Mom post total hysterectomy and node dissection/questions

Ocean1
Ocean1 Member Posts: 23
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
My Mom had her hysterectomy (cesarean type incision) and lymph node dissection last Wednesday. Came home from hospital Friday. Has had lots of issues since. Seems her sciatica nerve is messed up somehow. She has not been able to sleep in bed since coming home, sleeps in a chair at night sitting up and with one of us on the couch next to her. Has anyone experienced this? Also, to be expected is a very swollen abdomen. She has been experiencing gas and bloating since she came home and last night her pain scale hit 10/10 and we called a nurse and she said to try Gas X and lots of walking and hot tea to get rid of the gas. That seems somewhat better today. Her feet and lower legs are swollen and a neighbor of hers (who is a nurse) brought us some TED hose for her to put on. Are all these issues common post surgery of this kind? She has been soooo miserable and I want to do everything I can to help her feel more comfortable. We have talked to her gyn the day after she came home and he called out Flexeril for the sciatica (we're assuming it is that). The sciatica pain only happens when she lays down, hence why she is sitting in a chair to sleep. We will be calling the doctor on Tuesday, but I am wondering if anyone out there has any advice on what we can do to help her be more comfortable. It's funny that all these other things are happening but she has not complained of pain at the incision site at all (we are keeping it nice and clean and dry to prevent infection). We will also find out the results of the lymph nodes and stuff tomorrow. We are praying the endometrial cancer had not spread outside the uterus. Again, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • norma2
    norma2 Member Posts: 479
    #2
    I slept sitting up for
    I slept sitting up for several months after my total hysterectomy. A recliner is more comfortable. You might want to encourage her to walk as much as possible as long as her doc says it is ok. Walking helps with the gas situation which can be uncomfortable.
    No carbonated drinks or foods that cause gas right now.

    If she is too uncomfortable to do much walking, although that is to be encouraged as much as possible, then have her do range of motion movements of her feet and legs. Point toe, up down, side to side. At least every 15 minutes. Keeping her moving will make her recovery easier.

    And have her cough and deep breathe with a pillow over her incision. At least once an hour. It helps get up the congestion caused by the anesthetic and expands her lungs to get more oxygen.

    Going outside at least once a day is a big help. Sit a chair in a nice comfy place help her walk to it. Make the distance a little longer each time.


    Encourage drinking lots of fluids if it is ok with her doc. Water is the best.

    Hugs to you for taking care of you Mom. And remember to do some relaxing things for yourself too, dear. Can't help her if you burn yourself out.
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #3
    Hysterectomy Issues
    Good news that mom made it thru the surgery and now the after affects. I find reading many boards that each of us has different side affects from surgery, depending on our current health before surgery and our age. I'm in early 50's and had total hysterectomy last year. If I remember correctly I slept my own bed just fine, as had some pain pills to help me sleep better. Also I'm a mover type person so I would force myself to walk thru the home and keep busy which did help the water retention issues. I will say the worst part was the incision site that was oh so painful. I'd laugh and then cry from the pain. Felt like a little old lady that couldn't stand up straight. Within 2 weeks I was straight up once more and didn't have as much pain.

    My best buddie was the pain pills to help me sleep and did take frequent naps through the day to gain my strength. Pain zaps our energy level and that's why resting is so, so important to our recovery. Keep fluids in her and as much foods as you can. Even something as simple as piece of bread with peanut butter or bowl of soup.

    Good luck at doc this week as that will tell you what or if needing treatments. I wasn't as lucky with pathology, as I had cancer in one pelvic lymph node, that's it. Did require chemo and radiation, but I made it thru it too.

    Best to you and plse come back and let us know how doc appt goes...((((( hugs )))))
    Jan
  • hopeful girl 1
    hopeful girl 1 Member Posts: 454
    #4
    Hi!
    I also experienced the
    Hi!

    I also experienced the swelling of feet and legs-post surgery I gained 26 pounds of fluid retention in those areas. My legs were like logs. It was very scarey. I wore the compression stockings that a nurse gave me. Also, my mom would massage my legs lightly 3-4 days a day and that seemed to help in my case. Check with your doctor first always.

    Good luck and healing ahead.
  • jdr5526
    jdr5526 Member Posts: 5
    #5
    hopeful girl 1 said:

    Hi!
    I also experienced the
    Hi!

    I also experienced the swelling of feet and legs-post surgery I gained 26 pounds of fluid retention in those areas. My legs were like logs. It was very scarey. I wore the compression stockings that a nurse gave me. Also, my mom would massage my legs lightly 3-4 days a day and that seemed to help in my case. Check with your doctor first always.

    Good luck and healing ahead.

