My Cancer Trip

[seal]

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in October 2008. On 1st December 2008 I had a total hysterectomy and was told a week later that they got all the cancer. We had got it so early that I didn't even need treatment. Since then I've had checkups and each time they came back negative so this meant an op to burn off the lesions. My last checkup was about 2 months ago. I received a letter from my gyno telling me that, again, test were still showing a low grade lesion. He wrote that any more operations would be difficult. He had sent all my info of to a top specialist in Sydney. I saw my gyno on Monday and the specialist feels that the cancer has returned but my gyno doesn't think it has. The reason the specialist feels that the cancer is back is because the top of my vagina is all red. I have found out that that is not a good sign. The specialist had worked out a course of treatment. I'm having HRT treatment for 15 days then my gyno wants to do a biopsy on the site. This will be done under general so that he can have a real good look and also that there will no pain on me. Since Monday I have been a complete mess. Much worse then when I was first told I had cancer. But last night I fought it head on. I broke down completely and was so frustrated with what I was feeling that I let loose 2 almighty screams. I woke this morning feeling sensational. Today I never even shed a tear. I'm not saying that I won't cry again, cause I know that I will, but I know how to handle it. I will just let all the frustration out by screaming...

[Rodney]

Hi Seal -go with the screams - it sounds like the best thing when the Drs told me I had a secondly cancer and I required major surgery to remove the lymph nodes in my neck then more radiation therapy -and it was missed the first time I was so angry I lost it with just about all the Drs not that I was rude but I was shaking from the anger I felt and its taken me awhile to let it go -so when you feel the need go scream girl !,,,,, Tae care Rod

[seal]

Thanks Rod. The worse part is that I've travelled this trip alone. No partner, family or friends are here. That has been the toughest part. I was diagnosed 4 months after I moved to here.

[harker]

This site is a good place to tell that story. I have done the same and felt great knowing I have posted something that is based on how I see things, not how doctors or family see things. I come back here and write things and post them and it is the same each time. It makes a difference to how I am surviving. H

[seal]

My family live 4 hours north of where I am. I haven't told them anything about all the ops I've had since my hyster. I did mention one op to mum and her response was not very supporting. Once I'm positive that my cancer has return, then I will tell them. I feel that cervical cancer doesn't get the coverage it deserves. You never hear anything about it. When I tell people about I got it, they have blank faces. They have never heard of HPV. They can't believe that you can get cancer from having sex. They are even more stunned when I tell them that condoms offer no protection from HPV. I hate to think of all the other women out there who have been through or who are going through what I am. I've sent a couple of emails to The Circle to see if they would do a show on HPV and cervical cancer. I haven't got a reply but I will continue to email them.

[seal]

Today I was talking to a young woman and asked her if she has heard of HPV, her response was the same I get everytime. No. I told her everything I know about it. I also mentioned my cancer and she was shocked. She said that she is scared of having a pap smear because it might hurt. My response was that it hurts more to be told you have cancer. Before I left her, I asked her to tell her girl friends about it and to make sure that, if they are sexually active, to tell them to be vigilant about having their pap smears....