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endometrial cancer - diagnosed yesterday

niklap
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Hi, not really sure where to start but here goes. A fortnight ago I had an ovarian cyst removed and a unilateral salpingo-oophantactomy (think that's how you spell it!) I got the call back to say they needed to see me and was not surprised when they diagnosed me with endometrial cancer. They think it is confined as the cyst and ovary were fine it was the endometrial tissue that was cancerous. Anyway I have to go back and have a hysterectomy and the other ovary removed, they'll be able to stage it then and know if I need chemo etc.this will send me into menopause but I cant have hrt as I'm only 40. I'm finding this all very difficult to cope with. I don't know if I'm mourning for the children I'll never have or the cancer I've got. I'm still not back at work from the last op and the next one is the 24th Nov. I'm supposed to return on monday but the prospect of that is just to much. I'm single, I live alone, I think i get a months full pay which I have almost used on the first op and now have the prospect of trying to manage a house on ssp. I have a sickness policy which covers just my mortgage but my cancer hopefully isn't advanced enough to claim on my decreasing mortgage cover. Its crazy.but I can't help worrying about what seems to be trivial things. I've told my family and close friends about my diagnosis they took it ok, lots of tears, I found myself comforting them, that makes me afraid to tell other people, god my head is swimming!!!

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    Hi nicklap I'm waiting for my diagnosis. I'm home at the moment as I'm recovering from the Hysteroscopy. I'm being made redundant so I feel like I'm at this cross roads waiting for someone to tell me which direction I should go in. But no one it there to point me where to go. It's good to keep talking about it. It's certainly helping me to connect with people on here. Give yourself sometime to take in what's happening. If you don't feel like going back in in Monday than give yourself a couple more days. You need to do what's best for you right now and give yourself time to assess. I can only imagine telling people is daunting. Keep reaching out to your family and friends and maybe talk to them about your concerns with mortgage and job and they may be able to support you. Hope your able to get advice and solice on these forums
  • Offline in reply to Monka

    Hiya monka

    thanks for your message, I keep going through these 'freak out' periods then calm myself down and rationalize things. I don't think I'm going to go back to work before my next surgery, I'm a nurse ld/ mental health and i don't think I can fully support anyone when I'm not mentally stable myself. I've always thought of myself as a strong person so its quite bizzare not being and not having any control over it. My family and friends are fantastic, I live in a small village and we are very much like the modern day Walton's so I know they will support me, and financially if needs be. I'm sorry to hear things are so tough for you. Redundancy is a traumatic experience at the best of times without the added trauma of test results. I'm a great believer that things happen for a reason which probably sounds ridiculous when your talking about cancer, but if I hadn't found Maude (my cyst) it could have been years before this was discovered and most definitely to late. I had a lovely oncology nurse yesterday who says there is a lot of financial help as well as the psychological support so maybe, although it might not feel like it, if god forbid you dont get the results your hoping for, the redundancy will give you the time you need to deal with whatever is ahead of you. I hope your results are better than expected and although things may feel a little like your lost at the moment there is always a rainbow at the end of the road. If we haven't got hope we haven't got anything take care and let me know how you get on,

    Nic x

  • Offline in reply to niklap

    HI I can understand how you feel about the freaking out bit I have been like that since I was given my diagnosis last Thursday I was diagnosed with kidney cancer with no symptoms they found it by accident whilst having a scan for another problem it's been a whirlwind couple of weeks I only made up my mind yesterday to go ahead with surgery to have part of my kidney REMOVED which will happen in the next couple of weeks it's good you have a close family who will give you lots of support I'm sure I wish you all the best and the best outcome you can possibly have I have been talking to a friend of mine today who used to be an A&E nurse and she sometimes talks to be with her nurses head on instead of her friends head on which sometimes dosnt HELP me if your like me I feel like this is happening to someone else not me

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    I am newly diagnosed with stomach cancer just five weeks ago I can relate to having to comfort others when telling others the news. I also can relate to the work issue Macmillan have helped me apply for PIP and have also helped with information about work related issues could you find out if they could help you ? . I start chemotherapy in a week's time I'm petrified.
  • Offline in reply to MOONSTONE
    Hi moonstone, I'm sorry to hear your story, I can only imagine how hard it was to make the decision to go ahead with the surgery. In a way I was lucky I didn't have to make any decision as there were no other treatment options, its confusing enough. The freaking out continues, I've been out for my mums birthday today and on the way home stopped off for some Yorkshire puddings, I couldn't find them and I was getting really upset, all I kept thinking was do you people not know I've got cancer, all I want is some Yorkshire puddings!!! It passed though, well until I had to speak to the doctors and say the c word out loud. I can also relate to the nurse thing, I'm the same, a lot of my friends are in the industry and they are all black/white, clinical, I'm putting off telling them. I really hope all goes well with your op and you also get the best possible outcome, good luck Nic x
  • Offline in reply to Abc

    Hi Abc,thanks for your message. So far the telling people has been harder than actually getting the diagnosis, people don't know what to say, they cry, I don't want them to, I just want a hug and for them to say there here if I need them. I have decided I'm not going to work between now and the 24th (my next op) I'm nowhere near acceptance and its not fair on the people I look after. I'm not going to worry about the money. Me and my sister are going to have 'practical' week next week and sort out the financial stuff, if worst comes to worse I know my family will help me but hopefully it won't come to that, I guess it depends on if the surgery gets the cancer or if I need longer off. I will ask the nurse about pip and other benefits thank you for your help, I wish you luck on your journey ahead and hope you get the best possible outcome

     

    Nic x

  • Offline in reply to niklap
    I was diagnosed with this Womb Cancer too ! Two years ago last week I had a hysterectomy and my surgeon was confident he had removed everything . I went on to have Chemo , Radiotherapy and Brachytherapy which all finished seven months later . Oh I went through all the hairloss , funny feelings like walking on cotton on wool , not sure what to eat etc but it was all worth while .And none of it was anywhere near as scary or as bad as I expected I am the biggest coward ever but with all the support and help i got I am here to tell my tale as you will too - love to you xxx
  • Offline in reply to kathleen60
    Hi there, I was diagnosed with womb cancer and had an hysterectomy 2 weeks ago. On friday I had to return to hospital as the cancer had gone into the outer muscle of the womb. I have been given 3 options and need to make a descion in 2 weeks. First option is to do nothing for 6 months and see what happens, Second is to have internal radiotherapy and Third is to have external radiotherapy. I am finding it very hard to make this decision, I have ruled out the first option but really don't know which of the other 2 too go for. If anyone has been through this all advice would be welcomed. Just don't know what to do!
  • Offline in reply to kathleen60
    Hi Kathleen, thank you so much for your lovely message its nice to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel. Now the initial shock is over I'm in practical mode, tell everyone else, sort work, sort mortgage etc. I've always been a glass half full kinda girl despite a lifetime of terrible luck haha, I'm scared but I'm strong. I'm already planning my sponsored great north swim when I'm cancer free haha. Good luck to you, here's to many years cancer free xxx
  • Offline in reply to TracyAnne

    Hi Traceyann, I'm sorry to hear the hysterectomy didn't get it and your going to need further treatment. I can only imagine what a difficult decision this is for you. I can therefore only tell you what I would probably do, I wouldn't leave it I'd want it out so either other options. I haven't looked at the pros/cons of either but I would think internal would be much more invasive and target that area so would-be more effective?? Good luck with whatever you decide and I hope you have a positive outcome, let me know how you get xxx

     

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