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 NB,

One of the worst things about health anxiety is that our fears make every twinge, ache and gurgle seem abnormal.  Believe me, I know! So the best thing you can do for yourself now is go to your appointments, find out what's going on and take it from there. If it is something, you can make a plan on how to attack it, if it is nothing, then you can move on. Knowing is so much better than worrying! Once you take control of your health you will find your anxieties will start to subside and become more manageable. Part of my fears were "what will the doctor think, it's been so long since I've been seen" or "what will they think of my not so healthy choices (used to smoke)". I found out the doctor didn't judge or lecture me at all, just wanted to make sure I received help and got myself taken care of.

I think I've described my personal symptoms in prior posts, so you could probably find them there. But l also agree with Minska, everyone is different so it is hard to compare symptoms to get answers. Make sure to come back and post how you are doing.

Laura xx

Hi,

I am doing well, thank you. It sounds like you are getting just about the same treatment plan that I did. You can do it. It's hard, it tires you out, makes you feel *** for a while, but you can do it. You'll come out on the other side and be able to put it behind you. I didn't have any lasting side effects. Take it one day, one appointment, one treatment at a time. Expect setbacks (I had a bout of low blood counts and had to delay treatment a couple of weeks), but don't let them defeat you. You got this!

Laura 

Hello,

Just wondering how you are doing. Hope everything is moving along well. 

Laura xx

Hi Laura,

My treatment starts on 3 August. I have finished work on holiday next week then treatment. Not planning on going away just going to have a relaxing week.

Still feeling fine physically, trying not to over think things plan to take it a day at a time.

Thanks for getting in touch will.keep you posted once treatment starts.

Hope you are well x

Hi All, 

I hope none of you mind me jumping on this thread.

I've had similar symptoms. Bleeding after sex, bleeding randomly when I'm not on my period, discharge and also back ache.

I am only 23 (no children) and I went to the doctors. I have discussed everything at length and because I am too young for a smear, he advised looking at my cervix. This was only on Friday. 

He did state that there is indeed something there and that he suspects it may be cancer. He has referred me for a second opinion given my age as a fast track/urgent referral.

I now have an appointment booked in for Thursday. The thought of having Cervical Cancer is one thing, but the possibility if having a full hysterectomy when I have no children is truly heartbreaking.  

I believe doctors are generally reluctant to use the word Cancer and the fact he has said so has truly made me worry.

I am hoping, if it is indeed Cervical Cancer, that it can be treated without a full hysterectomy and that I may still be able to have children in the future. 

I've come for any guidance or hope. I'm reluctant to discuss this in details with my parents and partner. They are aware of the situation but seeing them so upset is that last thing I wish. 

Thank you in advance. 

Hi,

Sorry to hear you are going through this. I know its not easy but try not to second guess things until you have had a proper diagnosis it could be lots of things.  If it does turn out to be cancer it may be very early stages and could well be resolved  without the a hysterectomy. Just  take one day at time. 

Hope things go ok on Thursday let us know how you get on.

Take care

AMF X

Hello, 

Thank you for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. 

It is the not knowing either way which is worse, as I am sure everyone on here has experienced.

Hopefully, it is as you said, something else. Or indeed in the early stages as you said. 

Thank you once again, x

Hello, 

I had my colposcopy on Thursday the 29th of July and I am currently waiting on the results. I know it has only been 1 week but the waiting is hard as it feels like everything has been put on hold until I know what is what. 

I am sincerely hoping it is something else altogether. However, I was having irregular bleeding, bleeding after sex, stomach pain the day after sex and also severe lower back ache. All the bleeding is very unusual for me as I have never experienced either previously. Also, I have been going to the bathroom far more frequently.

From reading the forums I know these are pretty common symptoms which is even more concerning. 

Hi Laura and

[@Minska]‍

Week one done no issues so far feeling fine eating and drinking OK, getting out for walk everyday.

I know things are likely to go downhill just glad the first week passed without any issues.

Hope you are both well.

AMF

Hello AMF

Good to hear from you and to know you’ve got the first week under your belt. The effects in my experience were cumulative, so I did fine for the first 2 weeks before the fatigue and everything else started. Some ladies sail through it all, so it is different for everyone, but you’ve just got to take it day by day. Hoping you continue to do well, and thanks for coming back with your update. x

Hi,

Glad things are going well! Keep moving forward but listen to your body and rest when you need to. I was pretty tired after treatments but I also had spent 10 days in the hospital prior to starting due to a bleeding event. They started radiation and chemo in the hospital  to stop the bleeding, so that was a good thing.  Keep us posted - you got this!

