Hi Aimee

I was diagnosed with Endometrial cancer last September but mine was found in the sample cells after I had my hysterectomy. Mind you what has happened since I could write a book.

Your Mum will have been given Do's and Dont's followng her surgery and it is very important that she sticks to these (like no driving and no lifting etc).  It also depends on what type of surgery she had I had external which meant I had a horizontal cut (rather long because they also repaired an abdominal hernia) so there will be some healing time for that.

I had chemo before radiotherapy but as everyones case is different they may give your Mum radio first.

The main thing is to ask questions write them down and take a list when she sees the doctor before tretamnet starts.

I also made a diary - every day of how I was feeling once the treatment started so that I began to recognise the pattern of bad days during the chemo and also I could let the doctors know during my review.  I had such pain in my feet and legs they reduced the dose of one of the chemicals.  Again not everyone had the same symptoms.  I was never sick and managed quite well inbetween treatments.  I had Chemo every three weeks one drug was for 3 hours and the second 1 hour but with all the premeds and flushing through I was always there for hours.  Some women went every week having a 1 hour drug and then every third week had the second drug so again it depends on how her "team" decided to treat her.  She will lose her hair (unless she opts for the "cold cap") but you can get really good wigs on the NHS so ask about it.  I was treated at Christies in Manchester and they have a wig shop in the hospital. Also as her treatment seems as if it will be over the winter hats are good I already had quite a few (being hat mad) but I bought a couple of thin ones to wear in the house - I really did not suit bald.

On the Radiotherapy I had 20 sessions so went 5 days a week.  Again this will depend on your Mums case.  It did effect my bowels and I could never be far from a toilet but I was perscribed medication and told to go on a low fibre diet - again not everyone is effected as bad.

I was 58 when I had all this and had taken early retirement earlier in the year so I did not have to worry about work. If your Mum does work she needs to ask advice from the doctors as both tretaments can be very tiring but again I know of peaple who carried on working just taking time of for the treatment.

The best advice I can give is to stay posative try and get fresh air - little walks evey day, listen to what the doctors and nurses say write it down if you need to, dont feel that you are being a neusance, ask as many questions as you want.  Dont google but check out this web site and the Mcmillans site as they have some good booklets.  Let friends and family help with practical things like lifts to the hospital.  I am a talker so anyone who asked got told I am having treatment for cancer, If your Mum prefers not to then thats also fine but you will be surprised how many people have , have had or know someone who has had cancer once you mention it.

I was diagnosed as stage 4B as my cancer had spread but on my last scan it was all clear and I went to see the Consultant last Friday and his word were "you are doing really great".  I am now on the check ups for the next five years so keeping fingers crossed.

Sorry for such a long winded reply hope this helps.

River