From Well To Hell.

I've been offline for a few days due to ongoing technical problems, but today's post is one woman's womb cancer story and all I have to do is copy and paste, so here goes!

'I was bobbing along through life, minding my own business, when a few years ago I found myself turning fifty. It was only a number, it held no fear for me, no worries or concerns, I could do this. After all it was just another day, not so different from the one before or the one I was confident would follow.

I'd lived a clean life - non-smoker, teetotal, my only drug use being an occasional paracetamol tablet. Not meaning to sound vain, but I looked pretty good, I felt good and if I ever thought of death at all, it was only in the context that I wasn't looking to be facing it any time soon. My one concession to getting older was reading glasses - contact lenses weren't for me as I couldn't stand the thought of poking around with my eyes. I figured I'd got pretty good genes and I was grateful. As far as I was concerned all was well, but I went from well to hell in only a few months because I didn't know the lining of my womb - something I thought I was losing every month - could become cancerous.

I wasn't aware that starting my periods at an early age and not yet having reached the menopause were both putting me at risk of womb cancer, and nor did I realise that a negative smear test result didn't mean I was ok. I didn't know that breast cancer, ovarian cancer and cervical cancer weren't the only women's cancers I should look out for signs of. And the reason I didn't know any of these things was because there had never been a womb cancer awareness campaign in the UK. Not once.

I thought the initial minor changes to my periods were due to my age; I thought that the 'hot flushes' were due to hormone changes. I didn't realise I had a cancer that would mean losing my womb, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes. That would put me firmly in menopause before I was ready to accept it. That would lead me to question my femininity and what it means to be a woman. That would take months, even years, of my life to recover from. That would leave me with side-effects and an ongoing sense of uncertainty about the future. And I'm one of the lucky ones. 

Don't just be breast aware, and don't simply take a negative smear test result at face value, be womb aware too. And make sure your female friends and relatives are also all womb aware, because finding womb cancer early could save your life and/or theirs.'

If you have a womb cancer story you'd like to share then please let me know.

Love Rose x

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

I mentioned a few posts back about the link between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and the risk of developing womb cancer.

If you've been diagnosed with PCOS then you might want to take a look at the following UK website for help and advice:

Home | Verity - PCOS Charity

www.verity-pcos.org.uk

Verity - the UK charity for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Verity is a registered UK charity support group run by women with PCOS for women with PCOS. The following page on their website sets out the long-term health risks from PCOS, including Type 2 diabetes which is also a known risk factor for womb cancer:

Long term health | Verity - PCOS Charity

www.verity-pcos.org.uk

Verity

Love Rose x

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"Peachy Too" T-Shirts & Hoodies by DParry | Redbubble

 © Copyright Annette Parry

"Peachy Too" T-Shirts & Hoodies by DParry | Redbubble:

This t-shirt is the lastest design created especially to raise funds for womb cancer research. It's available to buy in various sizes, colours and styles from RedBubble. There is also a design of a single, large peach if preferred. Both designs can be bought as stickers too. As well as t-shirts and hoodies, there's also a range of specially designed Christmas cards. All profits from sales are donated to research into the genetic causes of womb cancer in women aged 40 and under.

If you're looking for gifts and cards then buying from this RedBubble store can help fundraise for womb cancer research and also help raise awareness of womb cancer. Why not take a look.

Love Rose x

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Recovery Takes Time.

I hope this finds you all in good spirits; my apologies that I wasn't able to post yesterday. Today has been a day for chores - a feat in itself, as it's taken time to recover physical strength and stamina since surgery in 2010.

Doctors seem to underestimate how long recovery can be. I was told up to 12 weeks off work post-op and expect to be tired for the first four months. In reality, it took me just over two years to feel almost human again. Summer this year was the most well I'd felt in a long time, so I was disappointed to be hit by colds during September into October and the recent fatigue which is, thankfully, now on the wane. On the whole I feel well and long may it continue!

