Preparing myself

Hi KL1987 and welcome to our group.

I’ve always had face to face appointments for everything-good results, and not so good results because it’s just the way my hospital does things, though I can understand you’re concerned when you’re used to having a letter each time. 

At least you don’t have too long to wait, though it will seem like the days are endless until Wednesday comes. The positive thing to try and think of is that you’ll have some answers and then be able to move forward, although I’m not sure you can truly prepare for getting a cancer diagnosis-it was a real shock for me.

Try not to anticipate the result just yet-it may be to tell you that you need further treatment, but you can’t guess what that might be yet. Some ladies need a further LLETZ to make sure everything has gone, and for others there was some cancer found but it was fully removed by the LLETZ. Others need further treatment of some sort, but it’s impossible to guess in advance what it might be.

Since you have a face to face appointment, you may not get a call back before it happens-I prefer to be seen face to face myself rather than be told anything on the phone, as it gives a better chance to ask questions. Have you got anyone going with you to the appointment? If you are getting a diagnosis, it can help to have someone with you as your mind can just go blank in the moment, and there can be a lot of information to take in so an extra pair of ears can be very useful.

It can be handy to think of questions in advance that you want to ask, and take a notebook with you where you can make a note of what’s being said. I went to my results appointment alone because I wasn’t expecting a diagnosis of cancer, but I took my partner to every appointment after that and found that much better for me. 

It’s an anxious time for you-I think we can all identify with that-but please let us know how you get on when you can. There will be support for you in the group if you do get a cancer diagnosis, and other ladies will be happy to share their experiences.

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah,

Thank you so much for your reply. 

I’m definitely trying my best not to imagine what it might be but at the same time it’s hard not to. 
A week after my Lletz I ended up bleeding loads and having an overnight in hospital so I’ve not been feeling great anyway so that hasn’t helped. 

My partner is coming with me to the appointment so that’ll be a great support. I know that whatever happens it will be ok but it’s just scary. I really appreciate your kind words of support and I will update you when I know on Wednesday. 

Thanks again :-)  xx

I’m glad your partner will be with you-it is good to have support. I thought I might have abnormal cells, but honestly never expected it to be cancer-the upside of that was that I didn’t spend any time worrying in advance of my appointment, so that was a plus! 

Try not to use google for answers if you’re tempted to do that- it can’t diagnose you and can just ramp up anxiety when you’re in this limbo of waiting. I didn’t use it and actually have never used it in relation to my cancer since I was diagnosed in 2018. 

Trust in your specialist-whatever your diagnosis is, there will be a plan to treat it-you can’t change anything about your results, whatever they are, but try to remain as upbeat as you can.

All the best for Wednesday!

Sarah xx

So I had my appointment today. It was confirmed that I had stage 1a1 cervical squamous cell carcinoma BUT the good news is that it was completely excised by the LLETZ. There was some CIN3 on the margins so they want to do a further procedure under general anaesthetic to make get the rest of that and have a look to see if any other concerns. 
A very strange day emotions wise- shock of cancer but relief of it being gone! 
Just waiting for my op date now. I had my pre op assessment today while I was there so probably not too long to wait. 
I feel much calmer now than I did last week not knowing. A bit daunting going under GA as I’ve not had that before but otherwise feeling quite positive if not a bit emotionally drained. 

Hi again and thanks for the update.

 I know any kind of cancer diagnosis is horrible to receive, but it’s very good news to see the cancer has been removed. It’s all very draining to go through, however. 

I‘ve had quite a few surgeries under GA and found I was very well taken care of-staff know we are nervous and do their best to reassure us. It’s strange being in the room chatting as the anaesthetic goes in and then the next thing you know you’re waking up in recovery! 

I hope it all goes smoothly for you and you’ll come back and let us know how it went. All the best.

Sarah xx