Serous USC

Hi

I am glad you’ve found your way here. I’ve already messaged you in the new to site thread so I won’t repeat myself. I hope others will join in soon and give you their perspectives. 

Keeping busy is good. 

Love and hugs xxx

I have read the booklet, I have read many of your posts.  I can only hope I have your strength fortitude and compassion.  Ella.

Dear Ella.  I am very sorry to read your news.  Especially when you had been looking forward to this time and your amazing holiday.

i was diagnosed with Serous Endometrial Cancer 3.5 years ago.  Like you I was fortunate that it was found at Stage 1a. It is rare and there was not much reliable data on which to base decisions about treatment. I saw two oncologists. One recommended chemo, the other did not. In the end I decided to just have internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) which was four short doses given over two weeks.  Your consultant should have access to the latest data and be able to explain the options based on your specific diagnosis. Try to take each day as it comes. I didn’t manage that myself, but I wish I had.  The future looked a lot scarier than it turned out to be.  I hope that will be the case for you too. I had a scan in January and all was still good.  I am now having six monthly checkups.

I hope you recover quickly from your surgery and get good, clear advise that enables you to make the best decision about your treatment.  Your trip has been delayed but I hope it won’t have to be cancelled. Xx

Thank you Ema for responding.  My surgeon who gave me diagnosis on Friday said my protocol will be chemo and radiation, but she is considered the top in her field.  I will know more about the protocol when the oncologist and I get together.  I guess I worry about the treatments as they sound too ghastly for words, and it is hard to feel positive about a solid six months tied to a hospital with poisons being pushed through.  I have always relied on my bodies to fight illness and rarely take any medications other than a good stiff drink.  Your comments are fabulous, I hear what you say and agree it is very hard to see a bright future and take one day at a time.  I guess the difficulty is having to put your life on hold for so long, at a time when generally time is passing by in the blink of an eye, as I am nearly 64.

I am so glad your experience is so positive for you, gives us all something to hang on to.  Bless you for taking the time.  Ella.

Hi

Um, call me a pedant and accuse me of mansplaining but I think the point of staying in the day is to focus on what’s in front of your nose and not to spin off into the future?

I found meditation really helped. Helps. I still use it. It taught me to notice what I’m feeling and investigate it with a sense of curiosity. Once I did that I found that under the blanket of anxiety that seemed to swamp every other emotion I actually still felt joy, optimism, love, a sense of fun and mischief. 

The task at hand right now for you is getting through the days to your surgery. A good surgeon is your best ally. The most important factor by far for long term survival is getting all the cancer out surgically. So hurray for your brilliant surgeon. 

You will need to rest up after the surgery and connect with your inner slob. I spent the weeks between diagnosis and surgery staying busy with friends, getting as fit as I could (swimming, walking and pelvic floor exercises were my choice of fitness plan) and doing jobs I’d been meaning to do for ages. I think I even cleaned inside the kitchen cupboards. 

I have had a long time to learn the tricks of staying in the day and I agree with Ema - I spent too long living in the future before I got the hang of it. There’s joy in each and every day if we can just find it. 

Xxx

Hi Head Office,

I can equate with so much you say! My husband was diagnosed with throat cancer 13 years ago, 3 years before he was due to retire. He had 2 big operations, had no voice for 4 months, and in total spent 3 years having operations , treatments and recovering. Our life went on hold for 3 years. He gave up work half way through this as his boss was far from compassionate. I gave up work at the same time. I used to teach, but couldn't cope with looking after a poorly husband, and all the preparation involved in teaching. Our lives completely changed.

My next shock came when he was better and decided to buy a motorhome for his retirement!! I had got used to bed and breakfast and being waited on!! However, we have had some lovely holidays in it, and because camping is relatively cheap we have been away more!!We are just back from a week in Somerset camping by a trout stream, and with hens running around. His greatest joy (and mine) is roaming around the countryside and enjoying the scenery and animals.

I think you will get back to your boat, and probably enjoy it all the more when you do. Give yourself time to get over all your treatment.

All the best xxxxxxx

I probably havent explained myself clearly, as I had the hysterectomy two weeks ago today, and am now inner slobbing, however, I just gotta get out of this house for awhile, we are going to try a walk on the beach tomorrow with our dogs.  I guess I have a concern about my surgery, in that I was diagnosed with grade 2 endo cancer, however after remover of all my inner bits, after they went to pathology was when the diagnosis came back as serous.  My whole team were truly not expecting that diagnosis.  I know if serous is diagnosed before hysterectomy there are a few other procedures they do when you are in theatre, and I am not sure whether I am at greater risk because of this.  The waiting for the appointment is hard.

I love hearing from you.  Ella.

Thank you Nanny Anny.  I am waiting to hear from the oncologist to set my appointment as I still have four weeks until my treatment and we are trying to get on the boat just for a few weeks, this will be our normal time as opposed to endo time.  I know I wont be able to sail for at least the next 8 months so I really want to do this with my husband.  He is such a beautiful man, and as you said, cancer effects two of you as you are not a island. Sailing is very cheap if your boat is in good condition, ours is 30 years old, but in good condition, so I just need to get away.  Its hard not being able to switch the mind off.  Thanks for getting in touch.  Ella.

Aha Ella! Sorry for misunderstanding. I hope you enjoy your walk. It’s rainy here in London so the thought of you on the beach with dogs is bringing a smile to me face.

The serous diagnosis sounds like a horrible shock. Will you be able to ask about how this came about and whether there are procedures that could have been done but weren’t? You come across like you know what you’re doing but in my experience it can help to write the questions down. 

Xx

Hi Head office,

I went away (in the motorhome) 3 weeks after my operation. I just had to get out of the same 4 walls, and to stop thinking about the 'c' word!!  I only walked for an hour a day, and put my feet up the rest of the time. Hubby took himself off for longer walks while I rested!! It seemed very strange for him to be the 'fit' one!! My biggest concern was bending down to low cupboards in the van, but I found if I knelt down first I was OK. I had keyhole surgery, and no other treatment. I count myself as very lucky!!

I think you are so right to try and get away. It may not be as you planned, but enjoy every minute you can. I don't know much about boats. I've been on ferries (going to France with the motorhome), and we once were invited to lunch on a navy ship that my son-in-law sailed on. That was quite an experience.  xxxxxx