Cervical cancer

[NicJane]

Hi I'm new to mn and hoping someone out there can help. I have been diagnised with cervical cancer and need a complete hysterectomy including ovaries within next 6 weeks. Although I'm content with the treatment plan (don't fancy risk of chemo if less agressive with surgery)I don't really know how to bring my kids through it. I have told them that I have cancer, and that its early and the doctors can make me better. They seem OK with that but my 8 yr old dd keeps asking Daddy (who is being fantastic) if I'll die. I daren't promise not for fear of tempting fate - its a big op and there ARE risks -what can I tell her?

Hi mummylin
I think I'm just having a delayed reaction. I hardly cried at all when I was diagnosed - all my lovely friends did though!!!! How long did it take you to feel mentally ok after the Hyst/ooph?

i had a very weird reaction to it and suffered what my doc said was something like post traumatic stress.it was because i had been so scared of the whole situation,he arranged for me to see a counsellor but it was for 3 months on ,so i decided to go back to the hospital and went up and saw the sister on the ward and explained ,she told me to walk around the ward and take my time .it actually worked ! but physically i was fine ,it was all in my mind,i soon recovered and would advise anyone who is told they need hysterectomy to have it done ,it is not as scary as you think ( althgough i didnt believe it when people kept telling me ) anything you want to ask feel free.

The consultant was really great - he warned me that hysterectomies can really play havoc with the emotions, quite different from a c-section even though the damage done is similar! (I haven't had a caesarian but witnessed friends who have) He reckons its to do with the childbirth element - there is this very powerful subconcious urge to recover so that you can look after the baby, which is absent for the hyst. I am just so overloaded at the mo. In the last 7 weeks i've had the colposcopy and loop something or other, diagnosis of cancer, 10year anniversary of beloved Dad's death from cancer, (How I need him to give me a hug at the mo!) Denervation at C2 C3 C4 vertabrae in my neck (from ongoing affects of car accident 5 years ago) AND all the prep for Christmas, And still the hysterectomy to come. Why am I beating myself up for being a bit down?

Decided to go and do something positive - change into nice rig and paint my nails!!

Good for you honey! I'll keep watching this thread .... [[hugs]]

as an added bonus my husband took me off to majorca for a week before i went back to work !! so maybe you could plan something similar to give yourself something to look forward to lease keep us updated as to your progress and keep thinking positive always.best of luck

Got pink sparkly nails! One of the cruddy things about the op is that I'll have to stop rowing for a bit, I belong to a Gig club and I had a good chance of getting a place in the world champs in May - (Impressed???!!! - Ladies vets C team - not that impressive) But I'll miss too much training. I am tring to find accommodation now, to go anyway and yell support for our team. Easier said than done but my space has to go to a rower, so need to organise something else. Anyone got any contacts in Scilly?!

No contacts I'm afraid, but bummer to having to give up your rowing place honey!! Would be fab if you could go and support the team anyway - hope you sort accom etc!

Yey to pink sparkly nails - they sound fab!!

Gotta hit the hay, v.tired ......

What a difference a day makes...24 little hours!!!!!!! I feel completely different today, all that crying must have done some good Been on a cervical cancer site (jo's trust) and hysterectomy site and am reassured to find that I'm completely normal (there's a first!) there will be more tears before Christmas I'm sure , but for now I'll just enjoy feeling better. Capt Dippy - you're a real rock, thanks hon

hi nic jane, havent read all the messages but just wanted to say sorry for your diagnosis and wish you luck with your treatment

Awwwww, , thank you NicJane - Glad you are feeling better and more positive today honey!! Will keep checking this thread and keep posting - you are so fabulous and brave! [[[hugs]]] xxxx

How is it going NicJane? Any more appointments comign up? I pop in here everyday to check on you!

Still here!! xxxx

Hello
Sorry I've been awol for a bit - been struggling with it all. Went back to work and got a teensy bit knackered!
Have been getting lots of Christmas cards from various friends and rellies. Its amazing how taboo the word cancer still is. Not one person has mentioned it, yet I've had lots to the tune of "Sorry you have to have an operation" "Sorry you are poorly," and even "sorry to hear your sad news".....that one made me check that they hadn't addressed it just to dh, thinking I'd died already! I would so appreciate a bit of straightforward honesty - "shit - you poor cow - cancer, what a bummer" That would have cheered me up no end!!!
Had my pre-op assessment today, which is the last appt with a doctor or hospital until after Christmas. Now I can put it to one side for a while and concentrate on making the mince pies! And eating chocolate. And drinking wine. And gin. Beginning to feel like me again!
Capt Dippy - thanks hun, feels good to be getting your support.
Nicxxxxxxxx

Hi NicJane
How are you doing? I hope you had a good Christmas with your family.

Just seen this thread

How are you?

Thought I'd bring this up to date!
I've been through pretty grim journey but am well on the road to recovery now. I tell you what - instant menopause is no fun!!!!!!!!! The hysterectomy went OK, apart from passing a huge blood clot that made the nurse pale a bit! There are some boring side effects which mean I've had to have more tests, but so far they are all clear of cancer, which is a huge relief. I will be starting back at work next tuesday (eek).
Now I just have to recover emotionally. Having cancer is a bit of a conversation stopper - so its good to have got rid of it. I keep looking on the bright side - I haven't had a period since Christmas!. However - I'm putting on weight, side effect of the HRT I think Still - I'd rether be fat and cancer-free than skinny and dead.

Just read this thread, OMG you have been through the mill, but good to hear that you are on the mend now. Take care and good luck for going back to work

Great to hear you are on the road to recovery

Thinking of you and hoping your health improves daily.

Wishing you well xxx

NicJane - Congratulations on your recovery and victory over cancer.

I have been diagnosed with dysplasia (precancerous cells) of the cervix some years ago, which basically means it would have turned into cervical cancer in a couple of years if left alone. I had the colposcopy and loop excision conization that you had, and to my luck, I was clean after that so did not have to have a hysterectomy. But I do know what you went through, as I remember too well the emotions of the moment, as I waited for the test results,

I would just like to bring one thing to your attention. No doubt you know by now that cervical cancer (for the most part) is caused by the virus HPV, which infects quite a large part of the population but only turns normal cells into cancerous ones in a minority of women - you and me included.

I see you have a DD. It would be a good idea (I think) to have her vaccinated against HPV. There is a vaccine that became available very recently.

I hope that helps. With warm hugs and best wishes for the future...

Thanks Cote,
I agree wholeheartedly about the Gardasil vaccine and am counselling all my friends to have their daughters done as soon as it is appropriate. My dd is only just 8 so I have a little while before it becomes essential and we have chosen to wait until she is 11 or 12 to have it done (sooner if puberty strikes sooner). I think a new vaccine is always a bit worrying and although they say this is a completely safe vaccine it seems sensible to wait for a few years if there is no need to be innoculated sooner.

I would also mention to anyone who reads this thread, GET YOUR SMEAR TEST DONE! Its worth being proactive and booking it yourself, don't wait for that letter of reminder to arrive - especially if you live in an area where they test every 5 years instead of every three. In America, where they do PAP smears yearly, the survival rates for cervical cancer are around 80%. In UK where they test every 3-5 years its only just over 50% (approx 2800 dx, around 1,200 deaths).

Also, if you have any symptoms such as bleeding between periods, or after sex, or any unusual discharges GET IT CHECKED. For more info check out Jo's Trust which has loads of info about smears, symptoms and other stuff about cervical cancer.