Hi LG If it is a cold it should be gone by the 17th of Sept. One would think anyhow. So try not to worry about it and just keep healthy and positive. Keep warm and get plenty of sleep to help yourself heal. I'm an advocate for vitamin c. I recommend it. Before my surgery my daughter had a cold it was quite a nasty one. I was worried I would get it so I took heaps of vitamin c, made sure I washed my hands well and did not touch any of her tissues etc. I didn't get it until the week after my op. When my son was young and his asthma was unpredictable I was advised by a naturopath to give him Euchinacea, garlic and horseradish tablets. Which are really good for respiratory congestion. Garlic is good it is a natural antibiotic. I hope you get yourself well soon. I doubt your cold will linger till the 17th unless it is a flu. Once it is gone do lots of deep breathing to help clear your airways and stay away from anyone who has any respiratory infections. You don't want to catch another one. All the best with your surgery. Love and light June ... View more

Hi All Update. Chemo not any benefit for me as I am only grade 1a3. They dont do it for my grade. Not sure what to think about it. My worry is that I had 80% adenocarcinoma (common and not to bad) but 20% clear cell which is agressive and spreads. The clear cell is what was around my blood vessels. So I am concerned that if they leave it I will get it elsewhere. I was offered either radiotherapy (internal or external) external only targets the structures left in case the cancer has gone there but the external targets the whole pelvis and because of my fears I have decided to go for that. Thinking of going to see my GP for another opinion and possibly a referral to my gyny in Albany who found the cancer for his opinion. Just have some serious intuition telling me it might come back if I don't do more. I don't know what else to do. Still it doesnt change the fact that I'm even more confused than I was before. Mainly because one minute they said no chemo then they said they might offer me it because of the aggressive nature now they say no again. Talk about a head .... (get my meaning!. Not saying I want chemo but I don't want to be revisiting this in 2 years. So now I am trying to make some sense out of all this and prepare for radiotherapy which will be 5-6 weeks of and probably start in less than 5 weeks. Bring it on! All the best everyone x J ... View more

Hi rbx4 I think most of us have found that the beginning is so full of uncertainty as we wait to be informed of appointments while wishing they were yesterday. Unfortunatley we are part of a system which has a process and although we are individauls worried about our lives still trying to maitain some sort of control there is a point where you just have to let go and trust the process. Not easy, not easy for me being an independant, autonomous adult with a strong will etc... You will get there and then you will be at another point of the journey and with more knowledge than when you started. Thanks for acknowleging the support we have given one another it has been invaluable for sure. It has made life easier to cope with and to know that someone understands and listens makes the world of difference. Take care June ... View more

I am glad you are finally part of a system it would have been frightening to have felt like you were forgotton. I have felt like it at times while waiting. Heres to Thursday then Sue. We will both be a little wiser by the end of it. I'm just looking towards starting treatment. Another wait but it to will pass. Chin up and keep calm and carry on. June :~ ... View more

Hi Sue Oh I see. I think it is like this for everyone at some point. Knowing that doesn't make it easier and doesn't help you to feel at peace. Our experience is just that personal, private and way more meaningful. I complained about my symptoms 2 years ago and then again last year but was told I was perimenopausal. I even told my doctor I was worried about cancer since my family has a history of cancer rearing it's head at around the 45 year mark. He took a blood test and that didn't show anything. I should of known, my dad was sick for 2 odd years before he got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at 47. Not that any of these word will make it any easier for you to digest and feel better about what is happening to you personally. We all have our personal experiences and they all involve long waits and uncertainty about the outcome of results. Learning patience. I guess to an extent. It could just be helplessness and a sense of giving up the fight to get noticed. I don't know. Acceptance of how the systems work and the long road cancer is maybe. I am waiting for my appointment on Thursday. Seems like forever. I was told no chemo and now I find out it might be an option. External radiotherpy. I was told there is a possible 3-4 weeks waiting list for radiotherapy. Chemo I have no idea as I hadn't even thought about it till last Friday. Am I more patient that I was 2 months ago? It's debatable. I just think I know the drill now and that me trying to push the system has absolutley no effect. So the best option you have is to wait while trying to keep anxiety as minimal as possible. We may all have different cancers, symptoms, journeys but we all have uncertainty and waiting in common. I'ts our common bond on here I think. It's the general underlying theme. I think it's more like acceptance. Not sure if my words will help you as you tackle the next few weeks but take care. June. ... View more

Hi Sueblue Nice to put a picture to the words. Nothing like face value. A picture tells a thousand stories. I hope you get that call sooner than later. Waiting days is one thing but waiting hours is just as bad. Thinking of you. June ... View more

