Womb cancer

Hello ,

oh sunshine what your feeling is so perfectly normal, i am so sorry you have had to join us but welcome to our little corner of the community, all the ladies here are super supportive and helpful and will be more then happy to share their experiences. I was angry and in total shock when I found out i had womb cancer but i was just wanting to get this offending thing out of my body, a hysterectomy is major surgery whether done keyhole or open but i was glad to have it done to rid my body of the cancer, because i was told there was a possibility it had spread out of the womb and a total hysterectomy was my only treatment option, as it turns out if was fully contained in the womb and surgery was my only treatment, but i am happy it wasn’t nearly as bad as i had expected either. I was 38 when I had my hysterectomy and hadn’t had children and don’t get me wrong I still feel like i made many mistakes not having children but i cant control or change that. The emotions your feeling is normal i think most of us have done that from time to time, I know you said that you couldn’t do the operation for next week and cancelled it but I cant tell you to go and contact them and have it done this is your choice but I would like to encourage you into having a good think about your treatment options maybe they can treat you other ways instead of surgery depending on your stage they feel your case, as I know some have been treated using hormone treatments but I believe this only helps at very early stages, speak with your oncology team whether tge consultant or your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and explain how you are feeling about everything and i am sure they can reassure you.. It’s important we do everything possible to treat the cancer and hopefully make you have a full recovery but I also know that our individual situation is at times difficult. Its alot for you to take in but believe me your not on your own. I am sure some of the other ladies will come along soon and give you some advice.

Have a little look at understanding womb cancer that Macmillan do https://be.macmillan.org.uk/be/p-24922-understanding-womb-endometrial-cancer.aspx this link will show you the electronic version of it and its a very useful booklet with lots of information about what your going though, I found it helpful as well as my family and friends too. I hope it is of help to you too.

sending you a big gentle bear hug , your no longer on your own.

Yes me I mentally couldn’t cope but after some talks with my cns I found the strength to have the scans and op turned out I was stage 1a grade 2 surgey was all I needed how old are you? I am 31 6 weeks post op now xx

Hi how long ago was your op mine was 6 weeks scared of every pain in body x

Bless you Sunshine 122,

it’s perfectly normal to feel scared. Being diagnosed with any cancer is like a rollercoaster, you can’t believe it’s happening, I even thought the doctor had the wrong notes, as I had no symptoms. Being brave is hard, especially now when we all have to isolate, just when you need your family around you for support, we’re on lockdown.

I’m also a nurse who works closely with patients recently diagnosed with cancer, so to be diagnosed myself was scary. I’m great at giving advice and support, but was terrible at receiving it. I’m now 5 weeks post hysterectomy, luckily no further treatment as the cancer was contained in my womb. 
I can assure you from the heart, that if you are finding it difficult to accept or cope, you’re not alone. Your medical and nursing team should be with you all the way, and this little group are an absolute godsend. I know I couldn’t have coped without their support.

sending hugs & well wishes your way.

Andi x

It will be 4 years in July since my op Xxnataliexx. 6 weeks is very early on after your op and your recovery  I remember being very worried about not wanting to hurt myself whilst i was healing up after surgery. It takes longer to fully heal then we think as its not just the external healing but the internal healing too, i got told it can take about 12 months to fully heal up so 6 weeks is very much early in your healing and hold on in there, it will get better. i am glad to hear that your stage was like mine and only surgery was needed, but sadly like me your young although i was 37 at diagnosis so a bit older then you, but it was a couple of weeks before my 38th birthday, wonderful birthday present but sadly we cant always predict these things. I am glad to hear you could talk with your CNS they are a good port of call if we need to ask about our treatments and our general wellbeing. Keep a check on your pain those as they should be able to make it more manageable and if your ever unsure about something don’t be afraid to ask your CNS.

gentle bear hugs  your way. 

Hello Sunshine122.  Sorry to read that you are so upset. Can you try to untangle which things are worrying you and why?  Maybe try and write down then you can address each thing by itself. Is it going into hospital? Having anaesthetic? How you will manage while recovering at home? There are sure to be women on here who have had to face one or more of the things that are worrying you, so don't be afraid to post on here and ask for advice. I had my diagnosis and operation 3 years ago and it is now a distant memory but I do recall that it was all very intense at the time. I had to have a hysterectomy (also had ovaries and tubes removed). When I awoke from the anaesthetic I still felt like my usual self - although rather bruised around the middle of course! The diseased bit of me had been removed and I was on the path to getting better again. I was very well looked-after in hospital. The operation was about lunchtime and I didn't need to move out of bed until the next morning because a catheter had been put in while I was under the anaesthetic, so no worries about going for a wee. I wasn't bothered by the catheter, it was removed the following morning and even that was not uncomfortable and took just seconds. Then I got out of bed for a wee and a little walk to the phone, all a bit feeble but feeling better for being up and about. I rested in bed a few hours more then I went home that teatime (the day after the operation). The surgeon came to check on me a couple of times during my stay. I didn't have any severe pain, more of an ache, I managed ok with the pain-relief they gave me.My diagnosis had been a shock to me too as I am very into my health and fitness, and was expecting to get told some vague waffle about hormone problems not cancer. I knew it was a possibility but was pushing that to the back of my mind. The first oncology doctor I saw was a young woman who was very kind and matter-of-fact with me. Once I had accepted that the operation was necessary for me, I went into project-manager mode getting my home-life organised so that practical things were easy to cope with while I recovered. I am sure it doesn't help that the TV news is mostly horrible these days and even the weather is rubbish just now, but somehow we carry on. I wish you all the best. I hope my little tale has taken away some of the worries.

Hi how old was you when you got diagnosed plz x

Hi thanks for your reply I get very tired easy so I try to take things slowly. The thought of coming back terrifies me does this get eaiser? Even if I get head ache or sore throat I think it’s cancer x

Hi Xxnataliexx I was 56 at diagnosis.

Your not alone with getting anxiety of it recurrence Xxnataliexx. I think we have all been there, I know I have had a few scares along the way myself but as more time passes I feel happier that its not that. I do have other health issues which are at times frustrating more because some of them they cannot be sure of the causes and I have recurring infections both in my renal system where i am on antibiotics and a recurrent infection in my head that causes sores to appear i am just starting to get over that again as I had a bad infection over Christmas and New Year where my head was so sore with pressure pain I found it hard to focus. Plus I have an delayed QT interval which causes my heart rate to suddenly drop and it causes dizziness and at times blackouts which seem to have no pattern to when they occur, they are starting to think I may have a floating clot and I have to have blood thinning injections if i am stuck in bed. But to know i am cancer free is just a wonderful relief but the worry of it coming back is still in the back of my mind i think it doesn’t necessarily go but we learn to not let it bother us too much. You will get there its so early days for you, don’t beat yourself up about being terrified it’s totally normal but it does get better, hang in there.

big hugs