Newly diagnosed - anxious!

Any excuse for them to use the latest tekkers - haha! But seriously, as you say, apparently it allows them to work with a high degree of accuracy with quicker recovery times - and they can chuck us out faster! You can tell I work in a  hospital  discharge team!

Very true Jane, I do recognise this - I think I sometimes have this impossible standard for myself which is clearly unattainable and not even necessary. But being in a team of some of the loveliest, most highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals I do try to keep up! But yes, how can we support others if we are too compromised ourselves? I think you are right about the control aspect too; I don't have any right now and that's very uncomfortable. 

Hi EllieB3, welcome to the group and to the rollercoaster ride! It’s coming up to two years since I sent in an eConsult form to my GP when I noticed a very slight pale pink tinge on the loo paper after I’d wiped after a wee - and the rest is history. I may be through all the waiting, surgery and treatment (finished May 2022j but I still remember those early days very clearly. First of all, please let me reassure you that it’s totally okay to feel like you’re not coping, and fine too to feel overwhelmed and anxious, Both are very normal and usual reactions - and if you face them head on, and are patient and kind with yourself, the feelings will settle and dissipate and you will find a way through. The anxieties may flare up occasionally, but you will find ways through, they will pass and you will find level ground again. 

Hi Ellie and welcome to the community. Let me assure you that you are not going soft in the head and that mourning for the loss of your uterus is quite natural whether or not ‘it’s done it’s job’ or as in my case never been utilised. 
However, if is just a physical organ no matter how amazing a one. Have you any access to counselling or ever meditated? It might help to talk this out with someone or to undertake some meditation or energy exercises to affirm your essence as a woman and mother. 

Before my surgery one of my friends suggested that I meditate on strengthening my sacral chakra that is located in the area of the reproductive organs and governs sexually and creativity. Part of me thought - but it’s not going to be there anymore- then realised that just because the physical aspects were going to go, that didn’t negate the essence.

it might sound a little woo-woo but utilising healing methods for the mind and spirit can be very effective in addressing these complex issues linked to loss of identity. ️

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and your kind words. This support is overwhelmingly fantastic - I feel SO reassured. I went to work today and was able to function well, unlike yesterday...and a lot of that was because of the support from this community.  

I'm ok with marmite but it has to be spread thinly...:)

No it doesn't sound woo-woo and I am grateful for your input Muse; in fact I really like your suggestion as I was thinking of doing some kind of 'farewell ceremony' to my poor unwell uterus. A friend today clearly thought I was off my rocker when I expressed this - It has taken me very much by surprise to find out how emotionally attached I am to my reproductive organs! Then again, when I look back during my time as an art student ( a long time ago) my work was always concerned with gender and sexuality. I don't think I was paying attention to that anymore until the threat appeared! I am starting some counselling this Thursday - in the morning of my pre-op. 

1. Oh I think doing a farewell ceremony sounds perfect. One of my friends who is a talented artist developed the Womb Blessing. It was primarily intended for women to recover from trauma. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s developed something with respect to women dealing with loss linked to hysterectomy. Her name is Miranda Gray. 
   Actually I might reach out to her to see if she has addressed this subject 

Oooo - interesting Muse! I know these types of rituals aren't for everyone, but if you're ritualistically inclined they can have a lot of meaning and comfort. 

Hi, I was diagnosed with Early stage womb cancer on the 25th June, and had robotic surgery on the 11th July. I am now 4 weeks post op, and I feel great. I have my limitations re lifting or doing too much, but can do gentle Pilates, walking 10,000 steps most days, some more. I have a little pain around the 5 entry sites over my stomach, but think that’s the stitch. It also feels itchy. Lucky that the tests done on my uterus, ovaries etc show that the cancer has not spread. I had been told that I would be offered Radiotherapy if it had spread, but I have been offered even though it has not, that gave me a bit of a shock. I meet the oncologist on Mon to discuss pros & cons. I hope this information helps you. I was 7 weeks from going to the Dr to getting my operation, and I felt very lucky to be treated so quickly. Sorry to hear you have some other health issues, and it is only natural to fear the worst, I felt sure because I had a lot of back pain etc that it must have spread, but it had not. Good luck with your operation 

I agree it’s not something that everyone is comfortable with though if we consider our ancestors and those cultures that have remained in contact with the earth and nature such rites of passage were/are very meaningful to mark coming to term with change. They work on a more primal level than on the conscious mind. I feel that with your background in art and awareness of gender and sexuality you are in a good position to craft something meaningful to help yourself