Excessive bleeding

Hi Hollybean and welcome.  So sorry to read of your recent experience.  I see you know your staging but could you give us more detail about where you are in the treatment process or are you post treatment?  During my treatment I did see some fleshy clots when on the loo but they say it can be a sign of the tumour breaking down.  Also I was having a pink discharge before and during the start of treatement.   I just wanted to say hello but can't really advise without knowing a little more about where you are in the treatment process.  Please keep us all posted.  Our lovely ladies will be along to support you too.  Sending hugs xxx

Hi snobird, thank you so much for your reply and the support.

So I'm still early on, I've not started treatment yet, don't until the 18th. 

Just trying to figure out what's normal and what isn't, this bloody thing sends me into panic mode! 

Xx

Hi Hollybean. I am a Stage 3C lady and I have finished treatment and had three month scans which showed excellent results.  Do you know any details about your treatment yet?   I had the 25 Radiotherapy, 5 Chemo and 3 brachytherapy.  It is very doable albeit with a few side effects.  I think it was during week three of the radiotherapy that the bleeding stopped.  From my own experience I had discharge every day, some days worse than others and as you say some pink and even dark fleshy clots on the loo.  I think you should take the positive that they have examined you and don't think there is any additional cause for concern.  I think from reading other ladies' stories that all sorts of weird stuff can happen when you are waiting for treatment.  If you have a very physical job maybe you could take things a little easier and get plenty of rest and lots and lots of water.  The 18th seems a long way away now but it will be here before you know it and then your feet won't touch the ground.  Try to make use of this downtime to build up your health and strength so that you are at your fittest for treatment.  It is so easy to panic at the slightest little thing and that doesn't change even after treatment but we must try to remain positive and I know that's easier said than done.  Please let us know how you're getting on and post even if it's just to rant.  It is quite normal to feel so many emotions at this stage but very soon your treatment will begin and you will feel in control again xxx

Thank you so much for this, it's amazing to finally be able to speak to someone who knows what I am going through. Although I'm sorry that you and anyone has to go through it. Really really pleased it has gone well for you, certainly makes me feel better.

I will be on the same treatment as you by the sounds of it, chemo every Monday and radio 5 days a week. I have to wait further down the line to see if they want to do the brachytherapy on me, they've said it depends on how it all goes. 

Thanks again for replying this has really put my mind at ease, I should trust my body, I knew something was wrong before I was diagnosed, just need to trust it and look after it. 

I will definitely do updates   thank you so much x

Hi Hollybean and welcome to our group!

Normally I’d have been around and welcomed you earlier, but I’ve been ill over the weekend-thought it was Covid but have tested negative. Any way enough about me and I see that Snobird has already given you some good advice.

So, you are just in the wait for your treatment to start now and it will feel like it’s taking ages. Your treatment looks like it is going to follow the standard pattern so lots of us have been through this  and can help you through based on our experiences.

I was bleeding quite heavily although not as bad as you-how scary that must have been- and I was told it would stop around 2 weeks into treatment. My doctor was spot on! After 10 radio treatments over the first 2 weeks my bleeding completely stopped, so I very much hope you will experience something similar. It makes a big difference when it stops! 

Some ladies sail through the treatment with little or no side effects and some find it a little tougher, with the typical side effects being bladder and bowel related, but just tell your team everything and there will be something to help! Don’t suffer in silence if you do find you get things like diarrhoea and cystitis as treatment progresses-usually around week 3. You should see your doctor weekly during radiotherapy, and they will want to know how you’re coping, so just be honest and don’t try to be a hero! There will be lots they can give you to help.

We have a lovely group here of very supportive and encouraging ladies and many have the same diagnosis you’ve had and are going through or have completed the same treatment. It’s helpful to fill in the details on your profile if you’d like to-it lets us know where you are in the process and saves you repeating yourself answering questions. 

You are so welcome to be with us, and please feel to post as often as you want-questions, worries, a vent, anything you’d like. We will be here to help.

Sarah xx

Hi SarahH21. Really sorry to hear you haven't been well! 

Thank you for your message though, just feels like a relief being able to chat to people who have experienced it. Felt very alone and worried recently, plus I feel like they bombard you with information that it feels a bit overwhelming!

I will certainly be thankful for that 2nd/3rd week where it all stops! 

I'll try and see my doctor too, but not very easy to get appointments.

Thank you for your support xxxx

Hi again Hollybean

I’m a bit better today thank you, but still not quite right!

I’m not sure that it would be useful seeing your gp, as you will now be under the care of oncology, and gps tend to bat everything back to consultants. When I said about seeing your doctor during treatment, I meant your consultant. Mine held a clining weekly in the radiotherapy department so I’d see him once a week when I was there having my daily sessions. Then if I needed a prescription for the runs or whatever it could be written there and the and collected from the hospital pharmacy. 

It’s all overwhelming at the start, isn’t it? I got given some thick booklet about cervical cancer and refused to open it! So much information to take in and new medical jargon to learn. But you’ll get into the swing of it once treatment starts and you can experience radiotherapy and chemo for yourself. They can both be scary to contemplate, but nothing is ever as bad as it seems! 

And now you’ve found us here, you don’t need to feel so alone. You are among friends, even though we are virtual ones, but we all understand what this is like so it can be easier to speak to us sometimes rather than family and friends. 

Sarah xx

Hi Hollybean, Bleeding was one of my symptoms of cervical cancer.  On one occasion I had blood spurting out wiith some force which scared me so much that I went to A&E.  They said they it wasn't anything to worry about unless the volume amounted to a cupful or so.  Later on, when I was in treatment, I asked my clinical nurse specialist why about my bleeding and she explained that tumours can be well vascularised.  i can empathise with how worrying it can be x

Hi Sarah, so so sorry that you have been ill.  I'm very glad that you are feeling better and hope you are fully well again very soon xxx

Hi again Hollybean, so pleased that you are feeling a little better now xxx