New here. Feeling scared, confused and anxious

Hi RainbowNetty welcome to the forum. Sadly being scared and confused is something most of us can relate to.There are loads of lovely folks on this thread who will be along soon to share informationr advice for you and believe me they all understand and "get it". Sending some huge big hugs your way for now  xxxx 

Hi Jen, having just reached the end of 6 chemo sessions and a full hysterectomy etc I can totally relate to how you are feeling.  The worst time for worry is before treatment starts.  Once treatment is underway you know you are dealing with it and can trust that all will be well.  Focus on the positive which is that they have found the tumour and will remove it.  That’s good.  It happened to me and I am now in remission.  I hope it all goes well.

Hiya Gail. Thanks for being so kind. How are you today? Everything is all up in the air. And the waiting is the worst. I will know on Wednesday what hospital will be doing the surgery. Then I just have to wait again for the biopsy results. Hugs to you too

Hiya. Thanks for the lovely message. I hope you are doing well. Can I ask how long it took you to recover after the hysterectomy? How long you were in hospital for? Pain levels? I have a lovely supportive family. But I don’t feel like I can say everything to them. I don’t want to upset them even more. I hope today is a good day for you

Hi, sorry you're going through this. It's a worrying time.

I had my hysterectomy last Tuesday morning, got home Wednesday evening. Was partially robotic but ended up with a cut along my previous C section scar too as womb was too large to remove vaginally. Recovery going well but I am taking it easy, able to move around at home, make a cup of tea/something to eat. Feel much better today than I have done over last few days.

I had a 5cm mass on my right ovary too and 2 blood markers for ovarian cancer were slightly raised, hysterectomy was scheduled as they couldn't tell what it was until removed. Surgeon said histology will take 2-3 weeks but also said on visual inspection the mass looks like a complex cyst but doesn't look too worrying which is reassuring. Now to wait for results but am feeling positive.

X

Dear Jen,

I had a partial hysterectomy years ago so this time (mid-June) I had the ovaries, fallopian tubes, peritoneum and omentum removed.  I also had Hipec, so a long incision was needed.  I had the op on the Wednesday morning, was in Intensive Care for that night, high dependency for thursday night and then in a post surgical ward til I went home on the Sunday.  My husband was planning to visit on thursday afternoon but I told him not to come as I was just so tired and my vision was blurry.  I was basically too tired to talk.  But I was not in great pain except when I was turning over in bed.  I was on morphine which made me feel sick but I came off that pretty quick.  I was checked on constantly so felt confident that pain would be managed when necessary.  I had very bad pain in my tummy on thursday night which I assumed was from the staples, but the nurse said it was in fact wind shifting around inside and to rub my tummy clockwise to shift it and make my bowels work.  She was right!  That was the biggest relief.  Remember that!  By Thursday afternoon I was on my feet walking (with my high wire trolley) and peeing normally.  I could not get on with the hospital food (I'm a diabetic) and found the bed incredibly uncomfortable for my back so I was really happy to be allowed home on the Sunday as I craved peace and quiet and my own bed and food.  That was a terrific incentive to get out of bed and walk around and prove how recovered I was.  The only problem I had after that was that I developed a seroma which soon leaked out of the bottom staple (I had 55 staples down the line of the incision) and carried on leaking for months - not a huge amount, but enough to need a daily dressing.  That was always going to be a risk from going home so early - but I'm not sorry, it resolved in the end and it was such a relief to go home.  

Actually it may well be that you are having a less intrusive operation if they aren't removing your peritoneum and omentum.  I was worried they might take my spleen too but there was no disease on that - phew!

I was mostly in bed for the first week after I went home, then I came down for meals and gradually eased back into my old routine.

Every day after the op it gets a little better and the discomfort gets a little less.  I was overwhelmingly tired but otherwise normal by 5 weeks after the op.  My 5th round of chemo was 6 weeks after the op.  

If you have family wondering what they can do to help, then you'll probably want some delicious food brought in by day 3.  And make them do the lifting, stretching and cooking for a few weeks AND insist you have a rest after lunch each day for ages and go to bed early!

I have finished my treatment now and it is 5 months since the op.  I still have fatigue and I still have a rest after lunch but I am full of optimism and contentment and feel very lucky to be where I am.  I had absolute confidence in my surgeon and in my oncologist.  Your people have found the problem and will resolve it.  You will get through it.  All will be well!

Keep asking any questions because it's always good to hear back on this forum.  Makes you feel you are not alone and are in with a good crowd! 

Hiya. How are you getting on? I hope you are recovering well. All the consultants etc have their meeting tomorrow morning. So I should know by tomorrow after what the plan for me is. And where I’m having my surgery. 
I have a very busy household. I care for my disabled brother. Our daughter with special needs. And our son is also ill. So I’m really not looking forward to the next couple of months. 
I think all the waiting is the worst. It’s like having that dark cloud following everywhere. I hope you get your results soon. Take care, Jen xx

Hiya again, I hope you are well. I should know tomorrow after the consultants have their meeting. And I will be told what hospital will be doing my surgery etc. 

I’ve been going through all sorts of emotions. But I think I just need to know now. 

you are so brave for everything you’ve been through. And thank you for being so kind. I will definitely remember the tip about rubbing my stomach for the wind pain! 
you take care, 

Jen xx

Hi RainbowNetty

I had a hysterectomy last October along with some other surgery and as others have said, the hospital will manage well your pain levels. I felt very little pain post surgery and my biggest challengewas being able to turn over in bed so whatever position I was in when I fell asleep was the one I spent the night in ️. To be honest in the first couple of days your blood pressure etc is checked every few hours throughout the night so the nurse can always help you move to a different position if required. 

I suggest getting out of bed the day after surgery to sit in the chair even for 5 minutes and also to walk for a few steps. There is strong evidence that people who do recover more quickly than those who stay in bed. 

I concur with someone below who said they wanted to return home. Your own bed is much nicer than a hospital bed and wards are such noisy places. I pushed hard to return home as soon as possible and being up and walking short distances gives the hospital team and you confidence that you are ready for that. Do be aware that being at home is exhausting even though you may do nothing. The first day home I took 1 1/2 hours to shower, dress and have breakfast and then needed to rest on the sofa and have a nap. 
in hospital they will give you gentle core muscle exercises and do start them right away. They do help. 
Finally, you say that you don’t want to burden your family who are worried. As mothers we feel that we always have to be strong and do the carrying, however, this is the one time where it is OK to be on the receiving end. This is a shock for them and they will want to be there for you. Allow them to do that. Think about what YOU need and ask for their help and support (whether that be meals cooked, a chatty phone call, checking in messages). Ask them how they would like to help you and tell them what you would like too. 
I wish you well for the future. Xx