Constipation no, cysts no, cancer yes!

Hi  and a warm welcome to the Online Community. Although I have a different type of cancer I know exactly where you're coming from. I had no idea a slight spotting on my undies, I was some years post menopause, meant I had an aggressive cancer growing in my womb. I wasn't going to bother the GP as it was so slight. Good job my bestie nagged me.

It's so hard keeping that brave face on when inside you're screaming but by joining this group you'll get the support and you'll be able to ask questions. It's us the strong ones that are hit the hardest when faced with this scary diagnosis.

As you're going to have a hysterectomy I'm going to suggest you join us in the Womb cancer group so you'll get our support if you post there. 

It’s always helpful to others if you write a little something (or a lot) about yourself and your journey to date. You can enter it into your profile (click on your username and select “Profile”) It’s helpful to other members with a similar diagnosis who can then hopefully answer your questions. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. You can amend or update it at any time. If you’re not sure what to write, just click on my username.

You might also find this link to what to take in my overnight bag useful.

It’s always good to talk and the Macmillan Support Services provides lots of information, support, financial guidance or just a listening ear. It's free to call on 0808 808 00 00  8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Have a look to see what is available by Clicking here .

There is also an Ask an Expert section, but you should allow two working days for replies from our expert team.

Sending you welcoming hugs, B xx 

Thanks for posting, really appreciate it x

Hi, really sorry to read your news, and hope you find some comfort and support from others on this site who’ve been in that same scary place following diagnosis, and can appreciate how you’re feeling.

Out of nowhere this thing comes into our lives and changes everything we previously took for granted, and I know from my own experience how hard it was to stay positive and put on a brave face for myself and my husband and friends sometimes. But I have no kids, and can’t begin to imagine how much tougher it is trying to keep it all in for your daughters. You didn’t mention their ages but, as their mum, I’m sure you’ll instinctively know when and how it’s best to share this with them.

Being positive and brave is good - but sometimes what you need is to scream or cry, talk about all that’s in your head, or just write it down and, when that’s what you need, then that’s also good. The most important thing is not to be too hard on yourself if you can’t always be the strong one everybody else has come to expect.

I hope, like me, you’ll find it easier once you have a treatment plan in place and you start to take the next steps. I definitely found that focussing on the end goal, and thinking about the treatments killing off the cancer, made it so much easier to feel positive.

I wish you all the best on your journey, and it’d be great to hear how you’re getting on if you feel like posting again,

love Bx

Hi B.positive, thanks so much for your kind encouraging words. 

I'm finding the day times OK, my girls are pushing me through. Somedays it feels like a switch is being flicked at bed time and then someone opens the flood gates and I just can't stop crying. I keep thinking of all the scary what it's!! 

I know this is normal, I always thought I was strong but this is taking its toll and I can't believe its only been a week since diagnosis! It feels like I've been carrying this burden for a ages!! 

As for my treatment plan, the only bit I know of so far is the operation to remove the tumour and all the other diseased tissue. Until they know how much tissue is effected I have no idea what the treatment plan is...thats what's hard to swallow...the unknown. 

I'm finding reading the posts in this group very useful to get a picture of what's to come xx

Hi again,

So glad you’re finding it helpful reading other people’s posts on this site - At least you’ll hopefully know from them that you’re not alone in what you’re going through and how you’re feeling .

You haven’t said if you have a date yet for your surgery, but for sure there are lots of us who can offer hints and tips on preparing for and recovering from that, as well as what chemo is like.

All the best - be thinking of you,

Bxx

Hi B, definitely not alive! So so many brave amazingly strong women on these groups that are so inspiring

My op is booked for thr 5th Oct, it a bit of a wait, I'm guessing its due to the backlog from the pandemic. 

I haven't even thought about preparing myself for it at all yet, I've been consumed by school holidays, focusing on keeping my girls happy. 

School is back next week, I'm kind dreading being without them, I think it will all start to hit me then. 

Can I ask where you are in your journey? Xx

Hi, yes - I had my surgery in December 2020 (very lucky to get in just before the surge in Covid cases put surgery on hold !), then had 6 cycles of Chemo, January to May this year. 
All my blood markers came back down into the normal range, so haven’t been put on any maintenance drugs so far, but got my first 3-monthly check coming up this Thursday, and feeling a bit apprehensive, and back in the zone of “what ifs” again - I guess that’s only natural though, and I’m trying my best to stay positive.

Hope you’re coping OK with your girls being back at school ? - maybe time to invest in a bit of “me” time, and do some things you enjoy to make the time pass more quickly through to 5th October. 

All the best, and keep in touch if you feel like posting again,

Bxx

Hi B

Thanks for sharing your story with me. I understand being apprehensive about the first check up but from the way everything has gone to date I'm sure it will be fine. Please keep me posted, I'd like to support you in return if I can in anyway x

Did you know before your op that you would need chemo afterwards? That's the bit that's bugging me. I need to await the tests of the tumour and everything else being removed before they confirm what's needed next. I'm not good at waiting

Today is my first day back at work on "light duties" not sure I'm going to be able to stick at it to be honest, I just can't seem to focus as well as I should. I know I need to cut myself some slack, but I thought working would help me not think about the cancer journey 24/7! 

Hi,

Completely get where you’re coming from re. that period of not knowing what’s going to happen after surgery. I think it’s very common for that to be the case - mostly the medical team can’t be 100% certain it’s cancer and, if it is, what type and stage, until they do the biopsy. I remember being told it was likely I’d have chemo after the op - but wasn’t 100% sure if or when I would. 

Best advice I can give is to focus on your surgery for now, which will be the first step on the road to recovery, then have faith that your medical team will know what’s best to do after that. If you can eat and sleep well and get a bit of exercise, you’ll be in the best shape for your surgery and recovery after. Other essentials for your hospital stay in my experience are big comfy knickers (full briefs, one size up from my normal worked for me), and an extra long charging lead for your phone, so you can reach it even in the first day or two when you can’t get out of bed - life-saver !

You’re right about cutting yourself some slack too - fantastic that you’ve made an attempt at keeping yourself occupied with work, but sounds like maybe a few more adjustments or a bit of a break might be needed. I was able to work from home and part-time during my treatment, and I did find it a useful distraction - but we’re all different and just need to follow what our bodies are telling us we need.

All the best, and I’ll be sure to let you know how I get on on Thursday,

love Bxx

Hi, and hope you’re managing to keep occupied and positive while you cope with the wait for your surgery?

For me, not quite the news I was hoping for today unfortunately (although not a complete surprise given some recent tummy problems I’ve been having). My CA125 has gone up from 19 to 55 since my last test in June, which my consultant says suggests there’s a few rogue cells somewhere that have managed to dodge the chemo

So - back next week for another scan and and consultation - then probably some more chemo on the cards for me through the winter.

Determined to stay strong and positive and to beat this thing though…..we can do this !!

Love Bxx