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Handhold if anyone’s around? Scan yesterday at 5pm, GP called this morning

520 replies

GiveOverWillYou · 21/11/2025 11:05

Wondering if anyone has any experience/insights?
Late 40s, on HRT. Cycle usually still rock solid, horrendously heavy, except for last few (2-3) months - spotting, random bleeds, periods when not due. Bit of pelvic discomfort.
Went to GP, but kind of hoped assumed it was the beginning of the end of periods and just the timing going haywire/and to find out how I should be taking progesterone as had previously been on that Day 15-28 and cycle being out of whack meant that that regime was going to be hard to do. GP said she could feel something on the left hand side. Recent CA125 was fine, recent smear was clear ‘but cervix is very red’. My cervix has always defied medical science (that’s another story) so wasn’t unduly worried. They upped progesterone to 200mg daily, put me on the 2 week wait for internal/external US. It’s been 5 weeks 😬but I had the US last night after 5 o’clock. Sonographer was rummaging around for ages (over 30 mins) and made a point of saying the GP will be in touch, but if they aren’t, you must contact them. I know they usually can’t/don’t say much. Told myself that it was good that the tests have been done and that I’d hear in due course, not to worry in the meantime. Then this morning I have had 3 calls from the GP before 10am, which I missed as was in a work meeting with phone off. I called them back and they asked me to come in at noon. So now of course I am absolutely shitting myself, and have self-diagnosed with every gynae cancer going.
Don’t know what I’m asking for really, other than a handhold, and if anyone has had similar happen and it turned out to be something that wasn’t nefarious. I feel lucky that at least I find out what’s going on this morning but the speed at which they’ve followed up is terrifying me 😧Speculation of course, but I can’t help but feel that if this was, I dunno, fibroids, there wouldn’t be this level of urgency this morning

OP posts:
fudgesmummy · 18/12/2025 11:19

I am just sooooooooo pleased for you @GiveOverWillYou
When I had my full hysterectomy to remove my 50lb ovarian tumour I was sliced from breast bone to pubic bone and required 45 staples to put me back together.
I would warn you that recovery is painful but you will hopefully feel so much better in yourself knowing that things can only get better!
I had already gone through the menopause so had finished having periods several years before but knowing I was no longer at risk of womb or cervical cancer etc was good!
I could only afford to have 5 weeks of work as I was self employed which of course wasn’t nearly long enough. If you are able please have longer off, I really struggled mentally and physically for several months.
Take care x

IndecisiveofKent · 18/12/2025 11:19

Amazing news! don't usually cry at reading internet things but this made me blub. wishing you all the best for your surgery. it will be a big deal and i definitely recommend clearing the diary for a month, and not expecting much from month 2. i had major abdominal surgery earlier in the year, complicated by sepsis during recovery, and even tiny short walks felt like marathons in the days/weeks afterwards. first 4 weeks were very tough, weeks 4-8 swift incremental improvements.

twinklebiglight · 18/12/2025 11:30

woo hoo!🎉🍾

JustRubySnake · 18/12/2025 11:36

Wonderful news! Have the best Christmas! Xx

Benjithedog · 18/12/2025 11:41

So could not be more delighted to read this. Fantastic news. Christmas can now start for you and it will be fabulous

ClimbEveryLadder · 18/12/2025 11:44

Hysterectomy is life changing in a good way when you’ve got problematic fibroids.

I didn’t have keyhole, it’s fine, slightly longer recovery maybe and you need to be careful of the wound but not that different as with both you need to heal inside. If anything external wound as well reminds you to take care.

Take really good notice of the rules around no vacuuming lifting etc. this is to protect your pelvic floor. Can’t emphasise enough how important this is. Take all the time you need to recover well as in the overall picture it isn’t that long and you’ll benefit long term.

I got a little notebook to record when I’d taken painkillers so I kept track, they are also anti inflammatory so you should take whatever the dr says to take they help with recovery as well as reducing pain/discomfort

SunshineOnARainyLeith · 18/12/2025 11:47

Hurrah, so pleased for you and your family! Xxxxxxxx

LushLemonTart · 18/12/2025 11:48

So good to hear some fantastic news. Have a wonderful Christmas @GiveOverWillYou ❤️🌲

Fairyladyonwheels · 18/12/2025 11:51

Glad you are ok.

SparklestheUnicorn · 18/12/2025 11:53

I just came across this thread and have read the whole thing. I’m so pleased it’s good news for you, and I hope all goes well. My sister had a radical hysterectomy as well. Bit up and down afterwards but ultimately it’s been amazing for her.
sending you lots of love for a really happy Christmas. Also, what a lovely lot of people commenting on this thread. Faith in humanity restored.

