Newly diagnosed

 Oooh sweetie sending you a big hug, 

What treatment have the mentioned? Stay positive until you find out what's happening tomorrow x 

I'm overweight and not once did a consultant mention that x AT the end of the day, you have cancer and it needs treating.

How old are you if you don't mind me asking

Always here to chat

X

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I am 63 years old.  I am overweight but never really had any health issues.  Until now.  An op was mentioned to remove the cancer but that could be more risky than the benefits - because of my weight.  Chemo not very effective with my type of cancer.  Radiotherapy may be an option.  But anyway it all hinges on tomorrow - cos if it has spread an op is not an option irrespective of weight.  Just feels hopeless.  I just seem on a merrygo round of hospital appointments for various tests.  Most involving needles which I have a phobia about as well.  Just totally scary.  This is so unlike me.  I run my own business, am known for being very assertive and sure of myself.  But this has reduced me to an gibbering wreck and I feel out of control.  I have lots of very supportive family and friends but at 3.30 in the morning after waking from yet another nightmare of death and needles the world seems a very lonely place.  Look how sorry I am for myself.

Hi Ceejay123:

Very sorry to hear of your diagnosis and sending big hugs your way.  I am not diagnosed yet but am in the process of being tested for a large uterine tumour that they suspect is a leiomiosarcoma.  This may be what you have as it is a very rare cancer of the uterine muscle wall and has very little treatments available...Please keep us all updated on your test results and try to stay positive.  I have heard that with this kind of cancer once the uterus is removed you can live many years cancer free.  

Hi ceejay

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I think when we are newly diagnosed with something like this, it is such a shock especially if we hadn't been expecting this diagnosis. and if we had been feeling reasonably fit and healthy beforehand. I can empathise with the sleepless nights and feelings of being out of control. I think most of us on this forum will have experienced similar.

Like myself, you sound like a lady that likes to be in control of your own destiny and when its placed in the hands of someone else, we find it hard to deal with. (my late hubby always said I was a bit of a control freak...in a kindly way of course!!).

You won't be the first larger lady that has been given this diagnosis I'm sure.... and your consultant will work out a plan with you for going forward. In my 'short experience' I have found that they like to get all the test results back before formatting what is the best way forward. Its the waiting around for the test results that I found the worse part. And even though I tried not to....I found that for every test/scan/biopsy that I had.....I found myself imagining the very worse scenario and getting myself into quite a state. The results were never as bad as I was imagining....it was just my mind working overtime!!

 Now that all my tests are done and a plan is in place for my hysterectomy (next Wed) I feel my inner strength is returning and I feel so much more in control again.

Just remember you are a strong woman...even if your confidence has take a temporary knock back ( and why wouldn't it under these circumstances).   Its still very early days and its a step into the unknown right now. But you will be back in control again very soon. Just get these dratted tests out of the way...and then a plan will be in place....and you will be able to move forward and beat this.

Sending lots of good positive vibes your way. Stay strong. Wishing you a speedy forward plan and an even speedier recovery

Aprilrose xx 

Hi,  today has been the most emotional day ever.  I went for my results fully expecting to be told the cancer had spread.  It hasn’t.  In fact after getting a second and third opinion I do not have cancer!  I have pre cancer cells only.  I don’t think these consultants realise the hell they have put my family and me through.  I was so relieved at what he told me that I asked him 3 times to confirm.  But now I am a bit angry because why give me a diagnosis unless they are certain.  He made me feel so bad about myself and almost because I am overweight I brought it on myself.  My family and friends can’t believe it but like me obviously relieved.  But it didn’t have to be this bad.  So I wish everyone who has been kind enough to answer my post and anyone else suffering at this time my very best wishes for the future.  X

I am so very happy for you!  And it’s very upsetting that they would give you a diagnosis like that when they clearly didn’t have all of the information.  What kind of testing did they do? Will you be getting any treatment for the precancerous cells? I wish you all the luck and great health moving forward ️

Well I had an internal done- which was very painful.  Then I had a op where they took further samples.  I am being monitored for the next 6 months for the precancerous cells.  The idea being that I will lose enough weight to make an invasive op not so much of a risk.  I realise I am extremely fortunate I went from rare high grade cancer to observations only.  I do feel the heartache could have been avoided had the consultant not just gathered all the facts.  But anyway I can get on with my life.  Can I wish you good fortune as well and good karma vibes being sent to you x

Hi ceejay, really happy to hear your news is so much better than you feared. But....who on earth is your consultant? When I had my hysterectomy I had a bmi of over 50 and never once did anyone suggest I shouldn't or couldn't have surgery. The only comment was that the risks were slightly higher and recovery may be a few days longer, but unless I had other health issues there should be no problem. As it is I take blood pressure tablets and have diabetes which was, at the time, diet controlled. The only issues I had were a slight sickness from anaesthetic after effects and an extra night in hospital after my op, because I had the wound drain in an extra day. Otherwise no problems resulting from the extra weight at all. My consultant told me that many of the women he operates on are considerably overweight and whilst it would be better if they weren't, in itself it's no reason not to operate. Also my CNS kept reminding me....anyone can get cancer, it isnt your fault. If your consultant tries to make you feel guilty or uses your weight as a reason not to treat, challenge him, ask for a second opinion and dont let him knock your self esteem.

Hello ceejay

It’s great to hear that your news is so much better than you anticipated.What a relief for you all! I’ts been such a stressful, uncertain time for you but I hope that over time you’ll ba able to put what’s happened behind you. Sending you lots of good wishes for the future x

Hi,  so just when I thought it is safe to celebrate my gp has decided that the results are too uncertain and wants me to go through the whole thing again!!  Even to taking a biopsy under general anaesthetic.  This is at the same hospital that gave the results the first time although different consultant.  I don’t think I can do it again.  But then my gp says if they have missed it and in 6 months time it has spread you will regret not having done it.  I am just at the end of my tether.  So stressful.