Diagnosed cervical cancer. Really scared. Help and advice

hi Suzanne

I can see you're not actually new to the community but I'm still going to say welcome and sorry you've had to come and find us.

I'm going to say 'don't panic' but I know you're still going to panic anyway.

hugs

more hugs

even more hugs

I was just reading a few of your previous posts, it's something we do when we're trying to work out whether to welcome you as a 'newbie' and all that, I'm sorry to hear about your mum. even more hugs. 

For you in your current situation 1 and 1b sounds like an early detection, and that's obviously good. 

When I had my breast cancer diagnosis and then had to wait around for what seemed like an eternity for scans and reports I realised I'd had a cough for about 6 months. 

The scans came back clear. 

I think your brain goes into overdrive and it's almost impossible to counter what seems like very real symptoms. 

The team will investigate thoroughly because that's what they need to do to come up with a proper accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.  They don't want to bombard you with chemo if you don't need it, it's a fine line sometimes. But by the same token they want to make sure they nip this in the bud early and make sure you're free of cancer in the long term. 

patience is a virtue . repeat x 100.

My MRI did show another separate lesion but it was still the same staging, there's quite a bit of leeway it seems.

more hugs

Carolyn

xxx

I have had the same experience as you. I’m a little older but you need to know it’s not always a worse case scenario, there really is hope. 

I was diagnosed on November 29th. Stage 1b. Referred for a CT scan and also an MRI and booked in for surgery on December 18th. My consultant told me the CT scan was clear but still waiting for MRI results. When I came round he told me there were shadows on my lymph nodes so wanted a PET scan also. I had this on December 18th and thankfully these came back clear. 

I was advised that a radical hysterectomy would be the most beneficial treatment for me and this was performed on February 12th. I have had everything removed purely to limit any risk of any nastiness returning. My follow up was three weeks later and I’m all clear. Nearly 6 weeks later and I feel almost normal. I know how incredibly lucky I have been but there are so many successes out there and although the cancer bomb is freaking scary you have been caught early and this in itself is a blessing! You can be cured. On initial diagnosis I was told most appropriate treatment would be radiotherapy with some follow up chemotherapy and I haven’t needed either. 

Every case is different we both know that but I really hope the similarities between us can give you a little reassurance. As soon as I had my I had my cancer confirmed I had a nurse similar to a Macmillan nurse assigned to me and she has been a godsend there to answer any questions and be a listening ear, if you have this use it. 

My thoughts are with you and I’m wishing you every success in getting this nailed. Don’t hesitate if you have any questions or queries. 

Heather 

Hello, I have came through this and my diagnosis was 1b2. It goes on size and if it’s just limited to the cervix, mines was larger than 4cm and it had spread to the lymphnode. They clarified this after an MRI and PET scan. Believe me, this is a good diagnosis in terms of having cancer. 

They only mentioned curative treatment, and they were ALWAYS honest with me. My staging was bang on. They can’t really lie to you and give you hope .

i was diagnosed at 29, I had symptoms thinking back, but at the time you never think it’ll happen to you. 

I couldn’t get a hysterectomy due to the fact it was on my lynphnode and they wouldn’t operate if they couldn’t get it all, so don’t be put off with this. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy was my treatment, as well as brachytherapy and I came out the other end, I am all clear. 

Its natural you will feel worried, but any questions please ask. I found this community helped me a lot.  If you want, private message me x

Thankyou everyone who have replied for you're support and information. My current situation currently was to have an MRI and CT scan done last week. These were done and I have now got to wait until wednesday which is 3 days away for my results and treatment plan. Everyone's comments have been reassuring so thankyou. It is hard not to think the worse and I have been trying to stay busy and positive by finding support from friends and and family. I think the anxiety builds up as it makes it worse by the symptoms I have as my thought process automatically assumes the worst and that the cancer has spread. I am worried about the results and I am so frightened about treatment as it scares me so much with the side effects, pain and discomfort but i will be strong. Thinking positive by reading everyone's success stories. Fingers crossed its not spread and I can get treatment done as soon as possible. I am Praying that the biopsy staging is as accurate as the scans outcome 

Thankyou everyone who have replied for you're support and information. My current situation currently was to have an MRI and CT scan done last week. These were done and I have now got to wait until wednesday which is 3 days away for my results and treatment plan. Everyone's comments have been reassuring so thankyou. It is hard not to think the worse and I have been trying to stay busy and positive by finding support from friends and and family. I think the anxiety builds up as it makes it worse by the symptoms I have as my thought process automatically assumes the worst and that the cancer has spread. I am worried about the results and I am so frightened about treatment as it scares me so much with the side effects, pain and discomfort but i will be strong. Thinking positive by reading everyone's success stories. Fingers crossed its not spread and I can get treatment done as soon as possible. I am Praying that the biopsy staging is as accurate as the scans outcome 

Hey Lovely 

i’m in a similar boat as you. Never had a smear 39 years old started getting mid cycle spotting. 

Got the results of my biopsy on 28/03 and was told I have CC. 

Thursday was a horrible day!

waiting on appointment for an MRI to hopefully get staged. From the Biopsy they said 1b or 2a depending on how far it has spread. Again treatment will depend on staging. 

I hope they do know the score from the biopsy for staging!

big hugs! You aren’t alone and I’m sending you some serious positivity.

take care xx

Hi Sbeee, sorry to hear about you're situation too. It's difficult waiting for results and trying to remain strong. Once we know the accurate staging then we can focus on the treatment plan. Big hugs to you too and wishing you all the positivity and strength for you're outcome. Let me know how you get on. Cancer is an awful disease and I have to fight it and cant let it win. Have to try to remain as strong as possible xx

Hi Suz83

got my MRI appointment through for 10th April.

I actually cannot wait to get this treatment started and kick this thing up the arse! I do have wobbly times but on the whole I’m doing all I can to take back my power and fight. 

I hope you are doing ok and are ready too 

We’ve got this! 

Xxxx

S 

Goodluck on your appointment tomorrow, fingers crossed for you . I have had my results from my scans last week and I am so relieved. Staging was correct to initial staging from biopsy of stage 1b1. My tumour is less than 2cm and I have been booked in for an operation on the 17th April. I have a pre OP assessment tomorrow so fingers crossed this goes ok and I can get this thing out of me. I have been given a choice of a radical hysterectomy or a trachelectomy. Hopefully this operation will be a cure.they have said that during the surgery they will also be removing some lymph nodes around my pelvis area to send for biopsy to see if there are any trace of cancerous cells on these and if so i will need further treatment. I asked what percentage this would be based on the staging. I have been told it would be less than 10% of this happening. I am so relieved as I thought it would be so much worse. Goodluck for tomorrow and I hope yours can be cured too x

I’m really happy for you and Thank you so much for the support ️