I got my biopsy results on 21/10/21.. it was confirmed I had cervical cancer (squamous). I'm Welsh & live in 'Derry. I was sent to the City Hospital Belfast for an MRI & PAT scan. Result came back 24/11/21 the tumor is 5.7cm and gone slightly left to the upper vagina so im STAGE 2B. Surgery isnt an option I'll be getting chemo and radiotherapy combined. I've been told treatment will last 5 1/2 - 6 weeks. Radiotherapy will be 5 days mon-fri and once a week I'll get chemotherapy. I was at the cancer center today and found it overwhelming seeing so many people looking unwell. I'm going back up tomorrow to get my Radiotherapy plan and have a CT scan which they want to inject a dye. They said it can take up to 3 weeks for everything to be sorted so my treatment will start between Christmas and New year. Im so scared as its so close, I think its the fear of the unknown
Hello Koa and welcome to the group. Your feelings are something I think we will all be able to identify with. I was diagnosed with stage 2b over 3 years ago now, although mine was adenocarcinoma, so have been through the same treatment you are facing...everyone reacts differently, and some ladies will sail through with very little side effects. Personally I found the chemo no problem, but found the radiotherapy much more challenging in terms of side effects. However, these effects did subside quickly after treatment ended. But everyone is unique!
It does take a little time for all the planning to be finalised, and the ct scan will allow them to plan the radiotherapy-you’ll get some tiny tattoos put on your skin which will be used to line you up on the table for each radiotherapy session.
Im sure you’ll have questions as you go through-please reach out and there will be plenty of support for you. And hints and tips for coping with treatment! Treatment can be hard going at times but it is over and done with in around 6 weeks, so it’s not too long. Once you get started, things become a bit easier it terms of the fear of what will happen. It helps to know that you are on the way to being well again. xx
Hi Koa,
welcome to the group and I am sorry about your diagnosis. However, it is very positive if the tumour hasn’t reached yet the lymph nodes. I was in the same boat as you a year ago. I was diagnosed with 2b adenocarcinoma and I had the same treatment regime. I can fully related to your concerns and fear as I was really scared as well before I started treatment. Luckily the nurses and staff at the treatment center were very welcome and eased any concerns I might have at the time. Unfortunately the planning of the treatment takes some time as it is designed at a case by case basis. The treatment is doable and it passes fairly quick. Hope not to get any major side effects as the majority of patients. Personally I recovered fully after treatment. I wish you all the best with your treatment and if you have any major concerns happy to help xxx 
Hi Koa,
I am glad you know when you are going to start your treatment. Regarding the brachy I am not going to lie for me it was quite tough.
it was painful so you just need to ask for pain killers all the time, but at the end it is only 2 days of your life. Usually you are admitted to the hospital and the next day they discharge you so you will have 1 brachy the day after insertion of the applicators and 2 brachy the next day. Most of the people say it is alright. When they removed it I was totally fine in terms of pain etc I only felt a little soreness around the area. I remember they prescribe me pain killers and morphine and I didn’t take anything because I didn’t feel pain just slight discomfort Which last only for a couple of days. From what I have read in the forum I must be the exception because many ladies say it is doable and not so bad as it sounds. So don’t take my words for granted. I really hope everything works good for you 
