Hi everyone
I just wanted to try and share a little positivity today-the 6 year anniversary of my original cervical cancer diagnosis. I’ll never forget the day!
I was diagnosed at stage 2b, so could not have surgery, and went through 4 chemotherapy treatments and 25 radiotherapy. I wasn’t able to have brachytherapy as I had a pulmonary embolism the night before admission for that. I had a boost of 7 further radiotherapy, so 32 in total, and received a Ned result 3 months after treatment.
6 months after my Ned result, my cancer was back so I was opened up abdominally for a salvage hysterectomy. It couldn’t go ahead due to radiation damage to my organs, so was quickly stapled up again. Later, I underwent a total pelvic exenteration which gave me a Ned result again, but took my bladder, rectum, vagina and more, and left me with 2 stomas.
I had a very low, 30%, chance of surviving, but I did. It was an easy decision to take, having the surgery, as without it I maybe had around 6 months left. It wasn’t without challenges, and a very long recovery, but it worked for me.
In the last 2 years, I’ve had quite a lot to deal with, but none of it due to cancer-chronic cholecystitis, jaundice, a blocked bile duct, a procedure which caused acute pancreatitis and finally had my gallbladder removed in surgery which was longer than normal due to adhesion from my previous surgery. Recovery was very quick and without issues.
Then I developed a nasty breast abscess which took time to heal, and thought I was finished with hospitals for a while! Unfortunately, this year I had a stroke in March due to a blood clot above my left eye. I had excellent therapy and recovered very well but shortly after that had to be referred to the maxillo facial unit to discuss a large lesion which developed on my face and required surgery, which couldn’t happen due to being on blood thinners after my stroke.
Luckily, I no longer need that surgery. Phew!
Despite having life changing surgery, I am still here and getting on with life. I tried always to have as positive a mental attitude as I could-not always easy- but it has served me well. I have to accept I will always have stomas, that I can never have sex again, and I have been left with ptsd. However, I have an excellent counsellor now who is helping greatly. I’d recommend therapy to anyone facing treatment and surgery like mine.
I know I was lucky to get my exenteration surgery as it’s not always possible, but it gave me my life back. A different and more challenging life, but I appreciate it hugely.
I hope that some might find some positivity and hope to hang on to in tough times. It’s been a hard road to travel, but it can be done. My heart goes out to all who are struggling as I know how hard it can be. My mantra was always “I WILL be well” and I told myself that every single day. I wish the best to anyone facing the challenges of cancer and beyond, to find the strength to dig deep.
Sarah xx
