Womb Cancer Support UK started back in April 2011 as an online support group for women with womb cancer.
As a womb cancer survivor I realised that there was very little specific support out there for women going through womb cancer, so I started an online support group.
Based on Facebook with a main page and also a private chat page we have slowly grown and now there are over 870 on the main page and 117 in the private chat group.
But we are more than just a support group.
It soon became apparent that there was very little out there about womb cancer - indeed many of the women who are in the group had said that they had never heard of womb cancer before they got their diagnosis.
So we began to raise awareness as well as offer support to those women who had been diagnosed.
We are raising awareness of the signs and symptoms in the hope of getting other women to be womb aware and know what to look out for.
One of the ways we do this is by encouraging women to share their story by writing for our blog.
We have featured around a dozen stories from womb cancer survivors - women who bravely shared their stories in order to help raise awareness.
We are also on Twitter and network with a lot with other cancer charities and support groups to help raise awareness of womb cancer.
If you are going through womb cancer, or know someone who is. then please feel free to come and join us.
We are on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/WombCancerSupportUK but we also have a website here http://wombcancersupportuk.weebly.com/ and you can follow us on twitter here
https://twitter.com/WombCancerUK
There is strength in numbers and we need to raise the profile of womb cancer so that there is the same level of awareness about it as there is for other female cancers.
Our motto is - No one fights alone!
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Monday, 14 October 2013
No one wants cancer as a job!
I had started this blog last weekend but didn't find the time to finish it but was pleased to see that another blogger, Chris Lewis from http://www.chris-cancercommunity.blogspot.co.uk/ had picked up on the subject.
I scrapped the original blog so here is a brief summary of what I would have said - please pop over and read Chris's blog for a much more eloquent article. He writes so well and I would urge you to follow his blog as it's very good.
In a brief article that Jennifer Saunders, of Ab Fab fame had given, she apparently said that some cancer patients wear their cancer like a badge!
She was quoted as saying "You get so much attention and, if you’re not used to that, I bet it can sway you a little. I’m used to it. My job gives me the attention I’d otherwise crave. They must be so p****d off when their hair grows back"
Now, as you can imagine, this didn't go down too well with the ladies in WCSUK!!!
Comments ranged from "insensitive", "cruel", "smug" - fair to say that many of the women were not impressed with her attitude towards fellow survivors.
She may think that some cancer patients/survivors like the attention they get but I've yet to meet one who does!!
It would seem that she needs the attention at the moment - she's got a book to flog!!!
I scrapped the original blog so here is a brief summary of what I would have said - please pop over and read Chris's blog for a much more eloquent article. He writes so well and I would urge you to follow his blog as it's very good.
In a brief article that Jennifer Saunders, of Ab Fab fame had given, she apparently said that some cancer patients wear their cancer like a badge!
She was quoted as saying "You get so much attention and, if you’re not used to that, I bet it can sway you a little. I’m used to it. My job gives me the attention I’d otherwise crave. They must be so p****d off when their hair grows back"
Now, as you can imagine, this didn't go down too well with the ladies in WCSUK!!!
Comments ranged from "insensitive", "cruel", "smug" - fair to say that many of the women were not impressed with her attitude towards fellow survivors.
She may think that some cancer patients/survivors like the attention they get but I've yet to meet one who does!!
It would seem that she needs the attention at the moment - she's got a book to flog!!!
Thursday, 10 October 2013
How cancer affects how you see yourself!
How we see ourselves plays an important part in what we think about ourselves; our self esteem. Some people are more concerned about this than others but even people who would normally not bother about the way they look can find their self esteem takes a fall when they are going through cancer treatment.
Lets face it, you'd have to be a pretty strong character to not worry about loosing your eye brows and eye lashes along with all your other body hair.
And its not only female patients who feel this way; many male cancer patients can find themselves uneasy with their new body image post cancer treatment.
Body image issues have often been ignored by the medical profession and patients have been left to pick up the pieces alone and try to get on with life as best they can but as more and more people are now surviving cancer, an increasing number of GPs, psychologists, and social workers are beginning to focus on body image issues to help improve the long-term quality of life for survivors.
