Lap yesterday, endo found

[Faith27]

Hi everyone!

Long time no speak Hope you are all doing OK.

Well, my anxiety had been through the roof over the last few months while awaiting my laparoscopy. Genuinely ladies.. I can reassure you that it's no where near as bad as what you think it's going to be!! The one piece of advice I would give you, is if you are feeling nervous, please try not to hide it and tell the nurses how you feel. The anaesthatist's are used to people feeling afraid and genuinely will try their best to put your mind at rest. After speaking with mine, I felt that I could run a marathon.. her pep talk was fantastic lol.

My general gynae was still hopeful that we wouldn't find endo even when I told her that I had an A&E visit last month and that my sister had also last month been diagnosed.. she said 'well hopefully not you!' .. having been TTC for over 2 years, and all the pains and issues I'd had for many many years previous, I knew deep down that something wasnt right but her hopefullness was starting to frustrate me - my response was, hopefully! But please be sure to have a good old look, thanks! (I'm aware general gynaes can miss endo and this was probably what I was most worried about).

Op done and dusted, I woke up very alert and strangely very perky. The Gynae came and told me the news that I had endo on both of my ovaries and my right ovary has adhesions which has stuck it somewhere - I'm guessing to my womb? I also have endo in my vagina which I'd not heard of before. My gynae having been hopeful that if it was a small amount she would sort it, I can only imagine how surprised she was! My case was understandably too complex for her so she will be referring me onto a specialist to try and sort things out.

So there we are I guess! Endo confirmed, not the best news given where it is but just wanted to spread the word that if it doesn't feel right or you're experiencing pain or symptoms; please please please dont delay, get and talk to a professional and do not let them talk you out of having investigations!

While my anaesthatist was fantastic, she did say that this was a minor op and if I was that worried, I could just go home.. her bluffing strangely calmed me because it was true at the time but how wrong was she! I can only imagine her face at the time too lol. Interesting surgery discussion no doubt.

I realise this is a long post so well done for getting this far.. it just leaves me with a few tips to share incase you are having a lap in the future:

- keep a pillow in the car for the ride home, the seatbelt can be a bit ubcomfortable

- if you're feeling queasy and off home; ask to take one of their cardboard sick bowls in the car with you! I had quite a far journey back home and it's fair to say, it came in very handy!

- buy some trebor mints (peppermint) this will help to ease the gas they put in your belly but be warned, your mouth will be very dry after surgery so dont attempt to eat one so soon after surgery or you'll end up with a very sticky mouth and wont be able to swallow lol.

- take your dressing gown and slippers in with you

- overnight bag just incase, with toothbrush and toothpaste, deo and some wipes

- sanitary towel.. the hospital has some sexy big knickers and pads but dont be alarmed if you have a little bleed when you wee after surgery .. it doesn't hurt but it was a bit if a surprise for me!

- and I know this sounds obvious.. but do not shave your private parts!! Any rashes or cuts can cancel surgery and I made the mistake of shaving 4 days before and was worried about a stupid rash that developed.. luckily it was fine but please dont cause yourself unnecessary worry because you want a pretty lady garden on display! I believe you should only shave 7 to 10 days before and no later!

On to round 2 with the specialist hey! The Joy's..

[Hidden]

Heyy, thanks for your post all your tips iv wrote down for mine, sorry to hear you have endo,how did your dye test go?, did they do any lazering? I hope recovery is speedy for you hun xxx

[Faith27 in reply to Hidden]

Hello you! I was going to PM you but the post took me so long to write, I gave up in the end Haha!

As I was too complex, she didn't try to sort anything .. my guess is it would just mean another incision to heal when I'd need another to sort the ovary situation!

The dye test come back fine which is great but I am concerned that they found it on my ovaries.. of all poxy places!!! I dont think she done any additional checks on bowel or bladder so I guess the specialist will do that now too. Thanks for your well wishes hun. Whens your op scheduled? How are you feeling? One poor girl before me went in for her OP with my gynae and nothing was found bless her. Not sure if that's a bad thing or not compared to me lol xx

[Hidden in reply to Faith27]

It's ok dont worry,, hope your recovery is going well, my OP is on Thursday, I'm feeling ok for the OP just nervous about the outcome, just want some answers and hoping they do something as I'm now on light duties at work and if they dont do anything not sure what to do

How long do you have to wait for a specialist now hun? xxx

[Faith27 in reply to Hidden]

Hi! Yeah I'm doing well thanks, so so so tired today though. Think I over exerted myself yesterday and forgot that I'd had an operation! I haven't really been taking it easy and napping or resting so that bit me in the bum today and I couldn't get up until 12pm!!

I was most worried about the outcome, I hope they find what the cause of your issues are and that you also have a good recovery xx

I'm not sure on the specialist referral.. going to try and look into it next week to get some answers!

[Hidden in reply to Faith27]

Take it easy hun, and thankyou I got my fingers crossed, let us know what happens with the specialist

Have you had any shoulder pain? Xxx

[Faith27 in reply to Hidden]

Will do

I had maybe 10 mins here and there, I honestly didn't find it so bad or at least not what I was expecting! Make sure you have some mints and a hot water bottle and you will be fine xx

Will be sure to let you know about the specialist!

