Hi Jane, The online chats are held on a Monday evening at 7pm and usually take place on the 3rd Monday of the month (we usually get a reminder though). The link to the chatroom is posted in the Group area, but you need to be a member of the Group to access it. To join the Group, just click on the Group link at the top right hand side of the banner any apply. Hi Hopeishere, What is your general location? (Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide)I can give you the name of a great Gyn Onc in Melbourne, but that won't help if you live in another state. Regards, Leah ... View more

Hi Jane, There is a group here that you may like to join. It is for women with gynaecological cancers. The group has a online chat session each month where we discuss treatment, coping mechanisms and general information on our experiences. You may find this helpful. The group ranges in ages and stages of treatment, and I'm sure one or more of our ladies may be able to offer you some insight. I myself had uterine cancer, and was treated successfully a little over two years ago, but some of our members are receiving chemo or waiting for treatment plans. I wish you all the best for your diagnosis. Maybe I will see you in the group chat later this month. Take care, Leah ... View more

Hi Nat, I do not understand the results of your ultrasound, but I think you should sit down with your GP and have them explain it all to you in words that you understand if you can't get in to see your Gyno for three weeks. Your Gyno is just being thorough and ticking off all the boxes, hence the ultrasound and blood tests. Remember, they have not mentioned the big scary words beginning with L (lymphoma) or C (carcinoma) yet because they are still gathering information. You may yet be told that all you need is a D & C to clear things up a bit because of the fibroids. The blood test may have been done because of the fibroid because these can be sometimes be cancerous. I was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer in July 2011 (adenocarcenoma). I did not have any symptoms at the time. It was only because I was seriously ill with another condition that my cancer was picked up at all. Please try to relax and don't over analyse things based upon the ladies at the pathology centre telling you the blood test were for cancer indicators. You may be working yourself up over nothing. Wait until you see your Gyno again, when they have all the information in front of them and can give you a proper diagnosis. Then you will know if anything is wrong or if things will be ok. I wish you all the best with your results, and please, take it easy on yourself and try not to focus on th scary stuff at the moment. It may not be warranted. The Rowan. ... View more

In addition to Zelfren's comments; Public patient- shared room, medical students prodding and poking you if you are an interesting case (all hour of the day). Nursing staff have more patients to look after. Private patient - able to have a room to yourself. No medical students. Better nurse to patient ratio. Better meals. I hope this helps. The Rowan ... View more

Having a radical hysterectomy when you have not had any children is just as confronting as a mastectomy. It is how you choose to move forward from that point that makes the difference. I went through the whole process with limited support or understanding from family, but I chose to not let myself wallow in self pity, but to move on with life and to look forward to whatever comes next. I hope you can reach this point for yourself too. ... View more

Glenys, I am glad to read that you are seeing a psychologist as part of your recovery now. I hope they can help you come to terms with your diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. We all cope with our own personal cancer experience differently, and I hope that one day you can get to the point where you can move on and look forward to your future. The majority of we cancer patients have had bits removed as part of our treatment (I had a radical hysterectomy as part of mine). Whilst at the time this may be confronting, try to focus on the fact that your cancer has been removed and treated, and that you have been given the chance to live again. Get out here and do something special to celebrate the fact that you are still here! ... View more

Hi Nicole, I was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer whilst undergoing treatment for Auto Immune haemolytic Anemia In 2011. Fortunately they discovered it in early stage 1, and a radical hysterectomy successfully removed all traces of the cancer which had not made it into my lymphatic system. That meant I didn't have to have chemo or radiation treatments. The whole process took less than a month from hysterascope to hysterectomy, which left me second guessing everything. Were they sure they got it all? Why didn't I have chemo, just to make sure?.....you know the list. I am single and live alone, and my family did the 'it's all over now and life has returned to normal' routine. They did not understand how a person who has just gone through all of that (even for such a short period) has all the self doubt and paranoia to deal with while they attempt to get everything straight in their own mind. This resulted in a significant blowout at Christmas that year, from which my family relationships are only now beginning to recover. The Cancer Coucil put me in touch with a psychologist who specialises in counselling cancer survivors and their families. I opted to take these sessions which were very useful in helping me deal with my families attitudes (my siblings and their families are very self absorbed and my condition was an inconvenience) and my feelings that maybe something has been missed in my diagnosis and treatment. I am not saying that you are experiencing the same attitude from your family, but a psychologist may be able to help you with feelings of 'survivors guilt' and questioning every little twinge or body change. It is approaching my second anniversary since my diagnosis, and whilst they have not completely gone away, the feelings of self doubt and paranoia are nowhere near as strong now as they were initially. Everybody copes and deals with things differently. I hope that this outline of my experiences helps you with your choices as you navigate your way through post op cancer recovery. Best wishes, and look out for yourself Nicole. The Rowan ... View more

Hello Gill, I'm happy for you that you have found this site. In here, you don't have to be 'fine'. You can vent your frustrations, celebrate your memories and ask for support from people who understand what you have been through and what may lay ahead. If you think you or your children might benefit from talking with someone, the Cancer Council may be able to put you in touch with a councillor who specialises in cancer related issues in your area. Take each day as it comes and deal with things at your own pace. Dont be concerned if you are not ready to put things away. You will wake up one morning and just do it because you have allowed yourself time to process what has happened and you are ready to move to the next phase of your life. I lost my mother to cancer when I was 20, and dealt with my own diagnosis in 2011. There is a lot of support out here for you. All you need to do is ask. Take care Gill. Best wishes to you and your children. Leah ... View more

Keep up the good work Bev! ... View more

Hi Tammy, There was an episode on Dr Oz awhile ago hat discussed natural supplements for the side effects or menopause. If you hunt it down you may find what you need. I too have surgically induced menopause and my Gyn Onc has me using Estradot patches. These are very easy to use. All ou have to do is to remember to stick a patch on your bum every three and a half days. I tried to hold out and not use HRT's because of my cancer and my family history, but the hot flushes got the better of me. Once you find what works for you, you'll be fine. From one thermostatically challenged lady to another.....take care. Leah ... View more