Cervical Cancer

Hello -

I was diagnosed with stage 2A cervical cancer 3 years ago.  I had 26 rounds of external and 6 rounds of internal radiation along with chemo.  Due to a bleeding event prior to my diagnosis I was not able to have surgery. I know how scary a diagnosis can be, the treatments,waiting for results,  the recovery.  If anyone would like to ask me questions about my experiences, please do so. Obviously everyone's cancer is different and only doctor can give medical advice,  but sometimes it helps to talk to someone who's been through it.

Prayers to all that are facing this disease.

Laura P.

Parents Reply Children
  • I was stage 2b, and Laura was stage 2a. x

  • Hi minska I was in pain last week with period like cramps but since the antibiotics have kicked in for the infection in the cervix the pain has really eased just a slight ache in the bone above the vagina I'm not bleeding all the time just a spot about twice a week, so I'm holding on to that hope it couldn't have gone far, although she said it did look like high risk x could I ask if they know the grade after the biopsy or the scans x

  • Hi Dawnann

    The nurse saying something looks high risk doesn’t mean it’s necessarily cancer. A biopsy confirms whether something is cancer or not, and grade refers to the level of abnormality in the cells. The stage of the cancer is determined from scans, and the size, location and spread of the tumour-I’m assuming you are asking how the stage is established? The stage will determine the appropriate treatment plan.  x

  • Thank you that makes things clearer xx

  • Good morning minska, I'm so scared I've been crying for days while I'm waiting for these biopsy results, could you run me through your symptoms please, it really helps to talk, I'm frightened it's gone past the stage of no help even though my symptoms are very mild, you never know x

  • Morning Dawnann

    I’m sorry you’re getting yourself in such a state about this, without a diagnosis yet. I was post menopausal, so my symptoms are going to be different to someone who isn’t. I said to a previous poster that I don’t think it’s very helpful to compare symptoms, especially as you are so anxious. I’m not here to frighten anyone further or help them to self diagnose-I’d rather be positive along the lines of no news is good news! Until someone tells you that you have cancer, it isn’t cancer.

    Let me first reassure you that there is no stage where there is no help. You seem to be already writing yourself off here! Even advanced cancer is treatable, and I am not for a moment suggesting you have advanced cancer or even cancer. The nurse has already told you that she believes what she saw is something treatable, so I honestly think you should hold onto positive statements like that.

    The mild symptoms you are experiencing are not indicative of advanced cervical cancer-I know what that feels like because I’ve experienced it and it’s very tough. You will only scare yourself further reading horror stories and I really don’t think that would be helpful for you. I just don’t want to be a source of further anxiety for you-it’s not that I’m not trying to help, but if you’ve been crying for days already it wouldn’t be useful to make that even worse for you. We have all had to wait it out for biopsy results and it’s not easy, but personally I didn’t make any assumptions until the doctor told me my diagnosis. From then on, I adopted a positive mindset, and was determined to be well. Tomorrow is 3 years from my diagnosis, and I’m here enjoying life! I don’t want to minimise your fear in any way as I understand it, but you don’t know what’s wrong yet, so try not to overthink everything at this stage.x

     

     

     

  • Thank you so much, every bit of groin pain, a twinge in my back and even going for a wee I'm focusing on and then I'm on google and it's becoming an obsession, hopefully I can adopt your positive mind set when I know for sure x

  • I didn’t go on google at all...it’s honestly a way to drive yourself crazy with fear. I’m so glad I didn’t when I see how it affects others on the forum..thinking all sorts of awful things. When it comes  to symptoms, what I can say is that having cancer is painful, so try not to overthink twinges. And I would recommend not googling without a diagnosis, because you’ll honestly make yourself feel more anxious. I’m just trying to advise as someone who has been through this cancer twice twice now, and from learning so much along the way. x