Rose's uterine cancer experience
I was diagnosed in Melbourne, but live in a rural area, and my doctor let me know by telephone. When you're told, it's a tremendous shock. I don't know how they could have told me otherwise; if I'd had a call and they'd said, "You have to come in to see the doctor", I would have known something was wrong; I'd have had to drive up and it would have been just as bad. Perhaps rural people could be told that they should expect a phone call, and that it could be bad news.
After the shock, I thought, well, I'm not going to let a few rogue cells beat me. My family said I was a ‘tough old bird' and I would get through.
Soon after the phone call from my surgeon I had a call from a nurse, telling me I was booked in for exploratory surgery in 2 or 3 days time. I came out, then a fortnight later went in for the full surgery, and was in hospital for 9 days. It is traumatic. The stitching looked terrible: I thought at the time I'd done better sewing on the Christmas turkey! But that's the way it was, it all heals up eventually and now I just have a fine scar.
Then I went in a third time for brachytherapy, which meant 33 hours in isolation, I really didn't mind that: it meant I had time on my own for contemplation and reflection.
It had all been so well explained to me. The oncology nurses were wonderful; I had the highest regard for them. I think if you ask questions, and really listen to what the staff tell you, you will be less frightened.
My husband just didn't understand domesticity and didn't quite know what to do with me. I heard him call my daughter after he'd brought me home and say, ‘Well, I've given Mum a cup of tea. What do I do now?'
My children and husband were supportive: they jockeyed me on.
I was up within a couple of days and moving around slowly. I was preparing meals - it took a lot of time - within about a week. But the whole experience was fatiguing; it took a long time before I got my energy back. Taking drugs probably exhausted me: before, I wasn't used to even taking an Aspro. It also could have been because of my age.
Before the surgery, I'd got rid of a lot of my clothes. I wasn't sure that I would come through, and I didn't want to leave all of those things for my family to have to sort out. Of course I regretted that when I came home!
Overall I try to equate it with other major illnesses, such as having a stroke or a bad heart attack. I was more fortunate than some people who have those things: I could get up. I think in comparison I was fortunate to have this. You're not going to come off unscathed by illness by the time you are 60 to 70: most people would expect that something might happen. I'd rather have what I had than be fighting a bad stroke. I can do everything that I did before.
I think your attitude changes once you've been through a pretty traumatic experience like this. You enjoy life: you stop and smell the roses. You value life and friends and people far more. In a way, it's a tremendous teacher. I'm a better person, I'm more tolerant and am grateful for what I've got. I find that most people I know who have had cancer, even people who have recently been diagnosed, are not necessarily negative; they can be quite positive about things. They're often frightened, but that's a different thing. It's good to talk to other people if you're afraid, and try to look at ways to overcome the things you're frightened about.
I think you need to trust your specialist. If you don't, then get another one. But if you trust them, and work with them, you'll come out as best as you possibly can. You don't have to be friends: they may be quite abrupt, and may not want to sit at the end of your bed and have a chat. But it's the trust that's important.
We include these stories to give readers an insight into the experience of cancer. Each experience is unique. Different people react differently to the same treatments, and treatments can vary depending on a person's age, the stage of their cancer and other factors.
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