Hi.
It’s been nearly 6 weeks since I was diagnosed with a rare non HPV cervical cancer - Adenosquamous carcinoma.
It’s been so challenging to accept the diagnosis, especially at the age of 23, and the idea that I will never know why or how I have cancer.
I was meant to have a radical hysterectomy this week but this got postponed due to having the flu. So I now have an additional two weeks before my new surgery date. I am absolutely terrified about the surgery and the recovery.
Not only am I having to come to terms with the fact I have cancer but also the fact that I won’t be able to carry a pregnancy and the possibility of being a mother becoming smaller. I’m aware I do have alternative options for starting a family but these are not options that are simple or straightforward. It feels like so much has been taken away so quickly and with not much time to really consume and understand it all.
I find my age the most challenging part. It seems uncommon for someone under 25 to experience this. As much as I have the best support network around me, I still feel lonely from time to time.
Hi Beebrave28 and welcome to our group.
I was so sad to read your post-you are so young to have such a devastating diagnosis and be facing this surgery with all it will mean for you.
My cancer was a different type-I had adenocarcinoma- and I was post menopausal at my diagnosis, so I can’t share any relevant experience, other than I’ve had two surgeries for my cancer. I do understand that facing surgery is daunting, but the implications for you must be really difficult to accept given that it removes the chance of you having a child naturally. Are you having any help with coming to terms with this like counselling or therapy? It’s a lot to deal with.
I know that we have other ladies in the group who have been in similar situations, and I hope that they will see your post and reply with some support for you. You are very welcome to be part of the group here and feel free to post whenever you need to. Cancer can be a lonely place, but you are among friends here and there will always be someone with a shoulder to cry on.
Sarah xx
Even though you’re fearful of surgery, there is honestly no need to worry that you would be bed bound for weeks after a radical hysterectomy. Is it being carried out laparoscopically (keyhole surgery) or with open abdominal surgery(a cut in your tummy)? Keyhole surgery should be a much quicker recovery.
It’s important after any surgery to get up and move about to avoid getting a blood clot, so from immediately after surgery you will be encouraged to get up and move around by the nurses.
I had a much bigger surgery when my cancer recurred (called a total pelvic exenteration) and even then I wasn’t bed bound for weeks. With a radical hysterectomy you should be able to get out of bed the next day, even if it is open abdominal surgery, and the nurses should also give you some some gentle exercises which you can do even if you’re in bed.
It’s really important to get up and move after surgery, not just because of the risk of blood clots, but also being in bed all the time causes you to lose muscle mass in your legs very quickly which makes you much weaker. I was in hospital for two weeks and mainly in bed after my exenteration surgery, and even then when I was ready to be discharged it was very noticeable how weak my legs were. You should be in hospital for a much shorted time for your operation.
Sarah xx
I’ve used a full body pregnancy pillow for years now and still do-I can highly recommend them when you’re a side sleeper. It really helps with support after surgery.
Sarah xx