Most cancer patients experience temporary treatment-related physical changes, like hair loss during chemo, or fluctuations in their weight. Others might have permanent changes, like surgical scars.
It seems that, temporary or permanent, these changes can negatively affect how you see your body. Even changes within your body that are not visible, like having a hysterectomy, can have just as negative an impact on your body image as external physical changes.
Often, when treatment has ended, close family expect you to somehow put it all behind you and move on. However, it can take time to adjust to and accept your post-cancer body, and it’s important for us to do it at our own pace, until we feel comfortable with our body again..
Try and accept that your body has changed and that there may be new limitations on what you can and can't do.
Try and do gentle exercise as this will help not only your physical health but also your mental health.
Try not to compare yourself to other cancer patients or even other people in general. We are all different and all have bodies that will react to treatment in different ways.
Don't be hard on yourself either; you and your body have been through a lot so its going to take some time to get back on an even keel.
Pamper yourself occasionally; try and eat healthily and if you are having problems adjusting then don't be afraid to ask for help. There are support groups up and down the country and if you are really struggling then ask you GP to refer you to a counsellor so that you can talk about your issues.
Lets face it, you'd have to be a pretty strong character to not worry about loosing your eye brows and eye lashes along with all your other body hair.
And its not only female patients who feel this way; many male cancer patients can find themselves uneasy with their new body image post cancer treatment.
Body image issues have often been ignored by the medical profession and patients have been left to pick up the pieces alone and try to get on with life as best they can but as more and more people are now surviving cancer, an increasing number of GPs, psychologists, and social workers are beginning to focus on body image issues to help improve the long-term quality of life for survivors.
Most cancer patients experience temporary treatment-related physical changes, like hair loss during chemo, or fluctuations in their weight. Others might have permanent changes, like surgical scars.
It seems that, temporary or permanent, these changes can negatively affect how you see your body. Even changes within your body that are not visible, like having a hysterectomy, can have just as negative an impact on your body image as external physical changes.
Often, when treatment has ended, close family expect you to somehow put it all behind you and move on. However, it can take time to adjust to and accept your post-cancer body, and it’s important for us to do it at our own pace, until we feel comfortable with our body again..
Try and accept that your body has changed and that there may be new limitations on what you can and can't do.
Try and do gentle exercise as this will help not only your physical health but also your mental health.
Try not to compare yourself to other cancer patients or even other people in general. We are all different and all have bodies that will react to treatment in different ways.
Don't be hard on yourself either; you and your body have been through a lot so its going to take some time to get back on an even keel.
Pamper yourself occasionally; try and eat healthily and if you are having problems adjusting then don't be afraid to ask for help. There are support groups up and down the country and if you are really struggling then ask you GP to refer you to a counsellor so that you can talk about your issues.
Thursday, 3 October 2013
My Summer with Cancer
This is a guest blog piece by a peach sister from US.
I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in early May, met my oncologist in late May, and underwent surgery (radical hysterectomy) in late June.
A week later, I got the news that my cancer had been Stage 1a (earliest stage) and I would need no further treatment. I spent June and half of August on medical leave to recover and heal.
All in all, it feels like I had cancer for a summer. I belong to the cancer survivor club now, but it almost seems like I cheated to get into this exclusive club.
On blogs and other social media, I’ve read some horrific stories about what other women have gone through in treatment and recovery from this cancer. It doesn’t seem fair, somehow, that I had such a relatively easy time of it though my doctor assures me that my case isn’t unusual.
I don’t really know how long I had cancer. I had been experiencing post-menopausal spotting for over a year. I informed my menopause doctor and she adjusted the hormones I was taking.
Indeed, it could well have been just a hormonal issue in the beginning. Eventually, though, the spotting became more regular, never a lot, but always there. I got off the hormones, but the spotting continued. I discussed the problem with my doctor, who said it could be several things and I should get a sonogram “just to rule out cancer.”
I went the next morning and the results came back that same afternoon. Wow – that was fast! I read the report but didn’t understand it.
The doctor called and told me to get a biopsy next. I understood now – I had failed that first “test.” On Friday I met my new OB/GYN, Dr. D, and got the biopsy done. She told me the results would be ready by mid-week, but on Monday afternoon I got a call from her office. I couldn’t take it as I was about to give a training at work, but inside I thought “uh oh – I bet I failed that test, too.”
When I got home that evening, I saw that the clinic had sent me an e-mail. I expected to read something from Dr. D about the biopsy results and instead saw that my menopause doctor had written. She was sorry to hear about the cancer and hoped I would have a quick recovery. WHAT?! That was it. No details. She had falsely assumed that I had already spoken with Dr. D about the situation.
I wanted to talk to someone, but I’d have to wait until the next day to call the doctor. I contacted some friends, all of whom freaked out more than I had. The ‘c’ word packs a powerful punch.
The next day, Dr. D called (horrified that I had found out in such a way), gave me the details, and said that a gynaecological oncology office would call soon.
I had to wait a few weeks to see the oncologist; a good sign, I felt, that my condition wasn’t dire. By the end of the month, I had met with the oncologist, scheduled a surgery date, and informed colleagues, friends, and family.
Some reacted strongly, some were calm. Everyone said they’d help out during my medical leave. My daughter was away at college, but we stayed in touch frequently. My son, who lives locally, would move back in for the first week post-surgery.
Most of the time during this period, I was calm. I never experienced pain, just the continued spotting. In fact, my job had been so stressful for the past year and a half that I eagerly looked forward to a break. Sadly, my colleagues understood this all too well.
I am fortunate that I have short-term disability insurance with my company and qualified for full-pay leave up to twelve weeks (this is not a given in the USA) though the standard medical leave for this surgery is six weeks, which is what was approved. Some of my friends in other jobs would have to take leave with no salary if this had happened to them.
On June 25, I had laparoscopic surgery; the oncologist used the DaVinci robot to perform the hysterectomy. I was in the hospital for one night and then discharged with my five holes neatly bandaged. My friends carefully chauffeured me home, where my son was waiting for me.
Over the next weeks, I had many visitors, often bearing food. Once I could ride in a car again, some friends took me out. I read a lot, watched favorite shows, and slowly began to walk and regain my strength.
It’s been about three months since the surgery. Am I back to my post-surgery condition? Not entirely. I have no pain where the incision holes were, but my abdominal and back muscles are still weak. To my dismay, I’m going through a second menopause as my body readjusts to having no hormones at all now that my ovaries are gone.
I get to experience hot flashes, acne, and sleepless nights all over again. So unfair! But having cancer does give one a wake-up call. I’m working very hard on improving my diet and exercise habits.
I put my personal life before my work life much more easily now. I’ve taken a fresh look at what makes me happy and how I want to spend my time.
I’m buying flowers for myself every week, I’m reading much more, and trying to write my blogs more often (see below). I make a strong effort to stay in touch with friends, near and far. I’ve always been close to my son and daughter, both in their early 20s, and I’m even more motivated to stay healthy, so I can be around for them a long, long time.
Cancer is no longer the death sentence it once was for earlier generations, but it is still important to educate the public so that it is diagnosed and treated early. This is what motivates me to share my story. People often shy away from discussing cancer, but it’s only by bringing it out into the open that more people with cancer will be able to join the survivors’ club.
Shoshanah
http://shoshwrites.wordpress.com/ (After the Fire)
http://shoshwrites2.wordpress.com/ (My Life in the Middle Lane)
http://shoshwrites3.wordpress.com/ (From Soccer Mom to Soccer Fan)
I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in early May, met my oncologist in late May, and underwent surgery (radical hysterectomy) in late June.
A week later, I got the news that my cancer had been Stage 1a (earliest stage) and I would need no further treatment. I spent June and half of August on medical leave to recover and heal.
All in all, it feels like I had cancer for a summer. I belong to the cancer survivor club now, but it almost seems like I cheated to get into this exclusive club.
On blogs and other social media, I’ve read some horrific stories about what other women have gone through in treatment and recovery from this cancer. It doesn’t seem fair, somehow, that I had such a relatively easy time of it though my doctor assures me that my case isn’t unusual.
I don’t really know how long I had cancer. I had been experiencing post-menopausal spotting for over a year. I informed my menopause doctor and she adjusted the hormones I was taking.
Indeed, it could well have been just a hormonal issue in the beginning. Eventually, though, the spotting became more regular, never a lot, but always there. I got off the hormones, but the spotting continued. I discussed the problem with my doctor, who said it could be several things and I should get a sonogram “just to rule out cancer.”
I went the next morning and the results came back that same afternoon. Wow – that was fast! I read the report but didn’t understand it.
The doctor called and told me to get a biopsy next. I understood now – I had failed that first “test.” On Friday I met my new OB/GYN, Dr. D, and got the biopsy done. She told me the results would be ready by mid-week, but on Monday afternoon I got a call from her office. I couldn’t take it as I was about to give a training at work, but inside I thought “uh oh – I bet I failed that test, too.”
When I got home that evening, I saw that the clinic had sent me an e-mail. I expected to read something from Dr. D about the biopsy results and instead saw that my menopause doctor had written. She was sorry to hear about the cancer and hoped I would have a quick recovery. WHAT?! That was it. No details. She had falsely assumed that I had already spoken with Dr. D about the situation.
I wanted to talk to someone, but I’d have to wait until the next day to call the doctor. I contacted some friends, all of whom freaked out more than I had. The ‘c’ word packs a powerful punch.
The next day, Dr. D called (horrified that I had found out in such a way), gave me the details, and said that a gynaecological oncology office would call soon.
I had to wait a few weeks to see the oncologist; a good sign, I felt, that my condition wasn’t dire. By the end of the month, I had met with the oncologist, scheduled a surgery date, and informed colleagues, friends, and family.
Some reacted strongly, some were calm. Everyone said they’d help out during my medical leave. My daughter was away at college, but we stayed in touch frequently. My son, who lives locally, would move back in for the first week post-surgery.
Most of the time during this period, I was calm. I never experienced pain, just the continued spotting. In fact, my job had been so stressful for the past year and a half that I eagerly looked forward to a break. Sadly, my colleagues understood this all too well.
I am fortunate that I have short-term disability insurance with my company and qualified for full-pay leave up to twelve weeks (this is not a given in the USA) though the standard medical leave for this surgery is six weeks, which is what was approved. Some of my friends in other jobs would have to take leave with no salary if this had happened to them.
On June 25, I had laparoscopic surgery; the oncologist used the DaVinci robot to perform the hysterectomy. I was in the hospital for one night and then discharged with my five holes neatly bandaged. My friends carefully chauffeured me home, where my son was waiting for me.
Over the next weeks, I had many visitors, often bearing food. Once I could ride in a car again, some friends took me out. I read a lot, watched favorite shows, and slowly began to walk and regain my strength.
It’s been about three months since the surgery. Am I back to my post-surgery condition? Not entirely. I have no pain where the incision holes were, but my abdominal and back muscles are still weak. To my dismay, I’m going through a second menopause as my body readjusts to having no hormones at all now that my ovaries are gone.
I get to experience hot flashes, acne, and sleepless nights all over again. So unfair! But having cancer does give one a wake-up call. I’m working very hard on improving my diet and exercise habits.
I put my personal life before my work life much more easily now. I’ve taken a fresh look at what makes me happy and how I want to spend my time.
I’m buying flowers for myself every week, I’m reading much more, and trying to write my blogs more often (see below). I make a strong effort to stay in touch with friends, near and far. I’ve always been close to my son and daughter, both in their early 20s, and I’m even more motivated to stay healthy, so I can be around for them a long, long time.
Cancer is no longer the death sentence it once was for earlier generations, but it is still important to educate the public so that it is diagnosed and treated early. This is what motivates me to share my story. People often shy away from discussing cancer, but it’s only by bringing it out into the open that more people with cancer will be able to join the survivors’ club.
Shoshanah
http://shoshwrites.wordpress.com/ (After the Fire)
http://shoshwrites2.wordpress.com/ (My Life in the Middle Lane)
http://shoshwrites3.wordpress.com/ (From Soccer Mom to Soccer Fan)
Monday, 30 September 2013
My Story - by G.W
Another in our series of blog posts by womb cancer survivors.
This is a story I actually did think I may have to write at some time in my life. Sorry if it is very long and repetitive but I feel as if I need to pour it all out.
When I was 10 years and 3 months old I started the first of 45 years of very heavy, very painful, flooding periods. My mother took me to see our GP and (in 1966) he told her that i was quite a "freak" as there was only one case of anyone he had heard of starting at the same age as me. I was really upset at this and my mother was never very sympathetic (we always had a very difficult relationship up to her death in 2007) - she had never told me anything about periods, nor had I been prepared for them in any way and I honestly thought at that age that I was dying with the amount of blood I was losing each month.
Over the years, I had visited my GP several times and told him about the length of my periods - every 4 weeks without fail they would appear and last 9 -10 days - I think he was quite bemused that they were so regular and even though I told him about all the pain etc and that I suspected I had Endometriosis. I don't think (looking back) he took me seriously. However he did refer me to a Gynaecologist in 1981 (I had just got married and the same month my periods got even worse, if that was possible) After some tests he found that I had a Polyp growing on my cervix - the size of a cherry he said. He said he would remove it straightaway in the clinic as leaving it on my cervix could have meant it turning "sinister" as he put it. Well, within minutes he DID actually remove it, without any pain relief whatsoever! He just inserted the speculum and snipped it off and held it up to the light for me to see! Yuk! I was in so much pain - I actually went back to work that afternoon but my husband had to collect me and take me home. I stayed there for 2 weeks of even heavier bleeding and cramping. I was given a "sick note" for 2 weeks as I had lost so much blood and could hardly walk.
What I didn't realise at the time was the Gynaecologist was telling me that some women are prone to polyps in their womb or cervix and some of them become sinister in later years. I remember hearing those words as if it was only yesterday. Just using so many pads and taking so much Feminax every month was costing a small fortune too. I always had to ensure I had at least one change of clothes and underwear with me - pale clothing was a definite No No. It restricted my social and working life such a lot.
Endometriosis was still never confirmed at that time and the painful periods carried on for 45 years in total. I must mention that throughout this time I was never free of bladder infections - these first appeared when I was 18 years old. Over the years I had loads of investigations and small operations/tests but no procedure was successful for very long and back came the pain and infections with a vengeance.
Fast forward from the polyp removal of 1981 to September of 2011. I was never free of really bad flu - this was relatively new for me as although I get as many bad colds/flu as the next person, I had never had it going on for so long without a break - this "flu" lasted from September 2011 to March 2012 - no break at all, in fact it got worse over the months. As well as this flu, the bladder problems had got even worse - I had been on antibiotics constantly for around 18 months. I was very concerned that the antibiotics had affected my immunity and that was why I couldn't get rid of the flu. I went back constantly to my GP and he just carried on giving me antibiotics - some for flu (which by March 2012, I had also developed a very bad chest infection) and different ones for the bladder infections too.
I was quite surprised at the age of 55 that I was still having very painful, heavy periods. I used to "joke" to my husband that I thought they would never stop and they would always be with me.
