Getting nearer

Hi Jackie, it's not unusual to have these anxious thoughts so close to surgery. Please don't beat yourself up about how you feel. You're about to have major surgery and it's a daunting thought.

I was 56 at the time and very anxious about the op because I'd previously had  a rare reaction to the anaesthetic which, together with a rare complication during a hysteroscopy had delayed the whole diagnostic procedure by nearly 2 months. My  fears weren't helped by the fact that I didn't meet my gynae-oncologist who would do the op until the day itself as he'd been on holiday, so his colleague  had delivered the bad news and talked through the treatment plan. All the nurses assured me I'd be in safe hands but it was hard to share their confidence. In the event, he was absolutely lovely, understood my fears and put me at ease. The anaesthetist listened to my concerns about the anaesthetic and in the preparation area showed me what he was using and showed me he had everything in place should it be needed. Thankfully it wasn't. If you think about it, lots of folk undergo a general anaesthetic at a much greater age than us and come through in great shape. There are always risks attached to every procedure but your team will be doing everything they can to minimise those risks. They will take every care to keep you safe - it's in their best interests to do so because it's their reputation that's at stake if they get it wrong.  Please try and talk to your clinical nurse specialist about how you're feeling as she will be able to talk it all through with you. Also, do talk to the team on the day - they will understand and will do their best to support you through. Most of us here have found that the op was nowhere near as awful as we'd anticipated and I sincerely hope that this will be the case for you too.

Sending you a gentle hug and lots of good wishes for Wednesday. I will remember you in my prayers x

Dear fairy cake 

Thank you very much .what you say makes a lot of sense and yes I will talk to the medical staff thank you so much I’ve got myself in a state today and I ve been on dr goggle I know I shouldn’t have .thank you for sharing your experience it had helped me tonight .

i will let you know how things go 

hugs and regards 

Jackie xx

Hi Jackie,

im a large lady too and it didn't impact on my treatment or recovery at all, I was first out of my ward, the others were thinner and probably fitter than me (one was younger and one was older) but I seemed to recover well. The staff will take good care of you, they were so lovely with me, let them know you are nervous and they will chat you through everything. I could slowly shower and dress on my own the morning after my op, I was so surprised, I was imagining needing a bed bath and being bed ridden. The nurses encouraged me to fetch my own drinks etc to get me moving and I was home after two nights. Take things as they come, they didn't rush me home, they asked if I'd like to go, it's good knowing that the nurses are on hand for everything you need. When you leave hospital ask about your next steps and for contact details if you have any issues, they gave me the district nurses for a few days to check my wound (I had open surgery) and after that I went to my gp but could also call the ward or my CNS.

lots of love

xxx

Dear Arla

thank you for your reply I’m calming down a bit now your treatment sound good and encouraging.i don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t talk to you ladies on here you all have helped me so much I’m glad I found this group. I will take my time and try to take it in my stride .

i think I’ve just let fear of the unknown get the better of me .

i will give my CNS a call tomorrow.

hugs and regards 

Jackie xx

I am a supersize lady with type 2 diabetes, anxiety and an umbilical hernia taking blood pressure and cholesterol tablets. I was 54 when I had my operation. None of the above worried my surgeon or anaesthetist and didn't affect my operation or recovery and I'm sure the same will be true for you. Don't forget, although it's a major operation and a huge deal for you  it is totally routine to your medical team and I'm certain they will have everything under control. Lots of reassuring hugs xx.

Dear Teddysmum

thank you I glad that your recovery has been good .i hope that mine is also I think I’ve just read so much about being overweight and I am quite overweight that I’m over thinking it also they mentioned they my repair my hernia at the same time as doing my op and them

  I started worrying about that I feel I’ve just gone into overdrive about the whole thing .

i am going to talk to my consultant and the  anaesthetist and hopefully they,ll put my mine at rest I’m lucky that I’m going to one of the best hospitals for cancer treatments I just need to get a grip . 

Thanks for your very encouraging words 

regards 

Jackie xx

Hi Jacks,

You are a baby at 58!!!!   I was 72 when I had to have the operation and asked if I was too old!! I was told not to eat from the night before, so didn't take my morning tablets, blood pressure and thyroid. The anaesthetist came for a chat with me and said I should take the blood pressure one. He was lovely. I also thought I might face two operations. They found a backward growing goitre in one of the scans. When the throat people had a look they said it wasn't bad and didn't want to operate yet!!! Was I pleased!!

I know to us it is a major event, but to them it is an everyday occurrence!! Try not to worry. I'm sure you will be fine.  xxxxxx

Hi nannyAnny

thanks for your encouraging words .i glad you didn’t need to have a second operation what a result.

due to all you lovely ladies on here I am calming down a bit still nervous but just trying to be positive and get through it 

but you have helped no end thank you 

hugs Jackie xxx

Hi Jackie,

I was 61 when I had mine 2 years ago and also a large lady, on tablets for blood pressure, and a faster heart beat than anyone would like so everywhere I go I have to have an ECG but it's always fine.  My op went well, it was a 5 hour op because things took longer than they thought getting everything out due to adhesions etc. but nothing to do with my size.  My recovery was only hampered a bit by what they thought was a wound infection as my temperature was up but I kept trying to tell them I had a painful throat before the operation and it could have been that but they put me on antibiotics anyway just in case, so I stayed in a few days till my temperature came down.  

Please try not to worry and I am sure all will go well.  I was anxious of course but not as petrified as I thought I would be because I just wanted it done with and the cancer taken away!  I will be thinking of you.

Hugs, Lesley xx

Hi poppysmum27

thank you so much for putting my mind at rest .It was kind of you to get in touch I’m glad you are on the other side of your operation now .Its lovely that I have all you ladies rooting for me and it really does help 

thanks again 

regards Jackie xx