Result of cosultation today

I had an appointment today with the oncologist at Dartmouth. I am scheduled for hysterectomy next Tuesday, and I am terrified. It will be my first surgery. They will try non-invasive first, then may have to do abdominal if they find it's spread.

They also picked up some irregular heartbeats.

Dartmouth is a drive away, and I also have agoraphobia, so being away from home is difficult, too. I feel really unhinged. Any words of reassurance?

Thanks again.

Comments

  • lovemycat
    lovemycat Member Posts: 43
    consultation
    I will be praying for you and hope that they can do the non-invasive. Wish we could all be there for support but please know that we are thinking about you and will be waiting to hear from you and that you have good results. I'm so glad that you have an oncologist doing the surgery. They will take good care of you.
    Helen
  • rho
    rho Member Posts: 3
    Surgery
    Hi,
    My surgery was to be non-invasive first...and I was sure I'd wake up with a full zipper as she wanted lymph nodes too. Fortunately I had five small holes (and they took the uterus and tumor out in a bag vaginally. No external incision, five weeks today. No spread to other organs or lymph nodes; headed to chemo in a week to prevent any recurrence. Not a happy choice but the alternative could be unhappier.
  • nempark
    nempark Member Posts: 681
    Try to be calm friend
    Hysterectomy these days is a piece of cake. The worst part is when you are in the waiting room waiting for Doc to take you to Operating room. I had surgery before and couldn't wait for the anesthesia to get that sleep. when it was over I discharged my self the next day. Hope all goes well with you and hope it nothing more than what was told to you. What ever the situation is you will be okay. Love and God Bless.
  • Teamkelly
    Teamkelly Member Posts: 63
    Uterine carcinomasarcoma
    Hi, I am new, my sister in law is Kelly, I am her advocate Nicki. Kelly had surgery on Sat the 8th of September, she was in the hospital 2 days and came home yesterday she is doing great .We know she has a high grade heterologous tumor, this used to be called MMT now is called carcinomasarcoma . The doctor keeps saying she has a better than 50% survival rate, we do not have pathology from surgery yet, hopefully tomorrow. Her surgeon is gym/onc suggesting 6 doses of chemo 2 drugs ( don't have names yet). The doctor will have results tomorrow but wants us to wait 2 weeks when we come in for follow up, sent him an email this morning with list of questions, asking him to answer as soon as pathology comes in, is this standard procedure?

    We are looking at Sloan Kettering in New York (she is in California). Is anyone familiar with Dr. Marlee Hensley at SK? I have not been able to find hospital on the west coast that specializes in CS, any information is welcome.

    Bless all of you,
    Nicki
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    Teamkelly said:

    Uterine carcinomasarcoma
    Hi, I am new, my sister in law is Kelly, I am her advocate Nicki. Kelly had surgery on Sat the 8th of September, she was in the hospital 2 days and came home yesterday she is doing great .We know she has a high grade heterologous tumor, this used to be called MMT now is called carcinomasarcoma . The doctor keeps saying she has a better than 50% survival rate, we do not have pathology from surgery yet, hopefully tomorrow. Her surgeon is gym/onc suggesting 6 doses of chemo 2 drugs ( don't have names yet). The doctor will have results tomorrow but wants us to wait 2 weeks when we come in for follow up, sent him an email this morning with list of questions, asking him to answer as soon as pathology comes in, is this standard procedure?

    We are looking at Sloan Kettering in New York (she is in California). Is anyone familiar with Dr. Marlee Hensley at SK? I have not been able to find hospital on the west coast that specializes in CS, any information is welcome.

    Bless all of you,
    Nicki

    Anxiety
    I was a mess before my hysterectomy. I wasn't particularly afraid of the cancer (yes, I was), but I was mostly scared to death of the surgery. I, too, had never had surgery and just knew I wasn't going to wake up (or worse that I'd be one of "those stories" you hear about people who DO wake up - during surgery). I was also scared of the pain. I had many talks with myself about the fact that millions of women have hysterectomies every year - sometimes it helped and sometimes it didn't.

    If you're really having serious issues with anxiety, ask your surgeon if there is something you can take to help you get through this. Fear is normal, but if you're overwhelmed by it, try and get some help. There is just no reason to let the beast rule your every waking momemt when there are weapons (chemical of course) that you can use.

    Hope everything goes well with your surgery next week.
    Suzanne
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member

    Anxiety
    I was a mess before my hysterectomy. I wasn't particularly afraid of the cancer (yes, I was), but I was mostly scared to death of the surgery. I, too, had never had surgery and just knew I wasn't going to wake up (or worse that I'd be one of "those stories" you hear about people who DO wake up - during surgery). I was also scared of the pain. I had many talks with myself about the fact that millions of women have hysterectomies every year - sometimes it helped and sometimes it didn't.

