Fear

Hi Chloe B24

Welcome to the womb group.

I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with endometrial cancer. 

It is very normal to feel scared, shaky and that it is hard to cope. I remember my emotions being all over the place when I first had my diagnosis. You say you live on your own, but have you other support. I found it was hard to reach out at first to others - I sort of needed to process it all first- but it does help to share how you are feeling. I found people were supportive. 

Have you been told what will happen next yet?

Normally you would be offered a CT/MRI to stage the caner and see exactly where it is. 

Most ladies are offered a hysterectomy as a first line of treatment and this may already have been mentioned to you? U

I will pop a link here for some info that you may find helpful.

Understanding womb cancer audiobook | Macmillan Cancer Support

We do have a Support Line to call if you feel like talking things through would help. The details are below. 

I hope this helps a bit. 

Jane

Hi ChloeB24, welcome to the group and to this emotional roller coast ride that we’ve all either been on or are currently on. I appreciate that you don’t want to feel like this, but it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and all over the place, and you will find a way through with support. I was diagnosed in November 2021 and found this group almost straight away and it’s been brilliantly supportive so I decided to stay after my op in January 2022 and adjuvant treatment, i can still remember when I was told my results - it was over the phone and as she told me it felt like a fast train rushing through my head like a train not stopping at a station and I had to ask her to stop as I was I shock and wasn’t retaining all the info. One good thing she did do was give me the contact number for my CNS (cancer nurse specialist) and I called her office right away and she phoned me back. CNS are there office hours Monday to Friday for support, and they also have access to your notes and access to the consultants so they can Beko with chasing tests, results etc as well as being a listening ear and answering questions, I also used the Macmillan phone line for support - they’re open 8-8 7 days a week so was handy at weekends or in the evenings. And this group is also great!  Feel free to click on my name to read my story if you wish. Take care. 

Hi Chloe B24

Welcome to the group. I think we can probably all empathise with his you are feeling at the moment. For me I felt as though I was in a parallel universe and everything going on felt completely surreal. It takes time for your mind to get round the fact you have cancer and all the if, buts and maybes. Things will get better! Once you have more information about your diagnosis and some sort of treatment plan you will feel more in control. In the meantime I found this group incredibly helpful even just knowing I was not alone . Feel free to ask any questions or just let off steam there will always be someone here who understands.

Linda xx

Hello Jane 2511, I don’t really have any support.  I have a son who doesn’t care, an elderly housebound friend and some distant elderly relatives.  I have some work colleagues but they all have their own lives and families.

I have an MRI and CT scan booked and they said my hysterectomy will be in about 2 weeks.  I don’t care about losing my womb, I’m not even scared of dying.  I’m scared of feeling ill and going the whole assault course of cancer treatment with no one to help me.

Hi Lin0506, thank you for your reply.  I’m just worried about going through cancer treatment alone with no one to help me.

I’m struggling to live with the fear at the moment, the nausea is debilitating, and the shakiness.  

Hi Chloe B24

It is completely understandable it’s a horrible feeling especially when you don’t know what you are facing. I remember everything racing through my mind, every possible scenario, how I would cope with treatment especially chemo. If you need treatment after your hysterectomy you will be given so much help and advice. I don’t know where you are in the country but a lot of hospitals have a Maggies centre attached where you can just walk in and talk about your worries and fears. They offer advice and support.

Linda xx

Hello Marmite Fan 59, they didn’t give me a number for my CNS.  They gave me the number for a Care Co ordinator, who didn’t really know anything.

Hi again Chloe, I’d suggest you phone your consultant’s secretary and ask for their number. You can also ask about a Maggie’s Centre or similar. I’d recommend using the Macmillan helpline too - you could call them now and just say you’ve just been diagnosed and need help with how you’re feeling - 0808 808 00 00

I understand. I hate feeling ill and anything medical. I was really worried about the whole thing. 

It is good that they plan to do the hysterectomy soon and that gives less time to worry. I found the actual surgery was a lot more straightforward than I imagined. I went in first thing in the am and my surgery was done laparoscopically. I had little pain and recovered quickly. I stayed in hospital one night. I was up and walking within a couple of hours of the surgery. It was a case of taking it easy for the first couple of weeks and not lifting anything heavy or twisting. I was able to go for a walk each day. 

At my hospital there were plenty of Macmillan volunteers who were a great support. You will also be given a clinical nurse specialist. I also had a Macmillan support worker. If you haven't been given these yet then I would suggest emailing your consultants secretary- the name should be on some of your paperwork- or your GP may be able to tell you. I found mine helpful. 

We have a Macmillan Support Line which is great if you need to chat things through but if you give them your post code/area- they can do a search and see what support is available for you in your local area. Maggies centres are great. In my area the Red Cross help with transport to and from hospital. My doctors surgery also has a village agent attached and they can be contacted and also put you in touch with local support. 

In the meantime, we are here in the womb forum if there is anything you want to ask.

Jane

I recently had a hysterectomy and cancer in sentinel lymphnodes, grade 1b.  I await an appointment for a plan moving forward.  I wonder if you had radiation on the pelvic floor? I think they will suggest this, but the short and long term effects scare me.