Has anyone with newly diagnosed womb cancer having to face it with claustrophobia and aggrophobia literally going into hospital is so exhausting as having to dig deep.

Hi Hebe,

This is really hard for you...for those of us who don't have anxieties such as yours, it is very very hard so I can see that you are facing an almost unsurmountable obstacle with what you need to do.

My first thought was, have you anyone who can go with you? My second thought was, how much does your medical team know of your conditions? and have they been able to suggest a way around this so that you can feel at least able to go ahead with surgery, even if you are still very uncomfortable doing so?

How imminent is your surgery? Would you have time to have a counselling session or two beforehand, or a similar therapy that might get you to a stage where you could contemplate doing this? 

I think, if you haven't already done so, your first step has to be to discuss this fully with your medical team, whether this is your GP or your surgical team, or probably both. Obviously the treatment has to be done, but there needs to be more discussion with you over your concerns before going ahead. There may be some compromise that can be made, such as perhaps a different hospital again where you would feel more comfortable. You need to investigate what they might be able to do to help you over this. 

Sending you hugs 

Thank you so much for reaching out to me. Yes I did tell my care team but the surgeon wanted to use robotic surgery which of course is best for me if I did not have phycological problems I know it is so difficult for anyone who is so called living a normal life to understand how hard life can be. I am usually the person other people turn to for advise and I never reach out but am very scared. Today my husband is not supporting me because of yesterday I have no one else .

I understand how difficult that this will be for you. Why not give the Support Line a call and talk things through. They are there from 8am-8pm everyday. Although I found that some days having someone come with me helped- on some of my more challenging days I actually found it easier to go alone. Then I could focus on what I needed to do without worrying about someone else. 

It is good that your care team are aware and sometimes little actions could help. I was really scared before my first chemo and it helped that the nurse phoned me the day before and talked me through everything that would happen and then on the actual day the same nurse came out to the waiting room to take me through. 

Feeling scared is natural and I know what you mean about other people normally turning to you. At my hospital there were volunteers - that would sit with you and make you a cuppa. Sometimes that can help.

I hope today goes ok and we are here if you need us. 

Jane

I'm sorry you are going through this. 

If there is anything that makes things better or worse for you do let them know. Part of my care was challenging for me so I told the team I'd like to be able to go ahead with it and some ideas for them.. I also had some medication just for this purpose. I find it hard to talk about but was glad I did. 

You have already taken steps and had appointments to deal with to get this far and I'm in awe of that. 

Thank you for such a kind reply it helps to know there are such caring people out there who take the time to reply so very much appreciated. I am waiting to hear if they can do surgery at my usual hosputal still a big deal but I know the building and can dig deep. Sending love to all who are starting or going through this journey x

Hi Hebe Hebe, I hope you can work through this as recovery from robotic surgery is far quicker than from open surgery and you should be home quicker. Sone hospitals do next day home for robotic/laparoscopic, whereas for open surgery it’s longer.  2 hours away is a long journey - mine was an hour away. I can understand why 5th floor may sound a bit scary, but once you’re in it would be like any other ward. I’ve learned to deal with some of my anxieties (eg MRI, hospital ward) by closing my eyes and visualising myself somewhere else. All the best!