Yesterday at ER

jane65
jane65 Member Posts: 277
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I had another attack yesterday AM, excruciating pain in the entire abdomen, NV, sweats. I went to the ER and had blood work and a CT scan done.

The result is that it's my 2 hernias causing these attacks, one of them pops out next to the navel and is hard and the size of a golf ball. It takes time for it to reduce back to where it should be.

So, Tuesday I'll call my doctor and get the name of a surgeon and finally get them taken care of before they become a serious problem.

My oncologist had said that when I was on chemo, he couldn't clear me for surgery because we couldn't stop chemo for surgery and recovery time, and my body couldn't withstand the additional trauma. Now is a good time since I'm on a chemo break.

If anyone has had hernia surgery, I'd like to hear if you had it open abdomen, or lap. and how long was your recovery time?

It's always something.

Enjoy the cool fall day!
Jane

Comments

  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    #2
    I have had hernia Surgery
    It was a piece of cake. In fact, when they went in they found 2 hernias, a direct and an indirect. It was an outpatient procedure. They went in laproscopically and the only hard part was the anasthesia and having to pee befoer they would let me go home. It took me 2 damn hours of drinking water and then finally I put my hands under hot water and there it came!! In fact, the path they put the scope bothered me more than anything else. I didn't need any pain meds either...Compared to what you have been through it should be a piece of cake. Hope this helps. Keep us posted.
  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #3
    Lisa13Q said:

    I have had hernia Surgery
    It was a piece of cake. In fact, when they went in they found 2 hernias, a direct and an indirect. It was an outpatient procedure. They went in laproscopically and the only hard part was the anasthesia and having to pee befoer they would let me go home. It took me 2 damn hours of drinking water and then finally I put my hands under hot water and there it came!! In fact, the path they put the scope bothered me more than anything else. I didn't need any pain meds either...Compared to what you have been through it should be a piece of cake. Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

    thanks
    Thanks Lisa,
    I know it has to be done, but obviously I'm nervous about the surgery.

    Did you have a local or were you asleep?


    I appreciate your info. and I'm glad you had a relatively easy time.

    How long was your recovery?
    Jane
  • MichaelaMarie
    MichaelaMarie Member Posts: 163
    #4
    jane65 said:

    thanks
    Thanks Lisa,
    I know it has to be done, but obviously I'm nervous about the surgery.

    Did you have a local or were you asleep?


    I appreciate your info. and I'm glad you had a relatively easy time.

    How long was your recovery?
    Jane

    Hernia surgery
    Hi Jane,

    Sorry you have to have the hernia surgery. I had surgery for 5 incisional hernias about 3 1/2 years ago. They opened the original scar, which I think caused a longer healing time for me. Because it was also a "look and see" surgery for more cancer, I was put under general anethesia, which I hate. The only post surgery pain I really had was getting in and out of bed and turning in bed, other than that I was pretty much pain-free.

    Does anyone know why there seems to be such a high incidence of hernias with we ovarian cancer girls? I've rarely heard of it with other family members and friends that have had other types of surgeries.

    My total recovery time was several months, and by that I mean really feeling back to normal. However, I had to start back on chemo within a couple of weeks, so I'm sure I felt lousy from the chemo too.

    Hope all goes well for you. Keep us posted. Hugs, MM
  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    #5
    jane65 said:

    thanks
    Thanks Lisa,
    I know it has to be done, but obviously I'm nervous about the surgery.

    Did you have a local or were you asleep?


    I appreciate your info. and I'm glad you had a relatively easy time.

    How long was your recovery?
    Jane

    My hernia surgery
    Jane, I was asleep and that was the biggest pain. For whatever reason it took me 3 days to get out of the anasthesia hangover. I had never had surgery and really hated that part. Other than that, turning in bed and getting in and out of bed were a bit sore, but easily tolerable. The hernia repair itself felt better immediately. My recovery was pretty quick. I was back to swimming within 2 weeks. Keep in mind though, I did not have chemo. I was 35 years old and in pretty good shape. The other soreness that bothered me for awhile was that I could feel where he put the damn scope. I don't think surgeons are very gentle. But again it was sore, not painful. So overall, except for the anasthesia, it wasn't bad. You won't be able to lift things for awhile, but that didn't bother me at all. Ask them if they are doing it orthoscopically. If so, it's a reasonable procedure.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #6
    add me to the list
    Hi Jane, I had the surgery back in 2005 and like MM did a sls at the same time so the same long incision. They also tried to sew a lymphocele open that was pressing on my bladder but that didn't work ~ came right back. Seems pretty common for ovarian to get hernias.

