DaVinci Surgery

Hi, Shani,

Thanks for your response.  I do feel fortunate to be able to have this type of  surgery, especially after reading what happened to other women who had the open surgery.  I know that there's lots of pain and that recovery for them is much, much slower.  I wrote in because I needed support and information from all the caring, wonderful women who responded to me; you among them.  I wish you the best, and will keep everyone posted! xxx Lynda

Stay strong Lynda. What age are you if you don't mind me asking? You can beat this. We are all here for you. Hugs from afar (New Zealand).

Hi, Robyn!

I turned 67 this year; just retired from my job at end of 2015.  This was not what I envisioned how my retirement would begin!  

Went and saw the doctor yesterday and had all my pre-op work done at the hospital after that.  I've been booked for surgery on Monday. They plan to do robotic surgery, and remove my uterus, etc. through my vagina, which is fine with me!  

Bless you for writing!  By the way, I'm in the American southwest.  I think that being able to find and offer love and support to each other from such distant corners of the world is amazing.  Hugs to you, too!

I think that's wonderful!  There are some good men out there!    It makes all the difference when you are lucky enough to have a supportive partner!  I think that women who have had to lose their lady parts are still women, strong women!  I am older, 67, so that makes it easier for me, too. Good luck to you, too!  Hugs,

Lyna

I'm curious. Did you have any staging surgery to determine if the cancer had spread or whetheradditional treatment was needed?

Hi Smiley, 

Good to hear bout your speedy recovery. I had the open incision op as my Doctor said he need to view whether there are any sign of swell or cancer cell spreading to lymph nodes. Fortunately there's none and staging surgery is stage 1A. Yes, was given an answer as cancer-free patient like you BUT I am still been monitored/reviewed every 3 months to check sign or symtoms of relapse. I am curious and would said we are not cancer-free but cancer-survivor. We are to watch our diet as most cancer has to and the fear of cancer recurrence will never slip our mind!

I was able to have lymph nodes and muscle biopsy taken during the DaVinci surgery.  Was told it was an early stage cancer with no spread to lymph nodes or deep muscle.  I have to go back in 6 months for follow up, and will be monitored every 6 months for a while , then once a year.  I was also told to loose weight as obesity can contribute to recurrence. Good Luck, how long ago did you have surgery?  I have my follow up coming up in a few weeks, I am a bit nervous, but remaining positive. I have wonderful doctors and am lucky I live in an area with wonderful access to the best hospitals , I am from Boston Massachusetts area.

Hi Smiley and everyone else. Thank you for the info on your staging surgery. Mine was 4 monthly ago and quite extensive (29lymph nodes removed, all negative). I am also 1A but I still feel uncomfortable in my pelvis area, especially when I stand. I'm fine horizontal...(not being funny here??)...I can do most things but it just feels achy. I also have numbness in my left thigh. I never would have done the staging surgery if I'd knowni would feel like this. I'm hoping it is still going away. Anybody else having issues or can comment on their staging surgery outcome? Thank you in advance.

Hi, Virginias,  I had my TAH with removal of lymph nodes 2 weeks ago.  I'm glad that you got a good result.  I also feel achy, burning and wierd where everything "used to be." I asked my doctor about how my bladder and intestines would settle in where my uterus was, and he said that really, it's just a small space and not to worry.  However, my bladder does feel as though it's out of center, if that makes sense, and my colon tends to feel the same way.  

In my case, the results of the initial biopsy were not as accurate as the results obtained because of my surgery, so I'm glad of that.  I think having a TAH affects different people differently, because of the differences in ability to heal.  Some take more time than others!  Please try to take it easy!

xx Lynda 

The feelings you are getting are just from everything being manhandled during surgery. Those organs don't have sensory in space nerves that tell us where in our body they are. The place where uterus was is pretty small & it doesn't leave a big gap to be filled. Everything in there is totally surrounded by tendons, muscles, tissues etc. So all that has been dissected away slightly from uterus so they could then lift it out, but there's no big gap left in there.

Hi Lynda, my hysterectomy was fine. No recovery issues to speak of. I was swimming at 6 weekscand feeling good. Not so, on this second round. I can swim befit is horizontal and I am trying to take it easy. Some days I actually don't even think about it.bi used to take my body for granted it functionedso well. Now it is the rare exception that I don't think about how I feel. I'm sick of this feeling and I have decided to move past it, not feed it more attention. I'm just wondering if others have experienced this. To date no one has responded to this.

Hi, Virginias,  

You've been through a lot, a LOT.  You are one brave woman!  I hope that things continue to improve for you--and you will get past this!

xx Lynda

Thanks, Robyn!  That's a good description, "manhandled!" xx

Hehe. I've watched enough surgery to see why there is so much post-op pain!!

I appreciate knowing more about the dissection, too. I just wanted to have the surgery so badly that I didn't think about the recovery process much at all...wanted to be rid of all of it, as soon as I could be.  

Hi Smiley, I had my surgery about 5 months ago. Had 1st review last month. For me, oncologist did not remove any lymph nodes as he mentioned no sign of cancer spreading. He removed omentum and did pelvic wash and it's negative. Yes, I still suffer lower back pain and pulling muscles both side of pelvic. Wonder how long it will take to fully recover