Womb cancer diagnosis

Hello Burcobertie, and welcome to this forum.  We all get comfort from each other here, as we are all in the same boat and so we understand exactly how you are feeling now, bewildered, shocked, frightened and disbelieving. Getting that diagnosis is so scarey. You will feel a little bit more in control when you hear what the plan is for your treatment, and don’t worry that it is happening quickly. This cancer is treatable, so the sooner they deal with it the better, altho saying that, it is one of the slower growing ones so try not to worry about the time lapse.

We are all at different stages of our journey, but a lot of people on here have had positive outcomes,  with no further treatment needed after the op. Unfortunately there is a lot of waiting involved, as they will try to tell you what grade your cancer is ( just how different the cells look from normal cells) possibly before your op, but after your op you have to wait about three weeks before they can tell you the stage,( if it has spread) and if you may need any further treatment. We all agree the waiting is awful, as you tend to imagine the worst and worry yourself sick, but once you know the plan you will get yourself in gear and start coping with it. We are all stronger than we know. 

Are you on your own? Some of the ladies here are, and they have tips on how to cope after your op. There is also a list of what you might need to take into hospital for your op - but the list is quite long so you might need to hire a removal lorry! If you are lucky they will do keyhole surgery, and the recovery time is shorter, about 12 weeks before you can start getting back to normal. There’s a lot to take in, try to have a pen and paper handy when you talk to your medical team, it’s easy to forget what they said as soon as you’ve walked out of the office door or put the phone down, especially in your current state of panic!

Try not to worry ( impossible) and have confidence in your medical team. I wish you the best of luck,

Viv 

Hi Burcobertie . I'd like to join Viv ( Jigsaw33) in welcoming you here. We've all been where you are - this can't be happening to me, Cancer happens to other people. When we first hear those awful words we freeze and go to pieces but now you're here with us we're all here for you. Take comfort in the fact Endometrial cancer is a slow growing cancer and once the womb is removed frequently there's no more treatment needed so more more negative thoughts!

As Viv said once the MDT (Multi Discipline Team - surgeons, Oncologists, Anaesthetists, Clinician Nurse Specialists) meet, they'll get a treatment plan in place. The waiting and worrying does do our heads in but that's when you come back on here and vent, rant and we'll give you a virtual hug and reassure you.           

It’s always helpful to others if you write a little something (or a lot) about yourself and your journey to date. You can enter it into your profile (click on your username and select “Profile”) It’s helpful to other members with a similar diagnosis who can then hopefully answer your questions. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. You can amend or update it at any time. If you’re not sure what to write, just click on my username.

If you want to ask any of us any questions please come back and do so. There's always someone around and we can offer a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold or listen to a rant, we’re here for you.

It might also be a good idea to download this booklet Understanding Womb (Endometrial) Cancer I found it invaluable in my journey. 

It’s always good to talk and the Macmillan Support Services provides lots of information, support, financial guidance or just a listening ear. It's free to call on 0808 808 00 00  8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Have a look to see what is available by Clicking here .

There is also an Ask an Expert section, but you should allow two working days for replies from our expert team.

To find information covering diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers can be found on our Online Information and Support Section. 

Sending you welcoming hugs, B xx  

Hi Viv

Thanks so much for that invaluable information, I can't tell you how comforting it is to talk with people who understand what I'm going through. 

My family have been very lucky in that cancer has only touched us from a distance. In fact I think my mum aged 77 has been totally devastated when I had to tell her the news.

I do live alone with my 2 gorgeous pugs and I work full-time currently based at home due to covid.

I have been lucky today to get my pug puppy whose 6 months old fostered with a pug charity. They will collect him over the weekend, to say I'm heartbroken is an understatement. I just feel my world is falling apart.. I know its the best thing to do for him so I'm treating it as if he's going to a holiday camp. 

My meeting with the consultant is booked for Tuesday morning which I know will give me details of the treatment plans. I have everything crossed and I'm going to take your advice and do my best to be positive 

Hi Jigsaw

Thanks so much for replying to my post, it means a lot and has made me feel calmer than I was yesterday. 

