I was diagnosed with womb cancer in December 2009. I had a hysterectomy in January of 2010 followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The treatment was hard and a struggle to get through but I did it. I wanted to connect with other women going through the same cancer as myself, but I couldn’t find any so I turned to Facebook and eventually started the UK’s only dedicated womb cancer support group, Womb Cancer Support UK.
Helping and supporting other women going through womb cancer has helped me over the past three and a half years as I have struggled to cope with the after effects of my treatment. I have serious bowel and bladder problems from the radiotherapy, long term cognitive problems, fatigue, and I have been diagnosed with an epi-gastic hernia as well as lymphedema. On top of that I am still having to deal with the menopause issues caused by the hysterectomy.
Being there for the other women in the group gives me a reason to get up in the morning. Although at times I feel like giving up, I don’t and I won’t, because I am a survivor!
Kaz
United Kingdom
Submitted 07/28/2013
The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
This article is intended to convey general educational information and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
Hi Kaz,
I was diagnosed with the same in June 2009 at the age of 37!
Like yourself I had 2 major operations, radiotherapy and internal radiotherapy.
I am also left with Lymphoedema, bowel & bladder problems and also suffer fatigue and cognitive problems and the menopausle too!!!
I too have struggled with my emotions and almost had a nervous breakdown!!
I have had to reduce my responsibilities at work which has led to financial difficults.
I came across the womb cancer support group on FB and it has been invaluable to me.
I have taken up counselling and have also started going swimming which really helps my legs.
I have since been told I have a 54% chance of survival to 5 years, 4 down 1 to go!!
So do I give up or do I say RIGHT whatever time I have left I am gonna live my life like theres no tomorrow!!!!
Hang on in there Kaz xxx
Hi Deborah! Can I Ask What Stage Your Cancer Is And What Type Of Cell.It Is? Did It Return? Did Your Cancer Return? You Sound Like You Have Great Spirit!! And It’s Contagious,So Thank You!!!
Really sad to hear your tales. I’ve obviously been very lucky so far. I too had uterine cancer, diagnosed in Dec. 2008. Radical hysterectomy, removal also of ovaries and cervix. I didn’t need chemo or radiotherapy due to my eagle -eyed GP who had me diagnosed at Stage 1. I have suffered menopause though, weight gain, bowel and bladder changes in frequency and urgency so that there is a degree of incontinence. One of the biggest changes has been in my emotional response to the diagnosis and op. I felt so grateful to be given the all clear that I din’t allow myself to grieve or mourn the loss of my womb. Now though I am catching up on my feelings, the menopause is manageable but I have to start dealing with the baggage a hysterectomy brings. I have allowed myself no male relationships since then, blotting out the effects on my sense of womanhood completely.
Even writing this makes me feel…’other people have more urgent or painful issues to deal with than this’ but I guess that’s just another excuse for not facing what is a real side effect. A refusal to accept that deep down I feel a loss of my femininity. On the surface I deny that…but I guess that is how I feel deep down .
Hi Kaz, Rosa and Deborah,
I was diagnosed with womb cancer in June 2010 and have so far been cancer-free for just over three years. I met Kaz through Facebook and have been lucky enough to run Womb Cancer Support UK (WCSUK) with her from day one. Certainly meeting all the women in the support group has helped me tremendously and I’ve made a lot of wonderful new friends as a result.
I was diagnosed with grade 3 endometrial adenocarcinoma nine months after my fiftieth birthday, following removal of a mass from the neck of my womb during what was meant to have been a routine hysteroscopy three weeks before diagnosis. I knew the tumour was there because I’d effectively given birth to it back in April that year but I don’t think the medics believed me until they finally saw for themselves. I was told to expect major surgery followed by radiotherapy.
Six weeks after the first operation I had a hysterectomy (removal of uterus and cervix) along with a bi-lateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes). Two weeks later a blood vessel opened up but, thankfully, the resus team were able to stem the bleeding and I didn’t need a further operation. I was released from hospital the following day after being told the surgery two weeks earlier had been a success and I wouldn’t need further treatment: the final results showed what was left of the cancer after that second op was Stage 1A, grade 2.
Apart from a scare just over a year after that main surgery when I found I was bleeding slightly I’ve remained well, although recovery seems to have taken a long time; I still get hit by fatigue from time to time and I’m not as physically strong as I was, plus I have some cognitive issues – don’t ask me what day of the week it is, I mostly don’t remember – but I cope well. I’m still working, still helping to run WCSUK and I’m still breathing (always a bonus). I look for the positives and laugh as much as possible – just don’t laugh too much straight after your surgery, I’m convinced that’s what landed me in hospital and I wouldn’t mind if what I’d been laughing about had been funny!
Love to you all 🙂
I too have had a hysterectomy 2009 and had the removal of both ovaries. My surgeon was a woman and I think that helped . I was in no pain whatsoever after the operation and had amazing support from my husband and daughter. I was 53 and starting the menopause. I am now three years down the line and I suffer from disturbed sleep and it is rare to have a good nights sleep and as a consequence I do get tired. I was very lucky with my cancer and I was stage 2a and did not need any further treatment . Having cancer does change your outlook on life and makes you a different person as life is too short to worry. I do have cognitive issues but like I always say life is too short to let it get me down. As for sleep well I am sure in my maturer years there will be plenty of time to catch up . Cancer is a very scary word but with help understanding and support we can survive and live life to the full