Hi Jolamine and Marlyn

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. My partner was getting a bit annoyed with the registrar today, asking why no-one could ever say anything positive. Poor woman had her mouth opening and shutting like a goldfish, not knowing what to say! I guess they just never want to commit to anything, and I get that. She said that she likes to encourage ladies when she sees them after radiotherapy to say well done for getting through. I just would have liked some encouragement...but at least she used my name today which is something my consultant has never done even once in the last few months. I just have to accept that the medics are not going to give anything away.

I am going to focus on this area at the side being tiny. I have always been concerned that the tumour was growing into the vaginal wall, but this may just be scar tissue after 32 radiotherapy treatments. I will also focus on her saying my cervix looked normal, and the fact that I had no discomfort or bleeding being examined. 

Gosh, this is hard, but you know that ladies. The toughest thing probably any of us ever have to deal with. I’ve lost both my parents to cancer, and my twin sister to heart disease so I always knew I probably didn’t come from a great set of genetics! But I am very positive normally and I will get that positivity back. It’s rare I let any negative thoughts take root so I will work hard again to turn this round. 

I really appreciate the support ladies-you’ve made me feel better, so thank you for that. xxx

I am no longer new, but I read my first post here again today and thought I would update...I remember how worried I was when I was last posting in this thread and I hope someone might take some hope from an update. . My MRI showed I had a complete radiological response to treatment, and on 2nd April I was told I was NED. 

I got my holiday to Lanzarote in May, had a week in Krakow in the summer and am currently in Bali for 2 weeks. I never thought I’d be on a plane again! I had some dark times, some tears, but I told myself every single day when I got up that I would be well again, even when I thought treatment would break me completely. I imagined the chemo and radio destroying my tumour while I had treatment-actually visualised it. A doctor told me he sees a big difference during treatment and recovery amongst patients who are positive and I remembered that. I have 2 daughters and I want to see grandchildren! 

I won’t pretend treatment was a breeze because it wasn’t and I was very ill. I still have some issues...and problems with my hips and back post radio mean I sometimes walk with a stick. But I’m here in the sunshine of Bali and grateful for every moment. Stay strong, stay positive, recognise you will have bad days.. but my main message is keep going! xx

Hi Minska,

Thank you for your update. It is so great to hear that all the struggles you had with treatment were worth it in the end. I am absolutely delighted to hear that you have had such a good result from your treatment.

For someone who never thought that they'd be on a plane again, it sounds as if you are doing well. What better place to celebrate this news than on Bali? I hope that you are enjoying your holiday and, that you continue to keep well and, that you will be here to see those grandchildren arrive - there's no better medicine than spending time with them.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thank you-I remember how you welcomed me when I first joined here and I was so grateful. I can’t quite believe everything that’s happened although I’m a realist and know this may be just a reprieve!  But I am always so relaxed in Bali-I sleep well, and I find my mind settles. It’s peaceful and spiritual and I think of it as my happy place, always being drawn back here despite the long journey.

i hope I see those grandchildren and have as much fun with them as my mum had with my girls. Thank you so much for your good wishes. xx

Hi Jolamine

You are absolutely right! I wake up glad for every day and enjoy each one. I’m lucky to have been able to travel and am enjoying all the sights, sounds and colours of different countries. xx

Hi Minska,

We either lie down and give in to cancer, or we fight it with every fibre in our being. I intend to fight it until my last breath.

You are lucky to be able to travel and to see all the wonderful sights in our world. Do you have any problem getting travel insurance?

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

My partner has travel insurance through her bank account which covered me worldwide prior to my diagnosis. We had to cancel our holiday last year-diagnosed on the date of travel which was very bad timing. Lloyds paid out everything within 14 days minus a £50 excess on the basis of confirmation from my consultant of my diagnosis. 

When I went to Lanzarote in May, I was just short of 6 months out of treatment with a NED result. They covered everything but the cancer. By the time I went to Krakow in August they confirmed I was covered for everything including cancer with no increase in premium which I thought was astonishing! We told them everything...treatment, embolism, results but the only thing they were concerned about was that I was no longer undergoing treatment. Now I’m in Bali and fully covered. I really couldn’t quite believe it, but they have been very good and I’ve been really impressed with them. 

I am dreading the flights home today as I’ve had 3 falls since I’ve been here and got a few bashes! I walk with a stick sometimes because of hip pain, but ironically my hip is fine and my ribs have taken a bashing slipping on the marble floor in the hotel bathroom! No idea how I’ll manage to get my compression socks on! 

I almost wanted to give up when my consultant talked about a pelvic exenteration, but that feeling only lasted a couple of hours. Then I pulled my big girl pants up and decided I would not let this beat me, no matter what I had to go through. Got my positive head back on and fought back with everything I had. I will continue in that vein...I have a lot of living to do! A doctor at my gp practice said my positivity would be a huge help in treatment and recovery and he sees much better results from those who remain positive. I held onto that. xx

Hi Minska,

It sounds as if you have been very fortunate with your insurance company.  I too am absolutely amazed that you have had no increase in your premiums. I asked because my brother-in-law died recently in Malaysia and we couldn’t get insurance to travel to his funeral. We can only get cover for Europe, as my husband has heart failure and have a number of additional medical problems.

I’m sorry to hear about your falls, but thank goodness that nothing is broken. I use 2 sticks or a walker to get around and use a mobility scooter for shopping, etc. The good news is that we can still get around, albeit with the help of aids.

I hope that your flight home went well. Your doctor is so right about your positivity and I’m glad to hear that you have reclaimed this and are back in the ring again. Life is for living and, we only get one chance at it, so we are as well to live it to the full whatever challenges it throws at us along the way.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx