New womb cancer diagnosis

My surgeon said that we are a bit obsessed with not lifting kettles after a hysterectomy. Said it’s a bit of an old wives’ take. I was fine after mine. Good luck! Xx

Me too. No problems at all with the kettle, just made sure it only had enough water in that was needed!

Well everything is now moving so quickly that my head is spinning!  When I got the confirmation in the post this morning about my pre op appointment next week there was also a letter saying that my procedure would be on 6th November!  What was slightly worrying was that the letter said to arrange to be picked up after the operation as I would not be able to drive afterwards!.  I rang the Gynae dept and they confirmed that yes, I would be having a full hysterectomy and yes, I should arrange to be collected late afternoon all being well.  Has anyone else been discharged the same day as it seems awfully quick after a major operation and do you think that this is potentially good news and they aren't expecting any complications?

Hi again Jessie78, I wish I’d been offered a same day home option! My consultant was new to the hospital and was aiming to set up a same day option within the next year, but I had to stay overnight unfortunately. They will only discharge you if they’re happy with how you’re doing. Some same day ladies come home with a catheter, some without. I’d much rather have been at home as I’d have got more sleep! It likely means that your op is expected to be laparoscopic and straightforward, though obviously they retain the option to keep you in if there are any concerns. Fantastic that you only have two weeks to wait! 

 A friend has suggested that I have a bed downstairs for a few days - do you think this is a good idea?  I have no idea what to expect mobility or pain wise!

I was moving around ok and stairs weren't an issue. 

I did find it helpful to have a duvet downstairs, a comfy foot stool and one of those v shaped pillows. 

It was more lifting anything heavy or twisting that I avoided. 

I didn't need anything other than paracetamol for the first day after surgery and to be honest I took that more as I was worried I would be in pain otherwise. 

The whole hysterectomy and recovery was a lot more straightforward than I had expected and I was surprised how much I could do and how quickly I could do it. 

First couple of days it was mainly resting and getting up to move around every hour. I was able to go on walks- locally and to the shops- just not to carry the shopping home. 

Looking back I would say that I probably had more discomfort from the bruising from the injections than the actual surgery- after the first 24 hours.

I personally don’t see why you’d need a bed downstairs. They won’t send you home unless you’re mobile. I was up and about as soon as my catheter was out and didn’t return to bed. The more you can be moving around, standing upright and doing normal stuff the better. It will help your digestion, circulation and breathing get back to normal more quickly,  If stairs aren’t an issue now, they shouldn’t be an issue post op. Post op I had paracetamol but only because the catheter was uncomfortable. As soon as the catheter was out, I didn’t need any pain relief, not even paracetamol. My tummy felt a little like I’d slightly pulled a few muscles but it wasn’t uncomfortable, just felt a bit stretched. I had no trouble walking to the car, and went for a 5 minute walk as soon as I got home! You will be surprised at how quickly you start to feel better post op! Yes it’s a major op BUT the laparoscopic option has revolutionised hysterectomies and has made such a difference! 

I too had planned for the worst case scenario and was amazed at how well I felt and how much I could do. I made a conscious effort to try and separate night and day by making sure that I got up and dressed and went downstairs each day. I had the odd doze on the sofa, but I  was fine getting upstairs to bed.I used my daughter’s pregnancy pillow to give me some support in bed and I was so comfy. I think having that clear definition between day and night in terms of a change of environment and day/ nightime clothes, really helped signal to my brain when it was time to sleep. 

Hi Jessie , I‘m very sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I know how shocking it feels and its like being hit by a bus. Then so many emotions to manage while the subsequent testing is underway, and it’s traumatic. 

Firstly, you are not alone. Feel free to post on here whenever you need support, there is also a macmillan phone line which you can call anytime for emotional support. 

In my case , it was quite turbulent journey as I fought the endometrial cancer with progesterone treatment. 

What you are going through is traumatic, so I advise you (from experience) to clear your schedule of anything stressful or demanding. You need all your energy to be focused on yourself right now, and your mind and body need time to rest and digest the information that is coming to you. 

The uncertainty and waiting for results is the worst part, I totally understand. And you are not alone. During the periods of waiting for results, try to release some of that anxious energy by taking long walks, speaking to friends/family and councellor, to get thoughts out of your mind. We naturally tell ourselves the worst, but we need to remember that its just our minds trying to prepare for a threat. 

When it comes to the appointments with your surgeon oncologist, write a list of all the questions you want to ask and send them in advance - then use the session to go through all your questions. 

If there is anything you want to know - regarding the process, the results - feel free to post on here or contact me. And also speak to your oncologist as many times as you need. They are there to support you.

All the best and sending hugs. 
L xx

Hi again everyone - I had my pre-op assessment yesterday and  am good to go for my hysterectomy next Wednesday.  I had a long chat with the surgeon who will be doing the operation and it is going to be a robotic laparoscopic hysterectomy which I have to say I am quite excited about - is that sad or weird or both!!??  It sounds good as there is less damage due to being able to use much smaller instruments and they get a better view of what is going on inside.  I said to the surgeon that I would like to have seen it and he might take a video!  He told me they have only been doing hysterectomies robotically for about a year and as he is "old school" he was a bit sceptical at first but now he has seen the massive benefits and with quicker recovery time and less complications he is now a real fan!  I got lots of information about my womb cancer and it seems to be contained in my womb but they won't know for sure until the womb is out and tests done.  He is also going to take out some lymph nodes (which they do routinely anyway) and then I will probably have radiotherapy and possibly chemotherapy afterwards.  I am also hoping that having my womb removed will mean I won't have to get  up 6 or 7 times during the night to wee as the MRI scan shows that with the cancer my womb is actually pressing on my bladder - not definite that it will help but it's comforting to think that it might!  I'm trying to focus on all the positive aspects but I think I'm going to struggle again having to wait 2-3 weeks to see if it has spread. The only downside is that he doesn't want me to go home the same day as I have no-one to stay with me overnight. and I live quite a long way from the hospital.  I have so much to organise in the next few days but at least keeping busy is stopping me worrying about the operation but I am actually more worried about what comes after.