Surgery

[fendweller]

So tomorrow I head for Nottingham where I'll stay in the hospital hotel overnight ,then hysterectomy and removal of anything suspicious . This is what I've wanted since I was diagnosed in February .I've had six cycles of chemo and more to come after the operation. Suddenly I'm scared stiff, mainly about pain and mobility afterwards ,but also what they may find ,I'm scared its worse than the scans have shown . I'm just getting my strength back after chemo ,now I'll be back to square one , feeling low again. .I think I need a pep talk ladies.

[Lyndy]

Hello... I had my surgery after 4 chemo and the outcome was that they got everything they could see. I went on to be NED and have been in remission for 4 years. I found out later that I was inoperable at diagnosis... having chemo first really made the difference!

Yes there was a period of recovery and it took time to feel better but what a relief to have it all gone.

No one can say that everything will go smoothly but isn’t it worth putting yourself in the way of a really good result? You can do this xx

[fendweller in reply to Lyndy]

Thank you so much ,feeling confident.

[Ugglan]

Hi. I had my surgery six months ago and I was so scared the night before, scared of the operation and of what they would find. I didn’t really think of recovery, so I was unprepared in a way. After surgery I woke up with an epidural, and that made me more or less pain free for a few days. There was a bad day when the epidural was removed, but apart from that the pain was not so bad ( with the use of morphin and paracetamol). Then a physiotherapist arrived at my bed same day as I had had surgery, doing what she could to get me up on my feet. It felt counterintuitive with a big wound and all, but in a few days it became much easier. My advice is to take whatever you are given to avoid constipation, I didn’t and that was a mistake.

You have gotten through six rounds of chemo, you can get through this as well! Compared to chemo, the recovering from surgery was different in the sense that it was more linear. Things got better each week, as opposed to chemo where you’re brought back down again in a new cycle, just when things are feeling better. Best of luck with everything! xx

[fendweller in reply to Ugglan]

All makes sense , got it more in perspective now ,thank you .x

[Lindaura]

Hi Fen,

It really won’t make much difference to you if they find more disease, because they will just cut it out, or if you’re lucky, they will zap it with the plasma jet.

I was shocked when I read my surgeon’s report. I was riddled with cancer even after 4 rounds of Carbo/ taxol. He said he had to zap 200 spots in my intestines, but the disease was mostly in my peritoneum and ovaries, etc, not in my appendix or liver, so that was good. I already was missing my spleen, so I just had the radical hysterectomy and a lot of touching and fiddling and cauterising of my bowels, so recovery in hospital was slower than I expected.

I think that was an important lesson.

Don’t expect to jump right up after this opera.tion. Let your body heal. Your bowels will be in shock, so don’t try to eat too soon., because they won’t be ready to empty until they are ready!

Don’t be in a hurry to go home.

And then let yourself recuperate slowly.

Best wishes,

Laura

[fendweller in reply to Lindaura]

Thanks for advice .x

[Cynthia18]

I just said a prayer for your surgery tomorrow ❤ this is the good part remember.get it out if you. Positive thoughts

[fendweller in reply to Cynthia18]

Thank you .x

[doodoolatrice]

The thought of surgery is very daunting but try and look at it as another box ticked as this is another hurdle you've overcome. Your pain be well controlled and they will try and get you mobile as quickly as possible. I struggled with getting mobile initially but once I did I was surprised how quickly I was able to potter around (I cooked Christmas dinner 4 weeks after my op). The surgeons are amazing and will get out as much as they can during the op and anything that's left will be mopped up with chemo. Good luck today lovey, keep us posted as we'll be thinking about you, hugs, Kerry xx

[fendweller in reply to doodoolatrice]

Thank you Kerry ,feeling a lot more positive now .x

[valeriel]

Thinking of you. A friend is undergoing treatment at Nottingham. Had 4 chemo then radical hysterectomy and now one more chemo to go. The Nottingham team have provided fantastic care for her and, after too long delay before diagnosis, she is doing really well and looking forward to giving the chemo bell a little ring when she finishes chemo! It won’t be easy but it will get better every day.