It's early evening here in the UK so I'm off to relax. Have fun wherever you are!

Love Rose x


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Aging Gratefully.

I don’t know how other people who've come through cancer generally feel on the subject of birthdays, but since my womb cancer diagnosis back in 2010 I've had a healthy respect for getting older. I've been through three birthdays since my main surgery that same year - I only have one a year in case you’re wondering! – and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for many more.

If you’re reading this and it’s your birthday today, then happy birthday! Joyeux anniversaire! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! Penblwydd Hapus! Feliz Cumpleaños! Feliz aniversário! Enjoy your day, whatever language you're celebrating in.

Love Rose x

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We Need A Womb Cancer Charity!

In the UK there is no charity dedicated solely to womb cancer, but there is a petition pushing for one to be set up. If you've not already done so, please will you sign the petition to help it reach - or even surpass! - its target of 1900 signatures; one for every death from womb cancer in the UK each year:

We Need A Womb Cancer Charity!

www.petitionbuzz.com

'We the undersigned call for the setting up of a dedicated national womb cancer charity to be at the forefront of awareness campaigning, early diagnosis and medical research.' ...

Many thanks!

Love Rose x


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Womb Cancer Signs and Risk Factors.

Tonight I'd like to share with you a leaflet from Womb Cancer Support UK (WCSUK). This leaflet lists some signs to look out for with regard to possible womb/endometrial/uterine cancer, also some of the possible risk factors for developing womb cancer:

Please click on leaflet to enlarge.

As well as the signs listed above, any unusual discharge, spotting or bleeding after menopause should be reported to your Doctor/General Practitioner (GP) for further investigation; painful intercourse, bleeding after intercourse, a frequent need to empty the bladder - or difficulty doing so - should be reported both before and after menopause.

As well as the risk factors listed above, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is also considered a risk factor for womb cancer.

Please remember that pap/smear tests are designed to detect changes in the cells of the cervix rather than cells higher up in the womb cavity itself, so a negative smear test result does not rule out womb cancer. If abnormal symptoms persist after a negative smear test result, please ask for further checks to rule out the possibility of womb cancer.

Please remember that the information in my blog is not intended or implied to be a substitute for medical advice - please always consult your Doctor/healthcare provider.

Love Rose x

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One Team, One Goal!

Womb Cancer Support UK (WCSUK) has released some exciting news today - under their Twitter name of Womb Cancer UK, they have recently become partners in the worldwide One Team One Goal (OTOG) campaign! 

The OTOG project is a 'worldwide, coalition-building campaign that unites all gynecologic oncology practice and advocacy groups' and aims to 'help bring awareness to the global cancer burden.'

Please will you take a moment to sign the Union For International Cancer Control's (UICC) World Cancer Declaration and to register your signature on behalf of Womb Cancer UK:

One Team One GoalSign the Union for International Cancer Control's (UICC) World Cancer Declaration t

s.zoomerang.com

Sign the Union for International Cancer Control's (UICC)World Cancer Declarationto help bring awareness to the global cancer burden.

Love Rose x

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All Around The World.

I've been looking at the number of page views for my blog and I'm amazed how many of you out there are reading this. Thank you so much, merci beaucoup, vielen Dank, diolch yn fawr, muchas gracias, muito obrigada (muito obrigado to any male readers!) with my sincere apologies to anyone whose language I've left out this morning!

I'm having a sneezy Sunday, so maybe the fatigue this week was the start of a bug - though hopefully not, as that'll be the third cold I've had since late September this year! I'm surprised how well I've been since the major surgery I had for womb cancer in 2010. This year is the first time I've been hit by what ails everyone else at work since I went back just over two years ago, but rather than think my immune system is compromised I'm taking the view that the bugs have mutated so I'm now building up further immunity. That way I don't mind so much when I end up looking like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer!! Fingers crossed for a sneeze-free, illness-free remainder of today...

Hoping this post finds you all well and enjoying your weekend.

