Hopefully helpful advice re recovery

I had treatment for early stage endometrial cancer in Jan. I’m now much better & thought I’d share what I’ve learnt about recovery. Here goes:

1) recovery takes much longer than websites quote. I’m 53 and fit, but it took over six months to feel vaguely normal. 
2) I had a big bleed about 12 days post op. Turns out this is normal. Old blood can build up and then suddenly whoosh out. 
3) pain around incision sites can last months & may never stop entirely. We might look healed on the outside, but our insides are doing major healing. The rest of our insides are settling down into new positions post womb and there can be major scarring & adhesions which pull on us. Again this is normal. 
4) expect to be tired for months. This doesn’t mean we can’t work (I went back full time quite quickly), but we need to pace ourselves. 
5) I am allowed to take HRT again but have opted not to. The following has really helped me: (a) menopace (suggested by surgeon); (b) sage (for hot flushes); (c) magnesium (for sleep); (d) calcium (for bone health); (e) vitamin D3 with K2.
6) acupuncture! This was the biggest surprise. My consultant suggested this and I didn’t try for months, but it has made the biggest difference for energy & sleep. 

Finally, I couldn’t have got through this without journaling. Buy a really nice looking journal, one which makes you feel good and write. Writing it all down to get it out of our system and then slamming it shut is cathartic. I also have a list of nice things at the back I’m looking forward to.

I hope this helps at least someone.