My mum has been diagnosed with uterine cancer

Hi DA (do you mind if I call you DA?) 

I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. It is a very worrying time you are going through, made all the worse by doctors saying things like "it's worse than we thought".  

I think one of the reasons it's so worrying is that there's a real shortage of information at this stage. So if you are looking at statistics, it's impossible to tell if you should be focusing on the high rates of cure with surgery alone for women with cancer just in the uterus or the scary end. In the absence of information - and you won't know until after the operation- I think you're right to step back. As someone wiser than me said: looking for comfort in statistics is like trying to quench a thirst with salt water. 

There are lots of women here who've had a womb cancer diagnosis and had a complete cure with just the surgery. Most of the time, womb cancer is caught early as it's slow growing and produces bleeding early on. post menopausal women tend to go to the gp when they suddenly start bleeding again and then get fast tracked through the system. 

I wonder if it might help to focus on the task in hand which is to get ready for surgery. Your mum will be out of action for a while after the operation so now is the time for cooking some meals for the freezer or doing those jobs we never get round to at home. It helps to keep busy.

I hope this helps. Do come back with any questions   - and love to your mum. We are here if she needs us. 

Xxx 

Dear Dumbledoresarmy 

What can I say ? It's such a massive blow to any family - all made worse by the waits - the what ifs and the when. 

Your Mum is being brave and strong - that's what we do ! I hid all my emotions from my children because I thought I needed to protect them x My children are 30, 17 and 15 and I'm 48. My 30 year old was my rock - trying to support me and her younger siblings but I could see at times she was falling apart too xxx it sounds as though you have a lovely relationship with your Mum and like Daniloni says she will need your practical help and support after her operation. I really don't know what I would have done without my children's help and support - they have been and still are amazing.

I can't tell you what the outcome for your Mum will be - mine was really good Grade 2 stage 1a so no further treatment needed after total hysterectomy . You won't actually have this information until after the operation and histology.  The worst bit is waiting for each appointment. I was diagnosed 25th November 2016 - transferred to oncology and MRI mid December- hysterectomy 11th January this year. Stage and grade at follow up 31st January.  So as you can see 2 months of a roller coaster ride believing the worst possible outcome - with great news at the end x

"It's a bumpy ride"

Take care Carol xxx

Hi Dumbledoresarmy,

Welcome to the group although I am sorry to hear about your mom. I see you have had some very good replies already, And the advice from Daloni about getting the freezer and jobs done is excellent idea. Its what I did and I was glad I did during the waiting game. My mother was 66 when she had uterine cancer and she went on to beat it I was 50 and grade3 1a and I am 3 years out from op. That said everyone is individual . Sending love and hugs to you and your mom. Elaine xxx

Dear Daloni , 

Thank you for your reply , and no I don't mind you calling me DA ☺️

Sorry for the long message last night , I think it was the first time it had really sunk in . I am back to my "normal" self today , although I didn't sleep at all last night , I just stayed up and watched trash TV. Iv made an effort to get the kids up, clean the house , open the windows and try to be more positive today. Thank you for the advice and support , no doubt I will be back to ask more questions , im just trying to focus on positivity , getting to this next appointment and finding some answers. X

Dear Elaine, thank you for your reply , I am very sorry to hear that both you and your mother has been through this disease, but I am very glad you survived and beat it . I am hopeful my mum can do the same. Actually you have reminded me of something my mum has said, she has asked me to go to the dr and find out about having a hysterectomy . My mum and I have many health problem similaritys , we both have CFS, Fibromyalgia , IBS, and polycisyic ovary syndrome. Mostly the PCOS we are worried about, as her cancer was found in one of the cysts, I already have 3 children, and 2 step children, and have no intention of anymore. Besides I have already been told that I am no longer able to have any more children due to the PCOS. Do you know anything about having a hysterectomy electively to reduce the risks of cancer ? If not don't worry , I shall google and ask my GP. Thank you very much for replying to my post.

DA 

Dear Carol thank you for your reply, I most definitely think the waiting is probably one of the hardest parts of this journey and we are only at the beginning . I was definitely feeling helpless, sad, and shocked last night , I have pulled myself together today . All I can do is keep going , im not sure if I'm doing the right thing in reassuring everyone that it will all be ok, but I would rather stay positive than consider the alternative . 

Thank you again 

DA 

Hi DA,

Thank you for reply. I can understand your concern and if it helps maybe go and talk to your doctor about you having a hysterectomy. For me my situation is different to yours in the fact that I have a inherited pre disposition to cancer as I have a condition known as Lynch syndrome, a family history of bowel and womb cancer over three or more generations. My sister has been offered a hysterectomy as a preventive measure because of family history.  If I had known about having a genetic mutation sooner I would have had a hysterectomy after child bearing .I think it would be wise certainly at some point to discuss  your concerns with your GP.

Love Elaine xx

Hello there,

I hope this message finds you, really interested in how things are going with you and your family?

Everything in your post is identical to what I’m going through at the moment, only found out 24 hours ago my mum has cancer, she had a biopsy done and was told nothing to worry about... MRI by the weekend.. hysterectomy next week.. I have been googling like a nutcase.. my mum is much stronger than me she hasn’t seen how much it’s effecting me because I want to be strong for her. 

My mum is my best friend the only person I trust and I have three girls two have special needs (twins) how are things with you now? How did you cope?