Love Rose x

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Have You Tried Cell Slider?

It's a cold, wet Saturday afternoon and time for today's blog post!

I recently read about the new Cell Slider website from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) that allows members of the public to take an active part in breast cancer research. Samples of breast tissue have been uploaded to Cell Slider for users to assess and potentially flag up any that might need further investigation. There's a tutorial to explain what you need to look out for and you can spend as much or as little time assessing samples as suits you. It's an intriguing idea and, if this breast cancer model works, CRUK will look at extending it to other types of cancer.

I've already spent some time on the Cell Slider website and if you'd like to get involved too you can find the site here:

Click to Cure - Cancer Research UK and Zooniverse Cell Slider

www.cellslider.net

Join Cancer Research UK and Zooniverse in the fight to beat cancer - accelerate cures with a few clicks of your mouse!

Helping to research a cure for cancer is only a click away!

Love Rose x


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Fatigue Follow-Up.

Well, here I am, still feeling tired after my recent early night - I had to lay down before I fell down! - but certainly better than I was. Do you get days like that?

Over the last two years or so, the post-cancer fatigue has gone from crushing to manageable. Every cancer patient I know seems to experience fatigue and I recently read that researchers at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Care Help Center in the US have found it can last for up to ten years!! That thought didn't exactly make my day, but it certainly helped explain why the medical Registrar's 'you should expect to feel tired for the first four months after surgery' hasn't quite cut it for me. And it seems I'm not the only one.

I'm not complaining - I can now walk to work in record time every morning, when cancer once had me shuffling along slower than Mrs Overall from Acorn Antiques. I'm grateful to have reached this point and, as I keep reading, exercise is apparently a good way to combat fatigue. So maybe it's a self-fulfilling prophecy, that the better I feel the faster I walk so the better I feel....

If you're struggling with fatigue, then maybe the following site can help:

Treating cancer fatigue : Cancer Research UK : CancerHelp UK

www.cancerresearchuk.org

This page tells you about treating cancer fatigue. There is information about drug treatment, exercising, and learning to manage fatigue.

Love Rose x


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Fatigue - drat!

Apologies for the lack of a post yesterday but, even though I'm not showing any evidence of further cancer, fatigue has been a huge bug bear since surgery in 2010. Yesterday was one of those days and there is nothing else for it but to do as my body tells me and go to sleep! So forgive me for an early night and, all being well, normal service should resume as soon as possible.

Love Rose x

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Endometriosis.

In an earlier post on adenomyosis I mentioned endometriosis. As explained by Endometriosis UK, a charity that supports women with the condition, endometriosis is 'a gynaecological condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other areas of the body, most commonly in the pelvic region. This tissue responds to hormones in the same way as the lining of the womb but with no outlet it can cause inflammation, scarring and adhesions, leading to severe pain and many other symptoms.'

If you'd like information about endometriosis, the Endometriosis UK website can be found at the following address:

Endometriosis UK

www.endometriosis-uk.org

We are the leading UK charity that supports women living with endometriosis. We provide information, support, and work to increase awareness of the condition

Love Rose x

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Employment and Cancer.

I returned to my job just over two years ago and have been very lucky to have an extremely supportive employer, but I know that's not the case for every cancer patient. So for anyone based in the UK who's reading this, if you have questions regarding how your treatment might affect your ability to work or about your employment rights as a cancer patient, please take a look at the Macmillan website to learn more:

Work and cancer - Cancer Information - Macmillan Cancer Support

www.macmillan.org.uk

Cancer and its treatment may affect your ability to work – find out what your rights are and ways to talk to colleagues. Includes information for employers.

Love Rose x

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I hope you're all having a relaxing Sunday. 

If you're looking for blogs about womb cancer then pop along to the Womb Cancer Support UK (WCSUK) official blog written by WCSUK founder Kaz. Worthy of a special mention are all the guest writers who shared their womb cancer story with Kaz during September's Womb Cancer Awareness Month. I admire them all for helping to make womb cancer more widely known. 

The WCSUK blog can be found at the following address:

http://wombcanceruk.blogspot.co.uk

Womb Cancer Support UK

wombcanceruk.blogspot.com

Womb Cancer Support UK provide advice and support for women with womb cancer. We are on Twitter and have a Facebook page. Find our website herehttp://wombcancersupportuk.wix.com/home

Love Rose x

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Adenomyosis - are you aware?

Many women may have heard of endometriosis but, as with womb cancer, perhaps not so many have heard of adenomyosis. A friend of mine - a wonderful lady by the name of Danielle - was eventually diagnosed with adenomyosis and, in a bid to raise awareness of this benign yet debilitating oestrogen-fed condition, set up a website and campaign to tell women more about it. Here is an extract from Danielle's website over at the Adenomyosis Advice Association:

'Adenomyosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands that appear within the tissues in the muscle of the uterus. The old tissue and blood cannot get out of the muscle and flow out of the cervix as normally occurs. The blood and tissue saturate the site, swelling and causing intense pain in the form of menstrual cramps. The strength and intensity of these change as the condition develops. At worst, it can feel like sudden labour pains, or the feeling of a weight pressing down on the bladder and bowel. Monthly uterine bleeding is often heavy as some of the blood finally escapes the muscle and results in prolonged spotting to the point in the worst cases of anemia and low iron store levels. It is often misdiagnosed as fibroids but can appear with other conditions such as ovarian cysts, prolapse and even gynecological cancers that can cause pelvic pain.'

Please take a look at Danielle's website and help make adenomyosis more widely known:

 http://www.adenomyosisadviceassociation.org

Adenomyosis Advice Association - Welcome

www.adenomyosisadviceassociation.org

Welcome to Adenomyosis Advice Association, we hope you find the support and information you require

Remember to always report any abnormal bleeding to your doctor.

Love Rose x


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I'm later than usual with today's blog post because today was check-up day. Thankfully all went well and I'll continue to be monitored at my local hospital until I'm five years post op. I was lucky in as much as my cancer hadn't spread so major surgery was the treatment. I'm acutely aware that my surgeon told me, "In this game we never say never," but my philosophy is there's now nothing wrong with me unless I'm told otherwise. It's a view that helps keep me sane - those who know me might argue that's debatable...

On another positive note, friends in the US are safe and back in contact so, all in all, it's been a good day today.

Love Rose x

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Morning all! It’s a bright, sunny day so far after the winds and rain of yesterday. No news from friends in the US yet, but hope springs eternal.

Today I’d like to tell you a little about an online womb cancer support group that brings hope to many women - Womb Cancer Support UK, or WCSUK for short, whose website I featured a link to in my blog a few days back.

WCSUK began in April 2011 after an online conversation between Kaz and Debra, the two women who run it. Both women are womb cancer survivors who struck up a friendship on Facebook. Both realised they had similar questions and wanted similar information about womb cancer but both were drawing a blank in their online searches. If ever you speak to Kaz, she’ll always tell you that a remark from Debra inspired her to set up the WCSUK support page on Facebook. She invited Debra to admin with her, they tweaked the name and - hey presto! - team WCSUK was born, with Kaz as its founder.

If you're looking for support for womb cancer here’s that website link again:

http://wombcancersupportuk.wix.com/home

Womb Cancer Support UK | Wix.com

wombcancersupportuk.wix.com

Help and support for anyone affected by womb cancer.

Or pop on over to the Facebook page at:

http://en-gb.facebook.com/WombCancerSupportUK

Womb Cancer Support UK

Support page for women with womb cancer. Whether you are newly diagnosed, going through treatment, a survivor or know someone who has been affected by this cancer, then please join us and share your experiences. Created on 11th April 2011 by Kaz Molloy, and run jointly with Debra Parry. We are base...

Page: 545 like this.

I can guarantee you’ll receive a warm welcome.

Love Rose x

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