In limbo

Hi Pippa,

Sorry you find yourself here, but if you have to have cancer this is one of the better ones to have! I have learnt when my husband was diagnosed with throat cancer 13 years ago that the earlier they catch it, the better, and if its contained in something they can take out, so much the better.

I well remember the knot in my tummy. I think you are best to keep busy and concentrate on your children while you wait. Once you know the plan you will be able to do things to help yourself. For instance , if you have to have a hysterectomy you can prepare meals to freeze, clean bits of the house that you won't be able to do for a while. I also found the odd treat to look forward to helped.

All the best xxxxx 

Hi pippa, a warm welcome from me as well to the club that nobody wants to belong to! Waiting for tests, results, surgery really tests your strength in not getting anxious, it's a natural reaction. However, as nannyanny says this cancer, if you have it, is very slow growing and surgery usually gets rid of it as it is contained within the uterus. If it has spread beyond the womb there are treatments,chemo, radiotherapy, radiotherapy that will send it packing and the disease no longer carries the death sentence it once had due to research and developments. This forum is a safe place to wait, ask questions, rant etc. There will always be somebody awake at all hours as some of us have problems sleeping! There is also no question too silly or personal to ask on here..we discuss everything. We are all at different stages on our johrneys, some have recently been diagnosed like yourself, others are recently recovering from surgery, some are further down the line into yearly checks. As nannyanny says it is easier to keep yourself busy so as not to dwell on the situation and if I could encourage you not to Google unless it is from reputable sites like cancer research, macmillan, the eve appeal or nhs choices, as this information  is up to date and reliable. Most other sites scaremonger, overestimated and information is outdated. For me, personally this website has been a lifeline and we are a very friendly bunch, a big extended family. I had surgery in May this year having been diagnosed stage 1A, grade 2 and am going for my second three Monthly check on thursday. So, big hugs coming you way, try not to worry too much, if something is puzzling you ask don't sit there fretting and I hope the MRI goes ok. If you look in past threads there are several accounts of how MRI was for some of our ladies and we have loads o of tips for hospital stays, what to take, what to do in advance and after surgery and bags of reassurance. Remember you are not on your own here. Love lamb.xx

Thank you so much, genuinely got tearful just to make the connection. I can guarantee you that I'll be making use of all of your knowledge and experiences.

Hi Pippa, I am new to this but just read your post and really do understand how stressful it is waiting. Although not at your stage, I am in limbo myself at the moment. After a two week wait I have just found out my biopsy results for my thickened womb lining are inconclusive. I need to go back to the hospital to discuss a hysteroscopy and then another wait for results. I have had stomach problems for years and bleeding very occasionally for a few months and I am now thinking the very worst. I am trying my best to get on with life normally but struggling to function, eat and sleep. Thank you to NannyAnny and LittleLamb, your posts were both inspiring. Fingers crossed Pippa you will soon know what you are dealing with and are able to make sense of it all. Good luck xx

Hello and

Im very late catching up on posts but just wanted to add my welcome and  to say you’ve had great advice from the lovely ladies. Waiting really is the hardest game to play and there are no easy answers. I’d just say take things a day at a time and try not to second guess anything if you can. Immediately after my diagnosis my specialist nurse encouraged me to keep doing all the things I enjoyed whilst I waited for scan results and treatment plans to come together. She said it would help me to keep some perspective on things. It wasn’t easy but looking back I think she was right and it was worth doing. All the good things that were in my life up to the point I was told I had cancer were still there after the gynaecologist had told me the news, but some days I had to look harder than others to see them. Having family time, meeting friends, working all helped. We had my daughter’s engagement party just 3/4 days before my hysterectomy., My daughter wanted to cancel her but my nurse said it was important and got the surgeon to agree to put my op back a few days so that I could go to the party. Only  a few close family and friends knew what was hapoening and they discreetly made sure we got through the day. I’m so glad we didn’t cancel as it gave us lots to talk about during my recuperation. That  was three years ago. I’m 2yrs 8 months in from treatment ending and so far so good. I’ve made some changes, done new things and life has new and different meaning now. Sending you both lots of good wishes and a gentle hug x

Thank you so much Fairycake for taking the time to reply and your inspiring story. I have found myself reading through post after post at the moment and trying to avoid Google. I have a hysteroscopy booked for Thursday this week and have been told a couple of weeks later I will get the results. Have stomach ache, feel strange down below and am weeing for England but could just be that I am living on my nerves right now. Am finding it difficult to settle and sleep but I am trying to remain positive. Thank you again xx