Hi everyone, having spent about four days reading all I can on here and witnessing the close bond you all have in this particular misery, I thought I would start my journey with you.
I have had a ghastly year in 2023, in March I discovered that my partner of eleven yeas was seeing someone behind my back who thought he was single. I had to move out and find somewhere to live with my little elderly cat and ended up buying a luxury Motorhome and moving into that. My mother died suddenly three weeks later and my beloved 17 year old cat passed away three days after that. It has been very stressful, I have had amazing trips around Scotland in the summer, as well as Cornwall and Kent. Sailing around Greece and time in Portugal, so not all grim.
In September, things took a turn down once again and I found myself in A&E at 3am with a bleed, feeling very alone and without support. This lead to scans and a failed biopsy, then one under general aesthetic. I fell over the next day and sprained my knee ( I think I was still under the influence of the GA to be honest), so have spent Christmas on crutches.
Eventually I found myself in front of a doctor glibly telling me that I have cancer. Possibly the fastest appointment I have ever had for something so b life changing.
I am quite sure this is my body saying that the stress of the year has been too much and something had to give.
I am very much alone in all of this. I told my brother who is my only remaining relative and his reaction was, if I felt so wasn't going to be here for Christmas next year, he would be with me this but he would rather go to California. So that is exactly where he is now. He doesn't care. Neither of us have had children.
I am 60 and feel very much alone. A very dear school friend who I have known since we were 11 has invited me to live with him as he looked after his mum when she had cancer 12 years ago. So very kind but not like your own space when you aren't well.
I am having period pains now and have to confess that I have had an abnormal discharge for a couple of years and put it down to the menopause, so I probably have been with cancer for some time.
Nervous about the Hysterectomy which is going to have to be abdominal, but more nervous with the increased discomfort that the cancer is growing as I wait.
Hi Roxanna
Welcome to the online community. I'm very sorry to read about your diagnosis and everything that has happened to you this year. I'm sorry to read about your mum and your cat having passed away. I can see by your profile that you have moved hospitals so that you are treated in your home county and that you have a family support network there. They will be a good help to you after your operation due to it being abdominal, as it may take a bit longer to recover. I had my surgery both times as keyhole. If you would like to read my profile please click on my username. I am currently stable and have been for over a year now. There are lots of lovely ladies here on the womb forum, to welcome you and tell you of their experiences. It is a safe and friendly group. I hope you get a date for surgery soon. Best wishes for your op.
A x
Hi Roxanna
Sounds like you have had an awful year! Have you got a date for your hysterectomy? I would imagine you will have an MRI beforehand. I had had symptoms on and off for a few years so I know the feeling of fear of how big the cancer might be and also if it has spread. I had a provisional stage of 1b but no idea of grade as the biopsy results were inconclusive. My hysterectomy was abdominal as I had adhesions from previous surgery and to be honest it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had been expecting. Although I had a few hiccups in the first few days everything settled really quickly and healed really well. If you want to ask me anything about the surgery feel free!
Linda
Oh my goodness you have certainly been through so much and c so amazingly brave! I am not sure where I am with grading as I can't make heads nor tail of my notes. Yes I have moved location so I can live with my school friend who is being so kind. You are so encouraging after your medical journey!!. I hope to have my op in January, but not sure due to Doctors Strike.
Thank you for your kind comments! X
Roxanna
Hi Linda, you sound very similar to me, as I also have a past scar on my tummy. It is so good to hear that the abdominal surgery isn't that bad. The waiting is the hardest thing and trying to plan life around how that goes and if I will need further treatment after they grade it. I am looking forward to the spring and longer days. As a time of year to be poorly, the winter is probably the best and getting back to speed for the summer.
Thank you so much for your encouragement in all of this! X
Roxanna
Hi Roxanna, I am so sorry to hear of the unbelievably difficult time you've had over the last year, culminating in your cancer diagnosis. I was diagnosed with stage 1a grade 3 endometrial cancer in July 2022. I had to have an abdominal hysterectomy as I had 3 fibroids in my uterus one of which was cancerous so the surgeon said it was too 'bulky down there' for keyhole surgery. I also had my ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix removed. In the event, the operation wasn't as challenging as I imagined. I was in very little pain afterwards, more uncomfortable, and after I had my catheter removed the next day I was able to get out of bed, walk around and go to the loo. I did have to stay in hospital for 3 nights. It's most likely that following your diagnosis you will have an MRI and/or CT scan to allow an intial staging and grading of the cancer. My recovery took about 6-8 weeks and in the first few weeks you need to take it really easy as you're not allowed to lift anything remotely heavy. I'm single so stayed at my brother's for the first few weeks before returning home. I'd suggest if you've had an offer of support post op it would be a,good idea to accept it. It's understandable that you're nervous about the operation - so was I - but it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. Hope all goes well for you, keep us up to date with your progress and take care. x
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