Just Plain Scared

Had D&C on 10/24, then found out 10/28 that I have precancerous stuff going on in there, and hysterectomy is scheduled for 12/12. I'm making a list of questions for the 12/1 pre-op visit, and my dear husband (who also happens to be my best friend) will accompany me. Don't know yet whether it's total, whether he's planning on vaginal or incision. Don't know much about anything specific yet.

This site has been really helpful, but you know, I am most worried about AFTER than before. I went looking for answers at some of the post-op posts, and that was likely a mistake, because that's where I started getting scared.

My doctor has indicated 2-3 days in the hospital, and 4-6 weeks off work, most likely 4 because I have a desk job. A very stressful desk job, but a desk job nonetheless. After reading those posts, I cannot imagine getting back to that after just 4 weeks!! (The references to "swelly belly" alone -- something I've never heard of before -- make me wonder if I'll have any clothes to wear.)

Am I going to have a mental collapse after I get home?

So many questions, and I can't find a place with the answers. FAQs would be wonderful!! Or is it here and I missed it.

I guess you can tell I'm confused as I can be, and that's unlike me. I usually have it fairly well together.

I'd really appreciate any support y'all can give me . . . I didn't think I'd need it yet, but here I am.

Thanks in advance.

a lot of how quickly u recover depends on many things. the type of surgery, how prepared u are going in, how well u follow the post op suggestions. i had a tah on sept 15 for pre cancerous cells after having a leep procedure in feb for the same thing. my recovery has been uneventful. didnt have to call the dr. once. but i pretty much followed the recovery tips here and tried to take it easy. remember to try to stay positive mentally. it is a tough surgery to go through, but if u prepare yourself it will make it easier. be informed. ask lots of questions of the preop nurse and your dr. be informed as much as possible. after the surgery walk as soon and as much as u can and drink plenty of water. the swelly belly thing is almost inevitable. i am still wearing a size bigger pants for work. it is getting better. i have been back to work for 2 weeks and dont get me wrong, it hasnt been all cake and icecream but is getting better. be prepared for the physical exhaustion. remember this is a major surgery, it takes a lot out of u but u can do it!!!! good luck and god bless. check here often. the recourses are invaluable!!!

Hi LadyBama,

We are so glad you joined us! You certainly aren't alone in your feelings and emotions. Most of us can relate to what you are going through.

A great place to start is to look through Articles and Resources. There are so many great articles to read that will answer a lot of your questions. Also, please take some time to read through Checkpoints. It is broken down by checkpoint weeks and you will find some great information that will help you prepare for your surgery and recovery.

Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and recovery!

s, Deb

LadyBama,

I also have pre canserous cells and am having a hysterstomy.

I feel for you and your worries, as I share most of the same.

I really don't have much advice to give, but you are not alone in your fears.

For me,alot of giving it to my higher power and praying works the best.

I'm sure someone will be along to give you other or maybe the same advice...

Recovery varies for all of us and one of the factors is the type of surgery, the extent of what has to be done and how well you are doing post-op. Once you meet with your doctor to find out more details, talk to him about how long he expects you to be off from work. Make sure you tell him your job is stressful so he can take that into account. Some doctors will release part-time.

I have a desk job and was released at 6 weeks. Yesterday was my first day back and I although I had to leave earlier than usual because I got so tired in the afternoon, I survived.

Swelly belly also concerned me, but I tried my pants on after about 4 weeks and they fit better than they had pre-op, even with my swelly belly. However the waist band did start bothering me late in the afternoon.

Best wishes and s

I had a TVH, my Dr. said absolutely no to work for at least 6 weeks, and she is fairly lenient. My job is also a desk job, somewhat stressful, and she said that stress can impact recovery. I am now in my 3rd week of recovery and have felt great since the day I came home from the hospital. I was fortunate and did not have swelly belly to any great extent and wore my jeans home from the hospital. They fit better now than ever!

Please make sure you discuss everything with your Dr., including your concerns about stress levels at work. Some jobs are more stressful than others, and some people need longer to recover.

Best of luck, and remember, just take one day at a time and know that things will get better.

I'm sorry the post op board added to your discomfort. When I was preparing for surgery, I read this board because I wanted to know what to expect both good and bad. I do tend to worry and I do on occasion have panic attacks. I felt that if something happened to me that if I'd read about it I'd be better prepared to deal with the situation and not panic. It's so frightening when you enter this world of hysterectomy.

I had not had years of painful experiences prior to surgery. I had felt tired for several months beforehand and woke up one morning bleeding when I hadn't had a period in several years. I, too, had a precancerous situation to deal with. I found so much caring and compassion on this web site. And I decided that I'd have to focus on the positive and keep the negative in my "data bank" or I'd never get through this. My main focus was to get up and walk as soon as I could after surgery. If I was going to have to face more problems, I wanted to do it on my feet.

The first 24 hours can be the "pits", but this web site taught me that using the pain pump is OK. I had a problem late into the night with having too much cover, burning up, and my pain pump cord wrapped around my neck. The nurses were there immediately and got me situated. The next morning I woke up feeling well rested...of all things. I was able to walk almost immediately...very slowly...it hurt at first. And to the room door and back could wear me out. So I'd nap and then walk some more.

I'm not sure if my recovery has been uneventful or if my recovery seems that way because I was so prepared by my sisters that I recognized what's happening and so I'm not frightened.

At nine weeks plus, I'm doing great. Ladies-in-waiting have a tough time, but it gets better. Good luck on your surgery...keep a positive outlook.

Thanks for your reply to my post "Just Plain Scared". I'm doing what you were doing . . . turning to the post-op site so that I'll be prepared. And I guess I am. I'm going to ask my doctor about the usual, but also about constipation, diet, etc. And I told my husband last night that, while I'm still off work, I'm going to start walking as soon and as often as I can. So while the site has, as I said, created more fear within me, it has also made me wiser. And, with posts such as yours, I'm feeling better. I'm now still worried some (and I rarely worry), but I feel that knowing what to expect has prepared me to act in a manner appropriate to what might happen. I guess, in other words, I'm ready. I still have beaucoup questions for my doctor, and the list grows daily, but I'm less afraid of the answers, because now I believe I'm readier to handle whatever might come along.

I am so scared i go in Nov. 29th for a total. I don't know if reading and knowing or not knowing a thing is better. The swelly belly what is that, my belly is big enough. Please tell me really, am i out of work for 6 weeks, or can i go back for a few hours a day after 2 weeks....

great advice, for me the unknown is the reason I fear. Even though I had breast cancer 6 years ago and went through 2 surgeries, chemo and rad, it's still new now. I wouldn't have the peace I have now without prayers from many friends and faith that God is in control.

I'll be praying for you Cara as your surgery is the day before mine.