Newly diagnosed

Hi Claire and welcome to our group!

Sorry to hear you have had this diagnosis, but I hope you will find this a good place to be, with support, encouragement and advice from ladies who all know exactly what this feels like. 

You’re are at one of the most difficult points in the process at the moment, waiting for results of the mri and you appointment which will hopefully be able to tell you the stage and treatment plan. I think we all started to feel a little calmer once we had this information and knew what we had to do.

The main piece of advice I would give you right now is to take one day at a time. You are understandably scared, so please try not to let your thoughts run away with themselves and start imagining all sorts. Things are rarely as bad as our minds would have us believe when we are facing the unknown, and no matter what, there will be a plan to treat this. Please try to resist any urge to Google as it can make anxiety much worse, and give you information which does not apply to you. Trust in your team to tell you what they will do, and take it from there. 

Mindfulness can be a useful technique to keep yourself centred in the “now” and I found a free app on my phone called Headspace helpful when I needed to be calm. Distract yourself by keeping busy and doing things you enjoy. For help with sleep I used a calming pillow spray, and listened to calming things on headphones-the sound of the sea for example, which would help me drift off-there are lots of free things on your phone you can access. 

Please feel free to ask any questions in the group, or air any concerns. We have ladies just diagnosed and waiting for treatment to start, those who are going through treatment, to those who have completed treatment. There’s always a friendly response here for any support you might need.

Sarah xx

Hi Clairelb.  I am just over two weeks post treatment and I remember well the anxiety and worry when I was at the stage you are now.  It really does get better when you know what you are dealing with and have a treatment plan in place.  Sarah has given you loads of good advice and all I can add to that is to control the things you can and get yourself as fit as you can be for the treatment.  It really helps.  As Sarah said, there are many lovely ladies here who are all more than willing to offer the benefit of their experience and answer any questions.  The scans will only confirm what is there already so thank goodness that it has been found.  It is natural for you to feel the way you do (we have all been through this) but this is a very treatable disease xxx

Thank you, I’m just so scared they’re going to tell me it’s untreatable at my meeting on Thursday. I’m trying to stay positive but it’s the fear of the unknown. I’m sure I’ll feel calmer once I know what’s what and have more info.

Thanks snobird, can I just ask, how long was it between your results and treatment discussion to beginning your treatment?

Hi Claire

There will ALWAYS be a treatment plan, no matter what. Admittedly not always a plan to cure when that’s not possible, but they will treat at every stage of this cancer. 

It’s so scary when you don’t know what’s what, and I remember when I was diagnosed but before I had scan results I imagined all sorts and also worried I might not be treatable. I’ve learned a lot in these past few years, and the main thing was that it’s rarely as bad as we imagine it might be! For me by the way, it was about 6 weeks from diagnosis to treatment starting. 

Sarah xx

Hi Claire.  I got my pet scan results on 30th December, planning scan on 10 January and started treatment on 25 January.  Hope that helps xxx

Thank you, it does help to know what happens next. I’m nervous for my results on Thursday but also need to know what the plan is, and what treatment I can have. Just feel in limbo at the moment.

how are you coping with your treatment?

Hi Claire,  I have finished treatment and the few side effects that I suffered during treatment are all settling down now.  I hope you don't have to wait long for the results of your scan.  Please keep us posted as we are all with you through this xxx

Hi everyone, I got my mri results on Thursday, they can’t see the cancer anywhere else other than cervix, so grade one cancer. I have to go to theatre at the end of this month for a cone biopsy and they will also take a look at my womb to check if any cancer there. Then wait for those results to see what treatment is best. So I’m feeling much more positive, thanks for all support and advice so far x 

Hi Claire

Stage 1 is early-so that’s a good result, especially if it can be removed with a cone biopsy. Hopefully that is all that will be needed, but keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Glad you’re feeling more positive now!

Sarah xx