Bi lateral salpingo oophrectomy

That’s such good advice thanks - yes 5 more sleeps - I’m hoping to book to see Oliver the show in London for Jan 2026 and planning on booking that when I’ve had the op and am out the other side. It was lovely to spend time with my friend who yesterday and I have borrowed a Richard osman book from her daughter as I’ve got back into reading too - just had an online yoga class and looking forward to going back to that too when I can lx

I’m sure you’ll be given advice on recovery, returning to exercise etc. from the ward staff. I was given this booklet which I found really helpful: https://thepogp.co.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/211984pogpffsurgery.pdf

Also found a great set of videos online - Post Abdominal Surgery Yoga with Joy. They’re fab but, even though I’m experienced in yoga, my body didn’t always agree with Joy’s ‘timings’. Though keen to challenge myself, the last thing I wanted was to do anything daft that could potentially set me back…. and I didn’t always get it right . When I was told to, “listen to my body” I thought ‘what a cop out’ but it’s just so true. My body soon told me when it wasn’t happy! 

Common sense approach and lots of positivity and you’ll be back to normal in no tint at all x

P.S. Should have said, I think the leaflet is primarily geared towards those who’ve had open surgery but the basic principles are the same…. and, by the way, I love Richard Osman’s books. Have read all the ‘Thursday Murder Club’ books although I read something a bit more ‘serious’ in the weeks immediately following my surgery - didn’t want to end up bursting any stitches!

That leaflet is very helpful thanks. I was wondering how to sit up or get up from a laying position I’ll take any advice I can get - sometimes in hospitals I don’t take things in if I’m told them I like to read things and then I can go back to them. I started yoga years ago and just found one day that it wasn’t working for me and didn’t enjoy it but I went back to it about 2020 just before Covid and now do it online once a week in an evening and I love it - I did seated yoga after my lumpectomy and during chemo as I didn’t have much strength. I’ve not read any of his other books than the Thursday murder club and this one is good so far “we solve murders” - I also have 2 books arriving from Amazon tomorrow so I should be sorted for a while. I’m glad the film version is going to be at the cinema rather than only on Netflix as I don’t have that and really looking forward to seeing it lx

Strongly recommend  the Thursday Murder Club series for once you’ve healed. They’re hilarious but also quite poignant at times too 

Thanks i always look in charity shops for his books but only find the one I’ve read! I’m so glad to be back enjoying reading - I restarted to try and take my mind off this and now remember how much I liked it - a bit of escapism. Lx

Dear Mona Lisa. 

I've had an oophorectomy with de bulking surgery. I have peritonial, ovarian cancer and bowel obstruction. 

Basically the chemo and surgery saved my life. It was scary and tough,  mentally and emotionally. You worry because you just don't know what's what until your opened up and the surgeon can get a good look at what's going on. I was measured for a stoma before surgery. 

Your thinking all sorts and your head is spinning. I can advise you to be as fit and healthy as you can be pre surgery. After surgery and as soon as I was able I was up and out of bed. I walked up and down the ward to get everything moving again. I had open surgery and the wound was healing very well. If you have open surgery be prepared for the scar. It does get better and it will blend in and become a faint line.  Don't be afraid to look at your body. The more informed you are the better you know how to look after yourself. Take the pain relief when your offered. I tried to be brave at first then asked them to give me anything they had. 

Of course it's your individual choice, but you don't need to be brave, be sensible. Do as your told and rest when you body tells you to. But keep up with exercise when you can and your recovery will be so much quicker and better. 

I wish you all the luck in the world.

Thanks so much for your comments. I’ve heard that getting up and around as soon as possible is a good idea. I took all the help and advice I could when I had breast cancer and counselling via MacMillan which was helpful. I’m lucky in that my employers are very understanding and supportive - I just need to concentrate on getting through this and recovering carefully lx

Yes, they definitely advocate getting on your feet as soon as possible to prevent blood clots. I was advised at my pre assessment to take hourly walks just as soon as I was ‘unhooked’ from anything chaining me to my bed!

First to go was a pair of rather fetching ‘leg warmers’ that took turns to inflate and deflate (for circulation), followed by my catheter. Both were removed the morning after my op. Next to go was the morphine pump (later that same day). I still had a ‘ball’ full of a mild anaesthetic with tubes going into my abdomen in two places for a further 24 hours, but it happened to fit neatly into the pocket of my dressing gown so didn’t hold me back. I was off…..albeit at tortoise speed! Of course, there is still the chance they’ll be able to do keyhole and you won’t be ‘chained’ to as much stuff as that

If it does end up being an open surgery, Roselea’s right; the scar will fade in time. Despite being slim, I still have a slight ‘apron’ 15 months later but, from what I’ve read, that’s because my incision had to be a bit wider than usual. 

Only three more sleeps before you’re out the other side ️. Take care x 

unhooked from tubes. 

Thanks I’ve not had a good day today was at my parents and just found myself very snappy and grumpy - mum said she didn’t know what was being done she thought it was only the cysts being removed - I feel so bad for being short with her. As you say a couple more sleeps and I’ll be out the other side - someone suggested I write down my GP details as your asked for them a lot and my practice have just moved so I’ll need to look them up! Next 2 days are going to be spent cleaning house and changing bed linen and getting things “to hand” like a plate and glass etc so I don’t have to reach up or reach down.  Don’t think there’s any more I can plan and I need to remember that probably everyone there on the day is really nervous. On my precious ops I was fortunate to be put under anaesthetic in a little anti room so I’m hoping I don’t have to walk into the operating theatre - I’ll just need to look at the floor and close my eyes asap as I find that helps with my anxiety lx