Post op

Hi ,

I am glad you have a date for your op, I understand its daunting and scary time at the moment. You know I felt totally the same I was aloud to go on holiday before my surgery and to be honest during the day I was very much distracted but at night I was just in tears and pure fear, not just the surgery but the shock of it being cancer as for so long before hand I kept being told its just a couple of small fibroids and I was mega hurt and distrustful of the medical team but my gynae oncologist is just wonderful he listened to every fear I had. A hysterectomy is major surgery and it in its very nature an incredibly nervous time but the surgery wasn't as bad as I expected it. Yes everyone goes though surgery different but I just wanted this offensive thing out of me and so as much as I was scared I was relived to be getting the cancer out. The most important thing is its OK to be scared and to panic about it all but try to imagine all the ladies here who have gone though it and wishing you though it too with encouragment and support. Try to relax as best as possible and remember when you have your pre op tomorrow mention your fears and they will explain as much as possible to reduce your fears. Everyone will be thinking of you and sending their best wishes. Just try to get lots of rest it all helps.

Dear Gbear

Thank you so much for replying I know what your saying is true I just don’t seem able to think with sense 

I wish I could be strong but it’s just not happening tonight maybe it will be more clear after tomorrow 

but I am glad of the support on here it helps to know other people have been and are going through the same feelings 

regards 

jackie xxx

Hi Jacks61,

Just to try to reassure you, the op is generally, in my experience and from others I have read on here, not too bad at all. I had mine via an abdominal cut across ( low down), as they knew I'd got adhesions which had been seen on an early op so I told them. I was lucky in knowing what to expect, as a few decades ago I had several large fibroids removed ( hence the adhesions), also by open abdominal op. 

I found this time easier. I think techniques have improved a lot especially with aftercare.

They give you enough painkiller to make you comfortable to start with, and encourage you to walk about as soon as you can. Once you have peed enough times to assure them everything  is working, and you are walking around, you are good to go home, with the lovely elastic stockings and some jabs to administer at home into your tummy to prevent blood clots.

I was in hospital 2 nights. The jabs are easy to do and virtually painless I found ( I do have plenty of fat on my tummy to jab , which helps).

So, please dont worry, you can do this.

Sending hugs x

Mrs woodentop

thank you so much you have helped me tonight I think I’m just worried cause I’m a big lady and I’m worried about the  anesthetic and such like but thank you for your info it has helped . I hope to be walking round as soon as I can other lady’s have said this will help in getting home sooner thanks for your kind thoughts

jackie xx

Hi Jacks61

I am almost 8 weeks post op and returning to work next week. 

I like you had a fear of anaesthetic as I was not slim. But your pre-op is there to pick up any issues. The operation and afterwards was not as bad as I expected. For me the hard work came in the recovery. You need to be mobile, but dont over do it. Have at least 8-10 pillows ready for sleeping at home. You wont be able to sleep on your side, it will be too painful. The pillows will be needed to prop you up, one at either side of you and a couple under your knees.

Take all your pain medication to bed with you along with enough water. When you need to get out of bed turn slowly on to your side before getting up.

Your bowels may take a couple of days to recover, you will probably go home with medication for that, take it regularly. Dont be scared when you go to the loo, you will be ok.

I will leave you with this, the care I had after diagnosis was quick and slick. The waiting times is what increased my anxiety, 

Wishing you all the best. xx

Nina x

Hi Jacks,

You can't be more scared than I was!!! I worried about an operation at age 72. I thought my blood pressure would rocket, it didn't!!! I worried about recovering, but I didn't need to! I worried about the fact that my bladder didn't work properly afterwards. (I even went back to the hospital 2 days after being let out to be checked!!) But, it was all fine and everything settled down with time. I  went away in our motor home 3 weeks after the operation for a change!!

The equipment, and even the staff seem a lot better and more understanding these days. They scan your bladder to see if its empties before they let you home. Mine didn't and I had to stay another night (which I was more than happy to do) One kind nurse told me to lift one leg up, then the other, and that helps the bladder to empty! I had no feeling at all. I'll add that I had keyhole surgery, which was amazing.

 I'm sure you will be fine. xxxxx

Dear Nannyanny

thank you so much for your kind words I have been and done all the texts etc for the pre op and everything had good results 

so that was good I am still nervous but I will try my best .

ythe staff were amazing and so lovely 

thank you for taking the time 

regards 

jackie 

Dear Nina 

thank you for your kind words I have now been to my pre op and my op is Wednesday .i have taken on board about the pillows thanks for that ,I’ve also stocked up on peppermint tea .im hoping everything will be ok 

thanks for your tips and thank you for replying.G old luck when you return to work take it slowly .

regards 

jackie xx

I'm big too Jackie and I have very deep hard to find veins. I was petrified they wouldn't put me out properly because the vein wouldn't be found or they would go out the side of it or something. They got me to sleep in the end then used arteries to make sure the anaesthetic stayed in so there is always a solution. Don't worry. A lot churns over in the mind but you will be over the operation before you know it and rid of your unwanted hitch hiker hopefully! Take care and God bless..I'll keep you in my prayers. Love lamb.xx

Hi little lamb

Thank you for your reply first ok all I like the way you called the cancer a unwanted hitch hiker I thought that was good and that is just what it is .

ive been today and they have put my mind at rest a tiny bit still scared but I will just have to be strong

thanks again

regards Jackie xx