Hi again. Just had my scan done a d doctors says some shrinkage in tumour in ovary.the said tge could operate and i would have a stoma bag put in. Disease stable in diaphragm? The operation scares me i dont know what to do.after op i will have 2 more chemo
Will they take all out ovaries womb tubes and bowel at the same time and how long is recovery?
Im just very worried will i have some quality of life after this? Is it years or months. I would appreciate your comments. Will i be able to walk about how soon after operation.
Many thanks
Ann
Written by
Anamcara63
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi Ann. I can’t speak to the stoma but the debulking surgery is very important to your prognosis. It’s very major surgery but quite doable. I was eager to get the cancer out. They do remove all reproductive organs, and al visible cancer. Usually that includes the omentum (never knew I had such a thing). Assuming all goes well you will be much improved after two weeks and getting stronger every day after that. You have to rest a lot and take care of yourself for 6-8 weeks but you’ll be able to do things. I’m not in the UK so others can be more specific about the support available.
Hi Ann, I had a total hysterectomy and a partial removal of my bowel where the cancer had spread to. Thankfully my surgeon was able to save me from having a stoma bag but I know a few people who have one fitted and continue to have very active lives.
After my op, I was in ICU for 3 days and in a general ward for 5 days following. I was able to walk about but the important thing to remember is rest. It took me 5/6 weeks to start gaining strength and I’ve never looked back. I have gone back to jogging, albeit for 20 minutes at a time, just when I feel I have the energy for it.
I had 6 sessions of chemotherapy which left me flattened each time but I managed to come through it with the support of my Oncologist and her support staff.
My only problem now is chemo menopause and am prone to getting Urinary infections, they are driving me mad but again I will struggle through this.
If you have any queries please feel free to ask away.
Dear Ann have you ever or do you take raw apple cider vinegar a couple of tablespoons in a large glass of water? It seems to have helped me as I don’t get urinary infections at all. Apparently it’s supposed to raise your ph to an alkaline environment which make it difficult for the buggers to multiply. Similar to drinking cranberry juice but stronger. I know my ph stays around 7.5 just a thought
Hi Summergold, I haven’t tried raw apple cider vinegar, this is certainly something I would try. Where do you buy it, maybe specialist health food shops? Do you take it every day or just when you feel it coming on? Sorry for all the questions but at the moment I will try anything. I was taking 2 D Mannose tablets, three times a day but it really only eased the discomfort and didn’t solve the problem.
Hi Ann I get it at the grocery store or health food store Here in the states it’s Braggs organic cider vinegar. I take it everyday have for years . With water takes a bit to get used to the taste so if you don’t like the taste add a teaspoon of honey. I love the taste as I am not a sugar person. Look on the internet of the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Don’t know if it is true but I like it and have not had a bladder infection even when taking antibiotics also try adding Kefir to your diet too? For the probiotics that antibiotics strip your system of. Let me know if you have any more questions Always happy to answer and share what helped me😁
You will be amazed how quickly you recover from this surgery the only thing you have to be very careful with is not to lift anything heavy as you could get a hernia so it's worth taking things steady for a couple months but you'll be able to exercise and go for long walks in the meantime. All the best Sue xx
In answer to your questions, it is a major surgery and they call "the mother of all surgeries". It is like having 4-5 surgeries at once. It is however doable. All depends on the extent of the spread. They'll aim to take all the cancer out. Usually, a full hysterectomy, they'll remove the omentum and the lesser omentum, address the areas affected on the bowels and you may end up with a stoma or just an anastomosis, whereby they cut the bowel and reconnect both ends, then all other organs that have any involvement with the cancer by either removing them or scarping their surfaces, for example, the abdomen and/or the peritoneum, and the bladder.
If in luck, the majority will be, no complications during or afterwards.
You need to anticipate 6-8 weeks for the recovery. It is like climbing stairs, one step at a time. Some daily improvements but also a few set backs could occur. Rest as much as you need to and if you feel tired during the day don't fight it, take a nap. A bit of patience is key.
You'll be able to walk immediately afterwards. As a matter of fact, the following morning they'll pull you out of bed, walk you a few steps and you'll sit on a chair. Then they'll encourage you to do the same every day.
