Hey everyone, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer on the 16th January. I found out last week that it’s stage 2b potentially but I have to go in Monday for an investigation under anaesthetic. I’m so worried about what’s to come. I have a 16yr old daughter and a 9yr old neurodivergent daughter and I’m honestly so worried about how chemo and radiotherapy is going to make me feel and how I’m going to cope with my youngests behaviour. Not sure what I’m posting for but just need to talk.
Hi FJB17 and welcome to our group.
I’m sorry to read you’ve had this diagnosis, but hopefully you’ll feel you can get a lot of help and support from the group.
I was diagnosed at stage 2b too, in September 2018, and had chemotherapy and radiotherapy. How we all cope with this can be very different-some people sail through and some have some (manageable) side effects.
From my ow experience I found chemo once a week very straight forward and didn’t have any side effects-no nausea or anything like that. It is only a low dose to help enhance the radiotherapy, so I had no hair loss.
I found radiotherapy more of a challenge-I was very tired and had some side effects kick in 3 weeks into my treatment, with cystitis and diarrhoea but these were managed by my team. The best thing to do if you feel anything starting during treatment is to speak up and you’ll be given things to help. You will get anti sickness meds through the cannula with the chemo, and also I was given tablets and cream for my skin to take away with me after my first session.
Radiotherapy sessions are very short in themselves but there can be delays which make your time there longer-I needed to drink water to ensure my bladder was the right size, so had to arrive in advance of my session to do this. My department was very busy, and there were often delays with machines etc. The weekday where you have both chemotherapy and chemo is a long day.
It’s very hard to predict how you might feel when undergoing treatment, and you’ll only really find out when you start. Have you got support at home with a partner or other family? Are you far from the hospital? It can be helpful to get lifts to treatment, although many people do drive themselves.
It might be helpful for you to call the support line (the number is in my signature) to chat through any issues you may need to deal with for your youngest daughter-they can provide lots of practical and emotional advice and a listening hear can be very helpful.
A cancer diagnosis is a lot to process, and there’s a lot to take in. Many of us in the group have been the treatment you will have, so please feel free to ask any questions and we’ll do our best to help. I’ve had an investigation at one point under anaesthetic and it was very straightforward, so I hope it all goes smoothly for you.
I’m glad you’ve found us here in the group-keep posting whenever you need to and we’ll do our best to support you through. It’s natural to be worried and scared, but you’re not alone here, and we can understand how you’re feeling.
Sarah xx
Hello, I’m very new to this group but spotted your post & just wanted to reassure you, my experience was very similar to Sarah’s. I was diagnosed with 2A cervical cancer 3yrs ago & sailed through chemo, radiotherapy was okay to once i got used to it until the last week or two when i became very tired & a bit tearful.
I would encourage you to contact local charity groups that could help support you with the children & definitely speak with your MacMillan nurse who has access to lots of helpful information & contacts. stay positive 
Elaine
