2 days post diagnosis

Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to read that you've just been diagnosed with cervical cancer and, although I had a different type of cancer, I know how hard these early days are.

There is no right or wrong time to tell other people and I think it all comes down to how you feel about telling people. I told all my close friends straight away as, for me, I felt that was the best thing to do. Macmillan have this information about how to tell people you have cancer which you might find helpful. They also have this really helpful information on talking to children and teenagers.

It would be great if you could pop something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

x

Hi, Rachfox.

I don't have children, so I don't know what that's like but I simply could NOT tell my parents. In the end, I asked my brother to tell my dad and my sister to tell my mum. They accepted immediately. What a relief it was. I simply physically could not do it. Very odd sensation. In a way, it was better that way - it allowed them all to say whatever came to their heads without having to worry about how it would feel for me. Sometimes, people blurt stuff out which can hit you quite hard when they hear this kind of news. Cancer seems to be one of the most scary words.

As Latchbrook said, if you look inside, you'll know what's best for you. I just said it straight as I was told it in three sentences. But not to teenagers...

Maggie's centres have libraries and quite a few have books about how to tell your children. If you're not near a Maggie's I'm sure you could give them a call to discuss or know which titles...

Hope it goes without too much pain. Love goes a long way in finding the right way, although of course, no-one wants to hear this.

Take care