Cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment

Hi there ! 
 

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in February 2020 , after 18 months of doctors not listening to me . 
I had smears and biopsies done in 2018 and 2019 and all came back I was fine . 

I haven't had my cancer staged as yet , however I know I have a 5 Cm tumour on my cervix and from my MRI it doesn't look like it's spread anywhere else . 
I now start radiotherapy and chemotherapy this week and I'm extremely nervous that after my treatment I still will have cancer . 
I have 5 children the youngest is two years old . 
I'm just nervous and wanted to voice it and see if anyone else felt the same ? 
 

My friends and family say 'you'll be fine !' Or 'your so young , you'll get better ' but I'm now petrified . 
 

Love  to hear someone else is feeling a similar type of way . 
 

Emma xx 
 

  • Hi. My name is Zoe i got diagnosed in october 2019 with Stage IIB grade 2 squamous cell cancer of the cervix with possible obturator node. I had radiotherapy and chemotherapy which finished on 24th December 2019. I have 3 children 7, 11, 13 and im 36 also have started early meopause from the treatment. I saw my consultant in february and got told its still there but shrinking i have a MRI om 17th march to see whats going on which im very nervous about. The radiotherapy team and chemo team are amazing make you feel at ease and can talk to them about anything. Not lie its not easy but just try to stay positive and stong and you will be ok.xxx

  • Hi Zoe 

    Many thanks on responding to me and telling me your story . 
     

    What is happening to you now , is my worry . 
     

    Do you have a plan in place for what's next for you ? What are your options ? 
     

    Did you also have the rods inserted inside for localised treatment ? How was that ? 
     

    Emma xx

  • Hi Emma,

    I was diagnosed with stage 2A cervical cancer in November of 2012. I had 4 rounds of chemo (was supposed to have 5 but my blood counts dropped too low), 26 rounds of external and 6 rounds of internal radiation. I did not have a hysterectomy. I got though it by focusing on one day, one treatment, one test, one result at a time. Expect setbacks but don't let them defeat you. Talk to your radiation nurse, mine was a life saver for me. She helped me through alot of my fears and put things in perspective when I was worrying. Good luck to you; keep us posted.

    Laura xx

  • Hi Emma,

    Since my treatment iv had alot of discharge so much i have to wear pads everyday my cosultant said its just the tumor breaking away . Got alot of aches and pains and tiredness still im back at work took 3 months off as treatment was too much but only on light duties, had a very weak bladder and bowel straight after treatment but that is coming back to "normal" slowly. Havent got any plans in place only to see menopause clinic and a phyiso need to see my consultant on 23rd to get the results from my MRI. Yes i had brachytherapy were they place rods inside you into the tumor and u have to stay on your back for almost 2days while they do radiotherapy 3 times a day, it didnt hurt was just uncomfortable.xxx

  • Hi Emma,

    So sorry to hear about your diagnosis- my mother also had cervical cancer. May I ask what chemotherapy you are having? 

    It is normal to feel very nervous and petrified, I wish you all the best. 

    Nathan.

  • Hi laura 

     

    thanks for your reply , yeah you are right , I should just take it one day at a time . This is what I will try and do . 
     

    Emma 

  • Hi Zoe 

    I'm glad everything is going back to normal for you . This is good news . 
    The rod therapy is actually making me have real bad anxiety , every time I think about it . I don't like / can't keep still , I also find it uncomfortable to lay on my back , so think I may need to speak to them about my anxiety about that . 
     

    Emma x
     

  • Hi Nathan 

    I'm sorry to hear that your mum has cervical cancer .

     

    The chemo I am on or will be on as my chemo days are Thursday is called Cistplatin . 
     

    Emma 

  • I've heard Cisplatin is a very beneficial drug for Cervical Cancer. Best of luck :)

  • Hi Emma 

    reading your story, it's very similar to mine. I'm 33, had Clear smears and biopsies and finally a 5cm tumour was found. 
     

    I started chemo on Monday and have now had 5 bouts of radiotherapy. It's been a really rough week, but hoping now they have changed my anti sickness medication, my second week will be better.  The brachytherapy (internal) is definitely my biggest fear of the whole thing. I talked to my nurse about it yesterday and she said to try to put it to the back of my mind till it comes but that's really hard to do.
    Everyone I've spoken to have said that the side effects of Cisplatin and radio weren't too bad for them, but I've had such a bad wk, sore stomach, sickness etc. I wondering if I'm just not coping with this treatment well or I have so much anxiety it's making me feel worse.

    My biggest fear for after treatment is also that the treatment won't have worked and after all of this I'll be in the same position, but trying not to think about it until this part is done. 

    When do you start treatment?