Reccrance

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Hi , last year I was treated with chemo radiation and brachytherapy for bulky stage 1b cervical cancer after going to see the Dr for what I thought was a UTI , I went into remission in November. A few weeks ago I had some very light spotting on a couple of occasions, however at the weekend I had a couple of significant bleeds , my ankle has also been slightly swollen ( I put it down to the weather) . I'm seeing my oncologist on Friday. Has anyone here had a reccrance .. I'm imagining all sorts .

Thanks 

Louise 

  • Hi  ( Louise)  and welcome to our group.

    I’m sorry to see you are worried about a recurrence with those symptoms you’ve been having. Yes, in answer to your question, I had a recurrence 9 months after my chemorads finished. But  I had no symptoms whatsoever-no bleeding and no pain at all. 

    It’s easy to let your mind go to all sorts when you’ve had cancer and fear it might be back, but until someone tells you it’s back you don’t actually know, so try and hold onto that if you can. It’s best not to imagine what it might be for now or you will drive yourself crazy. 

    At least it’s not long until your appointment and finding out more. Have you had checks ups already since November? 

    I hope you can get reassurance that this is not a recurrence and that you’ll come back and let us know how you get on. There’s always support for you in the group. Good luck.

    Sarah xx


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  • Hi Sarah , 

    Thank you. Yes I've had check ups since November. 

    The last one was over the phone due to me getting COVID . I keep telling myself it's nothing, but just can't help thinking the worst at times especially knowing that 1b2 is supsetable to recur . May I ask what treatment you had with your recrrance, not sure I could face the chemo again 

    Louise xx

  • Hi Louise

    I had an attempt at a radical hysterectomy, which failed, and then a total pelvic exenteration. You can read my story by clicking my name. 

    All cancers can recur, but many don’t. I was just a bit unlucky I think due to my circumstances.

    Sarah xx


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  • Hi Sarah

    I've just read your story. What a very inspirational lady you are , I was originally going to have the radical hysterectomy but COVID struck and I couldn't be anthatsied for and I was going to have some chemo radiation after due to a the uncertainty of of a lymph node involvement we decided it was better to just start the treatment like you 6 weeks cisplatin with the 30 radiotherapy rounds filled by the high dose brachytherapy in 3 doses . I thought that was tough enough, however I admire you and your endurance. It's great to read that you are getting along just fine and may it stay that way . Take care lovely lady and thank you

    Louise xx 

  • Thank you so much for your kind words Louise. Things were very tough, but I just did what I had to do to live and I was very fortunate to have such a good result from my surgery. I will always be grateful to my brilliant surgeons for giving me this second chance.

    Sarah xx


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  • Hi Lilac sun

    I had a significant vaginal bleed post treatment.  Following an MRI, which showed NED, I was advised the bleeding was due to 'neo blood vessels' which form as a result of radiotherapy; apparently these vessels are fragile and prone to bleeding. 

    I was prescribed with SYLK vaginal moisturiser (subsequently replaced with topical oestrogen cream) and fortunately haven't had any bleeding since. 

    I was diagnosed with stage 2A squamous cell cervical cancer (node negative) in 2017 following symptoms: persistent, watery, yellow vaginal discharge then post-menopuasal bleeding.  My treatment was a radical hysterectomy followed by chemo-radiotherapy.  My long term side effects include lymphoedema and urinary retention which I manage with intermittent self catheterisation.