Best best best of luck for Thursday, let us know how you get on xx

[Hidden in reply to Faith27]

Thanks hun,, how long did your OP take? Xx

[Faith27 in reply to Hidden]

I'm not really sure to be honest! Perhaps 1.5 hours? The waiting to go into the anaesthetic room was the longest bit, so I was taken down for surgery but waited in the recovery room until the previous patient got taken in and we then swapped over basically but I wasnt really too mindful on the time. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Faith27]

I'm so angry,, we drove 40 mins to the hospital, I'd hardly slept due to nerves, waited an hour and a half to have them cancel the operation, apparently they had no bed for me. Now gotta wait another week (to be told they may cancel again),, just cant believe it I'd built myself up for this day muddled through all the pain to get to this day to finally get answers and they let me down, xxxx

[Faith27 in reply to Hidden]

Oh nooooooo!!!!! That's horrible. I cant imagine how you must feel especially after working yourself up. The girl that I was in with, she was in the hospital a week earlier in her gown and even went into the anaesthetic room for the pre discussion and her OP got cancelled. I'm so sorry lovely. nightmare!!!! If it's any hope, she was first on the list the day I went in so you should be prioritised ... xx sorry

[Lofty1589]

Hi lovely! I’m glad that you finally have a firm answer amd can start moving forwards! The last time we spoke, I was driving myself round the bend wondering when my lap would be. Well, I can now say it is in less than 2 weeks on 4th June! 🙌🏻

Thank you for the above tips! Do you have any tips for the pre-op at all? I have mine next Tuesday xx

[Faith27 in reply to Lofty1589]

Hello hello ahhh fab news that you have a date and that it's not too long to wait!! You will be absolutely fine - trust me.

No problem about the tips!

Pre op was fine, you need to do a urine sample when you go in so save up your wee ready! You'll have bloods , weight and height measured and then a million questions about prior illnesses and medication. Just be honest about everything. I was in there for about an hour. My heart rate was really high so I had to have an ECG but nothing came up on there, it was just general nerves! How are you feeling about everything? Xx

[Lofty1589 in reply to Faith27]

Part of my anxiety stems from anything medical so lowkey freaking out. I’ve had an op before and went under GA but that was for my toe 😅 In that pre-op (I remember it being very beief) I mentioned my anxiety so they put me under instead of just using local.

Ugh bloods 🤦🏻‍♀️ Last time I had to have them done, my veins were playing up so they had to take three bottles from my hand. I bloody hope that won’t happen this time (bad dum tssss 😉) I always carry water with me so the wee side of things shouldn’t be an issue 🤞🏻

I’m definitely going to do my usual and write a list. That’s so much easier 😂 xx

[Faith27 in reply to Lofty1589]

Aww they did take 3 attempts to get blood out of me during pre op actually!!! Make sure you drink loads of fluids as they said that was the reason on top of my anxiety and fear as to why they couldn't get blood.

Honestly, you will be fine - trust me, I was FREAKING out. Tell everyone and anyone that your nervous, they will go over and above to try and calm you and worse case, tell the pre OP nurse that you suffer badly and may need a pre-med. They dont like to give them because it delays your discharge but it was nice for me to be able to have the option on the day, all because the pre OP nurse put it on my notes that I was really worried. I didn't need it, and I'm actually glad I didn't because the one lady who had it came into the ward and was flat out and feeling very sick.. I was very chirpy happy and a little queasy but on the whole just proud as punch and buzzing that I got through it in one piece lol!! Not too pleased I have to go under again but I'll defo not be as worried next time having gone through it recently I'm sure.

I wrote some notes on my phone too as a bit of a pep talk to myself so that was handy in the lead up to the OP. I can copy what I wrote below (dont judge me LOL) ..

I WILL be ok

I'm lucky to be having this op done, some people fight for years to have a laparoscopy

The anticipation will be worse than the event

Just get to the anaesthetic room and before I know it will be over

It's going to be better and easier than having teeth out!!

I will feel invincible afterwards and I will have CLARITY and answers for the future

Everyone is thinking of me

Hahahahhaa feels so funny reading it back now but in the days leading up, I found my words helpful! Xx

[Lofty1589 in reply to Faith27]

Thank you so much xx

[mrswesley1302]

I veeted the night before mine. No cuts and no rash due to being freshly done. It's a good alternative if you feel self conscious. Plus I had a septate hymen cut during the surgery and didn't think they would appreciate having to search for it. 😂😂

[Faith27 in reply to mrswesley1302]

Hahaha, I was so indecisive with what to do! Then I ended up with a rash as I done it too early but not early enough. Lol at the having to search for it. Good suggestion xxx

[CE_88_14]

Hey just to give you alittle hope we were ttc for 3 years and the month after I got my endometriosis removed privately by a specialist we fell pregnant. This also happened for a friend of mine so there is hope. My left ovary was stuck to my bowel and I had endo everywhere with a 7cm endometrioma. Have everything crossed you xx