Anyone else been opened up in surgery and only part of op been completed?

[Rosado22]

Woke up to find ny part of op had been completed as too much stuff discovered hidden under the heap of ovarian mass and two ovaries. Have to have second op. However, am concerned they have maybe spread my cancer during this op as they had to stitch me back up as it would have been far too major to remove in that op.

[Fluffyjumper]

Hi Rosado

I don’t have the answers to your recent posts but I’m sure that several of the lovely women on this forum will be able to help. I just wanted you to know that your posts are being read. It must be very upsetting to find out that surgery has not gone to plan, especially with the stress and anxiety of having surgery. It’s not uncommon for surgery to be ‘incomplete’ due to size or location of masses/tumours. Chemotherapy may be started with the aim of stabilising or shrinking tumours, often before additional surgery.

[Rosado22 in reply to Fluffyjumper]

Thanks. It’s been two weeks since op and only felt up to posting this today as seeing consultant tomorrow. At least I have been out for coffee today and been for a few walks

[Fluffyjumper in reply to Rosado22]

I’m so glad that you’re going out for walks. I was unsure how much to walk at first. I had my operation early December, 26cm scar, recovered over Xmas at my elderly parents who couldn’t understand why I wanted to go for short walks. I’ve just finished chemo and returned to work. It’s very scary, i’d not had a major operation since childhood. It’s difficult facing all the unknowns. All I know is it’s tough but you can do it. Today was a good day for a walk, it was a sunny, spring day and the birds were singing.

[Litchick]

Hello, I am so sorry that you are having a tough time at the start of your journey. You are having to deal with a lot of information but also the strong emotional response it naturally brings. And you are not well having just undergone surgery.It can be easier said than done, but please try to take one day at a time for the moment.

This is all new to you but your team have experience of many different scenarios and will be deciding on the best treatment plan for you as an individual.

It is important to rest and be kind to yourself. I hope you have family and friends to help and support you. But know this. Whilst ladies on here may not be able to answer your questions we will do our best to give you support and a listening ear. Nothing is out of bounds. My first post was about bowel issues and the responses I got were so helpful and encouraging.

Sending a gentle hug.

Jan. 😘

[Rosado22 in reply to Litchick]

Thank you! I was soooo scared about having an op in the first place and to wake up with mission aborted was harsh. Still, I have a 20 cm scar which has healed well, and it just looked like a scratch! Friends are starting to rally round so that’s something! They had a plan when I was still in hospital to confirm with test results. I can tell you the prospect of what is on offer is far from inviting …. Frankenstein comes to mind, but we’ll see.

[Lyndy]

Hi Rosado22You are having a difficult time. I am not sure there’s really an answer to your question….it’s possible that the cancer might be spread by surgery but as your op was incomplete anyway it’s perhaps a bit hypothetical.

Do you trust your team? Most oncology teams meet in a multi disciplinary team to discuss the best way forward for each patient. Yours will have considered the risk of finding they couldn’t complete your op. They will have a plan for you… maybe chemo first to shrink and contain the cancer, then further surgery. Or perhaps they will have other suggestions for your particular case.

You have two choices: accept that they are doing everything they can and let them get on with it or seek a second opinion.

It’s really difficult to let go if you are a worrier. Try to have someone with you when you see the doctors so that you can ask questions and take on board all the options they present. Best of luck xx

[Rosado22 in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks, I do believe I am in good hands. Most of my issues stem from what ifs should’ve done this that and the other, which is part of being me! Coupled with the shock and not realising I might have cancer, thinking it was bit of arthritis, hip sciatica etc having ruled out cervical cancer and vulvar cancer, I didn’t think I had anything else major to worry about.

[Rosado22]

I think they are a v specialist team and having to travel hour and half to their hospital as it is

[Gartenfee]

Hi Rosado22. I have been in a similar situation nearly three years ago, when I had two surgeries. The first one served to fight the illeus, and to discover the OC with Aczites and peritonal carcinosis, the second was intended to remove OC.

I remember very well how scared I had been at that time. And how hard it was to trust my doctors. Because the cancer could not been removed, it has to be treated further. Chemo''s (2 until yet) and Olaparib and Avastin keeps me alive. A good life with walks,exercises, bicycle rides and enjoyments.

However the cancer will not leave until the end of my life....I am 63 years and got used to it. I had breast cancer at the age of 41. I Hope this expirience will help you a bit. Greetings from Germany.

[Rosado22 in reply to Gartenfee]

Thank Gartenfee. I do trust my surgeon so I hope the chemo will shrink things before next op. He seems to think I am strong enough

[Tillymint61]

I asked my oncologist about the belief that once opened up any cancer left would grow quicker and she said that was a view held many many years ago when more often than not when a patient was opened up for surgery they found the disease was so widespread there was nothing they could do for them. They didn't have scans and marker test like now. Try not to worry there will options via treatment for you. My operation was incomplete and complication with wound healing so further surgery is not an option for me. I am getting good results with chemo and maintenance at the moment. Xx

[Rosado22 in reply to Tillymint61]

Thanks. I am v jittery today! Meeting oncologist online meeting and then starting the chemo. My consultant says he thinks things will shrink well so I hope and pray so. My op was done by two consultants and I hope it hasn’t caused it to spread, I have to say his stitching and glue on my wound made it just look like a 20cm scratch, and two weeks later I did 10000 steps yesterday with hospital appointment etc.

[Maus123]

Sorry, I'm late to this threat but if the second surgery has not happened yet, I just wanted to say that I'd see it as a good sign to get a second surgery scheduled. It means the plan is to get most if not all of the disease out, and have the time to do so, which is the ultimate goal. Frustrating and scary if it doesn't happen in one go.. but in the end... 2x surgery is better than no surgery, in my book.All the best for the coming debulking op. Maus

[Rosado22 in reply to Maus123]

Thanks the plan is to start chemo and shrink things and then have the surgery