Cervical Cancer Support Group
Cervical cancer is a malignancy of the cervix. Worldwide, it is the second most common cancer of women. It may present with vaginal bleeding but symptoms may be absent until the cancer is in advanced stages, which has made cervical cancer the focus of intense screening efforts utilizing the Pap smear. This is the place to talk about your experience with the cancer.
Hello. I was just diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. I'm facing a hysterectomy and possibly radiation after the surgery. I'm 32, and I'm really trying to keep it together. I'm really trying to handle this with a degree of grace but I feel like I'm on fire. I have a 6 year old son, and I know I'm really lucky I have him. I had wanted another child but that choice is out of my hands. My husband didn't really want anymore kids so even though he's supportive I feel like he's not as upset as I am or at least doesn't show it as much. I'm afraid and scared and I don't want to not be here for my son. I'm trying to be normal but I'm not sure it's working.
I know when I got my diagnosis, even though I was done having kids, it was very difficult to have the choice taken away. And I was very worried for my kids also.
It sounds like your doctors are expecting your cancer to be early stage. When is your hysterectomy date? Once you have your pathology reports back, you will have a much better idea of next steps. Generally you'll feel "better" with a firm plan in place - for me, the uncertainty and waiting was the worst part of the process.
Don't expect yourself to be "normal" for the next little while. A cancer diagnosis upends our lives and it takes some work to find balance again, (You will, though). But right now its totally normal to be scared, angry, confused, lonely, all of it. We are here for you. Sending lots of supportive thoughts and ((hugs)).
It's very common for men to not know how to support us well. My husband, for example, is a "fixer" - computer tech, handyman type. Seeing me have a problem that he had no idea how to "fix" was so distressing because his "fixing" is normally how he shows his love and support - he's not nearly so comfortable in the listen/talk/hugs world! His genuine attempts to be reassuring "It'll all be fine, I'm sure" just felt dismissive. And of course, he had no one to go to for processing his own emotions of anxiety, concern....that would normally be me, but he didn't want to add to my burden, and his guy friends don't talk about that stuff. Plus it's all about the "girl parts", and guys don't know how to talk about that! So it's nice to have a chance to "talk" (either in person or online) with others who have been there. We get it.
Keeping you in my thoughts for your next round of biopsies.