Last week I had a Full Hysterectomy as I was diagnosed with Cancer of the Womb

Hi Takethat55,

I had an open abdominal total hysterectomy,  and I found I needed co codamol for a couple of days, then paracetemol, and then I didn't need painkillers any more after the first week.

The plasters I kept on for a couple of days. After that you just wash the scar area very gently and pat it dry, so as not to disturb the stitches.

Getting up or sitting down were the most uncomfortable moves for  me, still are a bit after 6 weeks, but you need to do plenty of walking about, to make sure you don't get a clot. I had anti clotting injections to do at home for 28 days  and wore the stockings till my follow up visit like I was told to. Walking about actually makes you feel less uncomfortable.

It gets better faster than you expect in my experience.I kept having to remember not to do any lifting, as I felt capable. You will be very tired for a few weeks, and get days when you are more so than others,  so you just need to go with that and rest.

That's more or less it. Pelvic floor exercises, must forget them.

You should be feeling heaps better really soon. 

This forum is a great help, so do use it whenever you need information  or support. 

Look after yourself x

I meant must not forget the excercises of course  :)

Hi Take that,

I had keyhole surgery, but spent two days in hospital because my bladder wouldn't work properly!! I stopped all pain relief as soon as I got out of hospital as I wanted the bowels to move, and I didn't need them, anyway. I walked a little bit each day and slowly increased the amount. The minute I ached I got my feet up. I found that gradually improved, too.

Yes, getting up was painful. I was fine when lying down, or standing up. It was the bit in between I didn't like!!! I found if you need to bend down for anything, kneel down first. Much easier!!!

I didn't have plasters on, so just patted dry round the stitches, and they were fine. They also said I could have a bath as soon as I was home, which was wonderful!!!  Just do things gently for a while. It will get better!!

xxxxxx

Hi Mrs Woodentop

Thank u so much for ur kind message & information 

I did write a lovely long reply but somehow I lost it before I could save & post 

I will reply later when I have more time &!also need to charge my phone 

speak laters 

TakeThat55

Good Afternoon Mrs Woodentop

I am so pleased I have found this community page through Macmillan & especially this group. It’s so nice to be able to share what I have experienced & to know other people that have been in a similar situation.

My diagnosis happened so quick as it was picked up through my regular smear test  It seemed so unreal at the time & when I was told my local hospital said they had referred me to one of the London hospitals & they already gave me my pre-assessment date as well as my date for my surgery. At first it was such a shock as I felt fit & healthy & had no signs or systems so how can I have womb cancer & not know.

My family & friends have been great & very supportive but I have felt lonely not knowing anyone recently having a hysterectomy . So reading ur post & the things u were saying I could relate too . I also have to give myself anti-clotting injections twice a day at first they seemed easy to do but now they seem to hurt I am not sure if it’s me just being more tense . I have kept my tummy dry as not to get my plasters wet & been using a no rinse wash for the rest of my body & dry shampoo for my hair but I would love to have a shower I do not have a bath in our bathroom .

i also have been taking painkillers I preferred to take Ibuprofen the hospital said that was ok or paracetamol . I do find I am in more pain when I sit down or get up also I find standing & walking more comfortable but most of all I get so frustrated I can not do anything without my tummy hurting I am being sensible & I know u can not lift anything heavy but I get so tired then followed by pain if I attempt to do something  

when I go for my follow up app I shall ask about the pelvic floor exercises . If u don’t mind me asking how was ur Cancer found  ? & why did u decide to have a abdominal hysterectomy 

wishing u all the best 

Good Afternoon NannyAnny

Thank u for ur kind message . I can relate to what u are saying . I was lucky I came home on the same day this was my plan before I had my surgery . My Surgeon was marvellous he put me at ease when I first met him & he explained everything that was going to happen because I was just post menopause he said it would be best to have a full hysterectomy as I no longer needed them & my Cancer was localised just in my Womb so hopefully all being well I will not need any follow up treatment as all the Cancer will be taken out & gone but I do have to wait for my results to confirm this. 

Like u I was concerned I had not had a bowel movement for four days & I know taking painkillers does not help so I took a constipation tablet in the evening & one the following evening I am now back to normal . I still taking some painkillers but not as often now 

I am amazed though what a different one week makes & even every day I feel different . 

Wishing u all the best & a speedy recovery xx

Hi TakeThat55,

I had a small amount of spotting, post menopause, so went to the GP, who thought my womb was a little bit bulky, so referred me to a gynaecologist. Scan showed endometrial thickness of 4.5 mm, which they said was ok and a couple of small fibroids, nothing else. My consultant said she'd be happier with less than 4mm, and recommended hysteroscopy. I had that, and the biopsy, came back as grade 3 endometrial cancer. Then CT and MRI as operation prep. I had my hysterectomy by open surgery because I had lots of fibroids removed in my 20s, and knew from a subsequent laparoscopy, that I had extensive adhesions and scar tissue, which I told my surgeon. So surgery was likely to be complex, as in fact it was, everything was stuck together. The surgeon could not access my lymph nodes to remove them. 

Sounds like your doctors were really efficient and got your cancer out quickly, so that's really good.

