Upcoming Hysterectomy 11/30/16

Hi ladies. I'll try to keep this short. I was diagnosed with hyperplasia w/atypia after having "normal" looking polyps removed. My doctor was not expecting this and told me I had a "severe precancerous condition" and needed a hysterectomy. The surgeon she recommended me to is fantastic and I have total confidence in him. He explained everything in terms I could understand. I am post-menopausal and would never have even noticed this if I hadn't started heavily spotting.
So I am looking forward to this because it will hopefully reduce the cancer risk and also will never have to worry about carrying pads around (after my recovery). I'm ok about the actual surgery, but I am apprehensive about what they will find afterwards. Add to this that my husband has terminal cancer and I have a lot on my plate. Fortunately he is still strong enough to care for me during my recovery. They are planning to do the "five holes in the tummy and remove everything vaginally" procedure. I can't remember what it's called. What is really quite amazing is that I will be allowed to have clear liquids up to two hours before the surgery which goes against the usual "don't have a drop after midnight" protocol. I asked the nurse about this and she told me it was because so many people came in for surgery dehydrated and they could not find veins for the IVs, but that it was the decision of the anesthesiologist.. Well anyway wish me luck.

Alphakat16! Sounds like you're getting a subtotal/supracervical vaginal hysterectomy. I had a laparoscopic supracervical, and the parts were removed via one of the ports. With the pre-cancer risk you have, yes, they'd opt for the vaginal removal.

The waiting on the pathology report is going to be nerve-wracking I'm sure. Mine was available at my 10-day post-op appointment. Best scenario is that it doesn't reveal anything or that all suspect tissue was removed. I'm sorry to hear about your husband's battle, too. Recovery is different for each Sister, but we're walking (short distances and slowly) when we get home, and usually we can at least make our own breakfasts & lunches if everything is in reach. It's the lifting (all of us) and pushing-pulling (most of us) restrictions we have where we need the most help.

I really like your anesthesiologist's pull-back on the no-liquids requirement. It's only my opinion, but I've always thought that was just a bit over the top for the same reason. I understand the need for an empty bladder in abdominal surgery, but patients are catheterized during surgery and dehydration seems to add further physical stress. Anyway ....

Best wishes, and see you on the other side!

You know, the surgeon told me that he would have the pathologist in the OR at arms length, and that both the pathologist and my surgeon would be running tests and examining my tissue while I was still under. If they see anything strange, they may remove lymph nodes and go from there. My surgeon is called a gynecological-oncologist and he said its a very small specialty that he went to four extra years of school for.

Hi Alphakat16 to HysterSisters!

I am do glad you found this site. I am sorry for your DH cancer diagnosis. That makes this even more difficult, but I am glad he can take care of you. Here is some information on hysterectomies and hysterectomy types.

I also had a cancer concern, and had open abdominal surgery with everything removed. For me, all was tested in the OR and all was benign. They told me when I woke up from surgery. Now, they did further testing in another lab, but my gyn onc told me he never has seen it come back any different from the original OR test.

I know this is hard, but do not get ahead of your diagnosis. Take this one step at a time and one at a time.

Regarding liquids, I was also allowed to drink clear liquids up to 3 hours before my surgery. In fact, because I am hypoglycemic my anesthesiologist wanted me to PUSH fluids, preferably clear juice. So, every doctor is different and every patient is different. What is important is to follow all the instructions to the letter. You health does depend on it.

Just know we are here for you. We will be by your side throughout this process.

I am so sorry for all that you have on your plate. You are going to do great, and I am sending positive thoughts on good news pathology-wise!! *hugs*

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphakat16 You know, the surgeon told me that he would have the pathologist in the OR at arms length, and that both the pathologist and my surgeon would be running tests and examining my tissue while I was still under. If they see anything strange, they may remove lymph nodes and go from there. My surgeon is called a gynecological-oncologist and he said its a very small specialty that he went to four extra years of school for.

Gyn oncs are definitely the way to go if there's cancer or a suspicion that cancer may be present. It's indeed a small specialty - in both Canada and the States, there are 5.5 gyn oncs per *million* women.

When tissue is removed during surgery, there's two ways to prepare it for pathological study. The traditional method involves embedding tissue in paraffin. That gives a very high resolution section (sample). However, it takes apx 24 hours for the section to be ready for study.

The other method is called "frozen section." The section's not as high resolution, but it can be prepared in minutes, while the patient is still on the table. The surgeon can use the results to make decisions on whether or not to remove more lymph nodes, etc.

After the surgery's done, everything removed is then sent for the preparation of high-resolution paraffin-embedded sections, just in case. This is the part that takes time. I didn't get my post-op pathology report until four weeks after surgery. I used the time to focus on helping myself recover instead.

Wishing you luck! :-)

The fluid thing must be growing as my anesthesiologist also said 2 hours before to stop having liquids but to wake up about 4 hours before and be sure to push 16 ounces of water. I am already a hard poke for veins even when not dehydrated and they usually have to use the dopler to find them so being dehydrated makes it even worse. I also have a handful of medications to take before surgery.