Awaiting pathology results

Hi Liz, very well done on having had your op! That’s an achievement and an accomplishment in itself! What is the “too much” that you’re finding it difficult not to do and is it your body saying it’s too much or someone else? I had my op in 2022 and by a week post surgery I was walking round the block twice a day, going to church, the supermarket and having country walks with my dog. I was cooking, washing up and doing the laundry (small loads). I wasn’t vacuuming. I don’t iron anyway so that was a non issue. And I was practising driving backwards and forwards in my driveway. If I felt tired I had a sit down for half an hour. It was being active and doing all these things that helped me focus on my recovery from my op rather than thinking about my histology results. What hobbies do you have? Where are your passions? Try and focus on those and on being kind to yourself!

Hi Lizh2003

Welcome to the womb group.

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis of endometrial cancer. I wish you well with your continued recovery. 

I remember waiting for my post op results and feeling really anxious about them. Mine came back at around 3 1/2 weeks but that was with a lot of chasing on my part. My surgeon actually phoned me with them. 

It can feel a bit like a time of limbo. I felt quite well after surgery and it can be tough to not know whether any further treatment will be needed. Were you given a provisional stage? I was given a provisional stage before surgery but did not know the grade. 

From my first symptom to surgery was 4 weeks exactly so I do understand that it can all feel overwhelming. Like you, I didn't really start processing the fact I had cancer until after the surgery.  Everything built up to having the op and then there was time to start thinking. 

For ladies with a low stage and grade cancer the hysterectomy alone may be enough.

For other ladies some follow up treatment may be advised. It is the post op results that normally confirm which, if any is needed. 

If it would help to talk things through then do give the Support Line a call. There is someone there everyday from 8am-8pm. 

Jane

Thank you for your kind words. I think it's more my family and friends that keep telling me not to do things. I have been doing light cleaning,  washing up etc. No hoovering yet. I've not been taking my wee dog out but think I will over next few days. You're right, I'll pocus on recovering rather than results.  Thank you!

Hi, thank you for your reply. No stage or grade given. In February I was told 2.8cm tumour but couldn't be graded. As I said in above reply I'll focus on my recovery and get outside more. My friend suggested we go to maggies centre near me which might help. Or as you suggested I'll call support line. Thank you! 

Hi again Liz, it’s understandable that they’d be concerned for you and care about you, but for me, if it was things I wanted to do, felt I could do, and those things didn’t make things “pull”in odd places, didn’t hurt, didn’t tire me out, then I did them. I listened to my body and if I felt like doing something I did it, and if I felt tired or just a bit off, then I rested. I didn’t lift heavy saucepans, I only filled the kettle enough for 1 or 2 cups. I bent a little to fill and empty the washing machine (but only did small loads) but didn’t bend excessively. So I feel I was pretty sensible, Just to clarify, when I walked my dog, he was off lead - it’s important to be careful dog walking if the dog is on a lead, as, if they pull, it can be an issue. 

Well done for getting the op out of the way, that’s a huge achievement. I had abdominal op with vertical cut, which meant I found it was more comfortable standing than sitting. So I was up and about quite a lot as it was more comfortable for me. Yes, I had sudden attacks of being tired, when I would then lie down, but by being active I think it helped my recovery. Only you know how your bodies feeling. I had a friend staying with me when I first came out of hospital, and think she was horrified the first day the number of times I went up and down the stairs, by second day she was more relaxed about it, as she could see it wasn’t causing any issues. Good luck with your recovery and getting out a bit more.