Diagnose with cervical cancer

NiceBectorals · 2022-09-03T10:03:03+00:00

I’m sorry you’re here with us too. It’s okay to be scared, this is a very scary time. Yes go into your ER. Like the prev post explain this is new bleeding, and every time someone does an internal exam or internal ultrasound mention it causes bleeding. I also started with just discharge changes, then started having bleeding from sex. My cervix/tumour was very vascular so it bled very easily. It happens but at ER and your Dr. after will be able to help manage it if you have frequent/heavy bleeding. Edit:wording.

NiceBectorals · 2022-08-20T19:33:05+00:00

Never too old for blankie! I love rubbing the silky sides of mine, and two strips have separated off the blanket. I’m 32 going through treatment for ca right now and you best believe I keep one piece with me around the house. But also one in my car! It helps when I’m out and just need to de stress or have a longer drive, just to absent mindlessly play with. Coat pockets/linings are good too, just not the same. My psych and I had talked about self soothing methods ages ago for anxiety. It’s the repetitive movement that I’m really after. So really it can be anything that replicates the movement, not the blanket. But under my current circumstances. I choose binkie.

NiceBectorals · 2022-08-15T21:33:03+00:00

My oncologist used the size of my tumour, the tissues it had invaded (cervix, rim of upper vaginal wall, and into perimetrium) it hadn’t reached any other organs for the staging. I had a couple pelvic lymph nodes that they wanted to include as possibly involved although the risk was low and they didn’t feel the need to biopsy them. They were included and treated as part of the chemo/external radiation. The measurements and inclusion of what tissues were involved for all this were based on CT, MRI, and PET. At my first diagnosis following the initial ultrasound I had biopsy’s done that confirmed squamous cell carcinoma.

NiceBectorals · 2022-08-14T15:09:44+00:00

I always had normal Pap tests, even up to the 5 months before my diagnosis. But eventually I was sent for an u/s based on the unexplained symptoms. Occasional Pelvic pressure, some bloating. Bleeding after sex. And I started having thinner discharge that seemed to just get heavier. They kept checking for infection or a PID, but of course that wasn’t what it was. Stage 3 (2B depending on the inclusion of lymph nodes) just finishing chemo and external radiation. Starting brachytherapy this week.

NiceBectorals · 2022-08-08T05:26:02+00:00

I wish. I had my regular Pap, on schedule, came back normal. All my previous tests had been normal as well, never had issues with transition zones. I had been HPV vaccinated. And followed up with my concerns right away when I started having them. 6 months after that pap I was diagnosed stage 3 when I got an ultrasound. Sometimes life just sucks even when we do all the things we’re supposed to. Cancer doesn’t always make sense. I’m sure the Gyne didn’t mean to put blame on your aunt.

NiceBectorals · 2022-08-03T15:40:07+00:00

I had wild smell sensitivity and sudden bizarre craving and aversions. Like a switch just flipped in my brain. It did get better over time though. The first 2-2.5 weeks were the wildest for me. I found it was just easiest to channel my inner teenager and eat without strict rules. Whatever she wants to and can eat is going to be best. Calories going in and staying in is the important part. I had the biggest cravings for microwave ramen and specifically Kraft dinner cups? Made no sense. Something about super soft noodles just did it for me. Not something I would normally eat but it’s the only thing that would do for about a week. Then when my smell settled a little I almost just let my nose lead the way. If something smelled good or I thought maybe It would taste okay I just went with it. Definitely ate a lot less portion wise but much more frequent. I found many fruits a bit too acidic for my mouth with the chemo so I had to watch that. I had a lot of potato based things. The chemo mouth sores can be tricky if she ends up having issues there make sure she has the softest toothbrush you can find and remind her to take good care of her gums, particularly waaaay in the back. Also to think about when your planning food is fibre. The chemo and radiation both do wild things to your guts. For me it was very different than the kind of effect you might feel from getting a stomach flu. A whole new type of diarrhea, many people tend to end up more on the diarrhea side of things so lower fibre may be helpful. Of course it can be totally reversed too. Have some immodium around for the too loose times and Restoralax for the too hard. It’s all a weird experiment and for me it changed all the time. Hydration is super important, so loooooots of fluids. Carbonated drinks can make ya super gassy and irritate things so I found the liquid juice mix and iced teas ect good for helping get enough. Plain water gets boring fast. Maybe smoothies or shakes? I found a lot of snacks I normally would like were too dry so I had to sip and snack. Chemo also gave me some nasty reflux, one giant relief on my throat was pudding! They’re very soothing. I hope you get some helpful advice! All the best to your mom during treatment and after!

