I had surgery 5 weeks ago which involved a full hysterectomy and then I was later given a staging of ovarian cancer 3b. All has been healing well, except I now feel a bit bloated again on the right hand side (the left is softer). I am thinking it could be ascites rebuilding (I did have 6ltrs removed during the surgery).
Has anyone experienced this, and was all ok once chemotherapy started? I have my first oncology appointment next week (by telephone).
It’s such a big op, so this could be the effects of healing, not necessarily ascities but you should mention it at your appointment. I do remember my tummy being hard in places, swelling, lots of different things that were to do with healing. This is the problem with phone appointments… it’s difficult to describe what you are feeling!
Thanks for your reply. Yes it is difficult to describe. I have a CT scan already booked in for the Sat following my oncologye telephone appt. I think it is meant to be a baseline post surgery scan before I start the chemo sessions. Hoping all will go well. Thanks.
Good luck!
This all sounds fairly standard, in my experience - it's a massive operation and they do like to leave a decent period of recovery for you before they plunge you into chemo. Chemo can often stop wounds healing so well, so the better rested and healed you are, the better you will be able to cope with chemo when it starts. Please tell your Consultant about anything that you're unsure about, they're usually very good at explaining what they're doing, and why, and can often help put your mind at rest.
For context, I was operated on in early December last year, and was really quite poorly afterwards. Chemo didn't start for me until late January. The Consultant took note of my blood tests etc, but was mostly interested in how I *felt* before he would sign me off for chemo to start.
Take your time, get as much rest as you can, and take a little gentle exercise (in accordance with any professional medical advice you may have been given). Be gentle with yourself and you'll be ready for chemo when it starts. Sending best wishes across the ether x
Hi , I've actually tried replying a few times but each time if I pause it has disappeared. So sorry for only just replying. Thank you for sharing your experiences and I wish you well in your journey too. I'm feeling a bit under the weather with a cough and my doctor gave me an antibiotic that zim hoping will help before I start the chemo. Thanks again. Sue.
Please don’t fret, it’s lovely to hear from you. Take the antibiotics - the oncology team will really want to be sure that you’re as healthy as you can be before you start chemo. Trust in the process, but keep asking if there is anything you don’t understand or don’t feel comfortable with. The team are there to treat your body, but it’s important that you feel happy about what’s happening in your mind too, if that makes sense.
Hello lovely,
Yes I had a great deal of bloating for a while after. It can be gas in your stomach- but also worth getting checked out if you are concerned.
You have been through a huge surgery, and it can take a long while for the body to return to a new and altered state.
Please do PM me if you need a chat, or a bit of support. I would be so happy to talk to you.
Love and healiing energy for now, Nicky xx
Thank you Nicky. I've had my bloods taken on Monday and was pleased to hear the CA125 has dropped from over 5 000 before my surgery to 147! So that sounds positive. Had my telephone oncology appt and now have a face to face one to come in about 2wks. Following that my chemo will start soon?? I kind of just want to get on with it so the wait makes my anxiety rise. I guess it's more time to allow my body to heal beforehand. I was also advised to go and get the covid booster which I did yesterday. Thx again, and all the best to everyone on the site. Sue x
Hi Sue,I totally hear you. The waiting is hard. Do you have a CNS nurse you could talk to if you need to? That’s fantastic news about your ca125!! That is really positive news!! I’m so pleased for you. Take care and keep us posted.
Much love, Nicky xx
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