In general, you'll feel better than before once the cancer is out. Life will be back to normal, or relatively as it is with anyone who has cancer. If all goes well, at about 6 weeks you can start your post operation chemo.
I hope this helps. All the very best wishes that all goes very well. Take care.
I had the debulking surgery and HIPEC ( warm chemo instilled in the abdomen ) to target unseen cancer cells 5 weeks ago today. I didn’t need a stoma . I also had my 4th chemo infusion several days ago. I was really afraid of the surgery, but it was not nearly as rough as I anticipated. I am fatigued and not very strong yet, but each day is getting better. As for a stoma, they are almost always temporary until the bowel heals, and the nurses will teach you how to take care of it.
I was diagnosed in 2017 with ovarian/ppc cancer stage 3b. I had 2 chemos and my bowel perforated and I had emergency surgery and a stoma fitted. I had 2 more chemos and after 4 I had my debulking surgery plus a double bowel resection. I had 3 further chemos, total 7 which ended in nov 2017.
Had a stoma reversal in sep 2019 and I’ve been so lucky to have no recurrences so far. A stoma wouldn’t have been a choice but it saved my life. I was weak for a while but now I’m fine and lead a very active life. You will feel rough but just grit your teeth and you will get through it. A stoma is much more manageable than you think and I wouldn’t have had mine reversed but I had blockages due to a hernia. If you want to ask any questions please message me and I wish you every success with your treatment. X x
Although it is very scarey to be having this op it is the best news you could get. I am so pleased for you. Like you I had 4 chemos, surgery then 2 more and now on Avastin alone.
I' didy have a stoma but my op was quite big - just under 11 hours including radical hysterectomy , spleenfectomy and all sorts of scraping.
I was in HDU for 3 nights and then another 8 days on gynae ward. I was beautifully looked after and you get plenty of pain relief.
They get you up asap, I was up a day after op and after 6 weeks I did a very slow 5 km charity walk and I would say I have made steady progress
I do lots of yoga, have found an amazing free class 4 x a week with triyoga and have just started Pilates and cycle indoors and walk although I should really upgrade to a run.
I try to be very kind to myself.
I am sure you will get good stoma care and help from a specialist nurse.
Hi Ann it's good news that your tumour has shrunk & now they can operate. I was diagnosed in Jan 2019 with stage 3c high grade OC & had my operation first, then started 6 chemo 6 weeks later. I was warned that I might wake up with a stoma bag & like you I was really frightened but your team have to prepare you for this. You might be lucky & wake up with none. I had to have one as the cancer had attached itself to several parts of my intestine but I knew it was done to save my life so it helped me to cope knowing this. I know it's hard for you & you are scared but you need to stay positive & that's what will get you through. I won't lie I was very sick after my operation & ended up in hospital for 3weeks but everyone is different . I still have the stoma bag & I was very nervous at the beginning about going out especially to a restaurant but eventually I built up my confidence , it's all about baby steps & now it doesn't bother me at all. I look back now & wonder what I was worrying about & so will you in a few months . It's going to take time to recover, you will have to take it easy when you come home from hospital , no lifting, ironing or hoovering. You will have to make yourself go out for short walks around the house everyday & build up your strength but you will get there. I am still on avastin every 3 weeks , my stoma can be reversed eventually , I am much stronger now, I am back walking , swimming, cycling & gardening & you will be the same it just takes time . If there is anything you want to know just ask me & I wish you all the best with your op, I will be thinking of you & please let me know how you are doing 🌸 X
Hi friend, many thanks for all the info you gave me and everyone on here is so helpful and kind. I was scared and you have put my fears at bay and bless you for that. The cancer has wrapped itself around my bowel but theres always hope. As you say i need to take each day as it comes. Had my last round of chemo on tuesday and appointment to see gyne surgeon on 1st oct so all being well i will get the operation or debulking i hear everone say, never heart of that. But it will happen after that sometime.
Again i appreciate your words. I hope you continue in good health you have been through so much.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Battling ovarian cancer (recurrance)
Mum Stage 3/4 Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer stage four
Pain relief for Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer
