OP on Wednesday!

Hi Hted Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery is much less invasive than a radical one. You'll only end up with 4 small scars on your tummy and the healing time is much quicker. You still have to be careful bending and no lifting but you'll learn to listen to your body. I was back to 3 mile walks quickly and driving 6 weeks later. Didn't hoover for weeks, got away with that one!

Your surgeon won't be able to tell you much after surgery, just something like it went well. Histology - the analysis of what's been removed will confirm what stage and grade the cancer is and that will determine if you need further treatment. That normally takes two to three weeks and we've all climbed the walls worrying. Before my op I was stage 1a/grade1 and after regraded to stage 1b grade 3. I had 3 sessions of Brachytherapy as a "Belt and braces" approach to prevent recurrence.

We all say don't consult Dr Google - have another read through the booklet Understanding Womb (Endometrial) Cancer. 

I'm sure I've already sent you this but take a look at the post what to take in my overnight bag as it might be useful.

If you've more questions before Wednesday, fire away. In the meantime, time to batch cook for the freezer and clean out the kitchen cupboards - seems to be a national pastime for us ladies

Sending reassuring hugs, Barb xx

Thank you for replying, I think it helps just to write down my anxieties and to know you are all out there, having gone through the same worries, but, come out the other side!!

My bag has been packed for a few weeks now!!

Take care and thanks again.x

Hi Hted

similarly to yourself I only had slight bleeding, no other symptoms and no other health conditions. I had my surgery on 29/7 so just over 3 weeks ago and I’m doing well. The surgeon just told me afterwards that the surgery had went to plan. I got me pathology results a week and a half later so it wasn’t too long a wait. I am stage 1b grade 3 Carcinosarcoma so will need more treatment. 
I can do most things now, with some wee tweaks, which is great. Obviously avoiding driving, hoovering, lifting etc. Also got myself a wee litter picking stick as I didn’t realise how often I dropped things before this lol. 
I know it’s very hard not to overthink it all and we all do it at times but just try to face one hurdle at a time.

Hope all goes smoothly for you 

Kate xx

Well done for that addition of a litter picking stick, just added it to the list.

BTW I was the same as you both, no symptoms just a pink ,mucous like spotting over a couple of days.

Barb x

Hello Kate , thank you for your reply. I have a great tendency for overthinking at the best of times!

I'm pleased you're doing well, and I'm sure whatever awaits me, I'll cope.

Good idea to get a picker, I think I'll need to use one, I'm always dropping bits!!

Take care x

Hi Hted, I don't know the exact difference between a total hysterectomy and a radical one (I had a total, done by keyhole). I suggest you should speak to your medical team to clarify. Do you have a CNS - a specialist nurse you could ask? You have to give consent for procedures so you need to be clear on what the operation is. I asked the doctor to draw me a diagram.

Hi . Thank you for your reply...I have since done yet more research and a total hysterectomy is uterus tubes ovaries and cervix, whereas a radical includes the vaginil vault, which they stitch up to form a virginal cuff...I think that's correct!

The doctor did draw a sketch but I don't think I took it all in at the time!

Hi Kate, I had my hysterectomy on the 13th of July. It was an open total hysterectomy which according to the surgeon was very challenging due to the fact they needed to get the uterus out without damaging the cancerous fibroid inside. The pathology showed no break in the capsule thank goodness. I was graded at 1a grade 2 leiomyosarcoma. Apparently sarcomas are rare and leiomyosarcoma even more so. I am seeing the sarcoma team at the Christie hospital in Manchester on the 7th September. Because sarcomas are aggressive they may do some chemo or just continue to monitor me. My abdomen and pelvis CT was clear as was my chest CT so that is a huge relief. Have you been referred to a specialist sarcoma consultant? Deb

Hi Deb,

So glad to hear you’ve had your surgery and it went to plan. As you’ve seen I’m a fairly similar story other than the cancerous polyp was already removed on 22/6, my pre hysterectomy CT of chest, abdo and pelvis were all clear.
Carcinosarcoma is apparently not a sarcoma so I won’t see a Sarcoma specialist but thank you for thinking of me. I do however need further treatment, I go to the Beatson on 30/8 to find out what this will be and fingers crossed it won’t be too bad. I hope your journey continues to be a smooth one

Take care

Kate xx

Hi Hted,

I just want to wish you all positive thoughts for your procedure, and to let you know I am thinking of you. I am way behind you, still waiting for mri next week and then surgery. Sending loads of hugs and thoughts to you, love Emm x