Fast forward a few years. It was January 2016. I was 62 years old. I had my first grandchild and was sharing the childcare with her grandfather so our daughter could return to work. Life was good.
I was on holiday in Tenerife. I noticed a sliver of blood on the toilet paper after I’d been to the toilet. It was like a hair width. To this day, I’m unsure how I actually managed to see it. I didn’t think much of it. The following evening, the same thing. Another sliver of blood. I still wasn’t worried but I did think I needed to keep an eye on things.
We returned home and I’d not had any more shows of blood. I’m not very good at going to see my GP. I never have been. However, I had a niggle. Something was telling me I needed to get checked out. Thank goodness for that “something”.
I rang my doctor. It was 11th February. When I told them what it was for, they offered me an appointment the following day. I wasn’t able to take that so they gave me the following Monday 15th February. My GP did an examination and said there was some inflammation so he would refer me to Women’s Health at my local hospital. It was my health authority’s policy to refer, as an emergency, any post menopausal bleeding for further investigations.
On 22nd February I attended for my appointment. I had a transvaginal ultrasound which showed an area of thickening on the lining of my womb. I went in to see the consultant who said I needed a hysteroscopy. She said it could be uncomfortable and some women preferred to have it done with sedation but if I wanted that, I would have to return at a later date. I decided to have it there and then. I won’t lie, it was extremely painful. The consultant said she had taken a couple of biopsies but she was sure there was nothing to be concerned about and she discharged me.
I received a further appointment by letter for 7th March. I wasn’t worried. I thought at worst, I would need another hysteroscopy. I went to this appointment alone. I went in the room and there was the consultant, a nurse and another staff member (I later learned this was a cancer nurse specialist). The consultant said, she was very sorry to have to tell me that the samples sent for biopsy were cancerous. She said she was very surprised as nothing at my first consultation had set any alarm bells ringing. The grade was low and that usually indicated it was slow spreading and confined to the lining of the uterus. I was allocated a Cancer Nurse Specialist who I could contact any time. I was given an appointment for an MRI on the following Monday.
14th March (Monday) had MRI. They rushed the results through to the radiologist so he could report on it for my appointment with the Consultant (following day).
15th March (Tuesday) I had appointment for results of MRI from consultant. The MRI didn't show anything as it was such an early stage. He booked me in for a total hysterectomy and both ovaries and tubes. It was my NHS trust's policy to have no longer than 4 weeks between final diagnosis results and surgery.
I had the awful job of letting my family and friends know. After I’d told my children and very close family, I composed an email and sent it out to everyone else. I found it very difficult watching the sadness on people’s faces when I told them face to face. The following two weeks are a blur. I couldn’t eat. I was in shock. I used to watch mindless tv all day, everyday.
1st April I had my pre op and 6th April had my op. My surgery went to plan. I had a follow up appointment booked for 4 weeks later but my Cancer Nurse rang me before the appointment with the results so I didn’t have to worry longer than necessary. The Cancer had been confined to the lining of the uterus only. It was very unlikely to have spread. I wouldn’t need any follow up treatment.
I had check up appointments every 3 months for the first year. Then every 4 months for the second year. Every 6 months for year three and then yearly until till 5 years clear.
I am now 8 years clear and haven’t seen anyone for over 4 years. I had a phone call during Covid just to check I had no concerns.
I nag my friends and anyone else who will listen to go to see the doctor with any concerns, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. To date, two of my friends have sought treatment because of what happened to me. One of them had polyps that were causing the problem but the other one had to have treatment.
I had quite a lot of contact with my cancer nurse after my surgery. I struggled with my mental health when the 12 month anniversaries came up. It took me about 18 months to get over the memories and start to enjoy my life.
Whatever made me break with my usual “ignore it, it will be nothing”, I’ll never know. I will, however always be thankful for it.