Support please oncology referral

[Stella123456]

Hello I’m a regular poster but name changed so that I can be more open with specific details.

Im feeling very distressed weak and shaky due to my health situation.
I had to attend a&e multiple times in a week. I was treated badly by some people and need to make a complaint. I’m not up to this now and it’s not the most important issue.
fortunately I was able to go for a scan privately. The doctors are now worried and I’m being seen back in Nhs as highest priority.
I’m now beginning to crumble.
I am a foster carer. Young children who I am adopting. I am single.
my birth child is extremely worried and distressed. I’m trying to hide it at the moment from my young children.
I feel particularly bad today.

I also can’t get painkillers prescribed because I recently stopped taking codeine thar I had been using on repeat prescription for around 8 years. I was happy to reduce and stop. But now I’m in so much pain that I need a few day’s medication. Anything to help me get through this.

im not sure what I want from this post. I just am spiralling today. This is the first time I’ve truly panicked.
I haven’t looked up anything online so I don’t want to frighten myself any further. Uterine cancer is suspected. That’s the first time I’ve said or written it. My ovaries were not seen because of masses that covered. My appointment is another week away. This is for biopsy and scan.

does anyone have any words of advice or comfort?

Anyone at all had any experience of this? I’m terrified

Anyone?

Hi! Im currently a uterine cancer patient. Single and going through an unpleasant divorce with one tween.
If it is the worst case scenario of cancer, it's very very slow growing usually. And wonderfully treatable if caught early. Mine was missed and haemorrhaging and pain put down to bad periods for 6 years and it's still early stage. I had a 6 cm mass removed under GA and having a radical hysterectomy next week then likely radiotherapy.
My tween has just been told it's an operation to take all the bits out that have caused the bad periods. I haven't mentioned cancer as I'm keen to protect her childhood for now

If it is cancer, Macmillan and Maggie's are outstandingly supportive. I'd have a chat with your children and families worker too so your kids can be supported. Worth finding a trusted friend or two in real life to talk to as well.

It'll all be ok. ❤️

Please see if your local hospital has a Macmillan or Maggie's support centre. Also both should be contactable on the phone. Hope all works out for you x

I’ve been biopsies and had hysteroscopies for suspected uterine precancerous over the last three years and I think they are finally going to suggest we go the hysterectomy route.

I do remember the panic I felt when the first specialist told me they were worried.

By no means as frightening as your story (no cancer has been discovered) but I am thinking of you and hope you get reassuring answers or at least a quick treatment plan very soon.

There’s a very good long-running thread in General health for people. I’ll find a link.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/4767178-cancer-support-thread-86-stay-positive?page=35&reply=126192101

I'm so sorry your facing this situation alone Stella - I can totally understand it is a pretty scary place to be.

So you're back in the NHS system - that's good. Do you know which hospital and which consultant ? If so contact the hospital and ask to speak to the consultant's secretary, ask them for contacts with the specialist nurse for gynae oncology. The nurse will have access to information on probable general plans, support groups, etc. The nurse should also be able to advise on analgesia and how to source it. If you don't have the hospital / consultant, ask your GP surgery if they know - they should also be able to help with analgesia. If they don't contact PALS and they may be able to help you.

Re your younger children - do you have a social worker name to contact to discuss, re getting additional support into the family ? How old is your own child - ? still school age - if so contact the school and advise then (in general terms - you have a health scare, child is worried, please cut them some slack).

What's you're RL support network like ? Time to pull in the friends and contact who can help - simple things like childcare whilst you're having the tests, drop offs / pick ups. If you don't have a network to support you, you should consider approaching SS for temporary foster care for to cover any hospital stays / recovery periods.

A quick check on the website and there's a national group called Go Girls who support women with gynae cancers -https://www.gogirlssupport.org/info-on-gynae-cancers. Make this be the only goggle search you do, until you have further info about what exactly you're facing. It's so easy to go down the rabbit hole when you have a health scare - looking at all sorts of things that have no relevance to you.

For now - think short term and practical - get the child care covered for the tests, sort out tonight's dinner and tomorrow's packed lunches. Take it day by day. This will be the hardest time - lots of uncertainty, mind racing ahead to all sorts of scary places, children picking up the wobbly vibes & playing up. By the sounds of things you're a lady with your head screwed on right - no one goes into foster care without having a large dose of common sense.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know - just didn't want your call to go unanswered any longer

Thank you everyone for responding I’m so so grateful.

I haven’t done any googling whatsoever because I’m too afraid.

in having a lot of fluttering palpitations due to the fear.

I know I’ve had the problem for years so if it’s cancer it’s been a long time. Thank you lovely people for the kindness.

You're very welcome Stella. Drop by when you need a chat