Hello SammyK1010,

A very warm welcome to Cancer Chat. You are indeed very young to be diagnosed with cancer and I can imagine it is hard to get your head around what is happening. It must have hit you hard as a family and it's normal to worry about the children especially with your youngest being autistic. Our website has information you might be interested in having a look at on talking to children about cancer where I hope you will find some good tips. It mentions for example that before you tell them, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor, nurse or counsellor as they can help you prepare what to say and how to answer any questions your child might have. I have also found this page on talking to children and teenagers and if you scroll down you will find a section there on talking to children with additional needs which gives good advice on using communication styles that your child is comfortable with. Get in touch too with the National Autistic Society which has information on helping children prepare for change. 

Regarding your treatment, I thought I would share with you our information on cervical cancer and in particular on treatment for cervical cancer including on chemotherapy and radiotherapy . We also have a section on chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer if you are having chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment together. It is normal to be apprehensive about treatment and its possible side effects like hair loss or early menopause and it can all be rather daunting so don't hesitate to talk things through with one of our cancer nurses and to ask any questions that spring to your mind. You can call them on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Have a look too at our information on menopausal symptoms and cancer treatment which I hope you will find useful. 

I remember coming across another thread perhaps six months ago from someone whose wife was experiencing early menopausal symptoms as a result of treatment for cervical cancer - you can read Shy27 's thread 'Coping with early menopause after radical hysterectomy and radiotherapy'  and feel free to respond if you would like to. The Menopause Charity is another good resource to bear in mind so don't hesitate to get in touch with them too for guidance and support. I also wanted to mention P3GRU who is a member of a similar age to you with also two children who was diagnosed with cervical cancer and you can read more about her story in this thread. 

I hope this helps a little and that I will be joined by others on the forum who have had a cervical cancer diagnosis and who understand what you are currently going through. 

Best of luck with your treatment next week. I hope that it all goes well for you and that you will find on this forum some support and encouraging words from our community. 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hey. 

I am 38 and just had the all clear from stage 1 cervical cancer, so I can relate a little to how you're feeling. I also have two children, one of which is autistic. I chose not to tell my kids until I absolutely had to, no point worrying them. It was hard enough for me to accept, I couldn't even talk about it out loud without crying, once I knew what the plan was I told them. 

I know my diagnosis shook me to the core and even now I'm still recovering mentally ( I only got the all clear a few days ago). I had a hysterectomy but kept my overies, so I can't relate or advise on the menopause symptoms (but it was something I feared before I knew I was keeping my overies). 

I don't think there is any right or wrong way to deal with these things. Anything you're feeling is valid. Allow yourself to cry, scream -  whatever feels right for you. I know I feared the worse, I cried everyday and the waiting for tests/results etc felt like absolute torture. 

Try your best to stay positive, modern medicine and the advancement in knowledge/skills regarding cancer is phenomenal. What they know and what they can do is amazing. You will get through this. 

I wish you all the luck in the world. Happy to answer any questions about my experience, although my journey would've been different from yours.

Claire