New and confused

Wellcome J.  This group has been very supportive to me and I am sure it will help you too.  It is very overwhelming and scary but is your first appointment for an ultrasound scan?  If so they will tell you go to with a full bladder so then can do external ultrasound then you empty your bladder before they do an internal scan.  It is not painful and you can find all the details of exactly how they do it on Macmillan Cancer Support website, and the staff are very caring.  My husband had to wait in the corridor while I had the scan.  My next appointment for a hyteroscopy but if you are not sure what your appointment is for phone the hospital and check.  My husband was allowed to be with me the following week when I got my biopsy results.   I got home yesterday following hysterectomy on Tuesday.  The ladies here have so much personal experience and we all understand what you are going through.  Take care XX

Hi J,

did your Gp say he had referred you on the 2 week pathway at all? I had precisely the same as you, no period for 2 years, then woke up with a heavy bleed. My Gp referred me and the hospital contacted me within a couple of days. My health trust did the whole of the checks on one appointment, so I had an internal scan, which is nothing to worry about at all. It’s done by a synographer , and they look at any thickening of the lining of the womb. I then was moved into a different section, where I met a gynaecologist, and she performed a hysteroscopy, which is a fine probe camera inserted to look inside the womb, and inspects the cervix, womb, looks for polyps, fibroids and any other concerns.A biopsy was then taken and sent to pathology. I did not need a general anaesthetic for my procedure, I have had 2 before, and there is discomfort when the biopsy is taken, like a bad period pain, many ladies are offered this under general anaesthetic, and I am sure they will discuss this with you. To be honest J, the waiting for the results was the worst, your mind just plays tricks with you, and once you get the result, you know you can deal with the facts. The back ache could be related, but I wouldn’t read too much into that. I tortured myself thinking have I had this pain, was this that and the other signs Ishould have picked up on?- the main thing is you have gone to be checked, and if anything needs sorting it will be and you are in the right hands. If there is anything untoward, I was reassured that womb cancer is very slow growing, so the fact you have gone straight to your Gp is great, I put off symptoms from 6 months prior, and my cancer was still a grade 1a, which I have been told if you have to have it is the best possible outcome, and is gone with surgery of a hysterectomy, and no further treatment required. Many ladies on here will be able to give you their experiences too, the support available is immense, a true group of warriors. I wish you lots of luck with your appointments, always around if you need a chat. Take care, love Emm xx

Hi and welcome to our corner of the online community. We've a lovely group of supportive ladies who have all found themselves where you are now, slightly numb and disbelieving but you're not alone in this, we'll be here to help you.

The 2 week wait cancer pathway normally starts with Ultrasound, Hysteroscopy and Biopsies, CT and or MRI scans. The Multi Discipline team consisting of Surgeons, Oncologists, Anaesthetists, Clinician Specialist teams then meet weekly or fortnightly to discuss the finding and make a treatment plan going forward.

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'll see my journey started with some unexplained spotting several years after menopause had happened. All of my testing, scans were done during Covid lockdown so I had to go to all appointments alone which was hard. It'll be good for hubby to go with you for an extra pair of ears. You can also record the conversations, with permission, which is helpful.

If you want to ask any of us any questions please come back and do so. There's always someone around and we can offer a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold or listen to a rant, we’re here for you.

It might also be a good idea to download this booklet Understanding Womb (Endometrial) Cancer. I found it invaluable on my journey. 

Click on the link I’ve created to find out more information covering diagnosis and treatments for Womb cancer.

Sending you welcoming hugs, Barb  xx 

Hi J,  if the system is anything like my local hospital, the first appointment will be for ultrasound scans - both external and also transvaginal. The transvaginal scan is a small probe and I found it fine. The second one will be for the hysteroscopy clinic, in case it’s needed. They book it in early so you won’t then have to wait if it’s needed. I had two weeks of light spotting, did an E consult form, was seen by my GP the next day, then blood tests and on the 2 week protocol. Was phoned by the hospital 2 days later and then the conveyor belt x rollercoaster ride started! At the ultrasound appointment, the person doing the scans can tell you observations but cannot diagnose. At mine, she told me that all looked okay except for my uterus lining which was thicker (8mm) than it should be after menopause (4mm) and that it might or might not be a problem, so I’d need the hysteroscopy appointment so that a proper look could be had and a biopsy done. At the hysteroscopy appointment, the consultant was lovely and gentle. He used a small speculum as I don’t do well with those, and it was okay. I had a local anaesthetic injection into my cervix which I didn’t feel. For a number of women the hysteroscopy itself is like mild period pains, but for others the cervix is so tightly shut that it’s too painful for it to happen. The latter is how it was for me and the consultant abandoned the attempts as he was worried about hurting me, bless him. He put me down for a hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic. Two weeks later I had a pre assessment for the procedure and two weeks after that I had a hysteroscopy and biopsy under general anaesthetic. It was a day surgery thing - in at 7.30am, theatre at 9.45am, awake at 11am, picked up by my husband around 2pm. It was an absolute doddle and so easy. I got the result just over two weeks later by phone. Since then I’ve had an MRI and chest x ray, and am now on the waiting list for a hysterectomy, with my pre assessment happening next week. 

We are all different, but I chose from the start to go to my appointments on my own. For me I felt I’d stay on top of things if I was only having to think of how I was feeling. Also, we have a dog, and I knew I’d rest easier if I knew my husband was at home looking after him. Our hospital is 45 mins drive away and I used the time to sing along with the radio and get my headspace sorted. On the day of my hysteroscopy, I got a taxi in but my husband picked me up after. I also went on my own for the MRI and chest x ray, and on my own for the results. We each have to work out what’s best for us. 

Please do let us know how you get on and if you have any further questions,

Hi J, I  had very similar to you a bleed two years after the last one, it felt like a  period to me but very light, I'd recently had a smear test and it was as if this had kickstarted  My hormones again. I  was on holiday in Spain  when it happened but saw my gp the day after I got home, she confirmed my smear test was clear but she put me on the two week pathway to get things checked out. I  had two appointments in the same week, the first was for a hystoscapthy which was uncomfortable but manageable for me, they found a small polyp, which they said they would remove by myosure, which is basically a hystoscapthy. The second appointment was for an ultrasound which was external and internal. I  then had another appointment to have the polyp removed about 4 weeks later, this time I  was given a local anaesthetic  in the cervix and it wasn't  painful  just slightly  uncomfortable. A lot  of ladies do find the hystoscapthy really  painful so have them done under a general  anaesthetic. My treatments and diagnosis all took place in 2019 so the was no problem with my husband being with me for appointments.  The waiting for results and between  appointments is really hard as everyone here will tell you. This really is a wonderful supportive group, if you click on my name, more of my story is in my profile. I hope everything goes well with your appointments.