Just in wait zone

Gildedrose

first, i want to thank all, esp ‘it happened to me “ for the exc advice, particularly not getting ahead of things.  I‘ve seen the Gyn Onc, had thorough exams, more tests, and more to go.  The biopsy put cancer at grade 1, but gyn onc said “let’s hope it is”.  I have a lot of pelvic pain and pressure, they noted a tumor they could see from vagina, and i have pain in lymph node areas in various places, but no swelling they could feel and no lumps in breast that they could feel.  (Gyn onc and residentj.  Surgery will be in July.  It will be abdominal inci radical historectomy and “anything i see that needs to go”.  Because of the mess my last surgery left internally, he said that they likely will need to cut through small intestines to get to the uterus and other parts, then repair intestines on way out.  The sorta good news is they may fix the hernia while there.  He expects surgery to last 6 to 8 hours.  At this point I am more concerned about the surgery than the cancer.  There will be time for that afterwards.  I am prepared to hear bad news, but not fixated on it, just being realistic.  The hardest part is now having to wait so long. (It seems long anyway).  i just needed to tell someone today.  Any input or further suggestions welcomed.  God Bless.

SF73

That sounds like a great plan

That sounds like a great plan. Best of luck Gildedrose. 

EZLiving66

Waiting is tough especially

Waiting is tough especially if you're in pain.  I was lucky since my surgery was done within a few weeks of the biopsy and, I was able to have it done with the DiVinci robot. Best of luck to you!!

Love,

Eldri

Gildedrose

Surgery moved up

I got a call today that surgery has been moved up 5 weeks to june 14, so that at least is encouraging .  Also the second surgeon is one that has treated me prev for some post-op complications and I really liked her.  Feeling a bit more positive.

Northwoodsgirl

Gildedro

Glad to hear your surgery date has been moved up. You will have less time to ruminate or dwell on all the possibilities. In preparation for surgery you will have time to get some things done that you won’t be able to do during your recovery. Buy yourself a comfy pj set or buy yoga pants and cute top. Also get a bra that is stretchy and can be put on easily. All this unsolicited advice may be helpful as you have a lot on your mind....Take care and keep us posted! 

Lori

It happened to Me

Make sure you have a pillow

For your ride home from the hospital.  Also, keep it handy in case you sneeze or cough.  When I had my hysterectomy, I had to pee, pass gas and walk some before they would let me go home.  

Glad your surgery is moved up.  That helps with the mental stuff.  I was actually ready for surgery because I wanted the cancer out of my body as quick as I could and get the ball rolling on pathology and treatment.  Wanted to know what I was dealing with.  Take the pain meds as directed and don't let the pain get ahead of you.

Wishing you well.

Jeanette

MugsBugs

Buy a Belly Binder

Someone advised this on this forum before I had my surgery in January and it turned out to be really useful.  I bought mine off of Amazon and it worked great.  It made me feel more secure when walking around or going up and down stairs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AW5HKY6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Gildedrose

MugsBugs said:

Buy a Belly Binder

Someone advised this on this forum before I had my surgery in January and it turned out to be really useful.  I bought mine off of Amazon and it worked great.  It made me feel more secure when walking around or going up and down stairs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AW5HKY6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bought one last week!

thanks...i had seen that on here, and bought one...i am using it now, too, it helps the abdominal hernia.  Great advice!

Gildedrose

It happened to Me said:

Make sure you have a pillow

For your ride home from the hospital.  Also, keep it handy in case you sneeze or cough.  When I had my hysterectomy, I had to pee, pass gas and walk some before they would let me go home.  

Glad your surgery is moved up.  That helps with the mental stuff.  I was actually ready for surgery because I wanted the cancer out of my body as quick as I could and get the ball rolling on pathology and treatment.  Wanted to know what I was dealing with.  Take the pain meds as directed and don't let the pain get ahead of you.

Wishing you well.

Jeanette

Wow, would not have thought of that!

Thank you so much for the suggestion, will definitely take the pillow.  I am expecting to be in hospital a week or more because they are doing so much.  I, too, want to get it over with.  Any sugee for how to get into a large pickup as painlessly as possible?  I am going to ask my daughter about getting a stool and hope that is manageable.  I might even pay for them to rent a car to come take me home (hour ride from hospital).

Gildedrose

Northwoodsgirl said:

Gildedro

Glad to hear your surgery date has been moved up. You will have less time to ruminate or dwell on all the possibilities. In preparation for surgery you will have time to get some things done that you won’t be able to do during your recovery. Buy yourself a comfy pj set or buy yoga pants and cute top. Also get a bra that is stretchy and can be put on easily. All this unsolicited advice may be helpful as you have a lot on your mind....Take care and keep us posted! 

Lori

Appreciate the advice

I wear caftans at home, and got the stretchy bras last surgery - great ideas!  and yes, i’ve been making preparations (like groomng my dog) so they are done.  Fortunately, I live with my daughter, son in law and 12 year old grandson, so I don’t have to worry about housework, cooking, etc and have help as needed.  I did splurge on a new robe and slippers in a bright color.  Thanks for advice.

MugsBugs

Gildedrose said:

Wow, would not have thought of that!

