Hello Ladies,
Met with my Gynae this morning. Next step on my awful journey. I am booked in to get a full hysterectomy & omentem removed. A week in hospital. Will just be recovered for the holiday season. Is it awful? What are your thoughts? Would love to hear from those who have been through this already. Thank you
Hi Pixiepurple,
Everyone is different I actually found that the fear of the unknown is worse than the surgery I had pain the first night and what they were giving me wasn't cutting it I had them call the surgeon for something stronger not sure what it was but did the job. I got myself up the next morning walked took a shower as you have to urinate on your own before you leave the hospital the pain was tolerable, I was in the hospital 5 days because I couldn't urinate side effect they were about to send me home with a catheter but I went thank God. I'm in the states and they send you home with an abdominal binder which was a blessing I slept with it and was able to go up and down stairs they also sell them on Amazon. Not sure if your having laparoscopy or open I had open staples. Your recovery from what I recall is 6 weeks. I assume your gyno did a pelvic ultrasound and a CA125 test? Is your surgeon a gyno oncologist? This is a wonderful site so many knowledgeable Teal Sisters
Hi Saintgermain,Thank you for the reply. Yes gynae oncologist & open surgery. I had a CT scan but no ultrasound. Ca125 will be checked before surgery. I think Im just feeling so crappy after last chemo. Will feel stronger again in a few days xx
Chemo has a way of making you feel crappy fatigued I wish you the best of luck with your surgery please keep us posted.
Hi Pixiepurple,
I had this op, although it was done laparoscopically, I had a catheter in the first night as I’d had a spinal block for pain. Catheter came out the next day and I went home. Pain wasn’t bad at all, for me the worst thing was constipation which was very effectively remedied by 2 kiwis a day and plenty of water! You’ll be just fine I’m sure of it. Let us know how you get on.
Hi Schnauzer 19, You are amzing. Thank you xx
I had interval debulking after 4 chemo just before Christmas 2015. I was dreading it.
In the end, the op went very well (optimal result). I woke in ICU demanding tea and toast. No pain, even the grumpy bowels worked!
At home I held court on the sofa as the family ran round and organised the festivities. If anyone turned up I didn’t want to see I just said I was tired and went to bed!
I look back on that time as a lovely memory despite 32 staples and no hair!
Weird isn’t it that sometimes the things you fear so much (and I was SCARED) turn out to have hidden silver linings xx
Hi Lyndy, Wow 2015 you have given me so much hope. I just don't want to mess up the kids Christmas. We still have Santa for one. I think the fear n upsetting the kids is getting me down but will get there xx thank you xx I have had 3 C sections n a hernia op. Should be well used to this type of surgery. Xx
I was diagnosed with stage 3a ovarian cancer in 2017. I had a hysterectomy, 28 lymph nodes removed, omentum and appendix removed. I found the recovery no different to a Caesarian section. I had 6 months chemo , 18 months Avastin. Treatment side effects were douable and challenging but!6 years on I’m still here with no recurrence. I never once thought ahead of myself, just took each day as it came. You can get through this xx
Hi March2017 that is the best news.. 6 years I would love it xx
Hi Pixiepurple
Going in for an operation is scary. I was terrified as I’d not had a major operation for over 40 years. I was in hospital 4 days. I was out of bed the day after my operation. I had very little pain. Once I got home recovery was rapid. Lots of people on here can provide advice on what to take into hospital and how to aid recovery. All I will say is that the operation will not be as bad as you fear and you will get through this. You are far stronger than you think.
Hi Fluffyjumper thank you for such kind words. I can't stop crying reading all your lovely replies xx
hi Pixiepurple
I had a radical hysterectomy last December. I was absolutely petrified. It’s only natural to be scared as it is the fear of not knowing what to expect. After your op you will feel the relief that it’s over. The hospital will deal with pain relief. All the best for your journey x x.
Thank you Voyager3. I really can't wait to have it behind me xx
Hello PixiePurple,
I remember it fills your mind thinking of what os about to happen.
As well as good pain relief, focus on the bowel and bladder health. The bowel becomes temporarily stationary post surgery and the opiate drugs add to this. The worry of pushing puts you off going too. I took all the laxatives offered - dulcoease/senna/laxidol in combination.
The nurses/healthcare assistants were very kind. A physio came from day 1.
I spend the first night in HDU for additional monitoring.
I was quite happy the first few days- so relieved at not having more extensive surgery and probably the pleasant side effect of the opiates too!
I kept reminding myself if was the next necessary step to getting this cancer out of me.
The abdominal binder sounds very helpful. I would look at sourcing one of those if you are in the U.K.
Good luck and big hug. It is another step towards your recovery ❤️🩹.