At the end of March, eventually the flu got better but the bladder infections weren't getting any better and one morning in the same week I started experiencing dreadful period like cramps and excessive vaginal discharge/pinky coloured "bleeding" - I hadn't had a period since August 2011 so I was quite aware and worried that something was not right - even with the worst period that I had endured over the years this new "cramping" and dragging pain in my stomach (and back and down the front and backs of my legs and swelling in my legs) was something else. I put up with it for a week or so as I thought maybe I was going to have another period. When nothing came by the end of March, I went to see my GP. He said he thought it was the menopause and this was the "ending" of my periods. I wasn't convinced and I returned to him every 2 weeks and reeled off the same thing to him about the bleeding and cramps which were getting worse. At the same time, my bladder infections were giving me hell and I think I had just about reached rock bottom as I was so frightened, tearful and bloody angry that I was not being taken seriously and that something was so wrong but nobody seemed to want to investigate as it was being looked upon as "normal" for my age. Between March and September 2012 I must have been visiting my GP nearly every 2 weeks and still nothing seemed to concern him nor any of the other doctors I saw. - My GP was continuing to prescribe antibiotics which had cost me so much in the way of my health and finances.
Every day was a constant battle with my GP and other medical professionals. I was completely worn out with the stress of it all that I was ready to throw in the towel and I began to think "maybe it is just menopause after all". I had nobody to discuss anything with as none of my "friends" talk about "these things" so I wouldn't know whether it was normal or not. Thankfully I did never stop going back to my GP and kept on and on at him that I think in the end he was sick of seeing me.
One day in early September, my luck started to change. My GP referred me to the Practice Nurse for a smear test just to check my cervix after I kept on telling him the story about the Polyp of several years ago. I had always had regular smears - some even paid for privately by myself as I was always quite suspicious that every 3 years wasn't enough. Anyhow the Practice Nurse was concerned that I was getting cramps and bleeding and gave me the most painful smear test I had ever had. She said she was going to ensure enough cells were taken around the cervix and inserted the "brush" further into my womb just to "be sure". This was the 12th September 2012. I could hardly get home afterwards I was in so much agony - I was so convinced that by this time cancer was going to be found - I was just waiting for them to confirm it. I had never had pain like this in my life - I actually thought this was the end and I was dying. On the 18th September one of the other nurses at the surgery rang me to say the lab had been in touch and I had some suspicious cells growing into the womb and they had been "shedding" every month for around a year or so and they had been picked up on the slide. I can honestly say, that if I had not seen that Practice Nurse on that day in September that I don't think I would have been alive today, or at least the cancer would have been found at a much later stage.
Yes I feel VERY angry at my GP and other health professionals at the lack of awareness regarding Womb Cancer - I, and a lot of other women I later found out, had been ignored and made to feel a nuisance and all we were doing was trying to help ourselves.
Now starts my womb cancer journey itself: The ball had started to roll very quickly from the 2th September smear; 18th September I got the phone call about the suspicious cells, 25th September referred to a Gynaecologist for an examination, 5th October the transvaginal scan where I found out the thickness of my endometrium was abnormal, 8th October the very painful Hysteroscopy without pain relief and 16th October the actual diagnosis of my Endometrial Cancer. I always knew I had cancer - it had been at the back of my mind for months so I wasn't surprised at all when she confirmed it to me. The 29th October, my first MRI scan which was absolute hell with the claustrophobia but I knew that somehow I had to go through with it. My Gynaecological Oncologist explained I had an early cancer. It was found that I had a Stage 1a, Grade 2 cancer, although I had been originally told it was Stage 1a Grade 1.
I was only in hospital for 2 nights and had a bad time from the anaesthetic, and the lack of pain relief afterwards for nearly 4 weeks that I find I cannot ever forgive them for but I am trying my best to put it all behind me and if only I could get my bladder/incontinence problems sorted, maybe I could start living again - until then I feel as if I am still living in limbo.
In hospital I didn't feel as if I had a good experience, (apart from having an excellent surgeon) I was put in a ward of geriatric 80 - 94 year old women. - nobody on the whole ward except me actually had cancer and the food was terrible so I was more than happy to go home after 2 nights even though I thought initially it was a bit too early. It was a cancer ward in a cancer hospital and I was told all these other women were there because there was nowhere else to put them!
My surgeon said that my hysterectomy had been difficult because I actually DID have endometriosis (after all these years I was finally getting it confirmed what I suspected all along). He said it was stuck to my bladder and bowel and he was amazed I had "been able" to put up with all the pain and discomfort for so long!!
