Went to biopsy yesterday lunch time sure I would be returning to work in the afternoon to be devastated when the consultant mumbled I had cancer and needed a hysterectomy! What?! Me??! No no no.
How do you cope from this point forward? I have a week to wait for the MRI and don’t know how I can cope with the not knowing.
Please help. I’m frightened. All so surreal. Don’t know anyone else who has had cancer I can talk to.
Hi Don it was 2 years ago today I was diagnosed. It was without a doubt the worst day of my life. I won't lie to you all the waiting is nearly harder.. first your scan, then results then treatment... but I'm here to tell my tale and I got through it with the help of jos, my family and my dear friends. I had stage 2b with lymph node involving. This meant chemo radiation treatment.
You will have lots of questions, fears and different scenarios playing through your head right now so make sure you talk to someone. Don't bottle it up to protect your loved ones, let them know how your feeling. Until your mri you won't know what stage you are and what treatment you will need but restassured there will be someone on the forum who will have been through it and be able to answer more specific questions at the time you need them. It is a rollercoaster and you will have ups and downs but know jos is here and you're not facing this on your own.
I know how unfair this all seems so I'll send you a big cyber hug and keep you in my prayers and hope you get the best news possible.
Lots of love
Nic xxx
So sorry to hear your news, Don, I can only repeat the excellent advice from Nicola31. The waiting is worse bit, and trying to focus just on the facts and not run to far ahead with your thoughts. When you get all the information from your MRI and other tests, it will be easier as you will be able to focus on your treatment. I felt much more in control once I knew what stage I was at and what my treatment plan was. People kept telling me not to worry, it's almost impossible when you have been told news like this, but my consultant told me not to worry about my treatment, as they would make sure I had exactly the right treatment for my individual case. I held on to that, and that they were working behind the scenes to make sure that everything ran smoothly. Jo's trust is fantastic and you will find lots of very supportive people on here, and a great source of information. Fingers crossed you get all your results quickly, please don't feel you are going through it on your own, xxxxShauna
Abnormal smear April 2013
Hi Don
to echo what excellent advice you've been given already.
I hate it how you are told this, some places do it very well whereas others really don't know how to handle it.
And this point is the worse as you are facing an unknown, the MRi will help determine what course of treatment is needed. However if a hysterectomy was mentioned it sounds like you are early stages.
i know its impossible but try not to do too much internet surfing, there is some great advice out there but also some terrible stuff.
Also take this time to do stuff that helps you relax feel less stressed. For me i signed off work immediately, and found a local cancer support centre that offered alternative therapies that made a big difference.
Pat
x
Hi Don
to echo what excellent advice you've been given already.
I hate it how you are told this, some places do it very well whereas others really don't know how to handle it.
And this point is the worse as you are facing an unknown, the MRi will help determine what course of treatment is needed. However if a hysterectomy was mentioned it sounds like you are early stages.
i know its impossible but try not to do too much internet surfing, there is some great advice out there but also some terrible stuff.
Also take this time to do stuff that helps you relax feel less stressed. For me i signed off work immediately, and found a local cancer support centre that offered alternative therapies that made a big difference.
Pat
x
Hi Don,
Sorry to hear your news and also they way you have been told. I was diagnosed 2 weeks yesterday and although the waiting is frustrating, things are moving pretty quickly and I feel much more positive now I know my staging and treatment plan. Did your consultant give you a number for a specialist cancer nurse? I was given the number in the info pack they give you and rang mine a couple of times. She answered all my questions and offered a lot of reassurance. It was good to hear it from a professional rather than people you know around you constantly saying ‘it will be okay’.
I would also agree with Pat – don’t do too much internet surfing and if you do, make sure you stick to the NHS sites. I made this mistake and it just caused unnecessary stress.
I have found the support on this forum really helpful so do keep in touch.
I will say a prayer for you tonight xxx
Katy x
Thank you everyone. Your advice is good to hear.
Another day. Just can't sleep. Everyone's being so nice, I'm use to being organised, prepared, etc so all this waiting is doing my head in. People upset around me but being supportive. 5yr old daughter knows something isn't right but at least she has now gone to school so not here all day.
Think I'm gonna be on this website everyday from now on, keeps me a bit focused. Not gone back to work as I'm a teacher a just couldn't face the kids and parents. Will have to next week, can't just sit around waiting!! Life if for living, after all! X
I just wanted to say hello and that I’m so sorry you’ve had this diagnosis.
Feeling devastated, in shock and completely freaked out is so normal. I’m sure every lady on here felt like that… I know I did! I went from days of … I can kick this things ass to the lowest of the low… And the ladies on here really helped me. Sometimes it’s just nice to know you’re not alone 
Unfortunately this waiting malarky doesn’t get any easier… But also scarily before you know it you’ll be getting a treatment plan and then having your treatment! … And we’ll all help you every step of the way!
From now until then fill your days with the people you love and the things you enjoy… It helps alot… I really enjoyed being abit selfish at that time.
Take care and stay strong… You can do this!
Em xxx
Thanks.
It's the not being able to sleep.... But then I slept through my alarm this morning and was late getting my little girl to school!! Head of school was very kind about it though. Also, my work are very supportive and didnt mind me being late. I'm not having to teach but am going in to do paperwork to keep me busy (not done much, everyone keeps dropping in to talk to me). People are all so kind but you really are alone in all this, aren't you?
I will keep posting and reading each night- keeps me busy and keeps me calm (apart from threads last night that took me to people who have died, bit screwed up after that). Hey ho x
Hi Dons,
You aren't alone when you are on this site :) We are all here for you as much as you need us!
Ahhh, I remember reading those kinds of posts and completely freaking myself out but there are lots more positive/good news/all clear posts so keep your eye on those instead as much as possible (easier said than done I know!)
Good luck with your MRI this week - will be thinking of you - keep us updated. Soph x
Hi Dons,
I just wanted to wish you the very best of luck for tomorrow, hope everything goes really well for you.
Sharon
x
Thank you x
Feel bit s?!@, have just argued with my 5 year old over her reading book... Now feel bad as she cried and I'm now crying. The emotions are just incredible.... I hate it. Just hate it.
Hi Dons, just wanted to wish you lots of luck for tomorrow. It's awful how we feel prior to these appointments; for what it's worth I had a meltdown on Sunday, the day before my MRI. Will be thinking of you, be strong, it's another step closer to being cured.
Cheryl, x
Ladies - can I ask HOW they found the cancer? through biopsy or through papsmear? Did any of you have slightly abnormal paps that became more and more abnormal? or did you have something like a standard LLETZ / CONE biopsy that didn't work? I'm just curious and you are ALL so supportive and strong. I am 34years old. I have had abnormal smears for almost 4 years... and told no further treatment needed. Now I need to go in on Wednesday as my GP says they found a HIGH GRADE abnormality on my smear and I will "definitely need surgery". She also hinted that as I have warts (NO ONE has ever mentioned this through all the smears i have had - I didn't even realise the tiny bumps were warts, they look like large pores or something) and because I have had these for years and years, that my body is bad at clearing HPV and I may have a struggle on my hands
I know this is different to what you all are going through, and I am probably too worried before I have all the news.. but I wondered if anyone had a similar story to me where it took YEARS of apathy by doctors only to find out I have cancer and maybe somehting could have been done sooner.