[fendweller in reply to valeriel]

Pleased your friend is doing well , thank you for the encouraging post ,feeling better about it. X

[LittleSan]

I'm pretty sure we all have a panic just before major surgery but equally sure you'll be fine. It's tough but doable. Make sure you take all the pain relief available but be willing to take anything for constipation too. Controlling pain will help mobility and therefore your recovery. Push yourself to do tiny things like a little walk down the ward (once you've done it with staff) but protect yourself against doing too much. Take a spare hand towel to fold up and hold against your wound whilst mobilising. Try peppermint tea for the wind and shelve the embarrassment and let rip! Blame the squeaky bed if must 😉.

Hope all goes well. Be very patient and kind to yourself. 💐😘

[fendweller in reply to LittleSan]

Thank you ,I will follow your advice including letting rip when needed, that made me giggle because I've been telling my husband off for that.xx

[LittleSan in reply to fendweller]

Haha. If you can't beat 'em join' em! Xx

[fendweller in reply to LittleSan]

Good advice ,I will take it on board ,have my towel ready and supply of senacot ,thank you .x

[LittleSan in reply to fendweller]

Hope all goes well 💐😘

[delia2]

I’m sending positive vibes. The chemo has probably reduced the cancer a great deal. I much prefer recovering from surgery to having chemo. You should make progress every day though you do have to rest and not overdo anything— and fight constipation! Sending you positive vibes. 🌸🌼🌻

[fendweller in reply to delia2]

Thank you ,receiving vibes .x

[Millie-c]

I had my surgery at Nottingham in 2016. The doctors and nurses there were amazing and I feel so humble for the work they did and still do. I was NED after surgery. While it was difficult afterwards I think as you have coped with 6 chemotherapy you are more than prepared for this. It normal to be worried about the unknown but you can do it. Thinking of you and sending a hug, Mandy, xx

[fendweller in reply to Millie-c]

Thank you so much ,hug received . x

[Catspelle]

Will be thinking of you. It is scary no getting round that but you will be imagining the worst. Best all is taken out now. I had all my lady bits out too scared to keep anything. Xx

[fendweller in reply to Catspelle]

Its the waiting that's worse ,once its done I can work towards recovery .Feeling more positive now .x

[Sisterstogether]

Sending positive healing and prayers 💜

[juliamillen]

The pain will be well controlled so please don’t worry about that. Take some time before you can eat - I misssed the Xmas dinner! It will be much easier than you think. Sleep and rest a lot afterwards for some weeks. Build your energy up slowly.

[Cropcrop]

We've all been exactly where you are. The thoughts of the surgery are really scary. I think you’ll find that most of us here will tell you that it’s nowhere near as bad as you think it’s going to be, I know it wasn’t as tough as I thought it would be. Yes it’s sore, but you’d expect that, you have to do very little and be waited on hand and foot at first, you’ll be tired so do what your body tells you, take the drugs they will give you, they’re there for a reason. Eat really well, good nutritious food. I found it easiest to sleep propped up on lots of pillows at first, have a rolled towel or a firm cushion to hand to hold on your incision in case you need to sneeze or cough. I think the biggest thing I felt was that I’d taken some actual control back by taking actions to remove the bugger from my body.

I hope your surgery goes well and that your recovery is a good one. Take lots of care, you can do this lovely, we’re all with you ❤️Xx Jane

[Nicky100]

You will be OK my lovely. It will pass...and you will be so surprised at how fast your body heals. Saying that..please do make sure to take it easy and rest enough. They may push you to stand and walk in hospital, but if you are not up to it...just tell them. 24 hours can make such a difference. The pain team should be by your side if you need them, just buzz! I know how scary it is, but think of some nice things to do to perhaps treat yourself when you come out, and hopefully you'll only be there a few days

You really can do this! And surgery can give you amazing results! Stay with us and we'll chat to you whenever you need us!!

Good luck and much love. Nicky xx

[fendweller]

Thank you everyone who replied to my post about surgery,all advice was taken on board, the good news is, it's over and I've been told they have removed it all .Of course I know this isn't the end of the journey ,but I'm recovering well but not allowed home until the dreaded bowels have worked aaaaggg. Thank you all for your wonderful support .xx