DaVinci Surgery

Sorry Lynda, I spelled your name wrong. 

Hi, Phoebe,

Thanks for letting me know!  I see the Dr. today--and I'm looking forward to it.  As for spelling  my name, not to worry. I appreciate it that you wrote!  xx Lynda 

Hi phoebe,

The wash is called pelvic wash. I had it as well. It was with that pelvic wash result and biopsy staging that our gynae onco decides whether to put us on any adjuvant therapy or radiation and how frequent we need to go back for review.

Out of curiosity, how long does it take for you to come to accept the fact that you had cancer and has had uterus and everything else removed? I am 5 months post op TAH and I eye is still with tears each time I had to tell someone that I no longer had my female organs due to cancer. I would walk away each time I see a pregnant lady or babies crying. I know accepting reality is the answer and I am trying my best moving to that direction.

Hi Sue,

I suppose I accepted the diagnosis right from the start, I had lost about half my blood volume, my haemaglobin was 6.4 , how I was still standing let alone walking remains a mystery, I was actually house sitting for a friend while this was going on and I just carried on as if it was normal (I'm a bit silly I think lol) even though I felt as if I was wading through tar, when I saw my GP when I got home she tried to take some blood...............ha ha!........I knew it wasn't good, When the practice nurse finally managed to get some and it was sent to the lab, incredibly I got a phone call within 24 hours saying that I needed to go and have a transfusion, I didn't go....no thanks.. I did however agree to bed rest and massive doses of iron, when I felt a little better I went and had a vaginal ultrasound then hystoscopy/biopsy, I knew what the outcome was going to be, I got my results 3 days later and all I said was 'when can I have a hysterectomy'? I was referred to the most wonderful consultant who specialises in gaenacalogical (I Know thats wrong spelling) cancers, he operated on me 2 weeks later, it has never bothered me losing all my 'bits' as I was 61 and 13 years since I had gone through menopause , I can understand though why ladies get upset by it, I have never cried, I have always been very stoical about it, my sister is the same, she underwent a mastectomy the year before my problems started, we just seem to be made that way, when I got home from hospital it was day 3 post op, I took my dogs for a walk, albeit a short one, I'm a naughty girl lol. You are still at very early days really, what stage were you? I was 1A I am having checks every 6 months for 3 years though I know of ladies who aren't getting those check ups, only because they haven't been offered them which is bad.

Keep your chin up you may never fully accept it but it will feel better after time, we are not all the same, it's a form of grief you are suffering and we all deal with it in different ways.

Take care

Phoebe x

I have to agree with Phoebe . I don't really think about losing my female parts per se...it's more about losing a bit of confidence in my own body and being faced with a cancer diagnosis of any kind. I am also stage 1A and blessed that I didn't need chemo or radiation. Nor am I on any nasty medication. That said and with my first 3 month appt behind me, it's still scary. I go to physical therapy for issues related to my pelvic surgery and I recently started going to a couple of support type groups where I learned that what I'm feeling is very common and universal, more than anything why did this happen to me, what caused it,why me! Etc. It is a grieving and renewal process with emphasis on the process. It takes time and not every day is the same. It is as much a mental challenge as it is physical. I recently came across some fitness and wellness sites related to Shannon Miller, a renowned gymnast who beat ovarian cancer. I like her easy to follow 10 minute exercise routines. Anyways I'm ready to write a book about it so I should just stop now. You will be fine. So will I. It make take some time but believe in this and it will help you through and back to your life with more appreciation and gratitude.

Hi Virginias and phoebe,

Thanks for word of comforts that is all well said and phrased. Yes, grieving and accepting reality may be a tough journey but we will sail through it. And yes, keep our chin up and walk with confidence as after all, it is not end of the world and we should keep fighting off these bad cancer cells!

Virginias, I think I had hysterectomy around the same time as you as I also just had my 1st 3-month review on 1 July. I am also stage 1A, no adjuvant therapy, radiation and medication given. Do you still get tired easily, had a bit of muscle pulling pain near pelvic area, lower back pain and had a pull of ligament or muscle on your lower abdominal area? My abdominal incision recovering well. I have to restrain myself from going to the gym as It worsen my lower back, abdominal and pelvic area muscle pain. Is this normal?

