Endometerial Cancer - waiting for surgery

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Originally Posted by nyllrap I had my TAH on 4/5 did not know until it was over that I had stage 1 cancer. My intution told me something was up, and I was almost relieved that they there was something there and was not my imagination. My dr assured me that she got everything and that I was going to be fine. It is hard to get good information on this. I know lots of women who had hysterectomies, but no one I know had cancer. What now, do I just on with my life like I had a pedicure or something? Very few of the people I know really gets how emotional this is . Everyone on here is so great. Thank God for you and this site.

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I would love any type of context, and --with who has just run out of type had. Just let me know when and where - illeostomy. I love you all![/quote]

Hi. I totally can relate to how overwhelming this diagnosis can be. I went in to have a uterine pollop removed on June 1. That surgery was successful but they identified endometrial cancer. Within a week I met my gynecology oncologist and scheduled surgery for the first of July. I am now home from my davinci total hysterectomy. I can't believe only one day in hospital.

Right now I am tired and tender. Very thankful to find this site!




I had a davinci total hysterectomy two d

Hi Hopeful
You should have a schedule worked out for close followup of your cancer. Have your doctors not said you will be seen every __ months..?
I liked your line about the pedicure....... cute//

You are completely right, no one knows how all of this feels, unless you been there. I have tended to befriend a couple of women who have also been through chemo and radiation, I guess because I feel they are the only ones who really understand all that is going on in my head.... all the fears, all the what ifs....
and also this forum has even more people who know exactly how you feel and just how unlike a pedicure this all really is.

Life carries on, but it is different somehow.

Support from friends who have walked this path has been very important to me, too. I know far too many women who have had breast cancer, and while I know many women who have had hysterectomies, only 1 other for endometrial cancer. She's a friend from high school days and is only about 6 weeks ahead of me in terms of surgery. It is comforting to have someone to actually talk to in person. She has started chemotherapy and will also need radiation because her cancer was more than halfway through the myometrium.

BTW, 3 close friends of mine who had hysterectomies 3-25 years ago are amazed at how good I feel. Yes, yes, I will pamper myself and rest am about to do that. I have showered, dried my hair, and (get this!) put on makeup this morning. I've watered the plants and am now going to get something to eat and a bottle of water and sit - maybe even a cat nap.


Suzanne

Suzanne
Sounds like you are doing great. The problem I found was everyones recollection of their hysterectomies, they all kept hassling me that I was doing TOO MUCH. Everyone said, you are not going to heal right if you do too much.
BUt historically hysterectomies take weeks to heal.
So you may have to deal with an overprotective group of friends.
I just sent them all to my surgeons website, where she said explained the differences between what you could do postop depending on what type of approach of your surgery.

I totally agree about "advice " given post op. I followed signals from my body and instructions from surgeon, Thank goodness she is young and let me follow my own instincts. I was only very careful not to lift anything heavy. Due to my husband having total knee replacement at same time of my surgery I had to get on the road as fast as possible driving us both back anfd forth to our doctors appointments . ps the only arguments we had was over the remote for TV Kiele

Hi Suzanne -- when I went to my gyn/onc. 10 days after surgery, he said I could do anything I wanted to, except for sex. Weight lifting, walking, anything. I was shocked. However, three days after robotic surgery, I was on the treadmill and felt strong. So who knows?. Keep on moving, I say, but again check with doc. Shirl

Hi everyone - just wanted to let you know that I had the results from the MRI and chest xray and all clear - my gynocologist says at the moment it looks like early state 1 but obviously he can't be sure until they have done the tests on my bits & pieces after the operation. I am nervously awaiting Friday when I go in and it will be done that morning. Apparently I will be having a spinal block and a general anaesthetic and should, if all goes well, only have to be in hospital for a couple of days. I am hoping that this is the case and also hoping that it is stage 1 and has been caught early. He thinks, again at the moment, that I won't need any further treatment. Will just have to wait and see. I met the anaesthetist and she was lovely and I had trust in her. She says I can take some valium before I get there so that I am not as fearful. It really helps me to see how you have all come through it and also how I am not a wuss but just a normal frightened human being. You have all been such a help to me and I send you love and hugs from the bottom of my heart and wishes for your continued well being and recovery. Love across the ocean - that Atlantic is a big one - I was only 6 when I crossed it to come and live in Washington DC with my parents. My Mum was soooooo homesick that we ended up coming back across the Atlantic. Anway, enough about me. Love to you all - Barbara aka Alfielabrador. How are we going to stop him from draping himself across my stomach when I come home???? Ouch!

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Originally Posted by arunner Hi Hopeful You should have a schedule worked out for close followup of your cancer. Have your doctors not said you will be seen every __ months..? I liked your line about the pedicure....... cute// You are completely right, no one knows how all of this feels, unless you been there. I have tended to befriend a couple of women who have also been through chemo and radiation, I guess because I feel they are the only ones who really understand all that is going on in my head.... all the fears, all the what ifs.... and also this forum has even more people who know exactly how you feel and just how unlike a pedicure this all really is. Life carries on, but it is different somehow.

Actually, my dr. only wanted to see me for my annual next in January, 2011. I guess that's what kind of mystifies me. it turns out though since I last posted, my sister has an aggressive form of breat cancer. She has had her lumpectomy and they found nothing in her lymphnodes but they still want her to have chemo and radiation. Her doctors think all her sisters should have a workup at the cancer center since I had cancer and now a sister has cancer. They have suggested more frequent monitoring so I am going to at least meet with them and see what they recommend. I'm not looking for magic or anything dramatic, just a little more attention to the bigger picture, you know what I mean. Thanks for your feedback.

Hi Barbara -- the best to you. I had very early stage end.cancer also which was taken care of by the surgery. My gyn/onc was very positive before surgery as yours sounds also. Your labrador sounds wonderful and believe me, being an animal lover, he will give you much needed love post op. I am guessing you are from England where I come from. But I've been here over 50 years. If you are from the British Isles, hope your healthcare is good there. I am curious about that, since we are going into Universal Health Care. Again, the best to you and that beautiful dog. Shirl

Hi Shirl, yes I am in England - in Robin Hood County - Nottingham. The health care system here is very good although some areas of the country are better than others. We are very very fortunate here in Nottingham in that we have some of the best doctors and specialists. The best thing is that everyone gets taken care of and it is not dependent on what insurance you have or dont have. If you need something then you get it. We all pay for our health care through our income tax. Some people choose to have private health insurance which normally means they can get their health care a bit quicker or in slightly 'posher' surroundings. However, for something like cancer there is no waiting list and things go very quickly. I think it is a very fair system and means that people never have to worry about if they can afford treatment or tests or medication. Our health service has it's critics at times and some times, perhaps, it could run better but when you are in need of care that's exactly what you get. I wish you well and continued good health. I guess after all this time you must feel more American than British. Love to you from me and my beautiful labrador. Yes he is a real love and so very loving. He hasn't left my side for the last 3 weeks - its as if he senses something is wrong. A cuddle with him is worth more than I can say. Bye for now Shirl. Barbara xxxx