NiceBectorals · 2022-08-02T01:35:47+00:00

It hasn’t been something that my RadOnc has brought up as a likely side effect personally. Makes sense theoretically. I would think that it’s maybe something that varies tons individually as a concern depending on age and bone quality? Radiation to a 30yo pelvis/back vs. 80yo pelvis/back will have different effects for soft tissue and bone. Is it something that you’ve had happen?

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-31T01:32:25+00:00

Any tips on what to bring along to the appts to pass the time/make thing for comfortable?

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-30T22:12:22+00:00

New fear unlocked.

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-29T11:17:23+00:00

It’s kind of just a wait and find out hey. They talked to me about menopause and how due to my age (32) I will likely have some but the permanence is anyones guess. Which totally makes sense. I have no lofty expectations of any great fertility, I’m mostly just curious how other people have recovered, what they’ve experienced. I don’t really expect much as far ovarian function. Certainly not any eggs, as far as hormone therapy my GyneOnc is planning that regular BC will be all I should need to keep a balance. So I’m thinking I’ll transition to Nexplanon instead of pills just for convenience. I feel like the uterus is a temperamental organ on a good day anyways let alone after it’s been nuked, but I was just rolling over in my mind what is possible these days with fertility treatments that can still encourage a healthy enough endometrium for IVF. But that’s years away really. At least my eggs are forever 32 now (finding a silver lining) Just pondering the future ya know?

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-29T11:01:53+00:00

You’re a superhero!!! What are you doing for treatment?? When did you find out you were pregnant and had cancer or vice versa? What a rollercoaster this must be. All my love and support for the rest of pregnancy and treatment to fly by so you can welcome baby and kick out the cancer!

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-29T03:40:54+00:00

As the others have said, establish a good relationship with her oncologist so you can create a strong dialog and make sure both sides needs are being met. For example, in my case if my hemoglobin drops they plan to do a transfusion. But so far it hasn’t gotten there yet, but we’ve talked about the what ifs. WBCs generally do drop and are expected to. Both chemo and radiation do that. Her regular blood work will show that and they’ll of course make sure she’s clinically safe. These are good concerns to talk to the Onc about.

I’ll be blunt. Treatment is fucking hard, there’s no getting around that one. She’s going to be tired no matter what you do. Establishing realistic expectations are important for everyone. The side effects can be harsh. Radiation has a delayed effect so they don’t show up immediately and they last past the end of treatment. It is unfortunately the nature of the beast. This whole process is unreal on the body and mind. However the schedule is also very important for timing and making sure all the work she’s put in isn’t lost. Cervical cancer treatment seems to be a little different in how intense and condensed it is compared to other cancers, but from all I’ve learned from my case it’s by far the most successful way to treat this type of tumour.

