recent diagnosis

Hi martha33 and welcome to our group.

I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a cancer diagnosis-it really knocks you for 6 doesn’t it? This is very new for you to get your head around, but things are moving quickly if you’ve already had a pet scan. Have you been told how long you’ll be waiting for the results?

It’s hard to know what the next step will be for you from the information you’ve given, but have you been told there will any more scans or tests before you’re given a final diagnosis with your cancer staging and treatment plan? We have a lot of experiences in the group of different stages of cervical cancer and its treatment, so please feel free to ask any questions. 

Things usually do feel better once you know what the plan is and can then focus on getting through treatment. So I hope you’ll let us know how you’re getting on. 

Sarah xx

i was told it 2b and there was a3cm tumor showing on mri scan and that the treatment was looking like radiotherapy chemotherapy followed by bradotherapy but they wanted a pet scan so it may change i had the pet scan today and they said the results would be forwarded to who had to have it tomorrow so its worrying incase they have seen something else on that .

Hi Martha

I was stage 2b too at my original diagnosis, so also had chemoradiation. I hope the pet scan just confirms what they know already and there are no surprises found. I remember the worry of having a pet scan in case more was identified but in my case things stayed the same. 

It’s a scary time for you, but we do have lots of positive stories in the group.

Sarah xx

Hi Martha

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

It is scary and I found the waiting hard also.

I had the chemotherapy and radiotherapy last year, I didn't have brachytherapy I had extra 10 low dose radiotherapy. Treatment finished end of may.

They do move quickly to get everything in place 

Hi Martha33

I was in your position at the end of 2023, my MRI showed a 5cm tumour and i was then sent for a PET scan after they had discussed me at the first MDT, i remember feeling incredibly anxious and my mind went to all sorts of terrible places, the rollercoaster analogy you used feels like a really good fit - i didnt feel able to work in that waiting period so got myself in a daily routine of lots of self care, a daily walk, listening to music, being in nature etc. The PET scan is the last of the tests/scans they will do and then you will be given a treatment plan, this will make the journey ahead much more certain and will give you something to focus on so try and hold on until then, you wont have too much longer to wait

Big hugs

hi sarah 

had a call this morning saying no changes found on pet scan but it did pick up that i have a problem with my spine but not cancer related .  the relief i felt that nothing else had been found was good so just got to get through the treatment now i get my treatment plan next week and they are also going to refer me for my spine to suitable consultant

hi sodo

i get my treatment plan next week hopefully

hi i get my treatment plan next week

That’s really good that the petscan hasn’t identified anything cancer related, so hopefully you will be able to go ahead with the standard plan of chemoradiation.

I had an issue with my hip come up on my scan, but also not cancer related-these things happen sometimes. 

It’s a huge relief not to find any other changes, so I hope that’s given you a little boost. Please keep us posted with how you get on.

Sarah xx

thats really good news. I know that the treatment for 2b has slightly changed nationally since i had it (this change took place about a month after i had started treatment so i just missed it) following results of a trial, which has improved survival rates - so some more good news for you  as i understand it it remains chemo-radiation, then brachy (what i had) but before you start chemo-radiation you are given some additional chemo

The PET scan does seem to be helpful in identifying other conditions (if a PET scan could ever be considered helpful )  mine identified i had an issue with my thyroid (also not cancer related!) 

Hopefully things feel a little calmer for you today, but be kind to yourself, this is a lot to process