Hi everyone
I am having the 'big op' on Monday. Had 3 rounds of Carbo/Taxil chemo which is thankfully working, so as Les Dawson might say...."I'm having it all taken away" then 3 more rounds of chemo. It would be interesting to hear from anyone with advice, hints, tips if this has been your path too!
Have a good weekend x
Dear Cerise
I hope your op goes well on Monday. I had a radical hysterectomy and removal of omentum last May. Only bits of advice I can think is to take in a nightie as you'll have a catheter. I'm sure you're better organised than me and will have thought about this.
I had a very good and speedy recovery with very little discomfort at all except wind. Apparently they use air as part of the op - lord knows what for - and you get trapped pockets afterwards. Don't take fizzy drinks as this makes it worse. The only thing that I found cured that was to walk so if you get this try to walk as soon as you can. Also warm peppermint drink is good and the nurses will make that for you if you ask. I never thought of asking if I could take a travel kettle in but I felt parched all the time and would have liked more tea. Hospital urn tea always seems to be too strong for me.
I'm sure you're in good hands and you'll meet some nice people on the ward. I found the nurses were absolutely brilliant. I also appreciated having access to the internet via a borrowed dongle and laptop as that passed away the time, and some magazines to read.
There, I can't think of any more things to mention. I'm sure others will have lots of ideas for you. Oh, and if they forget to mention it as they did to me, check when you can have your last meal before the op. It was a much longer period than other anaesthetics I've had in the past.
Let us know how you're getting on. We'll all be thinking of you.
love Annie x
Hi Cerise,
I see you don't live far from me (Chester) does that mean you'll get your op in The Women's Hospital Liverpool ? I had my op there... they are very good...and I had a fast recovery from the op so try not to worry...but don't stretch or lift anything and give yourself plenty of rest.. Best wishes x G x 
Hi Cerise
Hope all goes well for you on Monday. I had my op nearly ten years ago now but still remember the amazing kindness of al concerned and the relief of getting on with my return to a better health. The hint about taking peppermint tea bags in with you is a good one. The most painful thing was wind afterwards for me ;-). I also took some homeopathic arnica tablets just before my op and just after. I don't know if they helped but they cannot harm. I recovered quickly and well.
Do ask for specific advice on what you can do to aid your recovery. My hospital had a really helpful advice booklet on how much to do, lift, sleep etc after I got home. I would also recommend doing all the exercises they suggest as regularly as you can.
When I got home I started swimming each day when I felt I could. I checked with my specialist nurse that it was ok before I a stared, but cannot remember when that was, possibly about four weeks after my op. when the scar was properly healed.
Anyway, just wanted to wish you all the best with your op. do let us know how you are getting on. I will be thinking of you
Love Wendy xx
Hi cerise
I would add, make sure your bowels are working properly before you leave! I have had 2abdo ops and both times I got extremely constipated and was in agony afterwards- last time my discharge was delayed by a day because of it- not very glam. Make sure they give you something to keep you going!
Good luck
Sue. X
They gave me an enema before performing my surgery
I had full debulking surgery last year. I opted to have an epidural rather than one of those pumps things and I woke up feeling great demanding something to eat but I bit later I was sick so take it easy. I had the epidural in for a couple of days I asked them to turn it up because I was getting a bit of pain but then I couldn't breath properly so they had to turn it down. They had me up and walking around after a couple of days and the nurses might hassle you to get up and go for a walk around the ward each day. This also helps to get your bowels moving again. I took some peppermint tea in with me
Hi Cerise
Good luck on Monday. I'm sure it won't be half as bad a you think it might be.
I had a hysterectomy two and a half years ago for what turned out to be OVCA. There is a forum called "hysterectomy forum" which has heaps and heaps of helpful information. There are "monthly clubs" that you can join. Joining the July club will put you in touch with lots of ladies having their operations at the same time.
It really is fantastic news that you have responded so well to the chemo you have had. You will need to rest lots and lots , obviously more than ladies having surgery for benign conditions.
Take care and let us know how you get on
Charlie xxx
Hi Cerise
Wishing you the best of luck for Monday
This to has been my path and now just had god willing my 2nd last chemo
Surgery for me was a vertical abdominal cut . usually they may give ypu an epidural for the pain for a couple days and analgesia for after and when you get home . Some pain is expected and normal . Give time to heal and make sure all your family and friends are there to help . No heavy lifting/housework/ironing etc . I did to much to early so please dont . You will have lovely thrombo stocking to wear . The physiotherapist should see you before you leave and she will give advice on gentle exercises and how to increase you ability as time goes on . Fab news that the chemotherapy is working . Keep your chin up . Let us know how you get on and post for advice if you need it
Best wishes
Ally
Hi Cerise,
We will be with you in spirit on Monday.
I only went in for a laporoscopy and woke up to be told I had a radical hysterectomy, including appendix, omentrum and part of my bowel removed but it was such a relief because it was far less stressful not knowing.
I have heard about the terrible wind and was even warned about it but I never got it at all, amazing considerring they took out the whole of my bowel and intestine to exam, the pain was minimal and the morphione pump certainly helped. Press it as often as you need it and keep it as long as you need it too. They won`t allow you to be in pain and if you are don`t forget to ring the bell.
I wasn`t able to walk any further than the end of my bed but I did try to get up and do some very gentle stretching exercises. This helped me no end.
I never wore my own nightdress, it was so hot in the hospital I found the cotton hospital gowns so much cooler, so a summer cotton nightdress is best if you want to take your own. Cool cotton dressing gown because the hospital gowns are open at the back and easy to walk in slippers, I was told off for not having anything on my feet around the ward. After that I just wore my flip flops as I don`t do slippers.
