Impatient

Hi Lara,

Good to hear from you. I'm just over 5 weeks post-op now and have found a big improvement this last week in how I'm feeling. I had only four small cuts and the glue has now fallen off all of them (the last one only a few days ago after I finished the blood thinner injections). The one above my belly button still hurts a bit as it catches on my knicker elastic sometimes! But you've also had a much larger cut - that must make a difference to how quick your recovery might be in comparison to mine. It's a big wound to heal. 

My painful thighs are like yours, getting better, but I've had a lot of cramping in my lower bowels (which was very rare before the op). After taking Movicol most days for the first three weeks to help with constipation I've been able to stop taking it and am managing daily bowel motions ok. I think this is partly because I'm vegetarian and eat a lot of fruit, veg, and fibre.

Stopped painkillers about 10 days ago - I think they also made me constipated. My partner encourages me to drink plenty of water (and fruit teas) to keep the bowels going and takes me out for walks (even when I'd rather stay in the warm and dry). I started out by walking only a few yards up the road and back, and now increasing this each time. Getting up/sitting down is a little uncomfortable still but moving about is fine.

However, I've had a couple of bad days - and where I've done too much and been completely exhausted. When that happens it can take a day or so to recover. I am careful about not lifting stuff and am doing my pelvic floor exercises to avoid a prolapse. No sex yet either!

My brachytherapy starts next week: Fri 11/12, Tues 15/12, and Fri 18/12. Oncologist makes it all sound very straightforward, and many of the lovely women on here have talked about their experiences. I'm anxious about potential long-term side effects (having heard about pelvic radiation disease) - on balance I think I'll go ahead to minimise recurrence risk. Having to make these decisions is so difficult.

Hope this helps. I did begin to wonder if I'd ever feel back to normal. It's starting to happen now - at one stage I thought someone had stolen my body and given me someone else's :-)

Take care, keep well.
Dx

Hi Lara5

I think the optimum window for brachytherapy is 6-8 weeks after surgery so the dates your oncologist mentioned seemed about right. They will give you a short internal exam before treatment, so if anything doesn't look sufficiently healed they'll delay a little. 

I think everyone's pain threshold must vary hugely - I only took painkillers for the 2 weeks following the op - basically what I was discharged with. I did need movicol, senna for a while longer for constipation. I was back to short walks within 3 weeks and normal 5 miles within 5. (Dogs don't understand hysterectomies!)

Take care, hope you feel better soon, hugs, Barb xx

Hi thank you both for getting back to me 

I think sometimes it just all gets to you and stiil in shock this has happened

so your help is very much appreciated 

i hope all goes well with the start of your treatment Friday I will be thinking of you 

Barbs has been very helpful with her comments on bracky therapy and it’s fantastic you have all that behind u now barbs 

5 miles walk a day lucky dogs 

keep safe speak soon 

Thank you for your post. Clearly, everyone is different but good even to know the variations. I am just starting week 4 post-op and feeling okay mostly. One incision a little inflamed but been doing short walks outside and apart from sometimes needing to nap I feel okay. Stopped painkillers mostly in week one with paracetamol occasionally in week two but I don't think it is helpful to compare. I find it frustrating to be dependant on my family as I am usually really busy and in control of my week to week plans. An ex-nurse I am not the best patient. Follow up this week and dreading these results as may need more treatment. I find the emotions and tears that take me by surprise difficult to explain and try not to get upset in front of the family as I know they are feeling helpless.