• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Health and Fitness | KareOptions

Health and Fitness | KareOptions

KareOptions.com Health Blog

  • Home
  • Services
    • Medical Second Opinion Service (MSOS)
    • Continuity of Care (COC)
    • Second Opinion Board Review (SOBR)
    • Medical Tourism
    • Request Opinion
  • Our Doctors
    • Network
    • Doctors
    • Patient Portal
  • About Us
    • Why Us
    • Approach
    • Contact us
  • Health
  • Medical Tourism

If anything does not quite feel right, get it checked!

June 26, 2021 by Editorial Team

Hello! My name is Donna- I am a wife and a mummy to 3 boys. Last August (2020) I received devastating news and was diagnosed with Stage 2B Cervical Cancer.

Started getting Symptoms.

I started getting some symptoms in June- I thought it was just an infection so was put on 2 weeks of antibiotics. However, during this time I was also getting quite large blood clots coming out when I was going to the toilet. The doctors decided to swab me and also gave me an internal and external ultrasound- the results to these all came back clear. The blood clots stopped for a bit but then I bled quite heavily twice during sex. I messaged the Doctor the next day and she referred me straight to the hospital to have a colposcopy. I wasn’t particularly worried at this stage due to the swabs and ultrasounds being clear, as well as I had never missed a smear and my smears have also always been clear.

When I went to have the colposcopy I was told I was going to have an Ectropion as they thought my cells were growing outside the cervical wall so would need to be taken off- I was fine with that and just said to do what was needed. It all went a bit scary when I was laid there and the doctor said she needed to do something else if that was OK- I told her that was fine – I didn’t know at the time but that was when she was doing a biopsy. She asked me if I had come to the hospital by myself or was someone waiting for me- I was alone, my husband had dropped me off but what with Covid and the fact I didn’t think it was going to be anything major I didn’t think anyone was needed. The whole room at that point went awkward- I could tell something was not right but I filled the silence with random talk about work and my children.

A State of Shock

Once completed I sat down opposite and said ‘Is there anything I should be worried about?’ and she replied with ‘Yes – you have cervical cancer’. My mind went blank for a few seconds- then I was thinking I need to ask questions- I didn’t want to ask about dying as I thought I bet that is what everybody asks- but I think I said ‘have I got long to live??’ One of the nurses gave me a hug as I just started to cry, we were in masks and I shouldn’t have probably been given a hug but they could tell I needed it. I got out of the hospital quite quickly after that as just wanted to be at home- the walk, even though only a mile felt a long mile.

When I got home my boys were playing in their bedrooms- my husband asked if everything was OK and I just said ‘No, it’s cancer’ and we both broke down. The next few days were a bit of a blur- because my smears had always come back clear with no evidence of HPV we were quite confused and were hoping it was very early stages of cancer. We even rang the doctor again just to make sure she was sure- which her reply was she was very positive it was cancer.

Well within a week I had had the confirmation that it was cervical cancer with a large tumor- and had my MRI scan, blood tests, and my PET scan- it was a whirlwind of a week- results from my PET scan came back as a 6 cm tumor that hadn’t spread, but was in my muscle wall so it would be chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and brachytherapy.

Next Steps

It was decided, because of my fear of needles, that I would have a PICC line in this was an absolute must for me- as it stopped me being panicky and anxious about the blood tests and catheters every week. I am so grateful that I had the PICC line as it was extremely easy to look after and worked so well for the weeks I was having treatment.

So chemotherapy started the first week of October- I didn’t actually know what chemotherapy was – so when it arrived in the clear bag I started to cry. I am someone who rarely takes paracetamols so this was a whole new experience for me having all the drugs and chemicals pumped into me. I also started radiotherapy this day too.

At the end of the first week, I just could not cope- I was so low and emotions were all over the place. It turned out my iron levels were considerably low so I ended up having a blood transfusion (yay to the PICC line again). This really helped me perk up the following week. The team at Lincoln hospital was so good and made this scary journey so much easier for me with their kind words and just how they listened if I needed someone to talk too.

I was very lucky and Chemotherapy didn’t really affect me apart from sickness the first day- it was radiotherapy that I had the most side effects from. I ended up getting radiation cystitis which meant for 4 weeks I could barely move- walking was unbearable, even laying down and sitting made me cry in pain. Baths made it worse and there did not seem to be an end in sight. That was when I really had to drill it in me that I had to take each day at a time and I couldn’t think about too far ahead as otherwise, I started to feel down that this pain would last a long time.

