Major surgery

Hi Half full cup 

I am one of the Community Champions in another group (Cervical) but I noticed you hadn’t had a reply to your post yet and I can see how frightened you are so I thought I’d reply to share my experience.

You have said you are having major surgery with a long recovery, so I can certainly identify with that! I’m not sure what yours will involve, but for my recurrent cervical cancer it involved removing the following-womb, cervix, Fallopian tubes, ovaries, lymphnodes, rectum, bladder and vagina plus as much other tissue as my surgeons dared to ensure clear margins. I didn’t require chemo afterwards, and spent 2 weeks in hospital.

What I wanted to say is that I am coming up to 5 years post surgery, with no recurrence and no re admission to hospital for any issues connected with my op. Yes, the recovery was long and tough, I don’t deny that, but surgery worked.

It may be that your surgery will be quite different in your situation, but I wanted to try to give you some hope and reassurance that our surgeons are remarkable and incredibly skilled at what they do, and our bodies can have an incredible capacity to heal. I understand the fear-that’s very natural and to be expected, but I put my trust in my surgeons, and I’m still here. 

Sarah xx

Hi

Don’t panic!!  Your experience sounds similar to mine. I had surgery in September and had no idea what to expect. Trust your medical team you will be well cared for. It’s not great for a few days afterward as you feel poorly and useless but gradually you get up and about and start to be able to do a few things for yourself. I was in for 8 days but don’t count your team will discharge you when they are happy with your recovery. Take the time to rest and gradually increase your mobility so you are ready when you leave hospital. 

Once you are home there will be time to recover. I was shocked by how useless I was physically but learnt not to push it too far and my strength grew day by day. Turns out the body is remarkable at healing. 

I had my first chemo 3-4 weeks after surgery. I wasn’t fully recovered but well on the way and the team were confident the time was right. 

I am still on my chemo journey but it’s not as scary as you initially think. Take all the advice and drugs!  One cycle at a time and you’ll do ok. 

best of luck with it all and speedy recovery!

Hi I’m Laura, 

I have had major abdominal surgery for ovarian, peritoneal cancer last September. They removed my ovaries fallopian tubes uterus, appendix, peritoneal lining, omentum and a lot of high grade carcinoma. It was daunting but I thought of it like time travel. I was awake and in preparation area, then I wouldn’t know anything until until I woke up. This helped as you don’t have any control and have to trust the professionals. I was actually surprised that despite a large incision, the pain was under control and my recovery much better than expected. I was in hospital for 7 days and walking or shuffling slowly after 1. Don’t rush things, it takes a while. I’m now walking and doing gentle Pilates. My 9 cycles of chemo finish in 2 weeks and I can’t wait. Hope that helps 

I'm currently waiting for my debulking surgery. The doctors told me I won't be able to walk my dogs for 3month after this. Is this true or are they just covering themselves 

Hi,

I'm about to do the same.

Open surgery to remove an ovarian mass and check for any other smaller spots of cancer. I will be in for a week. Also expecting to have chemo afterwards.

I've had two previous surgeries laparoscopically but this feels like something else.

How are you getting on?

Ruth

I'm scared to be truthful. But I'm OK when I know what's going on. But I just worry about my dogs. I need to know practicalities on walking my dogs.  I hope the surgery goes well for you 

Hi There 

I would take their advice. Internal and external healing has different stages. I didn't drive or lift any shopping bags for 10 weeks. Being pulled along by the dogs, even if they are well trained cant take account of other dogs. Don't risk it. 

L

Of course.

I have dogs as well and walking them is important to me and them. I'm hoping to go off lead with someone else to hold on to them when necessary.

Although, I understand it will take time to walk distances anyway.

Best of luck with your surgery too.

Thank you so much - you are the first person to actually reply with a real answer similar to my problem - and boy what a problem! Really going into the unknown is probably the scariest part and when someone else reaches out and shares it really helps. 

So I'm going into hospital for pre op  and bowel preparation on this Tuesday 21 and op on Wednesday.  Everyone asking what they can do and I just reply - please pray for me!!

But any really practical tips would be appreciated 

Thankyou. And the same to you