Waiting is definatley how it seems to be. If it's any consolation I had my first op on the 10th June, found out about c..... on the 1st July, got my referral for the specialist on the 7th July, went to see the specialist on the 28th July, next op to remove cancer on the 31st July, path results and true understanding of extent of cancer on the 7th August, next appoinment 21st August for radiotherapy and no idea when I will start treatment yet. Today I find out I have a high grade cancer (been told it was low till today), chemo is looking like an option now and definately going for external radiotherapy for 5-6 weeks. Started off simple!! I also wanted to find out what I was dealing with so I could plan my job, uni, kids, life the universe and everything. But there is no plan I don't think you have to put it on hold and it won't be sorted overnight. Realistic-ally speaking. I went for the centrelink option but I am a single mum I had to. I have no financial support I'm it. Not sure if that's an option for you. I am finding the days are easily filled. I come on here, I do some study, a bit a light housework, not much because I am still getting over the op. Organising my life to fit in apointments takes time and effort. A sleep in the arvo. Kids. Next thing it's bedtime. I think it is important to be pro active in your treatment and connecting with them. For them we are one of many for us we are the only one. Sublte reminders and follow ups just to let them know your there waiting patiently and worrying continuosly. I have come to terms with the fact that there are no easy answers, things are constanlty being revised, it's a waiting game and at the end of the day it is a personal and lonely journey. One which is shared by many. On your side and with you all the way Sue. Take gentle care. Juno ... View more

Hi Suebloo I just wanted to intro myself and let you know I am around also. I am a bit further along than you but it's all so new to me and every day is unknown territory. Last night was the best sleep I have had since about 2 days before I got my results last Friday. For me it has taken a few days to sink in and get to a place of acceptance. I hope you find out some news today also and I hope it is all good. It's hard enough dealing with this journey without bureacratic bungles. I am lucky I have contact with an oncology nurse at the hospital who was part of the multidisciplinary team so she was my connection. Although they get busy and I have been forgotton. But I know I am one of many. I am waiting for an apointment to find out about my radiotherapy treatment next week and it's dragging I can tell you. It's the waiting and wondering. For me it's how big a deal my treatment is going to be and for how long. A few other questions about the extent of the cancer cells remaining etc. Anyway I totally agree with you, keeping busy is good and meditation is a big help. I am an advocate for counselling as well. I have a counselling session this morning myself so I must get my A into G and get going. Wishing you all the best and take good care of your self. Juno ... View more

Hi Evaboo You are very welcome. I completely understand some of the thought patterns that go through your head at a time like this. I have found it a very personal and lonely experience but I have realised that to talk to someone who has had or is having the same experience is very comforting. Although they have been few. The uncertainty of a diagnosis leaves you open for a lot of guessing. The way I look at it though, it is important to keep the stress levels as low as possible to remain mentally and physically well. Easier said than done I know. The last couple of days before results were like and emotional roller coaster ride for me so if that hapens to you know that it is normal to feel that way. Yes you have those three scenarios and 2 of them are best case the third not so. I hope you fall into category 1 or 2. However they can do amazing things these days and positive thinking is much better for your stress levels and therefore your immune system. As for being a fraud, when I first recieved my cancer diagnosis I got proactive put all the neccessary services in place and made myself aware of the resources available to me. I am a realist. That included joining CC. I had that very same thought. That I would get it all out there, have the hysterectomy and be given the all clear, problem solved. Me making a big deal out of nothing and hence being a fraud when so many others are really going through the real deal. However it is all scary stuff whether the end resuts are postive or negative. The waiting, medical words, feelings of isolation and loneliness, tests, operations, needles, wondering and predicting so don't be hard on yourself. For me it is certain, I have cancer and there are cancer cells still in me. I am going to radiotherapy. I am waiting for my radiotherapy oncology appointment to find out the legnth, depth and type of treatment to expect. No going back unfortuntely. I will keep positive its the one thing that cannot be controlled by cancer, I will have down times but I will try to make them as few as possible. I have had some very strong people in my life who have had cancer and they have fought the battle with stregnth and determination, so will I. I have to I have 2 beautiful kids to watch become adults and do all the adult things, I want to get my degree, I want to do honours, I have plans and I have been told plans are good. Thats way more real to me than anything else at this stage of the game. You will find your inner stregnth if you look for it. Juno ... View more

Hi Evaboo I was where you are last week waiting for my pathology results to come back after my hysterectomy. However I knew the day they would ring me. Since my diagnosis on the 1st of July I have noticed that the waiting not knowing plus not having any concrete knowledge of when to expect to hear has been the hardest time for me. So I can imagine the torment you must be going through. It's like nothing I have experienced before in my life. Do you have contact with an oncology nurse who can liase with the doctor/hospital and help you to keep your anxiety levels down? Did they tell you when you should hear? I was told it would take 5 or so days for the pathology work to be completed. I had my op on the 31/8/14 and got my path results 8/8/14. I have read that getting cancer back is even harder to deal with than the first diagnosis, does this relate to you? Have you tried ringing the cancer council line to share your feelings? As soon as I found out about my cancer I put counselling into place because I find it helps me. These are just some ideas. It can be hard to think straight when you are filled with fear and anxiety. My oncology nurse told me to be gentle on myself, to take each day as it comes and to only deal with the facts that you know since anything else is not a certainty. I don't know if these words will help at all. I am only new to this stuff. There is a gyny group here I have hooked up on but am yet to join a chat session with them, I have been told it gives good support. Take gentle care of yourself and I hope your news is good. Juno ... View more