SunshineOnARainyLeith · 18/12/2025 11:59

Hurrah, so pleased for you and your family! Xxxxxxxx

IceyBisBack · 18/12/2025 12:02

Whoop whoop...get the bastard out!!

RubyMentor · 18/12/2025 12:04

That’s fabulous news, good luck with the operation and a Prosecco filled Christmas 🎄

Exasperateddonut · 18/12/2025 12:09

I found this thread last night when doom scrolling as I couldn’t sleep.

This is the most magic thing to read - I’m absolutely thrilled for a complete stranger and hope you have the best most relaxing Christmas. I hope it’s full of light moments and the sheer relief of it all.

best wishes for the recovery. Just remember it will come to and end and there is a whole new glorious life out there just waiting for you.

Merry Christmas!!!!

disappearingfish · 18/12/2025 12:14

Whoop whoop! Well done OP.

I'm 2+ years post-hysterectomy and life could not be better. The recovery is a bitch (plenty of helpful online groups with advice) but it's life-altering.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 18/12/2025 12:15

❤️❤️❤️❤️💃💃

fizzandchips · 18/12/2025 12:23

I’ll definitely join the conga line. Brilliant news!

FIFIBEBE · 18/12/2025 12:44

Such good news. You managed to write about your emotions so well, I hope you are able to express them out loud in a way which helps you in the weeks ahead.

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 18/12/2025 13:09

Amazing news, I am so pleased for you xx

TinyCottageGirl · 18/12/2025 13:33

Just read through all your posts from the first one, what a whirlwind! Actually had a few teary moments - woohoo so so happy for you! You will have to keep us posted when you can 💃

Soonenough · 18/12/2025 13:55

I had hysterectomy at 39 but no regrets. My womb was causing me nothing but pain and problems . Removing it was the best thing ever . My life since has been pain free , no period , no ovulation pain and no raging hormones . My recovery period was not too bad . You won't feel restricted as you wont have the energy to want to waddle anywhere . But it definitely was an every day you feel better type of thing .

So glad your diagnosis has been relatively quick . Gives you time to prepare . I organised some meals , plenty of drinks , books , TV in bedroom and most importantly a regular cleaner . Which was still there 10 years later. Hope you have a peaceful Christmas 🎄 🎁

anyolddinosaur · 18/12/2025 14:13

The usual reason for putting in a mirena coil is to prevent the lining of the womb thickening. It releases levonorgestrel which is not oestrogen - that thickens the womb lining - but a type of progesterone. My knowledge doesnt extend to why they'd offer that instead of a full hysterectomy but the mirena reduces the risk of heavy bleeding. Since at least one ovary has cysts and there are multiple fibroids removing the lot is likely to be the safer course of action - but the NHS has no financial incentive to give you a bigger op than is essential, I'd also be asking hard questions of the private consultant about the advantages/ disadvantages of the extra intervention. Fibroids are not generally cancerous although they may contain cells that have a risk of becoming cancerous in time. Hence they usually get removed.

As they cant do keyhole surgery recovery will be slow. They usually reckon on 6-8 weeks for keyhole so it's obviously going to be more than that. Dont try to rush it.

Anyway you are not going to die but I regret to say the insurance costs for some of those bucket list things is going to be terrifying. Dont let that stop you, just dont plan to do them immediately.

Earlandmrsgrey · 18/12/2025 14:14

Fantastic news. As the ex-owner of Gary the sodding sarcoma on the pancreatic (but wasn't) cancer thread I wish you all the best for your surgery. I was cut from breast bone to pubis and the from belly button to left flank. This required 60 staples. Recovery was quicker than I anticipated but was left very internally battered and bruised and found I couldn't roll in my sleep due to this. I recommend a good wedge shaped support pillow for sleeping and general relaxing in bed whilst you get waited on! I was definitely a car passenger before 6 weeks...how else would I have got home?!

I was also very glad to have private health care. The NHS pretty much wouldn't have operated until my bowel was completely and utterly blocked instead of the almost completely blocked that it was when done privately.

Enjoy your Christmas

Sunshineismyfavourite · 18/12/2025 14:15

Do do do come on and join the conga! I'm joining in with you OP!

What a relief for you.

I had a full surgical hysterectomy at 46 due to some similarly bastardised things on my ovaries! One consultant said, let's just take the cysts and another said, let's take the lot.

I was 100% in the take the lot camp. It was fine and I recovered really well. Yes I went into menopause immediately but for me, it was a small price to pay to be rid of the constant worry/trauma/bleeding etc etc.

I'd suggest finding a decent understanding GP or a private one if you can afford it, and going for a menopause check a few months after your surgery. This was money well spent for me.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with the worry of this gone from you - to have that peace of mind back is the best thing! Good luck for the surgery and let us know how it all goes x

StrongandNorthern · 18/12/2025 14:54

C
Fan bloody tastic.
😘😘😘😘

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