Hi Kizzi

The scans are necessary to determine the stage as it’s not just about size, but also location of the tumour and where it’s growing..so you don’t get told a stage before scans. They might guess at a stage..but only scans can confirm. My gynaecologist initially said I would have a radical hysterectomy, followed by chemo and radiation, but didn’t suggest a stage to me. The scans staged me at 2b and then surgery was not an option. I waited 6 weeks from diagnosis to treatment starting. More scans..radiotherapy is planned following another ct scan, tattoos to mark where the radiotherapy will target...it all takes time. I went for my ct to plan my radiotherapy but my bowel was too full so they couldn’t do it and I had to return another day. I wish they had told me about those kind of things so I could have been prepared. It all seemed to take an eternity, but from speaking to many other ladies it seems fairly typical for a timescale. xx 

[@Minska]‍  thanks so much for your reply.

 That's given me some clarity and hope about the timescale at least, your experience has been really helpful, I'm sorry to ask so many questions, I don't want to hound you.

It definitely seems to take a while, even though most of my scans have been this week, it seems as though this week has been the longest week ever. I'm hoping for news Monday or Tuesday from the MDT outcome so I may know more or need more assessments but I'm trying to stay as positive as I can xx

Hi Kizzi

Ask as many questions as you want! I should have asked more than I did at the time, but you’re kind of shellshocked by it all at diagnosis. Things may be different timewise due to Covid, and how you find out may also be different. My mdt met on a Monday, and I had to go in person to an appointment the next day to have my stage and plan confirmed.  I’m not sure if they maybe do it by phone now though-I only now have phone appointments with my consultant. 

If you are to have radiotherapy, it definitely means another CT scan. They will also do blood tests to check kidney function if you are to have chemotherapy. It all takes time when you just want to be getting on with it, but there are a lot of people involved in the planning etc. The mdt should have all the information needed for the team to plan the next steps so hopefully you will not be waiting long to find out. xx

Thank you, I didn't want to bombard you with questions as I know it's a different experience for everyone especially during this pandemic.

which actually reminds me that the day of my colposcopy meeting with the gynae, they said due to the pandemic they were trying to get as much done in one appointment as they could and I had my bloods taken after I had been told that she was certain it was a cancerous growth. 
I think my CNS said she would call after the MDT but could be Monday or Tuesday as they then schedule a meeting with the oncologist? If I'm remembering that correctly. 
Im assuming I'll be having to have blood tests and scans fairly regularly but at least I know what to expect with them now which is a bit more settling xx

Blood tests are every week having chemo, but apart from a ct scan to plan radio and another to plan brachytherapy there are no scans during treatment. The next mri scan typically is 3 months after treatment. The oncologist should be part of the multi disciplinary team, long with radiology and CNS. xx

I had an appointment with the oncologist the day after the meeting but who knows what they’re doing in Covid times! Things are moving quickly for you though, which is a good thing. xx

That's good then, so you weren't really waiting long at all to hear some news. 
I do appreciate that things seem to be going quickly but it also scares me as it's in the back of mind as to why they are going so quick? Does that mean it's worse than they expected? Or am I overthinking? In all honesty I wish I could be told by the CNS my stage before I have to have the treatment meeting for a peace of mind but I'm sure they like to tell you in all one go xx

I wouldn’t read anything into quick appointments. As far as staging goes, treatment is broadly similar for each stage but obviously tailored to each patient. Beyond stage 1 a hysterectomy isn’t usually performed and the standard first line of treatment is radiotherapy and chemotherapy together. xx

[@Minska]‍ 

honestly you've helped me stay calm and less nervous, I'm really trying not to overthink anything at the moment and struggle a little but I can usually pull myself back after a few minutes.  I'd been looking into treatments and seen that a lot of people have different amounts of radio, chemo and brachytherapy when it's combined. Does the treatment also depend on the hospital aswell as the patient? Xx