1. < Gynecologic Cancers

Cervical Cancer: In search of help resources

Posted by mysticmommy88 @myticmommy88, Sep 22, 2022

I am a mother of 3 and a grandmother, only 33…and this year was diagnosed with cervical cancer. They did the original biopsy and all the nodes came back positive for cancer. The Dr said it is quite advanced. I've been swelling in my abdomen so much I look 6 months pregnant, constant pain and burning in my lower abdomen, discharge that is just funky, and lost sooo much weight. I'm currently not on insurance so I can't follow through with more testing, let alone treatment. I am at my wits end and need a push in the right direction to get some help. I feel like my time is slowly getting shorter. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 22, 2022

@mysticmommy88 You are truly in a bad place right now! I'm not sure what resources are available where you live, a good place to start would be your local Planned Parenthood office, which not only handles birth control & pregnancy testing, but other aspects of reproductive health as well.
Sue

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 22, 2022

Hi @myticmommy88, welcome. Cervical cancer is a diagnosis that you want to get treated. In addition to @sueinmn's suggestion about talking to someone at Planned Parenthood https://www.plannedparenthood.org/, here are some other places to get financial and medical help.

To find free or low cost medical care and more, check out this website and search engine called "My Help Navigator". https://myhelpnavigator.auntbertha.com/
All you have to do is enter your zip code to find service in your area.

Using the Navigator, you may also be able to find access to a free social worker in your area who could help you navigate everything you may need.

Many hospitals have financial assistance programs. For example, see
- Charitable Care and Financial Assistance at Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/billing-insurance/financial-assistance

Mysticmommy, how are you managing the pain? Do you have young children that you are also caring for?

REPLY
earscan | @earscan | Sep 26, 2022

I had a radical hysterectomy with lymph nodes all being checked and this is 1.5 yrs later and I have all the symptoms of needing hormone replacement. In this time, I have developed fatigue, muscle weakness, difficulty sleeping, urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, bone density loss, night sweats, hot flashes, and swelling of legs and ankles to the point where my legs are so weak I cannot walk. I know I am not a candidate for hormone replacement (cancer), but what other medications are on the market to help with all of this. Thank you for your help. Gina

REPLY
2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 1, 2022
In reply to @earscan "I had a radical hysterectomy with lymph nodes all being checked and this is 1.5 yrs..." + (show)
@earscan

I had a radical hysterectomy with lymph nodes all being checked and this is 1.5 yrs later and I have all the symptoms of needing hormone replacement. In this time, I have developed fatigue, muscle weakness, difficulty sleeping, urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, bone density loss, night sweats, hot flashes, and swelling of legs and ankles to the point where my legs are so weak I cannot walk. I know I am not a candidate for hormone replacement (cancer), but what other medications are on the market to help with all of this. Thank you for your help. Gina

Jump to this post

Hi @eascan, welcome back. It's been a while since I've heard from.
You might also be interested in this related discussion:
- Hysterectomy what to expect afterwards? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hysterectomy-what-to-expect-afterwards/

I'm sorry to hear that some symptoms as a result of the hysterectomy for uterine cancer have got you down. I'm tagging a few other members like @cmb2022 @naturegirl5 @cheriels might have further tips about how to deal with the extreme menopausal symptoms without taking hormone replacement therapy.

REPLY
Kimberly Nelson | @kimnelson | Oct 3, 2022

@myticmommy88 I am sorry this has been happening. In order to see if you could secure health insurance go to https://www.healthcare.gov/
Foundations that offer advocacy and support in the gynecological cancer experience include
Foundation for Women's Cancers https://www.foundationforwomenscancer.org/
Cancer Care https://www.cancercare.org/diagnosis/cervical_cancer
SHARE https://www.sharecancersupport.org/cervical-cancer/

REPLY
Kimberly Nelson | @kimnelson | Oct 3, 2022
In reply to @earscan "I had a radical hysterectomy with lymph nodes all being checked and this is 1.5 yrs..." + (show)
@earscan

I had a radical hysterectomy with lymph nodes all being checked and this is 1.5 yrs later and I have all the symptoms of needing hormone replacement. In this time, I have developed fatigue, muscle weakness, difficulty sleeping, urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, bone density loss, night sweats, hot flashes, and swelling of legs and ankles to the point where my legs are so weak I cannot walk. I know I am not a candidate for hormone replacement (cancer), but what other medications are on the market to help with all of this. Thank you for your help. Gina

Jump to this post

@earscan check out Hystersisters
https://www.hystersisters.com/

REPLY
earscan | @earscan | Oct 6, 2022

Thank you so much! I have joined!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.