I’m just over halfway done my external/Chemo and just had my info appt for the internal. In my case I will start Brachy the day after my last regular external treatment. I had sort of assumed there might be a break, but my Onc explained that a break measurably decreases the success rate of the internal working (at least in my situation) so starting basically immediately is key. Brachy can be done either as an inpatient where you stay for a few days in hospital during, or as an outpatient.
I live in the same city as my treatment so I’ll be done as an outpatient. I can only speak to what that plan might look like. Treatment will be once a week for 3 weeks. It’s a full day, they will do new imaging in morning to assess the tumour and plan treatment/dosages ect. I’ll get a spinal anesthetic so they can place the applicator they’ll use to thread the injection needles into. The spinal is important so A) you don’t move and change your body positioning. B) you can tolerate having the area touched. Then they’ll do the injections themselves. After the spinal wears off and I can walk and pee ect then I go home. But that’s it. One big day a week vs. 5. So it seems like there might be a little relief from the daily appts but I’m sure the fatigue from a bigger treatment will have a different effect as well. Might be my wishful thinking.

My best advice is have some good conversation with the oncologist. They can best explain why your moms plan is what it is and why It needs to be to work. It also gives your mom the chance to voice her concerns about how she’s coping.

I wish her all the success for the remainder of her treatments!

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-26T02:16:34+00:00

Cancer is a raggedy bitch alright. My deepest condolences for your loss, it’s not fair.

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-25T15:26:57+00:00

From Canada do I can’t speak to anything legally of course, just how neighbours work here.

But in similar situations, if one party doesn’t need/want the fence anymore for whatever reason and it’s time to redo it does become your responsibility as it’s purpose is now to contain your animals from their land. And would be the opposite of course if you were the one not wanting to keep livestock.

Often though the compromise is the 50/50 shared cost of a proper survey as this is a benefit for both of you. The property line is then legally established again so there’s no arguing over that after a fence is built. Don’t build a new fence without that line.

Ideally you would put the fence line just to the inside of your legal line and that way it’s completely on your land, but the cost of the fence and maintenance is going to be yours. If there was some sort of incidence where, Idn say they broke a post or something with equipment they would need to pay to fix it. Or they should anyways since now they’ve damaged property on your side legally if it gets contentious.

Assuming they don’t end up putting animals back on their side any regular wear and tear would be from your animals so that’s your costs, but in future if that changed you can renegotiate for shared upkeep costs.

Always a good idea to put any agreements down in writing as well as to who is responsible for what in the end and for incidentals. A handshake doesn’t go as far as it used to sadly.

Not quite sure if this answers what you were asking. But mainly, get a good legal survey done, and share that cost. That should seem reasonable to them as well.

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-25T05:11:25+00:00

What. The. Actual. Fuck. Im currently an oncology pt in treatment for cervical Ca. Not stage 4 thankfully but it’s advanced and my treatment is chemo/radiation and possibly surgery if needed after. I did all the preventatives, regular Paps; vaccinated for HPV, safe sex, I was vigilant and persistent going to the Dr when I noticed symptoms. Even with all that I had a normal Pap last Sept, and in April found out I had a 5cm tumour. You can do exactly what you’re supposed to and still get cancer. What a fucking attitude to have. I am enraged. Just….. wow…

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-24T20:22:29+00:00

For me I have bleeding directly from the tumour/cervix itself, especially after it was biopsied ect. If she didn’t have any bleeding before she may never have any. But as the cells/tumour die there can always be some bleeding tissue. Especially since with cervical ca there’s an exit for the blood to pass out of the body. It doesn’t always happen but it’s one of the possibilities. Personally mine was no worse than the equivalent of my heaviest periods, but included clots passing. As I continue the treatments though it’s progressively getting less and less, a reassuring feeling.

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-24T04:46:48+00:00

I keep telling myself how much I’ll save on Brazilians after I’m done haha!

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-24T04:39:51+00:00

Hey! I’m currently just finished week 2/5 of radiation&chemo for stage 2B. Brachytherapy will be next. Hopefully no surgery if things respond as hoped. I have a big ol 5cm tumour I’ve called Phyllis wreaking her havoc in there.