A dress or legging to come home in - I was a long time before I could get into my jeans.
My only one regret was I didn`t shave my hair off before the operation because it would have been so much easier and maybe cooler and more comfortable, I did however shave it off pre-chemo. Maybe your hair has already gone due to post chemo, it sure does make it easier when you are healing.
You can buy a spray mist of mineral water from boots, its known to help set your makeup but its also a wonderful cooling spray and if you are really hot don`t be afraid to ask for a fan.
I also have the verticle cut from my belly button right down to my virgina but I never had stitches or clips, they super glued me together and I only had a clear sticky dressing over the top, no mess at all. The soreness came from inside more than anything, remember there will be a lot of healing needed on the inside so you will need to go real steady for a while.
I had my surgery 1 3/4 yrs ago and you can hardly see the scar now.
Best of luck, remember you`ll be fine you will be in good hands, all surgeons love to operate, they love making people well and saving lifes because that`s always their plan.
Big hugs from Tina xxxx
Thank you so much, I am feeling much better after reading all the comments!
Best wishes to you too,
Sue x
Dear Cerise,
The lovely ladies on here have already given you lots of really good advice which is vital for you to follow .
Had my op back in Dec 2011 ..seems ages ago now and its true what they say you do forget after a while how uncomfortable it is afterwards .
The peppermint tea or water is a must if you like it and when they have you mobile if you do have trapped wind ..try and have a walk round the ward ..boy does it help !!!!
I found the trapped wind very painful indeed ..
My cut was vertical and had staples and they all came out 10 days after the op our practice nurse took them out .
I then after a couple of weeks used bio oil on my scar .Got it at a good price from Amazon .
So glad that the chemo is working xxx Finished mine in May and now have the smattering of hair growing ..very exciting ..... its so soft .....
Do listen to your body after your op ...it will tell you to rest !
Hope all goes well on Monday for you .
Take good care when you come home x
Love Janet xx
Thanks to each and every one of you for taking the time to reply and in doing so, ease any anxieties I have. I will have to op at the Women's in Liverpool and the surgeon and staff were lovely when I was then on Wednesday. They had a cancellation, hence the speed! To anyone out there starting same chemo, just to say that I have sailed through it so far (3 to go). I have hypnotherapy, I do visualisation and some reflexology. Having a good belly laugh helps too! I have hardly any dairy now and, whilst I always though I had a healthy diet, I am very strict now, apart from when the steroids force me to eat everything (carbs) in my path for a few days after chemo!
Good luck to you all, keep eating up your greens (reds, yellows and blues too!) and I will update you when I can.
Sue xx
Hello Cerise
Good luck for Monday. I had my op at Liverpool Womens end of October last year. A vertical scar but was stitched from the inside so no staples or stitch marks. I had it 'all taken away' (I seem to remember the words 'and a new grate put in' from Les Dawson, but perhaps I am mixing up my comedians!). The omentum was removed as I have Primary Peritoneal and this seemed to be where the greatest mass was. The staff were all wonderful and always are. The op was on a Monday morning and then the surgeon said I could go home on Thursday if I could pass wind. So I was up and walking to make sure I complied with requirements.
Thinking of you and best wishes.
Hi First of all, I hope you have a straightforward op.
I had exactly the same at the end of May. Unfotunately, I was in for 8 days due to complications. However, once you've come round, make sure you ar awarre of the following - Don't be scared to ask the nurses or help - you will have had a major op after all.
I had staples, which were removed at my local surgery 10 days later - once out, you can start using bio oil or similar on your scar if you are so inclined. The nurses will have you up and about within 24 - 48 hours for a bath/shower - you probably won't want to, but will make you feel so much better.
Your dressing will be removed to expose your scar, honestly this does help with the 'dryng up' prcedure.
Try and eat, it will be hard - I resisted for 4 days - but they won't let you out otherwise!
If you can't eat, ask for Fortisp drinks until you feel like something more substantial Same goes for learning to inject yourself if you need anti coags - it's easy and just stings a bit!
Low blood pressure? Flat cola or plentyof water - nothing fizzy - I had some - it's not to be recommended!
Do your exercises and try to walk without assistance, it's bloomin' painful so perserve.
It doesn't happen to every one, but I picked up a couple of vaginal infections but suppositries have sorted the problem.
Plenty of fibre for constipation - or again, ask for lactulose or Laxol sachets diluted in water.
But apart from alll that - I think all the others ladies have covered all the bases, rest, rest, REST!!!!
Not very enjoyable Saturday reading, but at least you're prepared.
Best Wishes
Paula xxx
Hi Cerise
Good luck for tomorrow - I had my op last Monday, came home Thursday lunchtime. Can't add to advice above really - none of it as bad as I expected, pain relief good, very busy ward so difficult to rest and food not what I fancied with reduced appetite. Was concerned that coming home only 3 days after the op was too soon but it has been fine - attentive husband and friends, improved appetite and sleeping better. Still need all my pain relief though and it has knocked the stuffing out of me - but I have an impressive vertical scar so lots of healing to do. I agree with the comment above - rest, rest and more rest!
Best wishes
Lynn x
Thanks for this Lynn, especially so soon after your own op. Just packing and then hoping to get some sleep before early start!
Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery. Sue x
Hi Cerise
I had my op at The Women's Hospital, Liverpool and was very well looked after (Aug 2009 for Stage 3c). Hope all goes well for your op, as I'm sure it will, and good luck with the rest of your chemo.
Love Colette xxxxxxx
How soon after surgery is more chemo?
Avastin and Olaparib cocktail
chemo as aid against infections?
In need of advice
