fourthtimer's Cancer Blog

ugh! I feel for you. Since I haven’t had a historectomy I don’t have much advice on the subject, other than to let you know we are here for you. Try to keep busy so you keep your mind off of it, better said than done, I know. I am sure they will give you some good drugs to make it all easier. I will be thinking of you, please keep us updated on how it all goes.

Posted on March 11, 2007 at 5:57:16 PM by jill

I’ve had a hysterectomy. I was about your age, and they left my ovaries. The hysterectomy was viginal. Of course there is recovery time, but I loved it!
When they remove your ovaries, it will push you into menopause. Ask your doctor about how she can help you through that. I’m on a pill that rips all estrogen out of my body for my breast cancer, and the doctor put me on an antidepressent that really helps with the hot flashes. I always wear sleeveless tops and a sweater over them. When I feel hot, I remove the sweater. When I feel cool, I put it back on.
My twin had her ovaries out a year after her histerectomy. It was tough getting adjusted. It takes time, but you eventually do get adjusted.
I don’t think it’ll be as bad as you think. You can do it!
Hugs!

Posted on March 11, 2007 at 9:19:43 PM by kleebeck

After rereading what you wrote, I’ll try to add some things. How do you feel? Your stomach will be sore. You will need time to heal. Drugs? They gave me pain pills. About a week after my surgery, I felt so good I decided to stop the pills. That’s when I found out I felt good because of the pills and started taking them again.
You must rest. Don’t try to do too much. I had a nurse who said she went back to work three weeks after her hysterecotomy. She said it was a mistake. She paid for it later. They tell you to rest six weeks, and they mean it.
Be sure to tell the doctors of your problems with alcohol. They will be better able to prescribe pain pills that will work. The biggest problem will be the change in hormones, but your doctor will work with you, and you will get it under control.
Hugs!

Posted on March 11, 2007 at 9:27:40 PM by kleebeck

Hey there…
I had a total abdominal hysterectomy, including ovaries, 6 weeks ago (today!) and I’m doing great. I’m only 31, so I was completely freaked out in the preceding days. It was soooo much easier than I thought. I thought I would wake up with 2 heads or something, but honestly I didn’t feel any different. The hot flashes have some on gradually since then, but I’m going to start a natural hrt soon to help with that.
I was really sore for 2 days, but after that I only needed tylenol! But take their advice seriously, don’t do too much or it’ll come back and bite you in the ass (ok, belly). Drink a lot of water starting now up until they say no more food or drink, it’ll help your body deal with the anesthesia. And just try to relax your mind and tell your body it’s going to be ok. I really think a positive, relaxed state of mind helps more than anything.

Have you checked out the website hystersisters?? www.hystersisters.com There’s a plethora of information there that helped me a TON.

When I was in the hospital (4 days) I signed up for everything possible…pet therapy, massage therapy, music therapy…it was all free through the oncology department, have someone ask the nurses the second you get into your room. It gave me something other than crappy hospital food to look forward to. I also had a dvd player in my room….if you don’t, think about renting one for a few days, or bring a lap-top with one if you have it. Silly, mindless movies really take your mind off of things. Other things I couldn’t live without; bottled water with a sports top (don’t have to sit up to drink!), mp3 player with soothing music, my own pillow and nice blanket, bathrobe, slippers, cell phone, those disposable face cleaning cloths you don’t need water for (nice to be able to at least wash your face when you can’t get out of bed), stretchy comfortable underwear, a must.

Don’t be afraid…it wasn’t so bad…give yourself a vacation for the next 2 months!

: )
Tanya

Posted on March 12, 2007 at 7:25:59 AM by tanya

Best of luck to you, this type of surgery is done daily and I’m sure you’ll do just fine. I’ll keep you in my prayers, I know that it’s nerve wracking. I didn’t personally have this exact surgery done, just one ovary taken out. The soreness is bearable as long as you have your pain pills distributed on a timely basis not to mention that morphine pump is like a mini-goddess for the first day after surgery. You’ll be asleep and wake up in the recovery room in what seems to be a matter of minutes. The rest is just you listening to the doctors/nurses and following their guidelines to the best of your ability and wait to heal up.

Take care and stay strong.
Gem

Posted on March 12, 2007 at 10:09:36 AM by gemmag

Hi there it has been to long ago. But everyone has said it all.

Just wanted you to know I will be here if you need me.

sherri

“We need to take care of each other”

Posted on March 29, 2007 at 8:50:10 PM by karlak