New Here, Endometrial Cancer

Hi, hope you are coping with your news, it is scary I know, I have the same diagnosis, surgery due on Sept 17th robotic removing everything same as you. I was advised to buy some stool softeners (dulcoease) to start on return from hospital, and to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and high fibre foods, I am 61, always push for an earlier date if that's what you want, I have grade 3 so I felt I needed to the surgery as soon as possible so had to raise the issue with the hospital about waiting times. Lots of lovely ladies on this forum who have some very sensible advice and it has taught me a lot, and calmed me down when I was panicking about things. Wishing you well x

Thanks so much for your advice. I hope all goes well for you on the 17th. Yes, it's very scary. I was told on Friday and felt a bit mumb for the rest of the day, didn't even cry. It wasn't til yesterday that I got upset and panicky. I think it will take a few days for it  all to sink in and for my mind to adjust to such life changing news. I know that our operations have a good success rate for dealing with this type of cancer,  so am trying keep this in mind and be as positive as I can. Wishing you all the best x

Hi I am nearly 56 and I had womb cancer last year and had the same operation. 
I also was advised to get some stool softener and that worked fine and I had no bowel or bladder issues. 
I actually had very little pain just stiffness and obviously no lifting. 
After a few days I started getting out for gentle walks starting at 5 mins and building up. My husband came with me for the first week or so then I started going on my own. I used it as a time to reflect on what was happening. 
try not to worry x

Hi Vegemum

Welcome to the Womb group.

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis of cancer and am sorry that it has taken so long to get your results. 

Where it is medically possible the hysterectomy, along with ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix is the normal first line treatment. Mine was in 2022. 

I had minimal pain. I went down for surgery around mid day and was back on the ward around 6 ish. I felt a bit washed out but was not in any pain. There was a little discomfort from the catheter but that was removed during the night. By late evening my surgeon came to see me and gave me some diclofenac but I had that more as I was worried about pain, rather than being in pain. 

I was able to walk around the bed unaided within a couple of hours of getting back to my room.

At 5 am I was up, having a wash and then went for a walk around the hospital. Again no pain, just a bit uncomfortable- a bit like the feeling when you have over done it- sort of achy. 

Once home I did not need any pain relief. I was able to go for walks. It was a case of listening to my body and resting when needed but also keeping moving. No lifting or twisting. I think keeping moving helps get the bowels moving. I also used dulcoease on advice of my nurse. She said to avoid stimulant laxatives. I went the day after I came home and had no issues with constipation. 

I didn't have any bladder symptoms. After a few hours on the ward my catheter was removed. They also did a bladder scan before I went home to make sure that my bladder was emptying fully. From memory I think I was given an antibiotic post surgery- but I think it was a general one. I just continued to drink plenty and had no issues. 

The cervix is normally removed and they just pop a few stitches in the top (vaginal cuff) These are dissolvable. It is important not to lift anything heavy while it is healing. 

For some ladies the surgery alone is enough to remove the cancer. For others some additional treatment may be needed and this is normally decided when the post op results come back. 

When you leave hospital they will give you paperwork that will explain what to look out for and what to do if you have any problems. My CNS also phoned me the day after I got home to check on me. 

Although it is a big operation for us, it can be helpful to remember that it is very routine for the surgeons who do many of the surgeries every year. 

I hope you do not have to wait too long for your surgery and wish you well with it. 

If there is anything you need or want to ask about, please do so. We also have the Support Line available from 8am-8pm everyday if it would help to chat things through.

Jane

Don't look on Google for explanations etc it is often wrong and scares you to death, trust the cancer nurses and the MacMillan nurses on here, I cried a couple of times then decided, no you won't beat me, my late dad always said I had "true grit" as I almost died in my 30's so I am keeping that phrase in my head, borrow it, use it and stay strong x

Thanks, that's very reassuring. I hope you are now fully recovered. 

Thank you so much for all the  information and advice. It really helps to know how other people coped and recovered. I feel much better now, having  read your reply. Did you have much bleeding afterwards? I think I remember the consultant mentioning that they routinely give antibiotics as a precaution. I hope you are now 100% fit and well. Thanks again for your reply. 

Thanks. My mum was an absolute inspiration. She had serious health issues from a teenager but was always cheerful and positive, and I can never  recall her complaining. She would say " it will pass", so I always  remember that when I'm in pain or feeling ill, and that keeps me going. 

Am glad you feeling better. Its great on the online community because you are connecting with others who have been through the same. 

I had no bleeding whatsoever after surgery. 

To be honest the worst part for me was the anti coagulant injections in my tummy and the bruising from that. The actual surgery didn't cause any issues. I did have some paracetamol and ibuprofen at home in case I needed it, but I didn't. 

One thing that helped me after surgery was to sit with my feet up on a comfy foot stool and I also had one of those v shaped pillows. It helped get into a comfy position and took any stain off my tummy area. I also slept with a pillow under my knees and found it comfy. 

Also comfy loose clothes were best- nothing tight around your tummy and also I bought some bigger sized comfy knickers for the same reason. 

Jane

Thanks. I know what you mean about the tummy injections. I had to do them for a week after the biopsy and hated them. The consultant says I will need to do them for four weeks this time! And the tight stockings are awful. I will just have to grit my teeth and get on with it. There was a possible chance of the health visitor doing  them, but I took each one very slowly to avoid bruising, and I don't think the health visitor would have the time for that.