    Michaela the reason is the chemo that follows doesn't allow the incisions to heal as well. The Docs should tell you that so you wait longer to start lifting and pulling so it gives it time to heal properly, I think that would help alot.

    Hugs ♥ Prayers bonnie
  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #7
    BonnieR said:

    add me to the list
    Hi Jane, I had the surgery back in 2005 and like MM did a sls at the same time so the same long incision. They also tried to sew a lymphocele open that was pressing on my bladder but that didn't work ~ came right back. Seems pretty common for ovarian to get hernias.

    Michaela the reason is the chemo that follows doesn't allow the incisions to heal as well. The Docs should tell you that so you wait longer to start lifting and pulling so it gives it time to heal properly, I think that would help alot.

    Hugs ♥ Prayers bonnie

    Michaela, Lisa and Bonnie
    Thanks for your responses ladies, this coming Monday I'm seeing my Oncologist to go over the CT scan and discuss surgery.
    I know that this has to be done, I can't take a chance on the hernias strangling.
    Everyone says that laparoscopic surgery with a mesh insert is what he'll probably do, and that it's a one day surgery.

    My belly is quite chubby and I hope that doesn't affect recovery.

    Feel good ladies,
    Jane
  • bluerose
    bluerose Member Posts: 1,104
    #8
    Hey Jane
    What you are going through must be agonizing. I so understand 'if it's not one thing it's another'. I have never had a hernia so can't offer you any answers to your questions but just wanted to let you know that my prayers are with you. Take care. Blessings, Bluerose
  • longingforhope
    longingforhope Member Posts: 60
    #9
    Hub just had abdominal hernia surgery
    Jane,
    \
    My husband has stage 3 malignant melanoma that has matastisized. The end of July he was finally able to have hernia surgery, his naval had completely popped out and was about to rupture. He had a rough first week since they had to make an 8 inch incision and remove his naval but he went home that day.

    He has to wear a girdle type device for awhile but it helps with the pain and he lost 20 lbs instantly and felt relief. The last month before surgery he was miserable. Chemo and Rad won't work on his melanoma so he is taking a year of Interferon shots 3 times a week. He had to stop treatment for a week then resumed it and seems to be doing fine, just sore.

    So when the Dr. gives you the green light have it done. You will have instant relief.

    Take care and God Bless

    Melissa
  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #10
    BonnieR said:

    add me to the list
    Hi Jane, I had the surgery back in 2005 and like MM did a sls at the same time so the same long incision. They also tried to sew a lymphocele open that was pressing on my bladder but that didn't work ~ came right back. Seems pretty common for ovarian to get hernias.

    Michaela the reason is the chemo that follows doesn't allow the incisions to heal as well. The Docs should tell you that so you wait longer to start lifting and pulling so it gives it time to heal properly, I think that would help alot.

    Hugs ♥ Prayers bonnie

    everyone
    Thanks ladies,
    I don't feel as nervous now, and I appreciate your relating your experiences.

    Jane
  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #11
    bluerose said:

    Hey Jane
    What you are going through must be agonizing. I so understand 'if it's not one thing it's another'. I have never had a hernia so can't offer you any answers to your questions but just wanted to let you know that my prayers are with you. Take care. Blessings, Bluerose

    bluerose
    Hi kiddo,
    What's going on with you at this point? I find your situation so aggravating and I wish our President could see what you've been going through to get tested, treated, and back to good health.

    The pain was agonizing, and I'm looking forward to getting the problem resolved and never having to deal with it again.
    I'll know more this coming Monday.

    I appreciate your good wishes, and prayers, you have mine as well.

    Hang in there!
    Jane
  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #12
    longingforhope said:

    Hub just had abdominal hernia surgery
    Jane,
    \
    My husband has stage 3 malignant melanoma that has matastisized. The end of July he was finally able to have hernia surgery, his naval had completely popped out and was about to rupture. He had a rough first week since they had to make an 8 inch incision and remove his naval but he went home that day.

    He has to wear a girdle type device for awhile but it helps with the pain and he lost 20 lbs instantly and felt relief. The last month before surgery he was miserable. Chemo and Rad won't work on his melanoma so he is taking a year of Interferon shots 3 times a week. He had to stop treatment for a week then resumed it and seems to be doing fine, just sore.

    So when the Dr. gives you the green light have it done. You will have instant relief.

    Take care and God Bless

    Melissa

    Melissa
    Hi,
    Thanks for your reply, I've been off chemo for a couple of months so I'm hoping for an uneventful recovery.

    I'm sorry to hear about your hubby, it sounds like he's really had a rough time, and of course you have too.

    I hope things go more smoothly for him, and he has good health in the future.
    Keep us posted, we care about the spouses, too.
    Jane

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