New here: from CIN3 to 1A2 to 1B2 journey

I have been recently diagnosed with cervical cancer and I wanted to share a bit about my journey so far.

It all started in June, when my routine smear test came back showing abnormal cells and a positive HPV result. In July, a biopsy during the first colposcopy confirmed CIN3 cells. I then had a second colposcopy with a LLETZ procedure in early September, during which the cells were removed, but there was a positive margin left.

The initial results from the lab at the first hospital, in early October, showed stage 1A2 cervical cancer. This was a total shock since up until then, I had been told that these were abnormal, pre-cancerous cells and that they were contained. I was told I could have a fertility-spared treatment.

I was then referred to a specialist hospital and after a second histology examination, the stage was updated to 1B2 and the recommended treatment updated to radical hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries. Here is when my real ordeal started to unfold.

The tumour removed is on the ‘small’ side of 1b2 stage (21mm) with a depth of 5.5 mm, and negative lymphovascular invasion.

MRI and PET scans came back clear, but the doctors cannot rule out micro-metastasis, which is what scares me the most. I’m also currently waiting for a second MDT opinion on my diagnosis and recommended treatment, since I received two different assessments at the beginning. I’m hoping to have that clarified before my surgery on November 17th, hopefully sometime next week.

I just turned 40, I’m single, and yesterday I was offered the option to freeze my eggs, which will delay my surgery date. I decided not to go ahead with the fertility preservation, even though I’m unsure if it was the “right” choice. The fact that I could only do one cycle and wouldn’t know the quality of my eggs until retrieval made me weigh the importance of moving to surgery faster.

It’s been a lot to process, between the diagnosis, the fertility considerations, and the upcoming surgery, but I’m trying to take things one step at a time.

I would really appreciate any tips or messages from people who have gone through a similar experience. I know that everyone’s diagnosis and outcome are unique, but it always helps to hear from others who understand what this journey feels like and to get advice from those who’ve been there.

C