Thanks Laura, 

That's the reason I stated I am on anti depressants, I know how easily it is to trick my mind

I will head back to the doctors and try and speak to the nurse there, i have had my bloods done many times, is that what you mean by a complete blood work up? 

I will keep you updated, and thanks for being a support to me and others in the group 

Best wishes

Hi,

I just meant bloodwork that shows your white and red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hemacrit,platlets, etc. My oncologist checked that stuff every week, before I could have chemo.

Laura xx

I don't mind you asking. I didn't have pain during sex but did have occasional bleeding. I had waited so long to go to the doctor I am not sure what my cervix looked like. I didn't have pain until a week/days before my diagnosis, and then it was quite bad, lower right side, groin area. I had night sweats/couldn't sleep, was incredibly tired and could not walk very far at all without becoming exhausted.I kind of had a pressure or a cramping feeling all the time, too, that made me thing my period was going to start, but it never did, at the end.  One thing I remember is that when I finally did go to the doctor and she looked at my cervix, she said she was 99% sure it was cancer. I should also mention that I was 48 at the time, so pre-menopausal, I guess. Just keep following up with all your appointments, maybe see a counselor to help with the fear/health anxieties. Let me know how you are doing.

Laura xx

Ok thank you 

Hi Laura,

I hope you don't mind me messaging you but of all the experiences on here yours resonated with me the most.

I basically have the symptoms you are describing, I am literally out of my mind with worry and anxiety and wondering how I can muster up the strength to deal with what's around the corner.

I have been told by my GP via a phone appointment that my symptoms are heavy menopause bleeding, I tried to explain to her that I feel awful, have no energy, fatigue is off the chart etc. I also have low lying pelvic pain and a burning, stinging sensation.

I went to the surgery yesterday for a smear test and insisted that I be booked in for a full vaginal examination. Will the GP be able to see anything sinister at this appointment do you think. The nurse yesterday said she couldn't see anything.

I just feel so wretched, crazy where your mind takes you. Feel I have let my son down as he is extremely scared as well.

Thank you for listening, any advice or support you can give would be so appreciated.

Hope you are well.

Thank you,

Sam

Hi Sam,

So sorry for the delay in responding. I think that you are doing the right thing getting checked out, that is the only way to put the worries to rest. If it is something, you are on your way to getting through it and if not, you can relax and deal with your symptoms. My doctor was able to see the tumor when she did a pelvic exam/colposcopy. She told me then that she was 99 percent sure it was cancer. However, everyone is different and unfortunatley our "symptoms" can be from other causes. So, we have to follow up, get the tests and go from there. Try to take it one appointment at a time, stay off google and if you need to talk, feel free to message me privately, I hope all goes well.

Laura xx

Hi Laura,

I was wondering if you or if there's anyone else who has been through cervical cancer could give me some advice? I'm out of my mind with worry. I recently lost my mum to ovarian cancer a couple of months ago, and O noticed around Sept last year I started having lower abdominal pain on the left side, some days worse than others. It's been like an achy pain or sometimes a period type pain. Due to taking care of her and also my own anxiety, I only spoke to a doctor in Feb. They sent me for blood tests which I had in March that came back normal, I also had a CA125 result of 25 which is within normal. I'm due an ultrasound next month as well as a smear test (I'm 37 and never had a smear before - I was told by a Dr about 12 years ago that because I'm gay I didn't need one - yes I know it's stupid). I have always had issues with sometimes missing periods for months at a time over the years, but in Feb started having bloody/brown discharge on and off, which I've never had before. My period finished on Apr 3rd, then had discharge between 12th to 15th, then had more yesterday. It doesn't smell funny to me. I was originally worried about ovarian cancer because of my mum, but I'm now thinking it might be cervical cancer. I really feel it is 'some kind' of gynaecological cancer, but I am petrified of having to have any surgery or chemo/radiation etc. What other symptoms did you have and can I ask how long these went on for? I am scared mine has been left too long now since Sept :(

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading x

Hi Minska,

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm sorry you have had to go through this terrible disease, but you sound like an absolute fighter!

I am just very worried as I'm pretty sure it is going to be cancer. I always seem to have bad luck (I'm really not an optimistic person unfortunately). They always say that you know your own body, and I've never had discharge issues/pain before. It was strange also as when I booked the smear test, the receptionist woman said the nurse might not even do it because I haven't had a reminder letter ‍♀️ which seems ridiculous to me as I told her I had symptoms and was already going for a scan. I don't have a lot of faith in the system to be honest as my mum was greatly let down with treatment options.

Are you able to answer me something? I was just wondering through a lot of posts I've read that with cervical cancer the first course of action seems to be chemo and radiotherapy? I assumed that they would want to remove it surgically prior to that? I'm just curious as to why that seems to be the case for many people.

All the best and take care  x

Hello again

The first line of treatment is dependent on the stage of the cancer. Surgical removal can only happen at stage 1 normally, and sometimes stage 2a, but beyond that it’s not an option. 

Very early stage cancer, stage 1a1 for example which is tiny, may be removed by a Lletz or cone biopsy, and early stage beyond that (still stage 1 though) you are typically looking at a radical hysterectomy, which is not the same as a total or simple hysterectomy in that it removes more. I was stage 2b, so surgery was not an option and I went straight to chemo radiation. It’s not safe to attempt surgery at that stage due to the risk of spread. 

Radiation is the main treatment...typically around 25 daily sessions and chemo is a low dose of a drug called Cisplatin done once a week for around 5 sessions at the same time as radiotherapy. But each person‘s treatment is tailored to them individually, so is not identical for all. The chemo doesn’t cause hairloss, which I assumed it would! Like I say, it’s a low dose because radiotherapy is key. 

I’m sorry you felt let down by the medical system, but you know your body best and if you feel something isn’t right, it’s best to have it all checked. I will say something though-it’s amazing the strength you find to deal with a cancer diagnosis in my opinion. And having a positive mindset is really helpful. I used to consider myself not optimistic at all and always anticipated the worst, but that changed with my diagnosis and it really does help to keep positive thoughts! Let’s hope you’re not faced with that though!

I’m happy to try and help if you have any questions at all about things. I’ve been through a lot of treatment. x