Just been diagnosed and obesity

Hi

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, it must have been a shock. I was diagnosed in September and I was the same, cried all the time, I over thought everything and felt like my world was upside down.  I too am overweight (27 stone) I have put on since all this started as I can be an emotional eater.  The ladies on here are lovely and will help you and support you wherever they can.  I was told I was a high risk for surgery and had to have a breathing test and a scan of my heart before they would decide if they would operate and thankfully they said yes.  I don’t know about the hospital you are with but possibly they will do something similar for you. X

Hi Pixie2uk. Welcome to our spot in the Online Community. When you're a private person it's so hard to discuss your feelings but you're not alone now, you've got all us lovely ladies to listen to you. We've all been there feeling the same numbness and disbelief when you're told the awful news and don't stop crying. Some operations may be delayed until you can lose a little weight but I have heard of a coil being fitted to delay the cancer but put your faith in your team, they'll sort you out.

It’s always helpful to others if you write a little something (or a lot) about yourself and how you came to find yourself here. 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.

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.

You might also find this link to what to take in my overnight bag useful for when you have surgery.

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, Barb xx 

Hello and thank you for your reply the doctor and nurse who broke the news to me on Thursday did not mention my weight at all but I'm not sure if they were just being kind after the news they gave me. The nurse did say they were going to pay private for me to have a open MRI scan and I could have the ct scan at my hospital. They had no trouble getting my biopsy and I stayed awake for that. It was just so embarrassing having to have someone lift my belly up. The nurse also told me they might refer me to Guys hospital in London. I also have sleep apnea so I don't suppose thats going to help me. I did have my gallbladder out about 3 yes ago and that went OK. Also I have read you can have a hysterectomy while you are awake but I don't know if that is in certain hospitals x

Hi Rach_E I'm the same weight as you plus I have sleep apena so I think this is going to be a problem. I also have a big hanging belly. I been reading you can have a hysterectomy why you are are awake and just made numb below the belly have you heard of this or offered this? Sorry for so many questions x

Don’t worry about all the questions ask as many as you like and I will help if I can.  I carry a lot of my weight on my stomach and they said that I was a risk.  I had my breathing test and heart scan done then I saw the anaesthetist and they said all tests came back fine and they were happy to operate.  I was put under general anaesthetic for my surgery and it was planned as keyhole but ended up being done open.  I wasn’t offered the option for an epidural and being kept awake and I haven’t heard of it but different hospitals work different ways. X

Hi there, hope you're doing OK. I'm in a similar situation as you but I was diagnosed in May 2020 and I still haven't had my surgery. I need to lose 30kgs (2 stone) in weight because of the 'high risk' of the operation. My Oncologist said if I had it at my current weight of 28 stone I "may not survive it". I have Stage 1a and with this I was told I have some time to get in better shape but this has been a drain on my mental health over the last year and a half and the feeling of being in limbo and how it is dragging on is difficult for me. I was on hormonal therapy tablets, Megastrol, but they made me put on weight so if you're offered them I would question that. I've since come off them but it's taken time to reverse the weight gain. Try to find out what stage your cancer is as this is important to know for the road ahead, which may be a long one if you need to lose weight for surgery. I was also told that for the incisions it would be around my belly button not under my hanging belly flap as I had thought, so I hope that helps too. Take care. Louise.   

Thank you Louise this was very helpful to me, my nurse has also referred me to a dietician, it seem to be a big circle you need to lose weight for surgery but Here is some tablets that's going to make you put weight on.I can never get my head around they say your too big for surgery because of the anesthetic but they say you can have weight loss surgery under anesthetic. I have a ct scan next week just hope they can see what they need to see, Did you have a MRI  scan? I'm going to have a open one but don't have a date yet

Thanks Linda 

I am 14 stone and type 2 diabetic. I was given two weeks to get my blood sugars under control before they would operate. I was so upset and just wanted the cancer out. I did manage to get it under control and had my surgery. My consultant said that the operation was challenging because I had a lot of adhesions from my two caesarians and because I am a large lady! I hope you all manage to get your surgery done soon. The anxiety isn't good for your mental health.

Hi Linda, thanks for your reply. I'm also confused about why there's a problem with operations for larger ladies, although I understand a hysterectomy is a big surgery. I did have an MRI scan but not an open one, I wish I did have that as the closed one isn't much fun. My CSN gave me a plastic wallet with some Macmillan booklets that helped me very much - one is called 'How are you feeling?' which is brilliant. If you didn't get this it can be ordered and sent to you for free (or ask your CSN for one). You can also download a PDF version but I like to have books to refer to by hand. Here's the link https://be.macmillan.org.uk/be/s-612-your-emotions.aspx You'll need to register etc but there's loads of other very good books too. Take care. Louise. 

Hi All

I can only think the problem arises because they end to prefer to do hysterectomies laparoscopically because the recovery time is quicker. Open surgery carries more risks and the healing process takes longer.

Big hugs, Barb xx