I'm starting to accept the diagnosis and trying to be practical about getting the right advice to help me without getting drawn into googling about illness. 

I have so much admiration for the knowledge you have which makes me feel I'm not alone.

I'm going to update my profile with my story so I can share my experiences with others. 

Thanks for just being there and letting me vent my fears 

Hi Burcobertie. So pleased to read you feel a little calmer now and good to see you've updated your profile. When you mention my knowledge, believe me this time last year I didn't have a clue as I'd only just had my ultrasound scan - never even heard of Endometrial cancer! Now having shared my own experiences here and read other ladies stories you'll realise that you're definitely not alone! Viv (Jigsaw33)  & I went through the procedures at the same time and I'm still trying to persuade her to become a Community Champion like me! 

We all agree, do not consult Dr Google, you'll scare yourself silly and a lot of info is out of date!. Here you'll find ladies who've very recently gone through the procedures and we don't know the medical terminology you can Ask a Nurse. What's also comforting you'll see ladies who've finished their procedures a few years ago drop back in.

Sorry to read you'll have to foster your dogs temporarily but bending over is definitely out of the question for a while. You'll all be back together soon.

Don't forget to take a notebook with you on Tuesday and come back and tell us how you get on. 

Big hugs, Barb xx 

Thanks Barb,

I'm keeping busy this weekend and making sure I do nice relaxing things. I'm taking my record book with me on Tuesday for my consultation so I can write information down. I'm finding that my brain is in a bit of a fog at the moment. 

I'm not trying to block out my diagnosis its just that if I think too much about it I get so panicky I struggle to breathe.

This forum is helping me get through one day at a time. 

Thanks for being there 

Julie x

I have a Pugahuahua. I sent him to kennels the day I had my pcr test prior to my op and he was delivered home in a pet taxi 3 days after I came home from a vertical incision hysterectomy.  I have managed to walk him. He gets smaller but more frequent walks. I too live on my own and thought I wouldn’t cope well, most frustrating has been getting people to cut my grass! I’m very independent usually but I have to ask for help. It is a blessing to have a small fur baby around to keep me company. Good luck with it all 

Hi Charsmum

Thanks for letting me know about your Pugahuahua. I'm hoping to get my pug home as soon as I can. I know he will be well looked after by the pug charity. 

It's strange at the moment I'm waiting for my first meeting on Tuesday morning about my treatment. Every day is feeling like a week. I know our NHS is very good so I just have to be patient but it's very hard.

Thanks so much for your good wishes 

Julie xx

Hi Burcobertie, It came as a complete shock to me when the doctor said that I either had endometrial cancer or a fibroid. I'd gone to hospital with awful stomach and back pain which my GP thought might be pancreatitis as I've had it before. Initially I was told it was a kidney stone and sent home but told to return if the pain got worse. This time they thought it was appendicitis and sent me for a CT scan where they saw a mass. I had a biopsy the next day and an MRI scan the following week. I was told that they would discuss it at the MDT on the Friday. I rang on the Friday but there was no decision so I had to wait until the Monday which was awful only to be told that they wanted to discuss it with more experts and the Christie hospital which is a cancer specialist hospital. I went into a panic and the week lasted a lifetime. I said I needed to be told immediately after the meeting by phone as I couldn't wait for an appointment. It turns out that it's a cancerous fibroid which is quite rare apparently. I am having my total hysterectomy including my cervix and ovaries and fallopian tubes. The consultant thinks that it's contained in the fibroid but we'll have to wait and see. I hope you feel a little better talking to the other ladies on this forum, it's been a godsend to me. Deb x

Hi Deborino

You're totally right that this forum has brought comfort to me. It's hard to explain the overwhelming fear and anxiety that you experience at the word Cancer. My family are very good but hearing about your and other ladies experiences has been incredibly helpful. 

My appointment is tomorrow morning so I'm hoping to get information about the treatment planned for me.

To say I'm nervous would be the biggest understatement ever, I'm terrified. I just want to know if I can be treated and what the treatment will be.

Like you my world has been turned upside down. My pug puppy has been put into temporary foster so he can be properly looked after.

I'm just keeping everything crossed that any treatment they might offer me will work

Julie