Newbie and newly diagnosed

Hi Musicmum and welcome to our group.

You've been plunged into that turmoil of tests and scans which is a difficult place to be, but things usually settle once there is a plan of action. 

It’s not possible at the moment to say what’s next, although the treatment for cervical cancer is pretty standard for each stage based on international guideline, and the stage will be the determining factor.

At stage1b it could be possible that you have a hysterectomy, but it’s also possible that the stage could change when the scan results are in which would mean surgery wasn’t an option and you would need to have chemo and radiotherapy. So it’s a case of wait and see at the moment.

Your results will be discussed at an MDT(multidisciplinary team) meeting where all the specialists come together to make the final decision on next steps. Then you will be told the plan of action.

We have experience in the group of both radical hysterectomies and chemoradiation, so can definitely help with any questions on either of these options based on the treatments we have completed. 

I hope you don’t have long to wait for your results, and that you will soon know what’s happening. Please feel free to post anything in the group from questions to a vent-this is a safe place for you to discuss anything with us and we’ll be happy to help support you through whatever comes next. 

Sarah xx

• Hi, I was were you are 12 month ago and went up to stage 2b. I am still having chemo and doing OK with the help of my wonderful husband who has been so strong fir us both. Good friends and macmillan have been very supportive. You will get there and your aloud to cry and be upset. I still get upset and sometimes sit and cry. Be strong be brave and you can do it.

I have had my appointment and they have said due to some of other health issues I can't have key hole surgery. 

I found out that I am currently listed for a modified hysterectomy plus removal of my lymph nodes and something that I can't remember the name of that sits just under my digestive system. 

I know this could change when I see the consultant though.

The recommendation for a radical hysterectomy would be open abdominal surgery rather than keyhole, as research has shown that this has better outcomes in terms of reducing the rate of recurrence. I’m not sure what a “modified” hysterectomy involves-there are a number of different types of hysterectomy, but “modified” is not a term I’ve heard used. Removal of lymphnodes would be a standard procedure to ensure that they are clear of any cancerous cells. 

Sarah xx

Ummm  I guess I'll have to wait till I see my consultant to get a better understanding. Thank you for trying to me clarification though. I appreciate it.

No problem-they need the stage to be confirmed as nothing can happen without this last piece of information, so hopefully the appointment with your consultant will happen once all the results are collated. 

Sarah xx

Hi I had a radical hysterectomy for stage 1b1 in mid January. Once you know what the exact plan is it does begin to be less scarey. Its the loss of control that I struggled with but the hospital staff were all amazing and the few days after the surgery were not nearly as traumatic as I expected and they controlled the pain so well.

The recovery period feels long and being diagnosed with cancer does play games with you emotionally but just take each day at a time. It's a marathon not a sprint and you will get there if you don't put too much pressure on yourself. We are all different and affected differently by different aspects of the treatment l. We all have good and bad days but plenty of us here to help you through xxx