Yes, my surgeon saved my life but it came at a price with my worsening bladder issues. Sometimes I think did stress contribute to me getting cancer? Yes I think it probably did - my parents both passed away separately in bad circumstances in their care homes in 2007 and 2008 and my wonderful husband had lifesaving heart surgery in 2010 after years of procedures. For years previously I had been bullied at various jobs I had worked at and life in general was very very stressful.
The only positive parts of my journey were "meeting" all the wonderful ladies in the Womb Cancer Support Group whom have been my rocks since I was diagnosed.
The only positive parts of my journey were "meeting" all the wonderful ladies in the Womb Cancer Support Group whom have been my rocks since I was diagnosed.
Sunday, 29 September 2013
The road to recovery by D.V
Another in our series of blog posts by ladies who are part of WCSUK.
My hobby, running, has been a part of my life for over 10 years. I came to it late; I didn't even think about taking it up but my dad dying of renal cancer in a hospice started me thinking about it. I decided to do the London Marathon to raise funds for them as they had been so good with dad and the rest of the family.
So I started. By the time I was diagnosed with womb cancer I had done 14 marathons and countless other races and I had raised thousands of pounds for the hospice and various other charities along the way. I have found a whole lot of new friends through my hobby and look forward to meeting up with them at races all over the country.
My last marathon was in early October 2011; Loch Ness Marathon. It was the 4th time I had run the race but I had a terrible time. I really couldn't understand why I was struggling and came away from Inverness feeling despondent and had more or less decided not to do it ever again.
Well, the rest is history really. I didn't recover physically from the marathon and things got very nasty. I was diagnosed with womb cancer in January 2012 and had to have a total hysterectomy followed by radiotherapy.
Out of the two, the radiotherapy has been the worst thing to get over. I had actually started to run again when treatment started but the stomach problems that can go with it put paid to me doing very much at all for a few months.
My stomach probably won't ever be the same again. I have to be very careful of what I eat on the days I run and the day before my long runs. But I am running again!
It has been a struggle though. I lost almost a year of running due to womb cancer and of course I am now 10 years older than I was when I first started. I am very slow and I get tired very easily but I am plugging away.
I suffered from late onset radiotherapy symptoms in January and February when my stomach was as unpredictable as it was during treatment so I had to stop running for a while. Since then though, my training has been a little bit more consistent, although I have had a couple of injuries and had to miss the occasional run due to toilet troubles!
So where is my training leading? I'm going back to Loch Ness! This year's marathon is on 29th September and I can't wait to get back there. The race itself is going to be very slow for me and I am under no illusions about that but I am determined to enjoy my day! I'll be the one taking photos along the way............
My story was featured in the race magazine which I was very pleased about as that was one way of raising awareness of womb cancer. And awareness does need to be raised.
Every cancer patient knows how cancer can affect the mind. It's like we are almost waiting for a recurrence but I am trying to put this to the back of my mind and enjoy my life. And my running is one way of doing just that!
My hobby, running, has been a part of my life for over 10 years. I came to it late; I didn't even think about taking it up but my dad dying of renal cancer in a hospice started me thinking about it. I decided to do the London Marathon to raise funds for them as they had been so good with dad and the rest of the family.
So I started. By the time I was diagnosed with womb cancer I had done 14 marathons and countless other races and I had raised thousands of pounds for the hospice and various other charities along the way. I have found a whole lot of new friends through my hobby and look forward to meeting up with them at races all over the country.
My last marathon was in early October 2011; Loch Ness Marathon. It was the 4th time I had run the race but I had a terrible time. I really couldn't understand why I was struggling and came away from Inverness feeling despondent and had more or less decided not to do it ever again.
Well, the rest is history really. I didn't recover physically from the marathon and things got very nasty. I was diagnosed with womb cancer in January 2012 and had to have a total hysterectomy followed by radiotherapy.
Out of the two, the radiotherapy has been the worst thing to get over. I had actually started to run again when treatment started but the stomach problems that can go with it put paid to me doing very much at all for a few months.
