Was due to have a hysterectomy tomorrow for endometrial cancer. This was cancelled today and no new date could be given. It has been a month since I was diagnosed after the usual tests. I understand COVID19 means the NHS is under stress but can they delay cancer surgeries indefinitely? I am so worried. I hope this does not come across as selfish.
Yup. They are cancelling surgeries, various appointments, and also chemo and other treatments.
They look at each case thoroughly then decide if they're in more danger from the cancer or the virus - then either cancel or go through with it.
So they've obviously decided that you're in no danger if you have to wait another 6 months for the op. So I'd not worry yourself too much and just get on with projects in and around the house to keep you occupied.
Lass
Xx
I have no medical training, everything I post is an opinion or educated guess. It is not medical advice.
Hi Georgie,
My operation date was set. I was suddenly rung up 2 weeks beforehand on a Friday to go in the following Tuesday. I had a pre med on the Friday, and an ECG, so was at the hospital all day nearly. When I got home there was a message to say the operation had been put back because of an emergency!!! On one hand I was cross because of all the agro I'd had. On the other, I decided they thought I wasn't too bad to leave. All this was WITHOUT any virus.
My advice is be prepared for anything!! I'm sure if they thought you were urgent they would be sorting you out. By the way, I was Stage 1A grade 2, and remained like that all the way through. I often wonder how long the cancer had been sitting in there unnoticed!!!
xxxxx
Thank you NannyAnny,
I know these are unprecedented times and people are dying, which is horrendous. It is just that CANCER has turned me into a snivelling wreck. From being a confident business woman, wife, mother, grandmother etc I am struggling to function.
I have a cancerous polyp which they couldn't fully remove. Apparently it had blood vessels in it (urgh) so I am now thinking cancer is spreading through my blood. I cannot sleep, cannot eat and my mind runs riot that it will have spread and I will have LVSI plus various other nightmare scenarios.
Sorry for venting. I cannot say this to my husband, children, family as they are worried sick and I do not want to add to their stress.
Hi Georgie,
Maybe I was lucky(?) in that I had a practice run with my husband 12 years earlier! He had throat cancer, and we spent a rough 3 years getting it sorted out, so I knew roughly the procedures and stages, etc.
I think not eating or sleeping is all part of pre op nervousness. I know it was with me. I was actually scared of being put out in case I never woke up again!!! As they put me under I thought 'Well if this is it, so be it'!!! And they put a mask on me which I tried to fight off!! I have memories of those at the dentist when I was a child !!! Its all completely irrational. The care I had in hospital was superb. (Except for the night they were short staffed and we didn't get an evening drink.) Even the food wasn't bad. (better than school dinners some 60 years ago)
If I were you I would keep a bag packed as you may be called in suddenly. Don't get caught out without a decent nightie to wear (like I was). xxxx
Now Georgie1, that's a good question. When it comes to pre ops the time between them and the actual op in general, not just cancer patients seems to vary. I was told 4-5 weeks from pre op to op but someone at another hospital when I asked about this said anything up to 5 months, to me that sounded very strange and a huge difference and I wonder why this would be the case. Best advice really is be prepared to have another pre op if necessary and I really hope your not waiting too long for your op. The not eating etc is probably a combination of shock of diagnosis, abdomen pain effected me a bit so not sure if that's effecting you the same but also general stress you've just been told you have cancer then on top of that told you need a hysterectomy then told that this will now be postponed due to the corona virus. Its a lot to take in and its OK to vent your frustrations out here as I am sure you have so much swirling around in your head. I know when I was diagnosed I found it very difficult to speak to family and friends, my Dad took it very badly and in the end I had to try to be the level headed one when my head was a box of jelly.
Big hugs to you
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Thank you Gbear. It is a relief to talk to people who understand so thanks everyone
I have been bleeding since January and have had pelvic pain from then too. Had a mirena coil to "hold back" the cancer. I dont know if this is adding to the bleeding which has become heavier and t pain which is also worse. Sorry for too much detail
Like you I feel a duty to show a strong face for everyone else when really I am crumbling. Thanks for replying x
Don't worry Georgie1, we have all heard it before. Unfortunately I am unsure about the Mirena coil, when I had my hystroscopy i was suppose to be having a Mirena coil fitted but the Doctor decided in my case that it wasn't a suitable option for me, when he took the biopsies. I suppose it is possible to be causing some irritation but worse keeping an eye out for worsening bleeding as it maybe worth contacting your GP over if they can give you something to help relive it, I know most are saying not to telephone them but to use e consult on the GPs website and worth seeking their advice if its getting worse, just in case really its an option you have. I do hope you can get some relief.
What is a Community Champion? Womb cancer forum
Call the helpline for free on 08088080000, 8am to 8pm everyday.
“let hope be your lighthouse beckoning you though stormy seas" - Jessica de la Davies
Hi Georgie,
The pre op was my concern. Although it doesn't hurt, or anything it would have been a fag to go to hospital for that again. I was told it was good for 1 month, so I was Ok. And, I'm sorry, I don't know anything about a coil, but others on here do. xxxx
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