Stage 3

Hi stokief88037 (Emma)

Gosh, it must have been a shock for you to have things change like this-I’m so sorry you’ve had lymph node involvement identified now and a stage 3 diagnosis. It’s a lot for you to process at the start.

Your treatment plan will be familiar to many of us, including myself, although I didn’t have lymph node involvement at my original diagnosis. The plan for me was also Chemo, radio and brachytherapy, and lots of us in the group have successfully been through this and come out the other side.

Treatment is intensive but over a short period of time. The oncologist will discuss the details of your personal plan with you, but typically the chemo and radio are done at the same time over a period of 5-6 weeks, unless you are having what’s called induction chemo first.

Induction chemo is a combination of two different chemos given over a period of around 5 weeks, followed by chemoradiation together. When chemo and radio are done together, chemo is weekly and radio is daily on weekdays with the weekends free from treatment. Brachytherapy is done at the end when these treatments are finished.

Everyone reacts differently when they’re first diagnosed, so your reactions are normal for YOU, as we are all unique. I didn’t shed any tears when I got my diagnosis-I felt like I was in fight or flight mode and just wanted to get out of the room! I didn’t cry afterwards either-I held onto the words of my consultant that my treatment was being done with intent to cure and focused on that instead. Some people are more emotional, but it doesn’t matter how we are-we are coping in our own way with huge news.

I’ll give you a few pieces of advice which helped me. The first is to take things a day at a time, and try not to rush ahead with your thoughts. One foot in front of the other, one appointment and one step at a time. You will have your appointment with the consultant, and then there are some other things to be done before treatment can be started. You’ll need to have what’s called a ct planning scan where the scan will identify where the radiotherapy needs to be targeted. You’ll need to sign consent forms to agree to your treatment plan and have everything explained to you with potential side effects from treatment gone through. You need to know about these to be able to give informed consent, but not everyone would get all or any side effects.

It will really help you to remain positive and upbeat, but don’t feel you are superwoman! We all have difficult days in this, and it’s absolutely ok not to be strong all of the time. You’re lucky to have a supportive family, so lean on them for both emotional and practical support. Ask for help when you need it-lifts to appointments if you need them, help with things like shopping and cooking if you don’t feel up to it. People usually want to feel useful. 

That’s probably enough to be going on with for now, but we are here to help you through this from our own experiences of going through treatment and beyond so ask any questions you’d like to as you think of them.

I hope you find out all the medical stuff you need to know on Monday at your appointment, and we’re here in the group for the other stuff. 

Sarah xx

I've been down your exact road! I was diagnosed with stage 3 in February 2025. I didn't cry once during treatment. I was really surprised as I am definitely a crier! Someone told me your body and brain hold off on that as it has serious work to do! 

I had the same treatment run as you. Chemo then radiotherapy/chemo then brachytherapy. Positivity and family support are definitely what me through.  You'll also meet some wonderful people along the way.

You'll be tired, I think you're probably prepared for that! The chemo didn't make me that sick personally  but when it did the pills they give you are very effective. The team are there every step of the way, they are determined for you to suffer as little as possible! Again, my personal experience (Churchill, Oxford) but I would absolutely assume it's nationwide!

Radiotherapy is intensive! Mine was 5 days a week for 5 weeks.  You don't feel a thing. There's a lot of hanging around though.  I had bladder issues, a bit like a urine infection, still have actually! It has varied in severity over the course of treatment. 

I was absolutely terrified about the brachy. I opted to have a general for the procedure.  It's uncomfortable but bearable, even for me. Im terrified of pain and got through it fine! The morphine pump helped though!

If I can get through this anyone can!!! Keep that positivity going! Let your family look after you. You'll come out the other side in no time!

I'll be here the whole way. If you like, PM me for anything at all. Advice, support, more gory details! 

Best of luck with this. It's exhausting both mentally and physically but in the grand scheme of things it's totally worth it.

You got this.

Ali xx

Hello Sarah 

Thank you for replying to me. Thank you again for giving me some sort of clarification of the next steps aswell. 

Yes I'm just hoping the PET scan doesn't flag up anywhere else it may of spread to, I'm fearing the worst so any other news will be a bonus. I am frightened but I'm trying not to let my family see as they are all holding it together for my benefit I think.

But thank you again for giving me an idea of what I am to expect, it's all very overwhelming at the moment and just trying to navigate everything is draining. I can't remember the last time I've slept properly, but as you say I'm taking one day at a time,one appointment at a time and one scan at a time. Oh and most importantly trying not to Google anything. 

I will update after Mondays appointment. 

Thanks 

Emma

Hello Ali

Thank you for replying and letting me know what I'm likely to be in for. I think all experiences and information is valued at this time. 

It's all a minefield of scans and appointments it's a whirlwind of emotions, but at the moment I'm trying not to loose it as it feels at the moment I may not stop. Plus I think my family are keeping it together for my sake, but at least they are all there for me.

I will update you after Mondays appointment 

Thanks again 

Emma

Hi lovely lady .

So I was diagnosed with stage 3 with lymph node just outside pelvis in June 2025. After the initial shock of diagnosis my ‘parhway’ was swift . I completed 13 weeks of treatment on 10th October . I had 6 weeks of induction chemo ,followed by 5 weeks of chemoradiation and 3 brachetherapy treatments . Its a lot to take in and your mimd will certainly be spinning it’s completely normal .i broke down the treatments as thinking about it as a whole was to dauntimg! Everyone is different but I found talking about it very helpful . But i do tend to wear my heart on my sleeve. My team were amazing and like others have said i hardly cried ,but saved energy for the road ahead . 
The limbo is an odd place to be but just trying to enjoy life and have the best Christmas.

keep positive ,here if you need a chat 

vicki x

Hi Sarah,

I found out I had stage 3 and spread to my lymph nodes.

I also have to have 6 weeks chemo, 5 weeks chemo/radio everyday and brachytherapy. Again I have found it a lot easier to take each appointment at a time. I’m the worlds worst patient as have a big phobia of hospitals. I haven’t cried much but do have the odd days where I’m emotional wreck. I have my planned CT scan today so so they can plan my radiotherapy. It would be lovely to stay in contact with anyone going through the same as I am so terrified of the brachytherapy as don’t want to theatre or be put to sleep but I guess I have to put my big girl knickers on!! 

Please anyone keep in touch as it’s nice to know we are not in the alone.

good luck for Monday 

Lucy xx

Hi Lulu1307c962a9 Lucy and welcome to our group.

I’m sorry to read your of your diagnosis, but you won’t need to go through this alone now you’ve found the group and other ladies who are going through the same. 

The CT planning scan is straightforward, so I hope it goes smoothly today and you’ll be starting your treatment soon. Hospitals are difficult places to be, and stressful if you have a phobia about them-I still get anxious about being there for appointments even after being in them so often over the years! 

As you can see from the replies, there are other ladies at the same stage as you who will be going through the same treatment at the same time, or have already been through it, so I hope you’ll all be able to hold each other up as you go through this.

The brachytherapy is quite a while away, so try not to think about it yet-just focus on getting through each day as it comes. I’ve found that things are rarely as bad as we make them out to be in our heads so try to concentrate on what’s next for now-not what’s coming in the future.

I was messaging my friend when I got my original diagnosis, and sent a meme of someone putting on a massive pair of knickers, so you reminded me of that today, more than 7 years down the line for me! 

Treatment is intense, but can be very effective, so stick with us and keep posting whenever you need to. We will all be happy to share our experiences and help to support and encourage you.

Sarah xx