    If you're really having serious issues with anxiety, ask your surgeon if there is something you can take to help you get through this. Fear is normal, but if you're overwhelmed by it, try and get some help. There is just no reason to let the beast rule your every waking momemt when there are weapons (chemical of course) that you can use.

    Hope everything goes well with your surgery next week.
    Suzanne

    Turtle
    I know you have surgery on Tuesday - rapidly approaching. I have been thinking of all your challenges and the fact that you live alone and fairly isolated.

    One suggestion to check out. The American Cancer Society has many services including a legion of volunteers to help with transportation and other things. Perhaps they can help when you return home - maybe someone to phone you, maybe bring some food. There also is an organization which will do housekeeping for people in active treatment - I believe free. ACS should be able to provide info

    some things to put in place for your future needs.

    Hugs to you. Mary Ann
  • Hannah1
    Hannah1 Member Posts: 63
    It was my first surgery too
    It was my first surgery too when I had my hysterectomy in 2004.
    I was scared but everything went well.. Stay calm and I hope everything
    goes well too. I will be praying for you. God bless and keep us inform.

    Hannah
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    Hannah1 said:

    It was my first surgery too
    It was my first surgery too when I had my hysterectomy in 2004.
    I was scared but everything went well.. Stay calm and I hope everything
    goes well too. I will be praying for you. God bless and keep us inform.

    Hannah

    Sea turtle
    Wishing you well with your surgery on Tuesday. I pray for an early stage for you. In peace and caring.
  • DoxieNLuv
    DoxieNLuv Member Posts: 6
    Robotic surgery
    I am 28 and I had a robotic assisted partial hysterectomy 5 weeks ago. I have five small incisions that are healing well. I was in tremendous pain after surgery but they manage it well with meds. I got up and walked the halls 24 hours after surgery so i went home the next day. The worst part is waiting before the surgery. I practiced guided imagery and meditations for a few months prior to my surgery. On the day of surgery I was cool as a cucumber, and was mentally prepared. There are many resources online that you can look up to start to use guided imagery. Its healthier than taking Xanax and worrying over something you cannot control. Positivity is key.
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    DoxieNLuv said:

    Robotic surgery
    I am 28 and I had a robotic assisted partial hysterectomy 5 weeks ago. I have five small incisions that are healing well. I was in tremendous pain after surgery but they manage it well with meds. I got up and walked the halls 24 hours after surgery so i went home the next day. The worst part is waiting before the surgery. I practiced guided imagery and meditations for a few months prior to my surgery. On the day of surgery I was cool as a cucumber, and was mentally prepared. There are many resources online that you can look up to start to use guided imagery. Its healthier than taking Xanax and worrying over something you cannot control. Positivity is key.

    Kudos to you Doxie. The
    Kudos to you Doxie. The mind is very powerful. I need to get back to these disciplines.
  • April
    April Member Posts: 34
    Valium
    For the first time recentl, I took a Valium before a procedure with the urologist. Two of my sisters had the procedure. One was knocked out and the other one should have been. I was urged to ask for one pill and that's all it took. I was glad I asked and the doctor was, as well. Why he didn't consider it himself, I do not know. But everything turned out well. That said, don't be afraid to ask for something to calm your nerves on the way to and from surgery. There's no need to suffer silently.
  • txtrisha55
    txtrisha55 Member Posts: 693 Member
    Praying for you today and always to you are through this
    Wishing you the best of luck today, trish
  • txtrisha55
    txtrisha55 Member Posts: 693 Member
    duplicate post

    duplicate post
  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,677 Member
    Post-op
    Welcome home, Turtle. I dont know when your discharge will be but wanted this to be waiting. I hope the surgery went well and your outcome is the best it can be. Rest, eat as well as you can, take short walks, and be gentle with yourself. The last is what my daughter told me when I fretted that I was not accomplishing anything, etc.
  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,677 Member
    ConnieSW said:

    Post-op
    Welcome home, Turtle. I dont know when your discharge will be but wanted this to be waiting. I hope the surgery went well and your outcome is the best it can be. Rest, eat as well as you can, take short walks, and be gentle with yourself. The last is what my daughter told me when I fretted that I was not accomplishing anything, etc.

    Hope you are doing ok, Turtle.
  • seaturtle
    seaturtle Member Posts: 41
    ConnieSW said:

    Hope you are doing ok, Turtle.

    Back from surgery
    Thanks, everyone.

    The surgery went well. They think they have it all.

    Lots of pain. Never had surgery before. Had to ride back the next day three hours' drive over some bumpy roads. Don't want to do that again. Ever.

    Good thing is that it's taken care of, at least they think so.

    Here is a question: I asked my primary if I could get scanned for cancer in other areas of my body. She replied that an oncologist would not do this. Why?

    I am feeling a bit better each day. The first few days were so painful. I am not taking it easy, though. I tend to be hyperactive, and sitting still is beyond me. I've learned the hard way,thought, that this time around I will pay for it if I don't slow down a little.