I was in hospital 2 nights. The plaster had a waterproof surface, and I showered from the day after I got home, dried the plaster for a couple of days then took it off. I was told not to use soap on the stitches, just water , but I did and just rinsed soap off straight away, that worked fine.

My tummy hurt to start with, more tender and sore than anything,  but it wears off, and I found it quite bearable, like I say, only needed pain relief for the first week. It probably was easier for me because I had open surgery for the fibroids, so knew what to expect by way of pain level and recovery time. This was actually less uncomfortable - the wind pain went right up to my shoulders last time, and I had a drain in my abdomen then, not this time. 

Incidentally, after my fibroid op back in the 80s, my belly was numb for over a year and I thought it was permanent and got used to it,  but then after 18 months I regained full sensation,and was back to normal.

They gave me the leaflet with the excercises at the hospital , but it's the basic pelvic floor excercise, ( clenching the muscles  for a hold of 10 then release, 10 times, sevetal times a day, )and some abdominal ones which I admit I have not been doing. Bang goes any chance of a six pack. 

I wish you well with your recovery, it sounds like you have made a good start. x

Hi Mrs Woodentop

Thank u for ur very informative message it sounds like u have had a rough time .

I also had a Hysteroscopy which showed up I had thickness lining to the womb the Dr wanted to find out why but during the procedure I stated to bleed very heavy & she could not take any pictures but she did manage to get a biopsy .

I also had a Colposcopy , then I had a pelvis Ultrasound with an internal , & I had a Pelvic MRI Scan with contrast .

I was then asked to go in with a earlier appointment & was told I had cancer of the Womb stage 1 & as it was caught early it was localised to one area of my womb . I was then told I would have to have a Full Hysterectomy & the precudure was don on 20th May.

I am sorry ur results showed ur Cancer was stage 3 & u are going through a course of Chemo/radiotherapy . I wish u all the best & I hope all ur treatment goes ok . Now I have found this group I defo will keep in touch it’s so nice to chat with u & others that know what I have been going through . It has been a very tough month the not knowing is it going to be alright hurts so much inside & so far I have been unable to cry to express my emotions I think I have to put on a brave face so my family do not get upset & even now after having my Op I still feel it is so unreal do u think others put up a wall so u can cope with what is happening I must say I didn’t think I would feel like this I thought I would be a mess & crumble & just cry all the time I guess u never know how u are going to react to this type of news 

Best Wishes & Virtual Gentle Hugs xx

Your story sounds like mine . Had my hysterectomy 3 weeks ago tomorrow.  I went to to doctors due to heavy bleeding was sent for ultrasound and internal scan which showed up thickening of the womb but said could be due to me bleeding. I was bleeding and spotting all the time so they sent me for another ultrasound which showed thinking again so was sent to gyni.  They tried to do biopsy but couldn't do it. So decided to put me to sleep remove a fibroid and give me mirena coil to stop bleeding. All went ok and I thought that was it . Then about 5 weeks after I got a phone call saying I was booked in to see a doctor about my bleeding and they were sending me for an mri scan. I said I'd had the OP and it all went ok but she said it's just further investigation. I knew something wasnt right and gooled it which said mri is for the staging of womb cancer. I had my appointment and told it was cancer but early stages and will all be gone with hysterectomy. I took it really well and I think it all happened so quick it never sunk in about the cancer side. It seem to be the last few days I'm feeling sorry for myself .I was in hospital a couple of days as I couldn't wee so had to have catheter on for a week at home then went back for the day to get it removed. I felt really well the first week and the second week went for a walk and went out with kids but this week I'm so tied tummy is so tender and swollen still cant go to the toilet properly and feel emotional.  I'm going through surgical menopause but it's not been to bad just hot flushes now and again. I struggle with my weight and I'm getting down about that. I feel like I should be feeling better but I feel worse in myself. I'm very lucky all I've had is hysterectomy when some people have chemo and radiotherapy and ever aggressive cancer do I feel a bit bad being on this forum but is good to read other people's journeys .

Hello 

Welcome. It sounds like you’ve had a difficult few weeks. You’ve had an unexpected cancer diagnosis, followed by major surgery and now you have surgically induced menopause. Your body has been through a lot. Emotionally you haven’t really had time to process what’s happened. It’s quite normal to feel up and down, especially on these early days. Gentle hug coming your way.

It takes a good 6-12 weeks to heal physically but in fact your body goes on healing after that point. My Gynae oncologist told me it can take up to a year for the body to heal completely. Our minds are complex things so emotionally it can take much longer before we feel back on an even keel. If these feelings persist for more than a few weeks do seek advice from your clinical nurse specialist and/or your GP. For now, just take each day as it comes. Concentrate on your recovery. Own your feelings and allow yourself to feel whatever you feel at that point. It’s tempting to compare your recovery rate with others but this isn’t always helpful because we are all different and we all heal at different rates. Above all, please be kind to yourself just as you would be with your best friend if she were going through this. You say you feel a bit bad being here on the forum. Please don’t feel bad. None of us chose this journey but we are here and to quote  my daughters “together we are stronger.” Sending you lots of good wishes x