Recovery.

I have read that extreme fatigue can kick in during 2nd month post op but it will. Pass. I am coming up to two months and feel very tired and hope this is true. 

Hi both of you,

I am 2 years post operation. I well remember my first walk. My tummy felt as if it belonged to somebody else! I didn't go far. That was Day 4. According to my leaflet I was issued with, I should have gone a walk on Day 3, but found the walk at the hospital getting out was enough!!

My consultant said I should be back to normal fitness after 3 months, and she was about right, although I got twinges after that. If you gradually increase the walking each day, it does get better. Just remember when walking there, you have to get back, so allow for that. I found going a bit further each day, or so, spurred me on. Stop and rest afterwards. Just take it slowly and don't expect to do too much initially. After all, you are recovering from a major operation.  Good luck xxxxx 

If you’re not having any radiotherapy I would say you should be feeling better after about 3 months but the after affects of my brachytherapy were a lot worse than I expected. Even so you’ve had a lot done inside and that takes a long time to heal. Take the time 

Hi Margaret67 I seemed to go backwards at the 6 weeks mark as well when I started getting stomach cramps etc. I thought \i was well enough to return to work after 8 weeks only to last one day before being signed off sick by my doctor for another 4 weeks followed by a phased return to work of 6 weeks. You'll get there just let your body dictate how you progress and don't try to rush things.

Hi Margaret67

I think normal depends on so many variables including what you had done, your particular physical and emotional reactions and your environment after the operation. Not to mention the next round of treatment!
To say everyone has a different experience is an understatement and you can only go with how you are feeling.

I am five weeks post op and reading some of the forum posts about how quickly some lucky ladies recovered gave me false hopes!

I’m no whimp but I’m only managing short walks and still can’t pick things up from the floor without a sharp reminder that I’m still healing inside.

Dont be so hard on yourself, you are not useless you’re recovering and if you listen to your body then that’s the right pace.

If you rush things and expect too much of yourself too soon you could pay a high price later.

If you need to cry then that’s also part of the healing process, you’re dealing with emotional as well as physical pain.

Can you maybe have a chat with your CSN or someone you know who has been through something similar? McMillan also has a help line. Talking to someone who understands might be helpful to you.

I have up and down days at the moment and am struggling to face the world. People tell me how well I look but have no idea what I’m going through!

Find someone to talk to and let it all out xxxx