F x
Hi Motiva thank you. Can you believe I have a binder was given one after my hernia op. Yes I have to start thinking the way you do next step to my recovery & stop feeling sorry for myself. Thank you xx
I remember going through same surgery 2 years ago. I was thinking all sorts but knew it had to be done to get through. Everyone is different and takes time to get through the operation. Rest and taking time to get back to normal activities ie walking etsc just do what you feel is comfortable. Take help and support from others my husband was really great but unfortunately he passed away suddenly this year. Only side effect I had was bowels were effected and took a while to get back to normal Take care and look after yourself
Lynne x
Lynne I am so sorry for your loss going through this & to loose your husband, I don't have words. Thank you for your message xx
Bless you pixiepurple. Understandable. I remember being scared too.
I’ve now had this op 3 times ( Feb 2018, Jan 2020 & June 2023). For me, I’ve had a different experience each time but it’s great the surgeon takes away any cancer they can see. Good to get it out.
Recovery can take a while but pain is managed with medication. Bowels can go to sleep after this surgery. I was advised to go on a low fibre diet ( short term) to help my bowel. In hospital I was allowed clear soup, jelly & protein drinks. Then plain chicken or fish with mashed potatoes.
This op is another step towards your survival. All the best for a speedy recovery. One day at a time. Take good care xx
Hi Dejjerentforgirls, 3 ops you are one strong lady xx thank you for the tip of low fibre. That will def help. Thanks again xx
I found the actual surgery far easier than I'd anticipated. Don't let post-op pain get severe, ask for pain relief as soon as you need it. Get moving as soon as possible, the physio will help you but don't be tempted to sit or lie around once you have been shown how to move safely. Take hand wipes, loose nighties, long phone/device chargers. Waist high knickers to avoid pressing on your scar and a cushion for your tummy for the drive home (someone else must drive, you won't be able to for 6 weeks).
Thank you SopSinger must get organised. I was thinking the no driving again for 6 weeks. It will pass. I will get there thank you for all your support x
You’ve had loads of responses and info already but..,I was also very nervous in the prep room as I’d never had an op before (let’s do it in style though eh!) and was sadly waiting all day which I think was due to them having to take blood to confirm I wasn’t pregnant as my urine test was inconclusive.
Anyway, the op went fine although I did have to have about three transfusions whilst on the ward as I bled quite a lot apparently (felt fine). The only discomfort I experienced was the first night as my back was killing me and couldn’t really change position; the lovely HCAs showed me the knack the following morning. No pain and was off morphine the following morning, ask about other pain relief such as spinal blocks as well although this does seem to depend on the hospital. I had a nifty pain relief ‘thread’ by the incision which was amazing. I was glad a didn’t want to be on morphine as it can make you feel sick and I was more paranoid about that than anything! They tried a spinal and epidural but couldn’t do it sadly.
Up the following morning with the physio who also show you how to manoeuvre yourself, and was able to have a wash and change into my own nightie. Go for those rather than PJs too and big knickers. You may or may not have a dressing and could be stitches or staples-they seem to be hospital dependent.
I was in five nights which was mostly due to me getting someone to collect me and discharge drugs!
You’ll probably find it much more bearable than you have built up in your head and be toddling up and down the ward. If you need hospital bag tips as well then we’re your gals 😁 c
Thank you Yorkiepudd. On Monday when I put up the post was feeling so unwell from chemo & the thoughts of the surgery made me so scared & upset. But all the lovely posts & responses have dulled my fear and made me feel a bit better. Thank you and to all for the responses ye are the best 🥰
I think this video on YouTube will be helpful to you too Pixiepurple xx
Thank you. Really helpful xx
Hello Pixiepurple - I know you've had loads of replies already but thought I would chip in! I am sorry you are on this journey....not a one any of us would choose for sure. I am in Uk - had radical hysterectomy with vertical incision. I could not wait for my surgery so had absolutely no fear - I just wanted the cancerous growth removed. It was my first experience of surgery but the fear of the cancer inside growing was far greater than the op. That said - the op was very straightforward. Everything removed. I had a spinal block inserted so absolutely no pain while that was in. Catheter was left in a few days - that was amazing as the last thing I wanted to do during the night - was trot to the toilet! Constipation is common as is wind. Ask your medical team and they will give you things to help but I didn't go for 5 days! At home - get a grabber stick - a really useful item as it is amazing how many things you drop when you cannot bend over and pick them up. I also found a bed wedge useful as it mirrors the hospital bed (where you can sit a bit more upright) as I found it hard to lie flat on my back when home. Also ear buds to connect to your phone/ipad as its handy to listen to music/radio in the early hours if you cannot sleep. Good luck!
Thank you Jennifer. You are so good to take the time to reply. It is one crap journey, but happy and count my lucky stars that Im still here & have the fight in me to keep going. The grabber is a great idea thank you xx and the ear buds. Hope you are doing ok?
Hi Pixiepurple (love the name btw) - I am doing great. I just had to make a mental adjustment to my brain to the fact that I have cancer. Once I had done that - it has made the mental part of the journey a lot easier. Look after yourself... x
Sorry Jennifer for the late reply. I haven't got there mentally yet. But will at some stage. Pixie is the name of our dog 🤣🤣
thinking of you, best of luck ♥️
Back from Gynae outpatients clinic
Oncology appointment.
Ultrasound Appointment
Oncologist appointment 
