Hi everyone, newby here, just been diagnosed with cervical cancer,stage/grade unknown, waiting patiently on MRI appointment, doctor was hoping to get one asap. Had pelvic pain, bleeding for long time now, discharge, sex is non existent due to bleeding during and after. My specialist also said there was large tumor higher up but due to pain i was in, wasnt possible to do further biopsy,so have to go under anesthesia for that one. To say this is overwhelming is understatement, im petrified of MRI because im claustrophobic and then of course for results also too. Ive been diagnosed with blood cancer 8/9months ago though still under investigation, im wondering if this is maybe something to do with cervical cancer too and not blood cancer. Sorry for long post
Hi Lesley, sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Waiting for scans and staging is the worst part unfortunately until they scans have been completed they can’t put together a treatment plan. Speak to your consultant or cns about your fear/claustrophobia of scans im sure they could give you something to help you get through it. Once you know what you are dealing with youll have something to focus on. Treatments today are excellent and most women manage quite well. Is there anything you can do to keep your mind occupied? I worked right through from diagnosis to start of treatment and although many days were awful it gave me something to focus on rather than just thinking about cancer. Its tough but you’ll get through it any questions give me a shout.
Take care xx
Hi AMF , thanks for the reply, yes its hard waiting on the scans and biopsies , im still working and will do until i have to take time off, I no i need something take my mind of it, though dosent always work lol but one can only try. My specialist sent me to my local gp for something to medicate me for the MRI though im still nowhere near confident nor looking forward to it, the very thought of it gives me nightmares. Although i no it has to be done . Thanks again for the reply much appreciated x
Hi @Lesley1
I too am claustrophobic but have had to endure many mri scans. Are you aware that your whole body is not in the machine and you are not fully enclosed in it? You head will not be in there, and I found wearing an eye mask helped me a little. One thing I was not prepared for was how noisy it is, and the fact that you feel a lot of “thumping” from below as the images are taken. Hopefully some medication might also help you. x
Hi Lilly, no i wasnt aware of this at all, i thought full body went in, especially with them asking if i had any metals in my head 
Enclosed also…would feel so much better even if it was just my head that was out, i did read somewhere about noises, but thought they gave you earphones to drown out the noise.I bet i jump everytime i hear it im big feartie lol. Thanks for letting me no this as feel bit less traumatized about MRI now. Xx
Hi there- please ask to go into scanner feet first- this leaves your head free from the scanner! For some reason the default seems to be go I head first.
I’ve always found the staff very accommodating!
Best wishes
Hi Lesley
I’ve always gone in feet first and the top of my body is outside. It’s the pelvis they are scanning, and maybe abdomen and thorax so no need to be completely inside it. Yes, you have headphones on, but for me they weren’t very helpful I have to say. I hope yours goes ok-I used to try to imagine in my head walking along a beach to distract myself. x
Ohh i will definitely be asking go in head first, im hoping they have my records to say how anxious i am, and actually listen to me, ohh now the beach is my happy place , sound of waves crashing, hopefully they can play that too, always seems calm me down. Hoping medication and earphones help me and also what yous have told me, yous have no idea how much calmer i now feel. Thank you from bottom of my heart 
xx
Feet first Lesley! They put the radio on for me through the headphones, but I know some ladies get to listen to music so I guess it depends what they have in the department. Just think of it as a necessary step to getting on with everything. x
Hi Lilly, the radio would do to cut noise out, always been scared from loud machinery, drill etc… An yeah anno drill not much but honestly always been same lol just weirdo but feart one never mind the mri within itself, hoping medication n music helps me through itxx
Aww…I’m sorry you’re a bit of a feartie about it Lesley. Just take the medication, get an eye mask and headphones on and imagine that beach! x
Thats exactly what i am going to do, and pray its over quickly xx
Mine took about 45/50 minutes I think. x
Ohh really,seems quite long but i guess if it needs done then thats what ive got to do, feart or not. Just want it over an done with now… Do they tell you anything afterwards or do you need wait,? I no i need another biopsy afterwards under GA . Really appreciate all the information, thank you xx
Hi my mri was about 30 minutes and no sorry its another wait for your results my was about a week
Hi, im hoping mine is quick, a week not too bad i guess, got my biopsy bk within week too xx
You won’t find out anything on the day. The report needs to be read by the radiologist and passed to your consultant so it’s a bit of a wait sometimes for results.
The biopsy under ga was really straightforward. I wasn’t under for long, and had no pain or anything when I woke up. Nice cup of tea and toast and headed off home as soon as they realised I was fine and had a wee. x
I didn’t have to have a ga just mri and then pet-ct scan got first appointment with radiotherapy Wednesday at the time it does seem like alot of waiting but when you look back its quite quick
Think I’m seeing specialist on that day too, as i was in Greece when she called me last week, though think its for sit down chat, im hoping be out that day too, im not good with hospitals , quick procedure nice coffee and home xx
Sounds lovely I’m hoping to be in and out pretty quick to 
