I’m having a full/radical hysterectomy on Thursday, they are going to remove the apron that covers the organs too. Then they said I’m going to be marked up for a stoma on Monday ‘just in case’
I do not know anyone else who has been marked up for one. Others have said they have signed to say it may happen but not actually been prepped for it before the operation.
I’m thinking they have seen more on the MRI than they are letting on if I’m going to be marked up for one.
Does this mean it’s likely? I just wish I knew what was happening. I’m so scared.
has anyone else been marked up for one and not needed it?
Hi JoanneL
I honestly don’t believe you are not getting told everything, and you would be told all the details available from the mri. It’s often not known when going in for surgery whether a stoma will be required, and being marked up for one simply involves, in my experience, a pen mark being made on your abdomen. This is what happened with me and I have 2 stomas. The nurse checked me sitting up, and lying down, and where my waistband would normally sit so that suitable positions could be indicated to the surgeons doing my op. There was no other “prep” of any sort in my case.
My situation was different in that I knew my stomas were part of my bigger surgery, but I do know other ladies who were marked up and didn’t need one once the surgeon(s) had gone in to operate. So, basically it’s not a done deal yet, but you are being prepared for that possibility.
I understand how scary this will be for you, but it may not be required. Do you know what type of stoma is a possibility-ie a urostomy if your bladder is removed or ileostomy/colostomy if it’s your colon? I’ve had experience of having a urostomy and colostomy.
If you do have to have a stoma formed, we have a good support group in the community for this which I can direct you to IF you need it. I hope your surgery goes well on Thursday and you don’t require a stoma, but if you do there is plenty support available for you. It sounds an awful prospect to have a stoma, but many of us are living normal lives with them and for me, the thought was worse than the reality.
Best wishes for your op!
Sarah xx
I did have every bit taken in a total pelvic exenteration (my story is there if you click on my name) and it is a lot to take, both mentally and physically.
It really is true that they often are making a decision once you are on the table because they may not know everything in advance, despite scans. Happy to help with any questions if you need to know more-my surgery was 3.5 years ago so I’ve been living with stomas quite a long time now!
Sarah xx
Thank you. I think the crucial thing is that we do have to be strong in order to come through tough times. I didn’t realise how strong I was able to be, but I got through and here I still am. I do also believe in a positive mindset as far as possible and flipping things from negative to positive, although I do know that can be very hard to do! It takes practice to look for that silver lining!
Your surgeon(s) will do what is necessary to give you the best possible outcome, and before surgery I tried very hard to focus on the outcome, not the process to get there. The objective was to get rid of the cancer, so that was my hope every day until the pathology results confirmed it. I was at the stage I didn’t care what they took so long as they took all the cancer. I felt I could deal with anything so long as the cancer was gone, and that’s what worked for me.
Sarah xx
Hi Mrsceedee
Nice to see your name pop up and good to read that you are getting on well. Interesting to read you needed to do the bowel prep in advance. Even though I I went into surgery knowing I’d have a colostomy, I wasn’t required to do the pre op bowel clearance drink (thankfully!).
First thing I did on waking from surgery was feel for bags and was so relieved they were both there as this meant my op had been completed. No bags for me would have meant it failed, so we were relieved for different reasons!
Sarah xx
