Treatment

Hi red lady, 

I understand you must be really scared and I can only tell you from my own experience of chemotherapy I had 7 years ago , I was treated for lymphoma cancer (hodgkin's disease) stage 2a , the cancer has spread to my chest , so it was a scary time but once you start having your treatments it will be easier once your treatments have started as you will hopefully naturally accept the treatment is happening and will feel relieved that you are being cured , I hope you dont suffer too many side effects or set backs,  a strong mind,  positive attitude,  good support around you and as much normality in your life and I would like to think you will come just fine   there will be hard days but just have to accept them and enjoy the hood days as you will have this too! 

My girlfriend has been diagnosed with cervical cancer and we are awaiting results from mra and pet scans , Its really scary but soon as on ths treatment plan your on the road to recovery so hoping we have news that is positive,  the specialist says he thinks its stage 1b but the waiting is so hard , 

I truly wish you all the best with your treatments,  

Take care

Adam x

Hello

I completed the exact same treatment plan in October 2019 for Stage 2B/3 cervical cancer.  I know it seems really daunting at the outset but in my experience I look back and think yes, that was do-able.  I didn't focus on the number of radiotherapy treatments as there were too many but instead counted off the chemotherapy, 1st treatment 20% done, 2nd treatment 40% done and so on.  This seemed to make it more manageable.

There were some bad days, mainly because of the chemotherapy but the radiotherapy didn't cause me many side effects until the latter weeks and almost just as and when the professionals had advised/expected.  The doctors and nurses were great and were able to advise and give relief for any side effects.  I had many good days too during my treatment and met a lot of great people whom I will never forget.  It was scary how quickly the 7 weeks flew past.

The brachytherapy was the treatment I was most concerned about and although I had cramps post theatre this was swiftly managed by painkillers in the recovery room so although not nice was under control fairly soon.  Also apparently most people don't get these cramps.

I was also concerned about the removal of the applicators but don't be afraid to discuss this with your consultant as they are able to give you as much pain relief as you need and in hindsight I needn't have worried too much about this.

I get another MRI scan this month so hopefully the treatment has done it's job.

I have tried to be honest about how it was for me and hopefully it will comfort you in some way and not put you off.  You can do this and it won't be as bad as you are fearing.

Best of luck to you xx

Thank you JC2019

It's good to hear from someone who went through the same treatment as I'm starting. Day one is done, so only another 4 chemo treatments to go. The chemo seems to have hit me already as I was feeling ill last night once I got home. Taking my meds so I've only got the nausea feeling, hopeful the longer I take my meds this will stop. 

Hope your latest scan comes back as clear and you're in remission. Let me know how it goes xx

Thank you Redlady099

Sorry to hear you are feeling nausea, if its any consolation I was very sick with the first treatment and was admitted to hospital and then fine with the 2nd chemotherapy, didn't expect to get floored with the first lot of treatment.  Hopefully next week will be better for you too.

Wishing you the best of luck and health.

Hello Redlady099

How are your getting on with your treatment?  Been thinking about you.

I got the results of my first 3 month's MRI scan and the Doctors are reassured by the scan so I am not back for another scan until 3 months.  Just wanted to share this with you to hopefully give you some hope and reassurance that what you are going through should be worth it.

Keep strong, as I know the next few weeks will be challenging but definitely doable. xx

That's brilliant! Congrats. I'm now 4 weeks in and on to my 5th week. I got my last chemo there on Monday. Radiotherapy treatment completes for me on 13th Feb. So far treatment hasn't been too bad. Side effects have been quite minimal so far (touch wood). I start getting brachytherapy today which I'm very nervous about. When I met with the nurses last week they tried to put my mind at ease but I've not even so much as been put to sleep before. Thankfully my man is coming with me today so I'll have him to hold my hand up until the 'big' moment of going to theatre. 

Putting that aside.....I could not be more happy for you to get such wonderful news. Knowing how worried I am about the long wait on completion, hearing your news gives me hope xx

Hello Redlady099

Thank you for your reply

So glad to hear you are getting there and glad your side effects have been minimal.

The Brachytheraphy was the only bit of the treatment that I was really dreading but I needn't have gotten into such a state as really it wasn't as bad as I had envisaged.  Also the doctors and nurses really were excellent.  Hope you have gotten on ok today.

Thank you for your kind wishes and will be thinking about you xx