My Davinci experience

I had the Davinci surgery on Dec. 21, so this is day #4 on the recovery trail. I am 53 years old. 3 years ago I wouldn't stop bleeding and was daignosed with complex hyperplasia (the opening act for uterine cancer) and was told that I needed a hysterectomy. Not to be one to not be smart about my situation, I saw an oncologist who put me under anesthesia to get a better biopsy sample for a second opinon. The biopsy showed that I did not have cancer or even hyperplasia. Did it go away? I asked. I was advised that it was probably that my intitial (first biopsy) pathology reports were read wrong. I was the happiest girl in the world that day. Now, flash forward 3 years, after a annual gynocological exam and me mentioning that I occassionally spot during some months, a biopsy taken in my OBGYN's office had the shocking diagnosis of Uterine cancer. Went back to the same Oncologist. I didn't have him do another biopsy, but did have their pathologist read the biopsy slide taken by my OBGYN office. They confirmed the cancer.
I read several books on the subject including Fran Dresher's "Cancer Schmancer". I love Fran and thought that if she can survive this, so can I - especially that her book is over 10 years old.
Luckily my oncologist used the Davinci robot. I cannot imagine going through regular abdominal surgery for this. The worst part was the dread and waiting for the surgery date. (And the prep which involved choking down 4 liters of liquid that tastes worse than sea water) I was primarilly nervous because years ago I had severe endometriosis/adhesions and was afraid that I would wind up with a colostomy bag if there was an error with the cutting due to my colon still being plastered to my uterus with adhesions. Luckily I had a very good doctor. The surgery took 4 1/2 hours because of all the adhesions. I felt great when I woke up in recovery up until the next morning when I sat up on the side of the bed. Home from the hospital I was in pain when I took anything other than a shallow breath and I was walking like a 100 year old woman. I still have to urinate every hour. The worst part is when I lay down and try to get up - I feel like a crab on it's back unable to get up. My belly is huge. One of the incisons makes it look like a second belly button. I took a walk outside yesterday, and today can tell that I am getting better, but it is a slow process. Hubby is very helpful, but it drives me crazy when I see something on the floor and can't bend down to pick it up. I am off the pain meds since yesterday. The doctor said that it was stage 1 cancer so hopefully this was it as far as treatment, but I won't know for sure until I go for my post-op check up. I know I'll get through this, but it will be a long road back to "normal", especially since I am used to working out every morning. For those going through the recovery process, I definitely feel your pain. Even though DaVinci is "minimally invasive" it still sucks as far as the recovery. Hopefully, as each day passes things will get better. Good luck to all of you.