Hi, Sue,

Hugs to you.  It is a lot to go through.  If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?  You see, I'm 67.  I've had two children. But, do accept your feelings about this as much as you can and let yourself mourn if you need to, it's only natural.  All of us react differently.

I am glad that you are still in the world!  xx Lynda

Thanks lynda??. I am 38, no children and now I don't intend to get married as well. Yes, will fight this emotional feeling through.

Hey, you too have to be strong! Stay healthy and my prayers to you for smooth op and fast recovery.

Hi Sue,

I had my hysterectomy in February because I had a big tumor. When they decided it was cancer, I had a second surgery in April so I have had 2 operations, one open and one robotic. The hysterectomy surgery took about 6 to 8 weeks to recover. The lymphectomy was a nightmare even though it was robotic and it has been 3 + months. Some surgical damage to my groin and lymph system has taken awhile to go away. I am still recovering, still tire easily, need to pick and choose C what I do and rest a lot. I am also 65 but I am a young active 65. I swim laps 3 or 4 times a week ( around 3/4 of a mile), do some stationary bike, walk, dance, etc, but not as much as I did prior to surgery. I need to sit quite a bit, but everything is getting better with time.

I have moments of doubt, too.  And that's probably normal.  Here you are, minding your own business living life and, surprise!   I am so grateful for all the support!  xx

Oh! Sorry to hear that you suffered 2 operations. You are amazingly strong women. Wish I could be as strong as you too 🙂

Hope all of us get better soon.

So am second operation was not fun. Still not resolved from its aftermath.

Hope you're doing okay...my reply to Sue was deleted, I see.  Oh, well.  I've been out of the loop because I had a TAH on Monday the 18th.  Doing a bit better each day and waiting for complete pathology; then we'll decide if additional steps need to be taken.  Trying to rest and keep from going crazy, because I hate the uncertainty and the fact that I can't control most of this, not even myself.  

Best to all, xx

Lynda 

 

Hi Lydia,

Take care and take one step at a time. You will feel better as time progress. Rest more. I also had TAH done in February this year. Feel free to ask any questions if in doubt.

Sue

Thanks, Sue!

How long did it take you to regain some stamina?  I have been very fatigued since mid-April when I started to spot.  There was little I could do to gain more strength before the surgery.

Thanks, xx

Lynda

Hi Lynda,

Do rest well for the next 6 weeks post-op. I do get tire easily even I am nearly 6 months post-op. It takes time to heal.

Take more fresh fruits and vegetables. Cut down on sugar and processed food (as this said to be cancer triggers best buddy). Exercise but don't overstress yourself. I only starts walking my dogs on 4th month post-op to avoid the sudden leash pulling from one of my not so obedient rescue dog.

I remember I bought abdominal binder to put it on on days where I have sharp lower back pain and very tender swell abdomen. Perhaps, you could get one. There is also post-op panty that you could purchase online -- I got mine pretty late as postage from USA to Asia takes more than 6 weeks to arrive!

Hope you get well soon..

 

Hi, Sue,

Thanks for letting me know about your recovery process, and the hints on the binder and post-op panties.  Everyone's telling me that in 6 weeks I'll be 100%, but that doesn't make sense to me, as I wasn't 100% prior to the surgery.  

I don't eat a lot of processed meat; and had cut down on sugar and high fructose corn syrup last year. I've been reading a book on micro nutrients and still need to make some changes in the food we eat and how we prepare it.   

We are still waiting for the pathology. My first post op is this Thursday, I would have just as soon waited to receive it in person.  My husband asked the doctor to call when they got the results, so we were anxious all of Thursday and Friday last week. 

Have been trying to see all my anxieties and worries as "Monkey Mind."  That monkey sure is a little rascal!  

Thanks again, Sue! xx

Be strong Lynda. My prayers for you. Don't worry too much. Endomentrial cancer is a slow growing cancer and most cases are curable with hysterectomy itself. The fact that you detected it early is good for you. Do post message if you need help to answers some of your doubts. 

Take care..

 

Yes I agree. Positive vibes cyber-sending from New Zealand.

Thank you, robyn!  Onward and upward, so they say!  xx

Thank you, Sue!  My best wishes for your continued recovery! xx