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Has anyone had a radical hysterectomy with open surgery?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Kath_T
Kath_T

Has anyone had a radical/total hysterectomy via open surgery, especially for ovarian/endometrial cancer?  I am having this operation on 9th January, having just had a large cyst, ovaries and fallopian tubes removed by keyhole on 13 November, which is when the found the cancer on the outside of my ovary.  I also have endometriosis.

I am extremely worried about the operation, how I will feel afterwards, how long I will have to be in hospital etc.  If anyone else has had the same op, I would love to hear from you please.

xxKathy

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • tracey70202
    tracey70202 Kath_T

    Posted

    Dear Kathy, I had a total abdominal hysterectomy (womb,ovaries, tubes, omental biopsy and endometrial washings) on 10th December and like you I was terrified as I'd never had an operation before.  I had large fibroids and a very large ovarian cyst.  I also suffer from endometriosis.  The operation was thankfully straightforward and wasn't half as bad I had expected it to be. I had a midline incision due to the size of the fibroids.  I had a spinal anaesthetic (for pain relief afterwards) in addition to the general anaesthetic. Once the anaesthetic had worn off I felt remarkably well (and very relieved) and wasn't in any pain (due to the spinal I think).  The next day I was up and out of bed, again with minimal discomfort.  The only time I felt really uncomfortable was when coughing or sneezing, but this soon became easier.

    I went home on the second post-op day (12th Dec).  My recovery has thankfully been straightforward.  The worse pain I have had was due to constipation (apparently very common after this type of surgery) but medication from my GP cured this problem.  

    Please try not to worry too much, in my experience it honestly wasn't half as bad as I expected it to be.  My cyst came back as borderline so I will now be monitored with a blood test and check up every for months for two years.

    I hope that your operation is straightforward and that you have a speedy recovery.  If you have any questions that I haven't covered I am more than happy to cyst to you.  

    Best wishes

    Tracey xxx

    • Kath_T
      Kath_T tracey70202

      Posted

      Thank you so much Tracey.  I haven't been able to find anyone in a similar position to me, so it is comforting to know that you have been, and you are ok.  I can't believe you were home after two days! (I am assuming a midline incision is a large incision, is it? Sorry, am new to this!).  I was told I could be in hospital for 5 - 7 days, but then there is a problem with my bowel being stuck to my uterus because of the endometriosis.

      I have my pre-op tomorrow, so may well pm you with some questions afterwards, if that's ok?

      xxx Kathy

  • tracey70202
    tracey70202 Kath_T

    Posted

    Should read chat to you -spell checker drives me mad! X
  • tracey70202
    tracey70202 Kath_T

    Posted

    Dear Kathy

     Mine is quite a large incision from just below my belly button  (downwards) and about 8 inches long.  There were 15 stitches which I had removed by the nurse at my GP's surgery 10 days after my op.  I've had no problems with my wound other than a little tightness when the stitches were ready to come out.  My consultant was worried about adhesions from my endometriosis but thankfully nothing was stuck together in my case.

    Hope your pre-op goes well tomorrow.  It might be worth asking about a spinal as well as the GA.  I didn't want a spinal as I don't like needles but I was assured it would be beneficial post op and it really wasn't that bad having it put in and it provided brilliant pain relief.  Please feel free to pm me if you have any questions or just want a chat.

    I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.

    Tracey xxx

     

    • Kath_T
      Kath_T tracey70202

      Posted

      Thanks Tracey.  The information and suggestions you have made are so helpful.  I don't feel so alone now.  I will certainly ask about a spinal tomorrow.

      I will definitely get back in touch tomorrow.

      Take care.

      xxx Kathy

    • Kath_T
      Kath_T tracey70202

      Posted

      PS  How long did you stay on pain relief for and what did you take, may I ask?

      xxx Kathy

  • tracey70202
    tracey70202 Kath_T

    Posted

    They put some morphine and antibiotics in via the spinal whilst I was asleep.  I then had morphine tablets with ibuprofen and paracetamol and a tablet to protect your stomach.  I also had a drip with fluids in which was removed during the first night.  I also had a catheter which stays in until you are mobile, but I really didn't know that it was there.  The next day I had the same tablets and then on the day I went home the morphine was stopped and I just had the ibuprofen and paracetamol.  I also had an injection into my tummy every day to prevent blood clots.  I was sent home with 3 injections to do but they weren't that bad.  I was sent home with a 2 week supply of ibuprofen and paracetamol but I stopped these after about 8 days as I felt I didn't really need them any longer. 

    Tracey xxx

  • dee102
    dee102 Kath_T

    Posted

    I had a total hysterectomy due to cancer on 11th Nov I was scared but thankful afterwards. I was in hospital 5 days I too had a spinal/epidural and l had iv fluids, antibiotics and pain relief . I needed a blood transfusion too but knew that was possible as I had been bleeding for months beforehand. on 27th Nov I was told I would not need any more procedures.... Stay strong x
    • Kath_T
      Kath_T dee102

      Posted

      Fantastic news for you dee102, I'm so glad you are OK. 

      I have been told I will have to have chemo after (stage 1C), but I guess it's a small price to pay if it gets rid of it.  How did you feel after the op?

      Thanks for your much appreciated support.

      xx Kathy

    • dee102
      dee102 Kath_T

      Posted

      Firstly let me say Happy New Year secondly I must say sorry I did reply last night and as I went to send the message it vanished into cyber space.

      I was told, after the op, my cancer was low grade and as far as they are concerned they had got it all, but they did say before the op I would need some radiation, so fingers crossed for you.

      The first day I had the epidural still so I was in no pain but was sleepy, the 2nd night I was ill and being sick all night long but that was due to a reaction to some antibiotics. Despite this I felt positive and how can I  describe this? I guess it was a mixture of relief, determination and elation.  I had been telling my GPs for months something was wrong and begged them to refer me.

      Once home I felt useless as I am not used to just resting and letting others do the work for me esp as my fella had to take time off work to be here for me.

      Dee xx

       

  • Luckymum
    Luckymum Kath_T

    Posted

    Just wanting to send you good wishes Kath and to say that I will be thinking of you x
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