Dear Susie I had a radical hysterectomy on 30/4/15 for uterine adenocarcinoma so understand your nervousness. I was lucky that no further treatment by way of radiation was needed. I hope you have a successful outcome and good oncologist to guide you. You may not be aware but there is a gyny cancer support group as part of this webpage and we have facilitated chat online once a month as well as online talk between ourselves in between. I found the support and advice from women who have been through similar experiences fantastic and can recommend it. Check the top right of page where it says groups and scroll down to Gynaecological cancer group for info and you can request to join. Being diagnosed with cancer is an emotional time I know and I hope you have good family/friend support. Best wishes GHT ... View more

Dear Paul That is great news and crossing fingers the PET scan confirms the all clear. Returning to work and life generally can be bumpy when you have been so focused on treatment but give yourself time and patience. Cheers GHT ... View more

Hi Jodii I had Tramadol once and it caused a burning feeling in my throat that took 2 bottles of apple juice to get rid off. Could there be a interaction effect between the drugs? I have no idea but maybe worth asking the Dr. Hope your husband finds the answer and best wishes to you both GHT ... View more

Hi Karina Having had cancer this year and indeed living in a parallel universe I can relate to what you are saying. I think too that the invisibility isn't just a physical thing although that can play a big part of course. I think people avoid friends and family with cancer coz it is a reminder that it can happen to them too. So as a cancer sufferer you are isolated because others prefer not to be confronted with even the reminder that if it can affect someone they know. its just 1 degree of separation from them. Before my diagnosis I thought I could empathise sufficiently to get what having cancer felt like. Boy was I wrong! Now I look around and think that many people have no clue while others I may see in public may be carrying the heavy burden of cancer and no one would know. Also after surgery it was hard to walk more than at snail pace or shop for grocery without looking like I was in slow mo. I think then of the times I have been inpatient with ppl when I was in a rush and it felt others were holding me up. How do I know they weren't suffering but they had no obvious physical disability or were aged? I didn't. So I am much more patient at the shops now and take a breath and realise I do not know their suffering. I find it an interesting phenomenon that those who have experienced deep suffering often have more ability and willingness for empathy. It is like a heavy curtain and once you are on the other side you somehow have more wisdom. But when ppl haven't had to face really tough stuff they have less willingness to see and engage with those who have. Cancer is a helluva way to get wisdom but it comes anyway and I have gained so much from this website in terms of learning their are heaps of ppl I may never meet but are there supporting while suffering. ... View more

Dear Mon Firstly, it is difficult to lose someone so quickly and I am wondering if you got to say all you wanted to him. Perhaps the dream is inviting you to find a ritual to commemorate him for yourself. Secondly, I suffer from nightmares and they can lead to feeling the whole day is affected negatively. Sometimes I find getting up straight away and reminding myself it was just a dream is better than giving it too much weight. I say aloud to myself "It was just a dream" and try to not get stuck in it. If the nightmare is in the middle of the night I might get up and go to bathroom and wash my face or get water just to get out of the horrible emotional space. Also moving can stop me rolling over and having another nightmare. I guess some dreams are telling us something we need to attend to but others are just upsetting without giving us anything useful is what I am trying to say. If the dreams are worrying to you it could be useful to see a counsellor experienced in grief and loss especially traumatic loss. the Cancer Council can probably recommend someone. I hope something I have said has been a little useful. Best wishes GHT ... View more

Dear Pepper99 When/ if you get a diagnosis of cancer you might like to consider joining the Gyny Cancer Support GP on this site. There is a Groups title on top right of screen which directs you to more info. The group is made up of all women who have various gyny cancers or are survivors following treatment and they are so supportive and helpful. Cheers GHT ... View more

Dear Pepper99 I am glad the oncologist was nice as well as thorough. It is one of the toughest times emotionally waiting as anyone on this site will testify. You just have to live with the unknown a little longer so hang in there and soon you will have a plan and that helps to feel you have more control and direction. Best wishes Grace ... View more

Dear AJ18202 Grief is common to us all and yet it is often a subject people prefer not to talk about until it happens to them. It is so important to find places and people, inc here, where your feelings are not ignored or glossed over or told " it's been a few months so its time to get over it and move on" . Statements like that are made by people who are uncomfortable with grief and so please ignore their judgemental views. Grief is individual and you have obviously lost someone very dear to you. So as Emily says, be gentle and patient with yourself and know your emotions will be all over the place for a while. Maybe you might need to take some time off as I think it must be hard in your job when you see so much trauma and sadness. Either way, don't be afraid to see a counsellor if things become overwhelming. Warmest regards GHT ... View more

Dear Pepper99 It is a really daunting time I know so it is a real help if you can take someone with you to your apt to help you ask questions and recall info that will probably go in one ear and out the other. I took a friend and also recorded the apt on her iPhone. If you already have questions write them down or you will forget them. Best wishes GHT ... View more

I too tend to imagine worst case scenario in most things. But even if you generally don't, cancer has the power to take you there. I reckon there is no more loaded word than cancer but I did not feel this until I was diagnosed. It just has so many connotations and fears attached to it even though some may never apply in every situation. Personally becoming bald really freaked me out as I look terrible in hats etc. As it turns out chemo was never going to be an option as it isn't effective with my kind of cancer anyway. So I got surgery which scares the hell out of me on the day but then you get knocked out and I do like Midazalam. Good luck everyone with whatever occurs and try not to scare the pants off yourself! Cheers GHT ... View more