Recovering from debulking

[DMP-H]

Hi - I had successful debulking surgery 2 weeks ago (womb, ovaries, omentum, bit of the peritoneum) and am walking quite well, albeit slowly. There is not too much pain, most of it seems to be intestinal.

I am just wondering how many weeks it tends to take before you feel you can more naturally and easily stand straight upright without stooping forwards? It’s starting to feel like walking isn’t doing me any good because I’m in such an odd position it is making my back hurt. I know it’s very early days but would be good to know how long it takes before you feel you can stretch out your front?

I’m also wondering how long the intestinal pain tends to last? Everything is moving along, it’s just wind causing the pain I think. I’m sure it takes a while for everything to settle, especially as the small intestine doesn’t like being touched and wil have rearranged a bit now the space inside has changed. But am I looking at weeks or months (or does it sometimes never get back to normal?)?

I’ll be starting chemo again fairly soon I expect, which of course will cause more abdo pain again - it would be good if the current abdo pain has cleared before a new one starts!

[Kheer]

The pain will be much better in a week or two. Make sure you have adequate pain killers. Speak to your assigned oncology nurse. They are a great help. Constipation can be an issue so be careful about it. Your surgery suggests that cancer did not involve other organs and must be relief. My chemotherapy started four weeks after surgery similar to yours. Hope you feel better soon.

[Katmal-UK]

Hi, from memory it’s 6 weeks and then you should e heaps better. Speak with yr nurse, you should have been told to be careful for 6weeks. X

[Kickcancer247]

Had complete debulking as well January 22nd. Back at work the following Monday. They recommended before surgery that I get high waisted yoga pants. It helps hold you in. Had fourth chemo little over three weeks after surgery. In about four or five days I got diarrhea. I didn't take any medicine for it- but three days later I had to. Surely there was nothing left- but after taking one pill for the diarrhea-it stopped. So really try the good quality yoga pants and stand straight (as you can). Truly it does get better quite quickly.

[Jennifer1959]

Hello there - glad you are recovering! Its a huge huge operation and I hope you are taking things steady and listening to what the Docs are saying about not overdoing things and looking after yourself.

My experience of debulking surgery (radical hysterectomy March 2023) - it was a slow recovery. Months before I felt 'normal' again but other people seem to recover a lot quicker. The important thing is - take it steady, listen to the Drs, look after yourself and let others help. Do what you feel physically able to and listen to your body. I looked after myself until after my chemo and then slowly started to introduce a regular exercise routine - swimming and walking.

13 months down the line - I am swimming a mile a couple of times a week, walking 4 or 5 miles regularly - not things I did BEFORE my cancer diagnosis...... I feel fitter now than I ever did before!

Look after you 💙

[Jacquiemoo]

Hi, had everything done you had and didn't stand up straight for a little over 2 weeks. It does get better in time and was back to what you can define as normal by the time chemo started again. I don't think my intestinols are still normal to this date. Constipation needing meds to help me with it. My last chemo was may 4th 2023 with remission but it came back as of January again. Have started chemo again. Hope you are feeling better soon..hang in there you will feel better and pray that they got it all for you.

[Mysticmeg123]

Hi. The pain does get better - its early days for you yet. The best advice I was given was by my physiotherapist and that was to tie a silk scarf under my belly and gently tie is around my waist so that it lifted my tummy up. I was able to walk with ease and did not have to stoop. It really works! Wishing you all the best and hope you start to feel better soon x

[Snowfamily]

hi

It took me at least 4 weeks to feel

Like I was walking anywhere near normally You will though. I started chemo 6 weeks after surgery and I remember walking normally then. Hope that helps

[Kazzh]

Good morning 💗

It is very early days for you & it's best to listen to your body as we are all so different.

I am now 8 weeks post surgery, and walked a little bent over too, and was gettinv bad backache. So I became more aware of it & made myself walk tall. I think it's a good idea to do this anytime you feel able to. I used heat pads on my back to ease the muscles. Now I am.back to normal, no more back ache!

Tummy troubles have continued for me & will no doubt take some time to settle as it's such a huge surgery. I gently massaged my tummy when I can, take buscopan if needed, and have to monitor constipation & diarrhea constantly (taking Laxido and diarolyte depending how I am) which has lead to some weight loss for me. Now back on chemo which I felt ready for 5 weeks post surgery.

Do reach out to your gynae team/hotline for reassurance & just know that it will get better 🙏

All the best, and sending hugs for a speedy recovery xxx

[Oaklake]

Hello, I feel the same as you at the moment. I also had debulking surgery just over two weeks ago. Full hysterectomy plus lots of additional re-sectioning surgery to to remove additional disease including cutting my diaphragm. It took me a week to get out of the hospital bed as I was in too much pain and meds made me ill. I started to walk a bit the second week and I’m home and walking stooped over also as I feel my incision is very tight (runs from breastbone to navel) and that makes it almost impossible to stand upright. As a result my back hurts if I walk any distance. I think pain is more intestinal for me also.

It’s all very exhausting but I know that I am making small improvements even if it doesn’t feel like it. It’s so hard emotionally when I was such an active person before. I have chemo in 3 weeks time too and am hoping I am more mobile by then. Also have to have a scan this week and have no idea how I will get there walking as I am at the moment!

I hope you continue to recover and the pain eases over time. Hope also your chemo goes well.

[DMP-H]

Thank you all so much for your insight, advice and well wishes, I so much appreciate all of it and you all taking the time to give it. Huge hugs back xxxxx

[Jayred]

Hi I am in the same position as you trying to avoid chemo. Don’t give up on looking for a trial you may need to do a lot of research. I had niraparid and it didnt work at all for me but I followed that up with Letrozole which worked for 14 months. I am now on its cousin Anastrozole and hoping for further success. Big hugs xx