My stomach probably won't ever be the same again. I have to be very careful of what I eat on the days I run and the day before my long runs. But I am running again!
It has been a struggle though. I lost almost a year of running due to womb cancer and of course I am now 10 years older than I was when I first started. I am very slow and I get tired very easily but I am plugging away.
I suffered from late onset radiotherapy symptoms in January and February when my stomach was as unpredictable as it was during treatment so I had to stop running for a while. Since then though, my training has been a little bit more consistent, although I have had a couple of injuries and had to miss the occasional run due to toilet troubles!
So where is my training leading? I'm going back to Loch Ness! This year's marathon is on 29th September and I can't wait to get back there. The race itself is going to be very slow for me and I am under no illusions about that but I am determined to enjoy my day! I'll be the one taking photos along the way............
My story was featured in the race magazine which I was very pleased about as that was one way of raising awareness of womb cancer. And awareness does need to be raised.
Every cancer patient knows how cancer can affect the mind. It's like we are almost waiting for a recurrence but I am trying to put this to the back of my mind and enjoy my life. And my running is one way of doing just that!
Saturday, 28 September 2013
Turning Birmingham Peach for Womb Cancer Awareness
This time last week Birmingham city centre had the pleasure of seeing many pairs of peach knickers being shown in broad daylight, and with the full knowledge and co operation of the local constabulary!!
Let me explain!!!
As most of you know, WCSUK is based online and therefore many of us ladies have never met before. So I decided to organise a meet up.
So last weekend, around 20 of us gathered in Birmingham for the inaugural WCSUK get together!
We had a meeting in the morning, at which the lovely Jennifer Young from Defiant Beauty http://www.beautydespitecancer.co.uk/ gave us a brief chat about her company and her wonderful products that are designed for cancer patients.
Then after a break for lunch, we had a walk through the city centre up to Victoria Square. If you know Birmingham at all, you will know that is where the local attraction known as the floosie in the Jacuzzi is!
This is where we held our photo shoot! The sun was out and so soon were the peach knickers!! The ladies had fun showing off their peach undies in the sunshine and some of them even persuaded some of the local constabulary to have their photo's taken with us.
We had loads of fun and did manage to raise awareness - after all, people are going to stop and ask why we were waving peach knickers around, aren't they??
Also in the area were a group of young people who were dressed in animal costumes so some of our ladies went across and had their photographs taken with them. Turned out one of them had a Mother who had had womb cancer - small world!
The weekend was a great success and we hope to repeat it next year and also have smaller regional get-togethers throughout the year.
It was wonderful to finally meet so many of the women that until now I had only known through FB and the weekend will be remembered for a long time.
Here's to all the Peach Ladies of WCSUK!
Let me explain!!!
As most of you know, WCSUK is based online and therefore many of us ladies have never met before. So I decided to organise a meet up.
So last weekend, around 20 of us gathered in Birmingham for the inaugural WCSUK get together!
We had a meeting in the morning, at which the lovely Jennifer Young from Defiant Beauty http://www.beautydespitecancer.co.uk/ gave us a brief chat about her company and her wonderful products that are designed for cancer patients.
Then after a break for lunch, we had a walk through the city centre up to Victoria Square. If you know Birmingham at all, you will know that is where the local attraction known as the floosie in the Jacuzzi is!
This is where we held our photo shoot! The sun was out and so soon were the peach knickers!! The ladies had fun showing off their peach undies in the sunshine and some of them even persuaded some of the local constabulary to have their photo's taken with us.
We had loads of fun and did manage to raise awareness - after all, people are going to stop and ask why we were waving peach knickers around, aren't they??
Also in the area were a group of young people who were dressed in animal costumes so some of our ladies went across and had their photographs taken with them. Turned out one of them had a Mother who had had womb cancer - small world!
The weekend was a great success and we hope to repeat it next year and also have smaller regional get-togethers throughout the year.
It was wonderful to finally meet so many of the women that until now I had only known through FB and the weekend will be remembered for a long time.
Here's to all the Peach Ladies of WCSUK!
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