Hello. In August, after suffering what I thought was a couple of months of irritable bowel and constipation, I was unexpectedly found to have two massive ovarian cysts and very probably earlyish stage ovarian cancer, and possibly other things too but I don't know yet. Three and a half weeks ago I had major surgery in which my ovaries, Fallopian tubes, womb, cervix, and omentum etc were all removed. I have been at home now for two weeks and am making good progress but I am still very unsure about what is normal in the way of symptoms after this operation.
I know lots of people who have had less complicated surgery for hysterectomy but I have a 25+ cm abdominal incision, which is a different matter altogether. Also a major problem in the run up to surgery was that the masses were squashing my bowel so badly I could hardly eat, and I was dangerously malnourished without having any idea of that, and lost a very large amount of my already modest weight. My main struggle just now is with eating enough, and although I am making good progress, I still feel very full after eating and uncomfortable after even a very small meal or a snack sometimes. I am wondering whether the discomfort I experience is in fact due to the muscles in my chest and abdomen etc which should by now be repairing themselves rather than anything to do with my actual digestive system, which seems to be recovering.
Has anyone experienced anything similar?
I am due to see the consultant tomorrow for results of biopsies done during surgery etc but don't think this will give me a chance to ask questions about symptoms.
Thank you.
Hi Kindbutanxious and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I'm sorry to read that you've recently undergone major surgery and it's natural to have questions.
As the online community is divided up into different support groups, I'm going to recommend that you join the ovarian cancer group, not because I think you have this, but because it's a great place to ask your questions, share experiences and get support.
To join just click on the link I've created which will take you directly to the group. You can then start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
When you feel up to it, it would be great if you could pop something about your diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
