 TAH/BSO - Endometroid Adenocarcinoma vs. ME! |
From the Abdominal Hysterectomy Stories Articles List |
 Related Titles
Abdominal Hysterectomy: TAH/BSO - dx'd w/ Adenocarcinoma In-Situ
TAH/BSO - For adenocarcinoma - made the right decision
HysterSisters Articles
Options to Hysterectomy
Pre-Op Hysterectomy
Post-Op Hysterectomy
Hormone and Menopause
Intimacy after Hysterectomy
Fitness after Hysterectomy
GYN Cancer
Hysterectomy Stories
Ask A Doctor
Advertisement
Bit of background. I've had pretty nasty periods since my twenties. I was about 32 when I told my gynecologist, it feels like a grappling hook is trying to yank out my innards every month. The back ache, the misery. He told me to get over it. I got over him, and started seeing a woman gynecologist. I had three D&C's.
Finally, menopause hit. Happy Days!!!
I was on HRT, feeling great! Pap's every year, fine. I read in 2000 the controversial HRT research, discussed it with my gynecologist, she switched me to bio-identicals.
This March 17th, went for the regular annual Pap. Came back abnormal. Had a biopsy April 4th. April 8th got the call, diagnosis: Endometroid Adenocarcinoma. Called Gyn/oncologist at once, had date him April 30th for first visit.
The agony of the wait!!!!! Found this site, and read everything I found. Asked dumb questions. What a life saver this site is!!!
After the gyn/oncologist surgeon examined me, DH and I had a meeting with him, he answered every one of our questions. I had a long list written down so I would'nt;t forget. We never felt rushed, I felt very confident in this guy. DH found out quite a bit about him before we met, everything very positive.
Because I took two Anicins for a headache the day before this appointment, the surgeon said I would have to wait 2 weeks for surgery. Another eternity!!!! Visit Hyster Sister daily, several times a day some bad days. Crying jags. Nerves. Heebee jeebees.
Surgery date set for May 11th, exactly one month before my 58th birthday. Happy birthday present.
Preop Monday May 9th. X-ray, EKG, blood work, meeting with surgeon's nurse. She went over every thing with me in detail. She then told me to have a light breakfast Tuesday, and nothing but clear liquids till midnight, then nothing at all. Not even water.
Arrived at the hospital at the appointed time of 7:30. Sat and waited till 9!!!!!!! Finally got called.
Went into a small room, instructed to put on gown, paper like booties, and the lovely shower cap. Got IV hooked up, and asked for the millionth time my name, birth date, and why I was there.
Surgery was to be around 11. Turned out to be 11:30. DH and I figured I will not be out of recovery till 3-4, then will probably be whacked out till the next day. I asked him to go home, and not come back till Thursday morning. Kiss good-by, he left. He had to take my overnight bag, as the hospital will not take responsibility, and we figured there is nothing I will need till Thursday morning.
I was finally transported to another holding room outside OR, waited again for an eternity for the staff to get the OR ready. I have to interject here, everyone I came in contact with was just wonderful, super nice, even Antonio the transport guy who took me from the room where I changed to the OR staging room. Super nice people, all. They did everything they could to ease the jitters.
My surgeon popped in and said they are almost ready, and how do I feel? Just dandy, I told him, and he laughed. I was wheeled in to the OR at 11:30. Just in time for lunch.
Whatever they did, I went out like a light, I remember saying it was cold in here, and then nothing.
The recovery room experience was not memorable. I mean I don't want to remember it. First thing I remember, the nurse asking what my pain level is. I said 7 1/2. She gave me a shot in the butt, and explained the morphine pump. I must have pushed the morphines pump a lot, as they gave me another shot, and said if I push the button too much, nothing will happen. I guess I must have been in pain, but I don't remember it. Hallelujah!
Then as I was wheeled from the recovery to my room, the nurse said there is family waiting for me. I said that's impossible, as my husband will not be back till tomorrow. She said he's here. I knew then that it was bad news. The surgeon probably wanted my husband there with me to break the bad news to me. My first words to DH was not "hi honey" but "what are you doing here?" He quickly explained that the surgeon called him, and all the cancer was contained in the uterus, the surgeon had pathology do a preliminary and it seems "all is good". Boy was I relieved! DH left, and the room mate from hell turned on her TV and watched it till 2 in the morning with all the room lights on!!!!!!! At 2 a.m. I asked the nurse for some ice chips, and to have the room mate at least shut off the lights. The nurse shut the lights off, but the room mate continued to watch the *&@$ TV!!!
