Hello everyone, yesterday I was diagnosed with stage 2b cervical cancer and my head is spinning to say the least. I can't stop crying, I'm exhausted but can't sleep.
I had a 2nd Lletz procedure yesterday (1st one 12 years ago) to remove the mass on my cervix so they can do further tests on it. My Gynaecologist told me that the MRI has shown it to also be in the bottom of my uterus and right lymph node too. That it is not an early stage cancer but not a late one either. I asked if it should have been picked up by my smears which he said he would look at.
I'm feeling very overwhelmed right now.
Ruth x
Hi Ruth
I’m going to speak to you with advice from my partner, because I asked them this question. Our partners need to process our diagnosis, but they process it in a different way. They think about the impact on themselves, but the bigger impact is on us, so they are thinking how they can manage everything.
Cancer puts us all out of control, and for my partner control has always been really important..because they are in real life a problem solver and this was different, so it led to a feeling of helplessness. Everything was about the practicalities-getting me to every appointment, getting me an ambulance, getting me to every scan etc.
It can be hard to talk about this. I made my partner very angry by saying I needed to be selfish and concentrate on myself, but we have got past this now. I’ve felt lonely all through this process of having this cancer twice, although I have had unbelievable support from my partner. The important thing to remember is that they process things very differently. Communication is so important, but also so difficult. Honesty is the critical thing in my experience- we should have talked more, but we didn’t because we were both trying to protect each other. We have tried to change that now. Be honest…that’s my main piece of advice.
Sarah xx