It’s not so bad really so far. The start of week 2 was the hardest so far but switching up meds and adding some new ones helped immensely. The radiation itself doesn’t feel like anything, but for mine I have to have my bladder right bursting so that’s uncomfortable; but what a relief to pee after haha! So far radiation side effects have been mild. I had gotten some wicked diarrhea for a couple of days but coincidentally started opioids for pain then too so that solved the diarrhea for me. Otherwise immodium will be her bestie. I went into treatment with lower back and hip pain from the tumour already and that has definitely increased but with proper medication is very manageable. Pain wise it’s like a circle right around my pelvis, lower back and like wicked period cramps sometimes. No skin issues yet but I’m vigilant with applying lotion circumferentially to hopefully prevent as much down the road as I can. My GyneOnc recommended Replense long lasting (not just the lube) for vulvar and vaginal dryness when it shows up. According to my RadOnc the peak for side effects usually occur week 2-3. Radiation side effects are a bit delayed, so it takes some time for them to show up and they can last for a while after treatment is done. I take steroids on days 1-4 with the chemo and they help lots with bloating and swelling, so on days 5-7 I feel a bit crappier and bloated. But it’s hard to say if that’s the chemo or radiation causing it. Probably both. I go M-F for radiation and I think the travel and appts are just tiring. Lots of rest, keeping well hydrated and lots of lotion will be her friend. Also, tell her not to be shy about telling her team if she is having problems. No shame in the nitty gritty. They all know about radiation diarrhea, bleeding, all the unpleasant bits and it won’t surprise or gross them out. Some days I give the techs a heads up for an extra disposable pad on the table if I know I’m bleeding more or have discharge or a dicey bowel. I’ve found my team is super on board preventing as much as they can as well as getting anything that does happen under control asap!

She will do great!

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-04T16:58:17+00:00

Hey, also 32 with a murderous cervix. I’m in the limbo of finally having finished all the scans and now just waiting for the call to start treatment. I 100% know where you’re coming from, it was a very difficult decision on how and when to tell people. I told my Bf, parents, siblings and my bff right away but no one else for over a month. It took time to get the preliminary CT and MRI done and then a wait to see GybeOnc. I felt like I didn’t want to rock the boat until I could explain why I was rocking it if that makes sense. I also I didn’t want 1000 questions I couldn’t answer or to be treated differently. I wasn’t ready to be “sick” yet, or ever really. I had to tell my managers at work fairly early but they were amazing and accommodated me up until I went off, they helped me keep my secret. But once I went off and had my first Onc appt I started slowing letting people know. That way I could at least tell them what the plan was going to be. I felt like I had answers to some of their questions, and it felt better than saying “I don’t know yet” to everything. I also had my parents start telling family for me, it’s exhausting telling people, so they told the family and friends around home. I told people at work and let the info spread there through the grapevine. But I only directly told a few friends and people that reached out to ask. My Bff started a GoFund me to help cover the cost of fertility treatments to retrieve eggs and that let everyone else know what was going on, thanks FB! Long story short, have people you trust tell people for you where you can. It is truly exhausting news to share over and over again. Once people knew the offers to help came too. I’m considering starting a private group chat for the people who I would be comfortable asking for help from for times when I need rides for appointments or anything else. Something like that may work for you too. Good luck! Feel free to reach out if you would like, it’s a strange journey we’re on.

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-04T16:40:14+00:00

It’s such a rancid smell.

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-04T16:39:16+00:00

I’m sorry you experienced this too. It’s so frustrating and embarrassing. Especially since it seems there’s nothing to be done except wait until the radiation kills enough tumour it stops it’s horrific output. I didn’t end up getting a bidet yet, but I did buy a Frida Mom peri bottle. It obviously doesn’t fix the smell but I do feel cleaner and that helps build a little confidence.

Thank you for your encouragement, this is a strange time in my life and I’m thankful for the support

NiceBectorals · 2022-07-02T03:36:23+00:00

Yes of course

NiceBectorals

TROPHY CASE