Thursday morning it was still dark, so it couldn't have been later than 5 a.m., some doctors came by. They asked if I remember them from the OR? You've got to be kidding! I don't remember anyone! They looked at my incision, removed the tape from the staples. That didn't tickle!!! I was given the "homework" assignment to walk to the other side of the room and back that day.
Around 9 in the morning I asked to get out of bed. I sat in the arm chair, and took a "cat bath" with some wonderful pre-heated pre-soaped spongy thing they gave me. Brushed my teeth, and attempted to make my hair look like it's tamed. Applied chap stick. An hour or so later I asked to take a walk. The nurse walked me around the floor. Then I had a liquid lunch. I asked that they remove the catheter, they did. DH got me a private room after I told him about the room mate and her TV.
The first time I went to the bathroom to pee, it felt like I really had to go, but nothing much was dripping out. I turned on the faucet to hear the tinkling sound. That helped. I was not going to have that catheter put back in.
Surgeon came to see me, and I whined for some real food. No dice. Maybe for breakfast if I pee enough. No gas yet either. phooey!
I walked the hall, I peed like a race horse, finally. That IV was dripping and I watched and knew that every drip has to come out, and come out it did. I was on the toilet every 35-40 minutes!!! I was exhausted, could only cat nap, as I had to go to the bathroom constantly.
Friday morning after the white coat entourage visited again, they took out the IV. Happy Day!!!! AND I had a sumptuous breakfast. Bacon, scrambled eggs, juice, tea, and a banana! Yum! More walks, read, listened to my CD head set, napped, watched TV. Lunch. Shrimp salad. YUMMMMMY! Nap, walk. Surgeon came by, I said I want to go home, when should DH come for me. He laughed, and said if all is ok, I can leave at 5. You have never met anyone more determined than me, to get out of that hospital! Then my blood pressure went to 174/110. oops. I must have over done the activities. I lazed around the bed the rest of the day. My blood pressure went down, and I got sprung from the hospital at 5. YAY!!!
At home, I took the nurse's advice, drank a glass of hot prune juice with 2 tbs of milk of magnesia and popped a stool softener. Had a BM in an hour. Took a shower Saturday. Almost back to normal. I nap a lot. Don't have too much of an appetite, but that'll come back, no doubt. Looking forward to my first martini.
I had my first visit with the surgeon yesterday. All the cancer was contained, did not penetrate the uterine wall. I will have to have a Pap every 6 months, for 5 years. I have to return again on Wednesday to get the staples out. Seems there is a bit of an infection. I have penicillin to take for the next couple of days.
I guess all went pretty well. Not that I want to repeat this experience. Life's little adventure I can do without.
Related Titles
Abdominal Hysterectomy: TAH/BSO - dx'd w/ Adenocarcinoma In-Situ
TAH/BSO - For adenocarcinoma - made the right decision
Terry Grogg, M.D.
4461 S Broadway Suite 200
Suite 200
Grove City OH 43123
614-875-0444 |
Leonard Rosen, M.D.
3650 Joseph Siewick Dr. #203
Fairfax VA 22033
703-391-1500 |
Stephanie Cross, M.D.
1932 Alcoa Hwy
Knoxville TN 37920
865-546-1642 |
Mini Somasundaram, M.D.
4845 Knightsbridge Boulevard
Suite 220
Columbus OH 43214
(614) 583-5552 |
Jonathan Y Song, M.D.
2455 Dean St.
Suite A
St. Charles IL 60175
(630) 513-9160 |
Chuong Pham, M.D.
18220 Tomball Parkway, SUite 320
Houston TX 77070
832-237-0222 |
John Dulemba, M.D.
3321 Unicorn Lake Blvd #121
Denton TX 76210
940-387-6248 |
David Zisow, M.D.
2005 Rock Spring Rd Ste. 3
Forest Hill - Baltimore MD 21050
410-879-1139 |
Dennis Utley, M.D.
820 N. Chelan
P.O. Box 489
Wenatchee WA 98802
509-663-8711 |
|
|
|
Advertisement
 Helpful Links
|
|
|
Store »
Hysterectomy Checkpoints
