Hi Laura. 

I keep seeing replies from you on many posts. It's very reassuring.

I am 26, I have two children 9 and 5. My periods have always been weird due to being on the implant. But I think in December it lasted a few days longer than normal. Fast forward to this month, I had my period as normal. It lasted around 10 days which is normal, then 4 days later I started bleeding again and bled for a week. Classed as spotting as it was never enough to wear a pad or anything. I phone my GP, explained everything and she didn't seem too worried. She booked me in for my first smear (haven't had one due to Covid) and also said she'd take some swabs 'to be on the safe side' (don't know what they're for?) 

Since speaking to her I've noticed I have lower back pain in a morning which eases off throughout the day. I have groin pain pretty much constantly, it's just a dull ache and I also noticed I had stomach cramps the day after having sex. Te cramps were pretty painful. They eased off in the evening. 

I don't have any smelly discharge, no bleeding during or after sex, no bloating, I'm not off my food and I don't think I've noticed any changes in bowel movement either.. 

Just looking for some reassurance really. My smear is booked for 10th March but I'm ringing to ask if they can bring it forward. I'm due on on the 10th march and all this worry is really affecting me. 

Hi, sorry I didn't see your post until now! I hope you are doing well and you've found out what is going on. At your young age I wouldn't think your issues would be cancer related but it is always good to follow up and keep tabs on things.  Please message me if you need to. 

Laura xx

Oh good! The problem with any opioid is the constipation so it’s a constant battle to balance pain relief and being able to go to the loo. Personally, I found stool softeners useful and less harsh than an actual laxative but keeping things regular is the main thing, otherwise it’s miserable. So long as the pain easing, that’s the main thing. xx

Sorry I have another question .  How long does it usually take from diagnosis to starting treatment.  I know I'm stage 2 possible node involvement.  The waiting is draining me.  I was diagnosed on or around the 3rd October.  Thanks 

For me it was 6 weeks or so, from mid September diagnosis to starting treatment in the November. Compared to other ladies that honestly was very typical..some were slight longer. The waiting to start is horrible...but I’m assuming you’ll be having chemo and radiotherapy so there will need to be a planning scan for the radiotherapy, and getting the tattoos for radio. All the planning is what takes the time...xx

The waiting is torture.  I need a pet scan and appointment with my consultant next, my CNS is on it and chasing them every day  hopefully get some news soon.  Will be having chemo and radiotherapy and think brachytherapy too Xx

Ah, I didn’t need a pet scan at my diagnosis. Just the mri and ct but I didn’t have node involvement. All the waiting is an absolute nightmare, I know, when you just want to get on. The stage would go to 3 if there’s lymphnode involvement, but chemo, radio and brachytherapy is standard treatment whether it’s stage 2 or 3, so that won’t differ. The pet-scan is putting an extra stage into the waiting process for you, but they need to know everything precisely to plan the radiation and exactly where it will be going. Hang in there! The waiting seems endless at this point. xx

Thank you, I'm trying to be patient but it's not working very well for me lol.  Will keep yous updated xx

I’ll give you a little piece of advice based on my experience and something that held things up for me. When you go for your radiotherapy planning scan, make sure your bowel is empty! No-one told me, and when I went for mine, they wouldn’t do it because my bowel as apparently too full. So a wasted 3 hour round trip to the hospital and I was sent away with suppositories and had to make another appointment. Such a simple thing, but some advice in advance would have saved me another trip and more delays. xx

So today I've called the cancer hospital off my own back to see what's going on with my appointments, well, apparently the referrals from the MDT have never went over and the doctor I'm meant to be getting an appointment has never been told I'm a patient.  The MDT was 2 weeks ago.  Appt for PET scan has also not been requested.   Anyone else had anything similar.  Can tell now that the nurse knew yday but just didn't tell me.  I'm nearing the 62 day mark as was diagnosed 5th Oct but the doctor had seen it on the 23rd Sep when I went for Lletz.  I don't know what to do, I don't want to be arguing and don't have any energy but I feel if it's already stage 2 possibly 3 then why are we not doing anything yet.  

Oh my goodness, that’s very poor communication on their behalf. However, a delay is not likely to change things as regards treatment, and it’s not likely things will get any worse during the wait. It’s not acceptable though and you shouldn’t have to be chasing up things yourself. It’s not uncommon to wait 2 or 3 months for treatment and I know we feel things should be happening quickly, but it doesn’t always happen as quick as we’d want it to. I hope everything is in place now for the next steps to happen? This must be making everything extra stressful for you, xx

Thanks for the advice.  I've spoke with 4 different people today and things are moving.  It had been an error that I wasn't referred and was sent for a CT instead of PET scan, but all sorted out now thankfully.  PET scan on Monday and appt with oncologist will be here in next couple of days hopefully.  I will call on Monday if it's not in the mail by then.  Xx

Thanks for the advice.  I've spoke with 4 different people today and things are moving.  It had been an error that I wasn't referred and was sent for a CT instead of PET scan, but all sorted out now thankfully.  PET scan on Monday and appt with oncologist will be here in next couple of days hopefully.  I will call on Monday if it's not in the mail by then.  Xx