Update

Sorry Natalie only just seen this. I’m not doing too badly. Two weeks post op now and the pain is so much more manageable now. I have managed to come of the codeine and coping with just ibroprofen and Paracetamol. The nurse has been again today and my wound is not healing at all at the bottom and top of the incision. They just keep redressing it and hoping it will eventually heal. I’m struggling with sleeping, still sleeping on my side which I find really uncomfortable and the hot flushes through the night do keep me awake a lot. I am getting around a lot more and can do a lot more now though so I feel like I have progressed a lot. I find out the results of histology next Wednesday. I can honestly say this is the worst wait. I am So anxious. I’m contemplating ringing them before to see if they will give me the results early before they have been seen at the MDT meeting. I think the worry and anxiety is not helping with my recovery. Thank you for checking in. I hope you are okay xxx

Hi Bella good to hear from Glad ur getting around a little bit more and pain has settled a bit. The histology result wait is the worst but my cns told me the cancer is out now so anything that comes next If it dose will not be as bad as that major op u have just had. Hopefully the wound heals a bit faster now fingers crossed good luck for Wednesday wishing you the best take each day as it comes u have come this far u are such a strong lady xxxxx

Hi Bella H. Good to hear from you again but sorry to hear you're taking a while to heal up. The body will heal itself in its own good time. Funnily enough I never used to sleep on my side, always on my back until hubby poked me 'cos of snoring. Since my op I'm always on my side.

To be honest, I don't think it'sd be a good idea to ask for your results before the MDT meeting. They might give you results but they won't have decided what treatment, if any, is needed. So you'll end up with more anxiety and worry until they tell you. We've all been there and know what you're going through, just be patient for a little longer. Easy to say, hard to do.

Sending you big hugs, Barb xx 

Thank you. I have just tried to ring my CNS for the results and they have said they can’t tell me anything until after it has been reviewed at the MDT next week. She said it’s the same for everyone though whether extra treatment is needed or not so not to worry. I can not wait to be able to get a shower once the dressings are off. SomE good news though, she said I can remover there surgical stockings haha. They have been driving me crazy! Thanks so much for your support. Xx

Hi Barb, thanks for your message. I wrote that wrong I meant I can only sleep on my back at the minute but I usually sleep On my side or my belly so feeling quite uncomfortable at the minute. I did try to ring for the results this morning but you are right and thankfully they said they won’t tell me until after the MDT she did explain though that it was the same for everyone and not to worry. I just need to be patient now and wait. I really do feel so much better now the pain has subsided and I can get around. Hoping to go out for a little walk At the weekend. 
Thanks so much for your support xx

Hi Bella, 

So glad  your feeling a bit better and more mobile, it has to be slow and steady and those bloody stockings, I had to wear them for 6 weeks and hated them...it was like a comedy sketch if I had to get them on by myself

On the healing of the incision...I had that to but only at the bottom. When the nurse took the stitches out after 10 days, there was  a 1cm by 4mm hole....for the first week I went to the practise nurse at surgery who packed it and redressed it..at the end of the first week it had the start of an infection so took antibiotics for 7 days. When I had my 4 week check with the surgeon ...it was still healing slowly but he said it should never have been dressed as he believes keeping it open to air and dry was the best way to treat it...he literally ripped the big plaster of and said keep it open and dry. At least I could have a shower with it of.
It takes a while, I’m 10 weeks now post op and it still not completely healed, so expect it to be a slow mend. Just ask at your MDT meeting. 

I’m a side sleeper and found it difficult to get the right position to sleep, I put  the edge of the duvet rolled over as a sort of pillow for my tummy after about 3 weeks and that helped.

with the results it’s a tough one waiting, I had already spoken about this with my CNS prior to the operation we agreed that I wanted to know as soon she knew.. so she rang me two weeks prior to appt with dr to tell me.Seems every area is a bit different but try to focus on eating well, slow and steady progress so that whatever the results are you are in your best physical shape you can be. 
Walking helped me a lot, just to get outside made me feel so much better, so have a lovely walk at the weekend, hope it’s sunny

Take care

Sue

Hi Sue,

Thanks for your message. The open wound at the bottom sounds like the same as yours. Even a similar size. The bit at the top has knitted together now it’s just still bleeding a little bit. I think your surgeon is right about keeping it dry. It’s still leaking watery blood so the dressings fill up really quickly and then has to sit there until it’s changed. They swabbed it on Monday for infection but my gp has not received the results for it yet but may need antibiotics as well. That first shower when the dressings come off is going to be heaven haha. Thank you for mentioning the side sleeping. I will try it with the duvet under my belly tonight. 
Did you have the blood thinning injections for 28 days? Im Running out of spaces on my belly haha it’s a huge incision we have had hasn’t it. I do have to admit it has shocked me a bit just by the size of it. 
Thanks so much for your message. Really does help to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hope your Chemo sessions all go okay and that you are finished with treatment soon xxx

Hi Bella H. I had blood thinning injections too, started them on my tummy, then read paperwork and you could also inject in top of legs as well.

Big hugs, Barb xx

Hi Bella,

On the incision open hole you will be able to tell if you need antibiotics as it starts to have an odour, the nurse decided antibiotics before the swab even came back.  Once they agree the plaster and padding can stay of, you can use bio oil or something similar to massage into the healed scar as it helps a lot with the tightness and itching.

Yes I had to do the blood thinning injections, I put them in the fleshy top part of my legs, my nurse recommended there and it was easier for me as I could never push the yellow part down far  enough for the “click”. It took me about a week before I could do it without creating bruises. On the bruising, I also used  Nelsons Arnica cream for the bruising which came out on my tummy and the bruising left from the injections and that took it away in a matter of days. 

I remember the first time I saw the scar, I cried a bit as it was so red and angry looking, but the good news is it does fade and it’s a slight pinky colour now. 
You didn’t say how your appetite is, try to eat well and drinking lots of water helps your bladder/bowels to get over the trauma of the surgery, 

Just to finish please take it slow if you can rest, sleep and be super kind to yourself for the next 2 to 3 weeks you will feel the benefit,  Someone else on here gave that advice and she was so right, as it worked really well for me... 

take care

Sue

Hi Bella yes your are best wating untill next week if u do need more treatment witch hopefully you don’t they will have the plan ready for you witch will help ur anxiety hahah the stockings I had mine for 4 weeks I couldn’t bend sO my sister done one leg and partner the other the laughing we done! Take care xx