Laura x

Hi,

Glad things are going well! Keep moving forward but listen to your body and rest when you need to. I was pretty tired after treatments but I also had spent 10 days in the hospital prior to starting due to a bleeding event. They started radiation and chemo in the hospital  to stop the bleeding, so that was a good thing.  Keep us posted - you got this!

Laura x

Hi Laura and [@Minska]‍ 

I finished my treatment yesterday. 4 chemo didn't manage 5 as my platlets were too low. 25 radiotherapy and 3 brachytherapy. All in all I was pretty well throughout just a bit of heartburn twice and was pretty tired at the end.

I'm not going to lie the brachytherapy lying on your back not being able to move for 36 hours was tough my back hurt like mad. But the other parts were fine. I dreded the rod removal part but a couple of deep breaths and it was done.

Consultant said my tumour had reduced prior to the brachytherapy so that was good news. My tumour is adenocarcinoma and they don't react as quickly as squashamous cell so I was quite pleased. 

Next scan December until then it's rest and recuperation.

Hope you are both well xx

Hi AMF

Great to hear you are done! I only had 4 out of the 5 chemos too for the same reason as you. Mine was also adenocarcinoma but the good news is that radiotherapy keeps on working in your body after treatment is finished so just rest and recover now. Radiotherapy made me very tired! xx

Hi AMF,

Great news, glad you are through the treatments. I also only had 4 of 5 chemo treatments, same reason as you and Minska, low, low blood counts. Yes, the internal radiation is hard and very tiring, but you will bounce back eventually. Rest, do what you can when you feel up to it and keep us posted!

Laura xx

Hi Laura and [@Minska]‍ hope you are both well. I haven't posted for a while so thought I'd give you a quick update. 

Finished treatment for stage 2b adenocarcinoma in September  had first post treatment scan in November which showed reduction had second scan in February which showed a small area consultant said could be scar tissue  Inflammation or residual cancer as they all look the same on scan. He did not think biopsy was necessary so will rescan in 4 months if area still there and no change then will just leave things alone. 

Went back to work in December and have been feeling really well no issues at all I have been very lucky in that respect. I know this is a marathon not a sprint so I will.just continue moving forward. Going to book a nice holiday.

Take care xx

Hi AMF

Well done on being back at work and feeling well. Sorry your scan is still showing something. It’s hard for them to tell what it could be without a biopsy, but if there’s no change at your next scan that would sound hopeful it’s nothing to worry about. 

I hope you’re luckier than me-mine was residual cancer and spread really fast, so I was glad after the scan they did a biopsy to make sure. I had no symptoms and felt really well.

I booked a holiday when I was NED after my first treatments-the day I came home from the appointment telling me treatment had been successful. Go for it and enjoy! xx

Thanks Minska, 

I thought they might do a biopsy when I asked about it he said he would if he was concerned he said that biopsies can cause ulcers and infections which can be difficult to deal so would only do this if he felt it was necessary. The grade of cancer is grade 1 so slow growing so if it is residual cancer it hopefully won't grow  too much. He showed me all my scans from the first to the last and its amazing the difference the treatment has made. During it I was never up nor down which is strange when my body was going through so much

 But for now it's back to waiting but this has now become part of life for me and will continue to be for many years to come.

Hope you are well, I  pop.on every now and then it's great to see your still proving support and information to all the women however at the same time it's sad that so many women are still.being diagnosed. 

Take care xx

Hi AMF

It’s  amazing you never had any effects from treatment, but it must have made everything much easier for you to get through.

Yes, waiting becomes such a feature in our lives after diagnosis doesn’t it-always seem to be waiting for something! But I find it best just to get on with life and try to put any negative thoughts out of my head. No point in spending life worrying.

Hopefully the vaccine will see a big reduction in future diagnoses. It’s already having a big impact on younger women, which is great news. 

Hope you’ll keep popping back on here, and also hope you get a nice holiday booked! xx

Hi AMF,

Glad you are post treatment and on the mend. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Laura xx

Hi Laura and [@Minska]‍ Hope you are both doing well. It's exactly a year to the day that I started treatment and I had my third follow up appointment today scan shows no sign of cancer and internal examination everything looks normal. It's been a long journey as first two scans showed up something not sure if residual cancer, scar tissue or inflammation. Today all clear no sign of disease. I have been very lucky no side effects at all been back working full time for 9 months feel really good. I am grateful for the support and guidance that you both gave to me.

Take care xx

Hi, 

 I'm glad you are doing well! Please take care and let us know if you have any questions as time passes and you heal. 

Laura xx