When I started to get to the end of Chemotherapy that is when the worry for the Brachytherapy started! All I will say is- ‘It is not as bad as you think!’. I had epidurals for my 3 brachys and I honestly did not feel a thing! In fact, it was probably the easiest part of the treatment! As I was still suffering from radiation cystitis at this time it also helped me had a few hours being pain-free!

Since I finished treatment I have had some lower back pain, so I have a DEXA scan booked to check my bone density, I’m also going through early menopause. I’m tired and emotional. I am waiting for my final PET scan to see if my cancer has gone, it is a long wait but homeschooling is keeping me busy!

The takeaway from #MyCancerChapter

The biggest part to take from my story is that my smears were clear. Smears only check for HPV now, which means mine would have been clear even with a 6cm tumor and it doesn’t bare thinking about the ‘what ifs’.** Even if your smears are clear please, if anything doesn’t quite feel right, get it checked!** If I hadn’t carried on going back to the doctors and just waited things would have been a lot different.

Thank you for reading Donna @my_cervical_cancer_journey

Like Donna, inspire others. If you have a story to share then write to us at JaneSmith@kareoptions.com or visit the below link for more information. #MyCancerChapter

DISCLAIMER:

The content provided here is only intended for informational purposes and for creating awareness. The content herein, and in any linked materials, must not be considered as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content expressed herein are solely the views of the author/ patient as referred, and has no relation to any academic, hospital, practice, or other institution. KareOptions makes no representations and warranties (either express or implied) in relation to the content, however, KareOptions has used its best efforts to ascertain the veracity of the content, it cannot guarantee the same. If a reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult their physician or other qualified health care, provider. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your medical emergency services immediately.

You May also like to read:-

  1. Understanding Cervical Cancer- Types, Causes, Symptoms, Stages
  2. Cervical Cancer- Diet and conception
  3. Cervical Cancer – Learn your treatment options!
  4. Cervical Cancer Screening- What every Women can do to prevent #CervicalCancer?

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: Inspiration

Primary Sidebar

Search

Topics

Alzheimer’s Disease Ayurveda Baby's Care Baby Care Baby Feeding Baby Vaccine Bone Marrow Breast Cancer Breast Milk Broken Rib Cancer Care Caregivers Cervical Cancer Chickenpox Circumcision Depression General Health Tips Heart Health Hepatitis Hospitals in India HPV Hungry Baby Inspiration Lung Cancer Medical Appointment Medical Tourism Medical Tourism India Medical Tourism in India Medical Treatment in India Meningococcal Illness Mental Health Misdiagnosis MMR Vaccine Normal Delivery Online Doctor Polio Vaccination Pregnancy Prostate Cancer Radiation Therapy Rotavirus Second Opinion Stomach Cancer Tdap Therapy Women Health

Ads

More to See

Your First Day at Home with Your Baby

Your First Day at Home with Your Newborn

June 24, 2022 By Editorial Team

Normal Delivery Benefits

Process and Benefits of Normal Vaginal Delivery

June 22, 2022 By Editorial Team

What are the Reasons Low Supply of Breast Milk

What are the Reasons Low Supply of Breast Milk?

June 20, 2022 By Editorial Team

Increase Breast Milk Naturally In Your Home

Increase Breast Milk Naturally In Your Home

June 17, 2022 By Editorial Team

Breast Feeding Vs Formula Feeding

Breastfeeding VS Formula: Which is Better For the Baby?

June 15, 2022 By Editorial Team

Labor Pain And Childbirth

Handling Labor Pain During Childbirth

June 13, 2022 By Editorial Team

Postpartum Care

Postpartum Care: What You Need To Do During This Time?

June 12, 2022 By Editorial Team

What Happens if Your Labor is Prolonged

What Happens if Your Labor is Prolonged?

June 11, 2022 By Editorial Team

Plan Of C-Section Birth for Your Baby

Plan Of C-Section Birth for Your Baby

June 10, 2022 By Editorial Team

Normal Labor and Delivery Procedure

What is Normal Labor and Delivery Procedure?

June 8, 2022 By Editorial Team

Ads

Footer

Medical Second Opinion
Driving Certainty In Medical Diagnosis.

Our priority is to ensure the well being of patients. Our service and the work efficiency of our staff are the reason for our success to ensure the well being.

Our Services
  • Medical Second Opinion Service (MSOS)
  • Continuity of Care (COC)
  • Second Opinion Board Review (SOBR)
  • Medical Tourism
Contact us

Address:- Sunnyvale, CA 94087

  • Call: - +1-669-699-1574
  • Fax: - +1-669-213-0308
  • Email: - care@KareOptions.com
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2022 · KareOptions.com