It definitely helps once you know your plan. I felt like it gave me back some control when everything up till then had been out of control. And it gives you a clear focus because you know at the start when all your treatments will be. 

For radiotherapy you’ll need to go in for a planning scan before your treatment starts. The scan will show the team exactly where the treatment needs to be targeted and you will have tiny tattoos done on your skin so that the radiographers can line you up in the right/same place for every treatment. 

Waiting for things to happen or results to come in is the very hardest thing...it’s so difficult when you just want to know everything straight away! 

At the post treatment check up which I had recently there was a chat to see how I was, had my side effects gone, then she did an internal examination with her finger followed by the speculum and a good look! At some point during or after your treatment you will be given dilators to use to ensure that subsequent internal exams are comfortable, as radiotherapy treatment to that area can cause the tissues to stick together and make it difficult to have anything inserted. I had no issues and it wasn’t at all uncomfortable to be examined. Didn’t have any issues with the dilators either as it happens! xx

Tattoos I can cope with as I’ve got two! I’m being told that the same day I meet oncologist I’ll be having a planning session too but nothing has been confirmed yet! 

I think the thought of things post treatment also fills me with dread! I’m not worried about using the dilators etc but the thought of a lifetime of dryness, fibres sticking together and making the simplest of examinations difficult is just horrifying! I really need to get my anxiety in check I think xx 

Yes-rein in the anxiety and take one thing at a time-I think that makes it easier to cope with stuff. I have absolutely no sticking together or dryness-everything is exactly as it was before  

It shouldn’t take long to get going with your treatment once your planning is done.xx

Well I suppose that is a definitely a positive! I’d like for as much of me to remain as is post all of this too!! I hope it won’t take too long to get going as I just want to get it over with! 

Ive never suffered with anxiety before but this has taken the wind right out of my sails and I seem to get worried about the smallest of things. I’m taking every day as it comes but sometimes that’s too much. Have you ever suffered with during this whole time?  X

The day I first went to the doctor about my symptoms I spoke about anxiety and have been on tablets ever since! In fact I’ve just been out picking up my repeat prescription this afternoon. I spoke to my doctor again after my diagnosis was confirmed and she thought it would be useful to stay on the tablets while everything was going on.

i have to say I have found this very helpful. But it doesn’t remove the anxiety...just makes it manageable. If I’m very anxious for example in the run up to a scan then I’ll do a mindfulness app on my phone called Headspace. I find that really works on calming me. I hate the feeling of my mind running away with me and getting so anxious I feel I can’t breathe. I suffered from panic attacks for a time many years ago and didn’t want things to get that bad again. xx

That’s exactly how I feel some days where my mind is just running away from me and I can’t seem to get a grasp on anything. It’s not too bad when I’m busy or occupied but I find it worse when I’ve got time to dwell on things. I’m seeing my gp tomorrow so will have a chat with her about it all. I will have a look at that app too as I’m willing to try anything that will potentially help in the long run xx 

I’m finding sleeping at night difficult at the moment...I’m wide awake and my mind is racing. I have used a sleep app in the past, so am going to find that again and I have also bought some lavender stuff that you roll on your wrists which encourages sleep. Being on blood thinning tablets and anxiety tablets I don’t want to be taking sleeping tablets too! I’d prefer to find some natural methods. 

Mindfulness makes you live in the moment, so the Headspace app is simple little exercises which really make you focus on the now. That helps me, so hope it helps you too. xx

Lavender bath salts are supposed to be good at relaxing you before bed too, so might be worth looking into that to help with sleeping. My little boy wakes usually at least once still so it’ll be interesting how we cope with it when I’m ok treatment xx  

Hi both,

i just wanted to thank you for being so honest about you condition. I feel like I have just learnt so much laying in my bed. 

I was diagnosed with stage 2 endemtrial and cervical cancer in January this year. It’s been crazy. I’m only 30 and don’t have kids so for me it’s been and continues to be a devastating diagnosis. 

My treatment is consisting of a full hysterectomy which takes place next Friday and I am terrified. I couldn’t have anything saved as it’s all bad down there, but I tell myself I’m a parent to hundreds of kids as I’m a teacher. 

I haven’t let myself think about the radiotherapy or chemo yet so it was nice to read your experiences and feel a little better prepared. 

Can I ask, how did your families cope with your diagnosis? 

Nicola x

Hi, 

im glad we could be of some help for you! I’m just sorry we have all found ourselves in this horrible predicament! Hopefully your operation goes well and you recover quickly! 

I don’t think my family is coping very well but they are putting on a brave face. We lost my sister in law 6yrs ago to intrauterine cancer that was misdiagnosed as fibroids so it’s abit like history repeating itself for us. My husband is especially finding it hard. I’ve asked for counselling through my CNS and I’ve suggested he seeks some out through work/gp as it’s going to be a long time before life will have any sense of normality to it once I start treatment etc x