Update

Good luck for tomo fingers crossed for you xxx

Hi Natalie, thank you so much. I have all the scenarios playing around in my head tonight but hopeful for positive news. Will let you know tomorrow once I find out. Hope you are are okay xxx

Yes a nervous time for you good luck xxx

Really thinking of you too, and hoping for the best possible news.  Xxx

Thank you so much xxx

Hi Bella,

just to let you know that the small hole at the bottom of the incision that we spoke about is completely covered with skin now,

    So aim for about 11 weeks post op.

I realise you have had your results now, it took me a while to process , I wasn’t able to talk really about it....but the shock, numbness,anger, sadness what ever your feeling you will come to  a level when you can.

We are all here for you when your ready 

xx Sue

Hi Sue, thank you. I have had my results and unfortunately the cancer had spread to my ovaries and was in the LVSI which I think is on it’s way to the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes were clear however. They staged me at 3a. I was so sad and upset yesterday and couldn’t see anything but the worst outcome It was awful. I am A lot more positive today.

I have been told that I will need 6 months chemotherapy to mop up any stray cells. I have my first appointment with the oncologist next week to discuss this. Could you possibly tell me your experience of the appointments and chemotherapy. I have not idea what to expect or how I’ll I will be or what they do? Don’t worry if you would prefer not to say though. Do you know if I will need to isolate for the full 6 months? I’m in Wakefield.

Thank you so much xxxx

Hi Bella,

Firstly obviously just a huge hug to you, I know what it feels like to be catapulted into unknown scenarios, but knowledge is power and that is what the next meetings and appointments are about.

Hopefully you had an good chance to ask some of your medical questions on Wednesday, and you have the treatment plan so that is very positive development for you.

First meeting with your oncologist may be different to mine but at my first appt,  I met my doctor, who was lovely, he took me through the scans and MRI scans to show me exactly what the surgeon had done, explained there was a small hole in my mass and I was to have 6 sessions of chemo every 21 days. He asked me if I was physically ok after hysterectomy and he wanted to see the incision hole, and confirmed keep it open and dry etc.. he went through all the drugs I would be given and the side effects...there are an awful lot of boxes to tick but I have to stress they don’t all happen and he was quite open about what he thought I would experience and what I wouldn’t.

so that was January 26, lasted about 45 mins, then was popped outside to wait for appt for the pre assessment appt which is with an oncology nurse.

The pre assessment appt was on February 11, so 2 weeks later, possibly because he gave me an extra week for the incision hole to heal ... Anyways at this one , very through medical history taken, asked about allergies, took bloods,COVID test, Blood pressure and weight recorded, ask about lifestyle, if your eating,sleeping, exercise...just to see how well you are in yourself. 
lasted about 1 hour.

dates given for first chemo session, Feb 17...so just under a week later.

My chemo is Wednesday every 3 weeks, so had another one yesterday...once you get started on chemo you go to have your bloods checked 2 days before your next session so it’s Mondays for me every 3 weeks. 

I would say the fear of chemo is real, I found the period between diagnosis and starting chemo, stressful..I was basically scared, I didn’t know what to expect, there was a lot of tears. I reacted ok thankfully to session 1 and had about 4 days of being groggy and tired but picked up quite quickly.. and in the following period was bouncing around the house, buzzing in fact. So it’s not all doom and gloom, of course you will have good and not so good days as you go on.

On your isolation question, oncologist said stick to the lockdown rules, try to avoid supermarkets at peak times, avoid people who have colds or are unwell but to go out for exercise and do whatever you can do to be safe...hand sanitizer/ masks etc.

Have you had a COVID jab yet... if you haven’t ring up GP , tell them you are going to start Chemo and you need a jab two weeks  prior to starting chemo, my surgeon was adamant about this, so I rang my GP on the Tuesday got the jab on Thursday, that was in January, so there is more capacity now so yours should be prioritised.

Now you are a chemo patient my Practise nurse said to me-your one of our VIP’s, anything you need you can have...she even got my husband a jab as soon as he was able, as she didn’t want me concerned about him getting it. 
Bella, I remember how I felt prior to starting chemo, it’s not easy and you can ask me anything and if I can help I will, if I don’t someone else on here will know the answer.... I waited to long to come on here.

Once you have had an explanation of the drugs you will have we can talk about them as well.

For now try to breathe, process what you have been told and be kind to yourself 

talk when ever you want ,

oh and if I go on a bit, just say

xx Sue

Hi Bella,

I didn't want to reply first because my experience of chemo was with my daughter, who had it for breast cancer and incidentally was 37 at the time! The doctors wanted to throw everything at it because of her age.

Her experience was very much like Becalms was. She was pretty grotty for Week 1 and found she felt less sick lying in bed, even with anti sickness pills. The second week she was pottering around the house, and the third week you wouldn't have thought there was anything wrong!! Then, of course, it all started again. In week 1 she was better having small meals more often.

At the time, I thought she was over the top with sanitising everything. We had to wash hands the minute we came in, and she frequently wiped door handles, toilet handles with anti bac wipes. Since Covid I decided it was good training for us all, and not over the top!!

People were very good to not visit with colds. Her temperature was up on one occasion, and she was admitted to hospital as a precaution. They were excellent with her. All this was 7 years ago now and she has been fine since.

Wishing you all the very best. xxxxx   

I can not thank you enough for this. I really struggle with the fear of the unknown. I haven’t been told anything as yet, all I know is it will be 6 sessions. I am hoping I will get more information when I go to see the Oncologist like your said. 
I will call my GP tomorrow and ask them about the vaccination. 
Have your been sick or felt sick at all with the chemo? And do you feel poorly while the chemo drug is actually going in on the day? Also are you there all day? Sorry for the hundred questions.

thanks so much for your help Sue

xx