just home after the debulking surgery…

[Atai]

Hi everyone

I had keyhole surgery as planned which I’m relieved about! It took place on Thursday morning, and I was discharged today (Saturday morning).

To recap, they removed uterus, remaining ovary and tube, omentum and cervix. This was done at a University Hospital under their Enhanced Recovery Programme,

I feel absolutely shattered, but not ‘poorly’. I don’t feel upset about anything that was taken out, though I may later on perhaps?

I’m mainly curious about how my body will heal, how the organs will move to fill the space etc!

I’m too tired to write much, but I can say that I feel heaps better after keyhole than my emergency op, so if you are offered it, I’d recommend it 💗

Get biopsy results in three weeks … xx

[Cazy1010]

Hi , I was exactly the same , where does everything go !!!! But I’m sure nature sorts things our !!!! Once you get over the op it’s great , I carnt say I feel any different your body heals and you don’t remember the “ bad “ times !!!! I’m here if you need a chat xx

[Atai in reply to Cazy1010]

The body is an amazing thing!! Thank you, I’ll message later xx 😴😴

[Riverflo]

Wow that's great! I didn't know keyhole surgery was an option. Amazing how so much can be removed that way.Hope you continue to recover well.

Martine xx

[Atai in reply to Riverflo]

thank you Martine! Xx

[organicinna in reply to Riverflo]

this is probably depends on what stage you are and if any metastases.......)))

[carrotmunch5]

Thank you for sharing. I felt excited reading your post. I didn't know either, keyhole was an option! Wow! Our body is amazing isn't it. Power to heal itself. Hope you recover from op well and soon.

[Atai in reply to carrotmunch5]

That’s very true! And yes, sometimes there are more options! X

[Fluffyjumper]

I was also curious about how the remaining organs rearrange themselves. I felt great after my surgery, partly due to relief that ‘everything was out’ and I had far less abdominal discomfort. Remember to be kind to yourself, let your body heal, don’t do too much but take regular short walks.

[Atai in reply to Fluffyjumper]

Good advice, thank you! X

[mrstadpole]

That is amazing they were able to do keyhole surgery. When I had my debulking surgery five and a half years ago I was cut under the breast bone right down to pubic bone . A huge scar! I would imagine yours would heal really quickly .x

[Atai in reply to mrstadpole]

Sorry you had to deal with that! yes my emergency surgery scar is huge, this time there’s a lot less to deal with… x

[SopSinger in reply to mrstadpole]

Yes, the outside heals quickly. The internal parts take much longer!

[Trickysite]

I had keyhole surgery 18 months ago at Royal Surrey County Hospital. I was actually under UCLH at the time for mychemo but they could not do keyhole then. . Is it UCLH you are referring to? I had a 10 hour op with both a gynaecologist and gastro surgeon operating as the OC had spread to my stomach. 4b.complete hysterctomy, half stomach out, half omentum, appendix gone and much else! Five 1 or2 Cm cuts. 5 days in IC and five days I ward. Very fatigued for 6 weeks but NO PAIN at any time! Boy, am I grateful to those pioneering surgeons.Doingwell now. Emma x

[Atai in reply to Trickysite]

Hi. I was at UH Cardiff, and under such an amazing team!

Wow you certainly went through a lot!!

Weirdly I was discharged from there 11 years ago yesterday,, following the stem cell transplant!

Thank you for your support!

[Trickysite]

Btw, my stomach never went back to its original flat size 10. I now look permanently 5 months pregnant at 77. Still a small price to pay. I have more tiered, non-figure hugging dresses than anyone else in the country. .....

[Atai in reply to Trickysite]

Hah! I am already wearing flowing frocks, as I’m definitely not a size 10 currently 😉 x

[UltimaForsan in reply to Trickysite]

Yes! I was 57 when I had an abdominal hysterectomy and now look permanently pregnant. I was amazed for awhile, wondering how I could be larger when so much was removed! It finally occurred to me that the remaining organs don’t stay upright in the medical-book-picture formation after removing stuff from the lower front pelvic area! As you say, small price to pay, and I’ve come to appreciate oversized/relaxed fit clothing, especially tiered dresses. 😊

[Trickysite in reply to UltimaForsan]

so nice to hear I am not the only one permanently pregnant. Amazed, like you, that with nothing left inside my stomach I am a balloon. Never raised a query on it with doctors as always more important stuff to talk about.

Giving away all the clothes and dresses 👗 I adored a bit sad, along with all the pretty shoes 👠 ( Lymphoedema in ankle now), but, hey ho!

[SopSinger]

Honestly, you'll barely notice the loss of the organs. However, give your body lots of time to heal, as despite the tiny scars on the outside, there's a lot to heal on the inside. Listen to your body. Get plenty of rest, pace yourself, and don't carry on with any activity until you're tired, as you will pay for it the next day.

[Atai in reply to SopSinger]

Thank you ☺️ Yes I’m not feeling any “loss” physically or emotionally… great advice about little steps too xx

[Lyndy]

Well done Atai! Glad you had a positive experience, I think it makes a difference to how you feel about yourself and your recovery. Take it easy and when your body says ‘rest’ you must go with it! Best of luck xx

[Atai in reply to Lyndy]

Thank you Lyndy! ☺️💛