It's not twins!!!

[Welshandproud]

Hi there. I've now found out why my stomach keeps bloating so badly. I had a CT scan yesterday and when I saw my oncologist this morning she said that she could see that my incisional hernia was much bigger than on my last ct scan. This came as a great surprise to me since no one had mentioned a hernia before. Apparently there is a palpable hole in my abdominal wall between my ribs just below my bra. When I stand up the bowel pushes through the hole. This gets worse throughout the day but disappears when I lie down.

Has anyone else had anything like this?

I asked if it could be treated but my onc said that it was very difficult to repair and that she would talk to the oncology surgeon who did my op. She did say that most people learn to live with it. Have any of you lovely ladies had a hernia repair?

I hate my protruding hard stomach but it looks like I'm going to have to cover it up with a snazzy scarf or a baggy cardi! Just the thing for August!!!!

[85live4ever]

Hi there, I am so sorry to hear this, there are ladies on here with a hernia. I might be wrong but I think Lillyann has one.

I hope they can give you surgery if not could you go for a second a opinion. I didn't like the answers you were given (most people learn to live with it ) Are you in any pain?

You know those tea shirts woman wear that say I am not fat I am pregnant. You could get one with ( I am not pregnant just carrying a hernia) Sorry it's a sick joke but this oc is quite sickening at times.

I want to wish you all the best at sorting this out soon. Please keep us up dated take care Cindyxx

[Welshandproud in reply to 85live4ever]

Thanks Cindy. That's made me giggle. I'll see what I can find!!!

My oncologist is talking to the surgeon who performed my debulking next week. If he doesn't want to operate then I'll go for a second opinion. The main problem I see is the fact that I'm on Avastin which would prevent surgery. Anyway I'll keep you posted xx

[85live4ever in reply to Welshandproud]

Hi there, hopefully he will operate but if not, yes do go for a second opinion. I am glad I made you giggle.

Can you stop the Avastin so can you have this surgery then go back on it? I know that sounds really obvious but when you ask your medical team they look at you as if you are asking for the moon!!! Well they do when I ask questions can't say I am always happy with the answers. Yes, do keep us up dated take care Cindyxx

[Welshandproud in reply to 85live4ever]

Yes they told me that I can't miss more than 1 avastin without coming off the trial. I've had 10 of 18 but goodness knows how big my hernia will be by the time I've had all 18. Yes they do make me feel that I'm asking for the moon but I am chuffed that my ca125 has dropped from over 11000 to 31. I never thought that would happen xx

[85live4ever in reply to Welshandproud]

Hi I think its working well for you on Avastin. It has mixed reviews some do very well & other don't. The fact you are doing so well I would carry on with the Avastin.

I would still fight to have your hernia out after your treatment is over. Take care Cindyxx

[Welshandproud in reply to 85live4ever]

Thank you. I will do xxx

[Avis52]

I had a hernia and had a mesh repair performed by a General Surgeon so I would ask to be referred. Avis

[Welshandproud in reply to Avis52]

Thank you. I'll certainly bear that in mind x

[Lily-Anne]

I have a parastomal hernia so a lump on one side of my stomach. They turned me down for surgery as have active cancer. I'm going to ask again on Monday but anticipating a no

LA xx

[Welshandproud in reply to Lily-Anne]

Oh I'm sorry Lily-Anne. That really doesn't seem fair. I've been recommended by my cancer nurse to buy a maternity band. I don't know if you have tried anything like that? Might be worth a try? xx

[Lily-Anne in reply to Welshandproud]

I have a support belt, NHS supply three a year

xx

[Welshandproud in reply to Lily-Anne]

i'll get on to the hospital to sort out one of those. Thanks for that xx

[Boot1947]

I have 'multiple' incisional hernias, three years after my op. Have been referred to a surgeon but, according to the woman in appointments, I might not hear anything for 15-20 weeks (assume I'm not in imminent danger of doing a John Hurt in Alien!) Am only slightly concerned, as I like to travel to the US to see my grandkids and I don't really want to risk a trip without advice. My GP is completely useless and Dr Google isn't much help either.

[PhillipandBettykid]

I have a parastomal hernia which makes me look as though I have 3 boobs. (Do M&S do 3 cup bras?) The stoma nurse has referred me for a support garment. That could be an alternative if they can't operate. As Avis says ask for a referral.

[Welshandproud in reply to PhillipandBettykid]

Thank you. I will do. I hope it helps x

[antheamary]

Hi i had an incisional hernia which just got bigger & bigger. I hated it i couldnt go swimming i felt miserable about my body after everything i had been through. So i asked for a surgical referrel. Big mistake. Wrong surgeon. He had very rigid rules wouldnt operate if one had cancer. Made me wait months then turned me down. I saw his female registrar who said it wasnt difficult she could sort it but he refused. My oncologist found me another surgeon who kindly saw my distress & said he would repair it. Such a nice man i have been so grateful to him understanding my unhappinessat my body image. So all i can say is it can be done .

[Welshandproud]

Thank you so much for that. I'm so sorry you went through so much but I'm delighted that it worked out in the end.

[rppizio]

I too have an incisional Hernia and it is large enough that my bowel protrudes all the time from it. It is the size of my hand. Dr's don't want to do anything for it unless it causes real issues. Not sure what that statement means. Was told you will know when it is causing you problems. Great. I have several other little ones lower down but they are not noticeable like this top one. Hope you can find a resolution to your concerns as I have been told to live with it. So that is what I am doing.

[thesilent1]

Hi, I have an incisional hernia that hasn't caused me any problems until the last two weeks when I took a cold and developed a bad cough. Feel like I've been 10 rounds with a heavyweight boxer. Very uncomfortable at present. I'm hoping it will settle down again when I get rid of this cough. GP put me on antibiotics and a cough bottle yesterday. Ann xx

[Welshandproud]

I really hope that the jollop works and that you feel better soon Ann. Sending virtual gentle hugs xx

[Flamingobeef18]

After months of severe abdominal pain I was diagnosed with multiple incisional hernias.

The problem started about 12 months after my debulking surgery. The hernias were trapping loops of boweI and causing intermittent obstructions. The high risk of a more permanent obstruction was why it was eventually agreed I should have a hernia repair.

This decision took a long time as my oncologist, oncology surgeon and gastric surgeon all had to be in agreement. Coordinating this took some doing but luckily for me my gastric surgeon was brilliant and got this sorted. I did feel seeing this surgeon privately for the initial consultation definitely helped this to happen.

The surgery cured my gastric symptoms but it was still major surgery. I was in a lot of pain and it was very debilitating. Plus it took me much longer than I had expected to recover. Now however I am really glad I had it done but I do not think I would have felt this way if my symptoms had been more cosmetic in nature.