Thank you so much for the suggestion, will definitely take the pillow.  I am expecting to be in hospital a week or more because they are doing so much.  I, too, want to get it over with.  Any sugee for how to get into a large pickup as painlessly as possible?  I am going to ask my daughter about getting a stool and hope that is manageable.  I might even pay for them to rent a car to come take me home (hour ride from hospital).

Came home in SUV

I came home in an Ford Explorer without runnerboards and it wasn't too bad.  I wore the bellybinder home (floppy dress) and the pillow advise helped tremendously.  It might even be harder getting into a car because you have bend further down.  The pillow also helped with bumps.  It was a 45 minute drive home in rush hour traffic.  I wore dresses for the first month.  Even now (4 months later) some jeans rub the scars wrong.  Now it is more of an annoyance than real pain.

 

Good luck to you!

cmb

Getting out of bed

I live alone and did not receive any instructions from the nurses about how to get out of bed after surgery (nor did I think to ask – my bad). So I went online when I got back home and found this video that was very helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heEvgDc4w90

You may not need this if someone is always around to help, but I'm passing it along - just in case.

Abbycat2

Good advice from the ladies!

---

It happened to Me- Jeanette - gave you especially great advice. I was in agony on my way home from the hospital. I wish I had a pillow to hold against my abdomen to hold everything in place. Every bump on the road hurt like the dickings! And the gas-OMG- I thought I would float away in a balloon!!! Or bust!!! 

Gildedrose

MugsBugs said:

Came home in SUV

I came home in an Ford Explorer without runnerboards and it wasn't too bad.  I wore the bellybinder home (floppy dress) and the pillow advise helped tremendously.  It might even be harder getting into a car because you have bend further down.  The pillow also helped with bumps.  It was a 45 minute drive home in rush hour traffic.  I wore dresses for the first month.  Even now (4 months later) some jeans rub the scars wrong.  Now it is more of an annoyance than real pain.

 

Good luck to you!

Thanks!

since I am tall, a car could indeed be more difficult.  I have trouble getting n the truck even now, but a step stool might help.  I had abdominal surgery a year ago with 3” incision from pubic bone up and another 7” incision from navel up, so I am anticipating a similar pain and discomfort.  Since I already wear caftans at home because of previous medical issues, that works ... and i might even have to swall my pride and wear one to early doctor appts.  Thanks for sharing your experience, it helps.

Gildedrose

Great advice indeed

Thanks to all, great advice.  I bought a special fun pillow to use, i believe in putting joy into every moment i can. And thanks cmb for the vid link - i will have help at home, but also try to be as independent as possible.

derMaus

Gildedrose said:

Thanks!

since I am tall, a car could indeed be more difficult.  I have trouble getting n the truck even now, but a step stool might help.  I had abdominal surgery a year ago with 3” incision from pubic bone up and another 7” incision from navel up, so I am anticipating a similar pain and discomfort.  Since I already wear caftans at home because of previous medical issues, that works ... and i might even have to swall my pride and wear one to early doctor appts.  Thanks for sharing your experience, it helps.

Japanese buckwheat pillow

I have a small buckwheat pillow that I got at a local Japanese market. It held me together better than anything else since it's both heavy and super flexible. You can buy them on Amazon, too. It was my preferred sneeze/cough pillow for months after surgery.

Gildedrose

derMaus said:

Japanese buckwheat pillow

I have a small buckwheat pillow that I got at a local Japanese market. It held me together better than anything else since it's both heavy and super flexible. You can buy them on Amazon, too. It was my preferred sneeze/cough pillow for months after surgery.

I can see where the weight would be helpful!

 I will have to see if I can fnd a non-organic replacement I can put in one.  (Grandson has severe allergies to so much - including rice, barley buckwheat, oats, and much morej.  Thanks for the idea!

pinky104

Abbycat2 said:

Good advice from the ladies!

---

It happened to Me- Jeanette - gave you especially great advice. I was in agony on my way home from the hospital. I wish I had a pillow to hold against my abdomen to hold everything in place. Every bump on the road hurt like the dickings! And the gas-OMG- I thought I would float away in a balloon!!! Or bust!!! 

In Agreement

Abbycat, I'll second what you wrote.  There were some heavily travelled state and federal highways on my way home from the hospital.  I wanted to write my legislators to tell them just how bad travelling through all those potholes felt with a 14" incision up my belly. I had to keep yelling at my husband to slow down as I was in agony, and I'm sure he had no clue how bad it was for me. There are several hospitals in that area, and most of the roads still haven't been fixed since my first surgery 8 years ago. I hate to think how many people suffered there.  

MugsBugs

Abbycat2 said:

Good advice from the ladies!

---

It happened to Me- Jeanette - gave you especially great advice. I was in agony on my way home from the hospital. I wish I had a pillow to hold against my abdomen to hold everything in place. Every bump on the road hurt like the dickings! And the gas-OMG- I thought I would float away in a balloon!!! Or bust!!! 

GasX - I forgot

I read about GasX before my surgery!  I took GasX, pillow and belly binder with me to the hospital.  Without this forum I would never have thought about these things and they made the journey so much easier!