I did all the right things! – Jan’s story
Hi, I just thought I would share my story in hope it will give others a little hope and to appreciate their life.
I have always been healthy and ate well, I served in the armed forces, fit, run half marathons, swam and entered any activity and event which raised money for charity, so I never thought I would have to face the sad times I have had over the past few years.
I got married later in life and got pregnant but miscarried on first attempt and then a few more. We went for tests but they came back as being OK and our only hope was IVF. Unfortunately we had to pay and after a long chat both me and my husband decide it was not for us. So we got on with life and out of the blue after six years I fell pregnant again, only to miscarry after my scan.
I struggled to come to terms with why life had been so cruel as I had accepted we would probably never have children and then life does that to me. I did get over it and moved on with my life but just over 2 years ago I went for a routine breast cyst drain, but the consultant wanted me to have a mammogram as he did not have one on record for me and I was coming up to 48 it was a good idea.
Unfortunately the mammogram revealed a 8cm & 2cm areas of calcification’s. After a painful 2 hour biopsy, it proved to be cancer. The worst came, I had to have a mastectomy straight away, no lump removal as the areas were to large. I was stunned this should not happen to me I did it all right – ate well, exercised, not smoked and didn’t drink much – what happened I asked myself.
But the good news was the cancer was just sat there it had not moved and so by having a mastectomy I did not have to have any form of chemo or radiation. I was told I was very lucky which I do agree as so many women face worse than me, and so I moved on again. But unfortunately in November 14 I started to want to wee a lot and also had backache from the front of my groin right through to my back – I never suffer from back ache and started to worry as always in back of my mind after having breast cancer, I would get ovarian cancer.
I went for my scans and was told I had cysts on my ovaries and fibroids, both very large and numerous. My consultant told me I had 9 fibroids one of which was 4.5 cm and cysts on my ovaries of the same size. Due to my breast cancer I had to have a blood test for tumour markers. Luckily this came back very positive and I was urged to have a full hysterectomy womb, fallopian tubes, ovaries etc.
I really did not want another major operation but my consultant kept saying it was the best option for me and would take away all the worry so I eventually agreed and on 6th Feb 15 went into hospital, terrified and scared and thinking, if I ran away I could just pretend everything was OK and see what would happen. But in my heart I could not let my family down as they were all desperate for me to have the op, as they wanted me to live.
I have to say this website prepared me for the op and what I needed and how I would recover. It was a hard first 3 weeks and I so wished I had not had the op but now I am on week 8 and nearly there. So I say to any woman thinking of it just do it, prepare yourself and read this brilliant site and never give up no matter what life throws at you; I haven’t.
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Now available on our online store and all other online book store’s. In My Own Words: Women’s Experience of Hysterectomy is full of many other real-life stories from women the world over.
Other people’s stories help women feel less isolated. They show that they aren’t going mad, missing the point or stupid.
I’m sorry to read about your sadness but very pleased you are now feeling so positive. Im exactly one month behind you, I’ve also had a full hysterectomy but for different reasons. I’m at week 5, almost six and also had the feeling of wishing I hadn’t had it done, but all in all I now feel like it’s the right thing. I’m struggling with the speed of recovery, I think I thought I would bounce back much quicker, and I need to be patient! Thanks for sharing and I wish you continued recovery and ongoing good health.