Hi everyone
I'm coming in a bit later on with my cancer story as I have just finished my treatment but wanted to share with you . I am in my 60s and I first went to the doctor mid August as a result of unusual bleeding and from that point onwards there quickly followed tests and scans. Previous to this I had been very lucky with my physical health. At my hysteroscopy I was told there were signs of early stage cancer of the uterus (confirmed later from the biopsy) but on hearing the bad news I was reassured that it was very treatable with a hysterectomy and even had a provisional date for an operation in October which subsequently took place. This lessened my anxiety a little. Meanwhile my consultants team were on hand to answer any questions I had. I was diagnosed at that point with stage 1 grade 1 cancer.
After my operation on further examination I was told that the cancer had extended toward the cervix so diagnosis changed to stage 2 grade 1. Therefore in December I started 25 external and 2 internal (brachytherapy) radiotherapy sessions which finished last week. Fortunately side effects were not too bad (mainly a bit nauseous and a little bladder and bowel irritation), I was told it could take a few weeks to go away but feel better already.
The timing was fortunate being in the summer when covid numbers were down and my appointments were all made quite quickly. I have recovered well from the operation. The 2 different radiotherapies were a "belt and braces" approach as was told that although it appeared the cancer had gone, there could be microscopic cells which could not be picked up on a scan. Fortunately the external radiotherapy sessions were local to me and I could drive there, and I'm grateful to have had only 2 brachytherapy sessions as they meant a journey into London. I was given the dilators to start using a couple of weeks after the sessions ended so due to start next week.
So I am now at the stage of recovering and waiting for the follow up appointment. I am hopeful that the cancer has gone after having had the hysterectomy and radiotherapy treatment but will have to wait and see. I wish you all well in your cancer journeys.
EveD
Hi
I’m sorry that you had to find yourself here but like to offer you a warm welcome to our little corner of the Online Community to the Womb (uterus) cancer forum with a lovely group of supportive members who’ve all made the same rollercoaster ride so it’s good to hear that your operation and adjuvant therapies are now finished.
A cancer diagnosis will bring many questions, lots of confusion and stress but I found being able to talk with other people who are on the same type of journey helped me a lot. This forum has been my lifeline when I couldn't cope.
When you have a minute, it would be helpful if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. (It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself.) To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can update it at any time and if you're not sure what you should write have a quick look at mine by clicking on my username.
Big welcoming Hugs, B xx 
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"Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever” - Roy T Bennett
Hi EveD - thanks for posting your story here. It really helps to read about others’ experiences. Congratulations on finishing your treatments and fingers crossed for you going forward. I’m just a little way behind you - similar age, similar symptoms, similar diagnosis. But I’m waiting for my histology results at the moment. I’m Grade 1 and expecting to be stage 2 and to need radiotherapy and brachytherapy, but I have two more weeks to wait until I find out. The pandemic is slowing everything down a bit. Right now my focus is on recovering from the surgery - TLH and BSO and PLND which I had last week. It’s encouraging to me to hear you sounding positive about the treatment and minimal side effects of radiation. I’m curious - did you have lymph nodes taken during your surgery? Stay well and thanks again for posting
JWO 
Hi . The Bilateral Salpingo Oophorectomy (Who thinks these names up?) Is removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries. I myself had 6 lymph nodes dissected, which were all clear. They also did a peritoneal wash (Flushing a liquid through the cavity and analysing what comes out) That revealed some malignant cells which wouldn't show up in a scan. So although my op cleared the cancer Stage 1B grade 3, the malignant cells meant 3 x brachytherapy sessions.
Big hugs, B xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
"Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever” - Roy T Bennett
