SCARIED OF SURGURY

mopar said:

DON'T BE AFRAID
What kind of surgery are you having? I'll assume it will be a full hysterectomy, possibly with the removal of the omentum and a few lymph nodes, as was my surgery.

First of all, I hope you have a gynecologic oncologist. I'm sorry if you've posted before and have given details and I didn't see it or don't remember. Anyway, our fears usually arise from what we don't know or understand. As your doctor, or contact his nurse/physician assistant and ask all the questions you want and need.

Prep usually consists of fasting for a day or two (mine was three days), laxatives and/or enemas. You can ask possibly for a relaxant for the night before to help ease the anxiety. Once admitted, they will start an IV. And that will also include something to relax you. You will go into the operating room and before you know it you'll be back in recovery. I don't even recall being wheeled in to the OR, and the next thing I knew I was in my room with my husband and mom. I had a pain pump, which allowed me to press a button if I felt any pain. I had those things on my legs (don't remember what they are called) which inflated every so often to promote circulation in the legs and prevent clots. I also had a cathetar, to avoid getting up to go to the bathroom. It was removed about 24 hours later. I had to be up and around (slowly by surely) the next day. It aides in healing, helps you to get the anesthesia out of your system, and provides good blood circulation. It also enables that 'gassiness' to work out of your system. They will want to be sure you are urinating well on your own. My doctor is very strict on keeping your intestinal system working minimally, so I didn't eat or drink anything for another 5 days. So that was 7 days total with no food or water (the IV provided fluids).

My first surgery was the bikini cut. They removed staples about 6 days later. Regarding pain, I do have a high tolerance. But I was concerned a little about internal pain as well. I must tell you that I feel I did remarkably well. There was virtually no pain, very minimal at best. I was able to walk slowly around the halls and it really made a difference in my healing. You will start with liquids, puddings, etc., and eventually be back on a regular diet. You'll be avoiding gassy foods and beverages for a while.

I was told to allow 6 weeks for recovery. I actually went back to work after 5. Of course, I did have to have chemo which is another issue. But please let us know how you are doing. And if there's anything else we can help with, give a holler!

Till then, sending lots of prayers and hugs your way. You will be okay.

Monika

Karen1418 said:

Surgery
Hi tomcat 57,

I had two breast lumpectomies, a partial hysterectomy and debulking surgery in July of 2007. I was very uncomfortable for the first three days, but pain medicine got me through. By the time I went home on day 5, I was doing fine. I remember having to sleep on my back with my head elevated for two weeks or so, but I used very little pain medication and was able to move around as normal, although slowly. Three months later they finished the hysterectomy. That time I was rolling back and forth in bed from day 1, and went home on the third day.

What about chemo was painful for you? I was fortunate to have very little in the way of side effects.

I will be praying for you. You can do it!

Love, Karen

lnyeholt said:

Speak up with concerns and ask questions!
Hi Tomcat:

The key to the whole thing is PAIN MANAGEMENT. I was told by my nurse that the time to administer more pain med is when it's at a 4 - 6 on a scale of 10 being the worst. If you get much past that, it's really difficult to bring it back under control. If the pain meds you are given aren't helping, ask to discuss what the next step is. Also ask about possible side effects. I was eventually switched to 2 Darvoset every four hours. I was having some extremely weird, psychedelic, scary dreams but backing down to 1 every six took care of the problem and controlled my pain just fine!

You are preparing for a full surgery and should probably be well prepared and complications should be minimal or non-existent. If you let your nursing staff know what you need they are there to provide it. Discuss your concerns about pain tolerance in advance with not only your doctor and/or surgeon but also the anesthesiologist and your nursing staff. If you have any discomfort (headache, nausea, anxiety, etc.) prior to surgery be sure to mention this when you meet with the anesthesiologist as s/he can usually give you something for those symptoms prior to surgery. As for the surgery itsself, your are usually asleep before you get to the operating room and don't wake up until itls all over and you're in your bed with a pain pump and nurses to check on your needs nearby!

The following is not to scare you, but to reassure you that even under inadequate preparation the surgery and subsequent pain involved is managable. In March I went in for a laparoscopic hysterectomy to relieve the symptoms of fibroids. The only prep was no food or liquids after midnight and I was expecting to wake with three small incisions, return home the next day and be back on my feet in a week, return to work in 4 weeks. Instead, I woke up with an unanticipated diagnosis of ovarian cancer and a 6-inch vertical incision. Not optimal. PLUS my respiration was too low for them to give me ANY pain meds - fortunately; I was still so full of anesthesia I kept drifting back out until I finally woke with a pain pump. If not a worst-case scenario, pretty close. I was not prepared in any way for such major surgery and I did fine with both pain management and recovery.

The suggestions above from people who had a more normal experience with this than I did are all very valid: walk as much as you are capable of, drink lots of fluids, be careful with your diet, follow your doctor's recommendations and make your needs and concerns known to your health care providers. Don't be afraid to speak up and ask questions.

Wishing you the best on the 24th!

Lyn