coming to terms with diagnosis

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Hello everybody!

I’m new, to the community and to cancer. I was diagnosed with grade 3 endometrial cancer a week ago, and am having trouble taking it in. The team at the hospital are great & kind, & encourage me to ask questions & to get any help I need, but in truth I think I’m still in shock. I feel stressed by the schedule of scans etc, but no real emotional reaction at all, which itself feels weird. Also I find it hard to remember everything I am told, or when asked, whether I’ve had a blood test recently for example, also weird.

Although this calm does leave me room for practical preparations (stocking freezer etc - actually, buying freezer!) it seems important to connect with my feelings before my hysterectomy in 6 days. I am thinking it will hit me in a big lump afterwards when I’m at my lowest! Or am I trying to manage the unmanageable, & should just go with it?

All hints & tips welcome.

Cazzie 1 day ago

Hi Dilly,

I had my hysterectomy for endometrial cancer just under 5 weeks ago. I, like you, was in total shock. I was all over the place. I couldn't remember what was being said and couldn't read all the literature the hospital supplied. I feel everyone reacts differently and that there is no wrong or right way to react to these circumstances. All I will say that these forums did help me although I couldn't cope with them to begin with. Also I chatted to nurses on here via the online chat option rather that phoning. I did that because I couldn't talk. However, it all helped.

My GP practice has a dedicated phone support for cancer patients which I did not know about until after my surgery. Perhaps you might find out if yours does the same? I think it is a good outlet to be practical because I wasn't to begin with and was very depressed. Don't be hard on yourself. Being practical is helping you to cope so go with the flow.

Take care and stay strong, Cazzie

latchbrook 9 hours ago

Hi DillyOnline and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community, and although I've had different cancer diagnoses to you I have a good idea how you're probably feeling right now.

The online community is divided into different support groups and I can see that you've already found and joined the womb cancer group where you'll connect directly with others who have the same type of cancer as you.

When you feel ready, you can start a new post there in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.

It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and proposed treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"