Cervical cancer

Bless your heart Kimberley 

I am so sorry to hear this. I know this is scary and all the feelings you have and the thoughts are experiencing are very understandable.

if only to reassure you I had a diagnosis of stage 3C cervical cancer and had all the treatment required that was there for me. 
yes it was tough , yes it was emotional and one of the hardest things I have had to go through but I’m here and I’m in remission . 
I will be thinking of you as you navigate such a difficult time . 
Please do reach out if you need any support .

xxx

Hi Kimberley8 and welcome to our group.

It’s a really scary time for you when you are told that a cancer diagnosis is likely but don’t know what will happen next. It’s a lot to have in your head, and you are very young, but you need to find out more once the biopsies are analysed and try not to assume a worst case scenario at this point. 

Lots of us in the group have successfully gone through treatment of different types for cervical cancer and we will do our best to help support you through if you get a cancer diagnosis. 

My original diagnosis was in September 2018, and I’m still here so there are positive stories out there. Please come back and let us know when you get more information about what’s next for you.

Sarah xx

Thank you so much for the lovely reply. I'm sorry to hear what you've been through but I'm glad you are in remission xxx

Thank you so much for the reply. I'm just so scared and when they say highly likeley my minds just gone to the worst. I don't want to die before I'm 30 xxx

Hi Kimberley8 

I understand the fear, I think we all do with cancer, but I’d encourage you not to think about dying before you have any diagnosis. I’ve seen many people come and go in this group, convinced they have advanced cancer and are likely to die but it’s not good for your own mental health to focus on thoughts like these. 

Treatment for cervical cancer can be very successful, so if you do get a cancer diagnosis, and not everyone does, we can help you through.

When I was diagnosed, my first question to my gynaecologist was how will you help me? I never once thought I would die, even though I am a lot older than you, because I was determined to do everything I could to get better and recover.

Please try not to be focusing on these negative thoughts-keep busy and distracted and don’t spend every minute having your thoughts rushing ahead. Try to keep in the present and what you actually know, which is that an issue has been identified, no-one knows yet what it is for certain, but you will know soon once the tests are completed.

Sarah xx

If it is cancer is it likeley to spread and get worse in a couple of weeks? I can't stop crying thinking I won't make it till treatment and diagnosis

Kimberley8

I saw your post and can tell you very anxious.

I know how that feels and just want to reassure you that 2 weeks won't make a difference. You don't know for certain what it is yet ( I am surprised they made that comment without biopsy results) so don't get ahead of yourself.

You will be looked after. Take care. 

Serena77 xxx

Hi Kimberley8 

At the appointment when I received my diagnosis and was introduced to my Cancer Nurse Specialist (CNS), the CNS said to me that it would take a few weeks of tests and appointments before everything would be in place for treatment (a hysterectomy in my case) and she was clear that I didn’t need to worry about the wait as a few weeks wouldn’t make a difference.

I remember how difficult the time waiting for results and then a treatment plan was and I felt less anxious once my treatment plan was in place then everything moved quite quickly. I tried to keep myself busy when I was waiting to try to keep my mind focused on something else, which helped me. 

To give you an example of my situation, I was diagnosed in January (after biopsy in December), had a hysterectomy in February then was told in March that everything had been removed with clear margins so no further treatment required.

There are lots of treatment options available depending on individual circumstances and there is lots of experience in this group of different treatments too. I have found this group to be really helpful, supportive and friendly - I hope you do too. 

Louise x

Hi Kimberley8 

Sorry, I’ve been out all day and not had a chance to come on here, but even if you have a diagnosis of cancer waiting for treatment will not make a difference-cancer typically does not spread in a couple of weeks. It takes time for a diagnosis to be made and a plan put in place and that in itself takes longer than 2 weeks. 

I was diagnosed in mid September 2018 and started treatment in November 2018. Treatment will depend on your diagnosis if it is cancer so please try to calm yourself and wait until you get some more information. You’ll make yourself unwell through these high levels of anxiety.

Sarah xx

Hi Kimberley8

Hearing the word cancer coming your way is very scary especially in the context of symptoms which include vaginal bleeding.  I wasn't up to date with my smears in 2017 when I experienced bleeding which turned out to be cervical cancer.  I assumed the worst but my diagnosis was stage 2A cc; the cancer hadn't spread and was highly cureable.  I'm still here to tell the tale - no evidence of disease (NED). 

Where you are right now is, emotionally and mentally, one of the hardest things.  It's the fear of the unknown and the imagination going every which way; easy to say but try and take things as they come.