    Hi girls!
    Just wanted to introduce myself. I got my diagnosis . . . endometrial adenocarcinoma and having my total hysterectomy/ ovaries done day after tomorrow. What I've learned from your comments has helped so far and eased the anxiety a bit. I can't thank you enough for sharing.

    I'll be back with questions!!!

    Janine
  • Ocean1
    Ocean1 Member Posts: 23
    #6
    jdr5526 said:

    Hi girls!
    Just wanted to introduce myself. I got my diagnosis . . . endometrial adenocarcinoma and having my total hysterectomy/ ovaries done day after tomorrow. What I've learned from your comments has helped so far and eased the anxiety a bit. I can't thank you enough for sharing.

    I'll be back with questions!!!

    Janine

    Update
    Hi Everyone. I cannot tell you how much this site has helped since I posted right after Mom's surgery. She is 10 days postop now and doing alright. Still REALLY tired. Still swollen ankles and abdomen. Wound up taking her to the doctor this past Tuesday as she had the complications over the holiday weekend and we were on the phone with the doctor twice and a nurse once to check out symptoms she was experiencing. She stepped on the scale at the doctor's office and we discovered she had gained 10 pounds (doctor said fluid from the IV fluids she received). She is walking around the house and sleeping a lot. Too tired to do much else.

    We got GREAT NEWS from the doctor as well that there was no sign of spread to the lymph nodes, so once she heals from the surgery that will be all for her. Now we just have to take good care of her and she is easing herself into doing a little bit more each day but not too much as I scold her if she does. She says I am a great nurse, secretary, housekeeper but not such a good cook.

    Again, thank you for all the support and compassion. I will show Mom this thread when she is able to sit at the computer more comfortably.

    diane
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #7
    Ocean1 said:

    Update
    Hi Everyone. I cannot tell you how much this site has helped since I posted right after Mom's surgery. She is 10 days postop now and doing alright. Still REALLY tired. Still swollen ankles and abdomen. Wound up taking her to the doctor this past Tuesday as she had the complications over the holiday weekend and we were on the phone with the doctor twice and a nurse once to check out symptoms she was experiencing. She stepped on the scale at the doctor's office and we discovered she had gained 10 pounds (doctor said fluid from the IV fluids she received). She is walking around the house and sleeping a lot. Too tired to do much else.

    We got GREAT NEWS from the doctor as well that there was no sign of spread to the lymph nodes, so once she heals from the surgery that will be all for her. Now we just have to take good care of her and she is easing herself into doing a little bit more each day but not too much as I scold her if she does. She says I am a great nurse, secretary, housekeeper but not such a good cook.

    Again, thank you for all the support and compassion. I will show Mom this thread when she is able to sit at the computer more comfortably.

    diane

    Diane good hear the good news on your Mother
    Glad you got such great news on the pathology report. That has to brighten everyone's spirit. Sorry she has so much fluid retention. Hopefully that will get better soon. The walking should help with that. Wishing her a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself, too. Being a good nurse, secretary and housekeeper are good things, 3 out of 4 is not bad! Sounds like your Mom has a sense of humor. In peace and caring.
  • Ocean1
    Ocean1 Member Posts: 23
    #8
    Ro10 said:

    Diane good hear the good news on your Mother
    Glad you got such great news on the pathology report. That has to brighten everyone's spirit. Sorry she has so much fluid retention. Hopefully that will get better soon. The walking should help with that. Wishing her a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself, too. Being a good nurse, secretary and housekeeper are good things, 3 out of 4 is not bad! Sounds like your Mom has a sense of humor. In peace and caring.

    Mom had more news and now me with questions
    Hi All. Mom is doing okay. We can now see her ankles again so the swelling is down in her feet but still swollen abdomen and painful abdominal muscles. She got a call from her gynecologist this afternoon saying that the tissue they had sent out for further pathology showed it on the cervix as well. I'm wondering if this will change from just the surgery being all she needs to now having to have chemo or radiation since it was endometrial cancer and cervical cancer. I was not expecting this news. I'm downplaying my worry to her as she is healing and I don't want her worrying (I'll do the worrying for both of us). Does this change the staging of the cancer? Is there any advice you all have or questions I should take with us when we see the gyn/onc for her followup? Anything at all would be helpful. I am so grateful to have found this site. It has been a lifesaver for me to be able to come here and ask questions on behalf of my Mom. I've been doing a lot of reading on here.

    Diane
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #9
    Ocean1 said:

    Mom had more news and now me with questions
    Hi All. Mom is doing okay. We can now see her ankles again so the swelling is down in her feet but still swollen abdomen and painful abdominal muscles. She got a call from her gynecologist this afternoon saying that the tissue they had sent out for further pathology showed it on the cervix as well. I'm wondering if this will change from just the surgery being all she needs to now having to have chemo or radiation since it was endometrial cancer and cervical cancer. I was not expecting this news. I'm downplaying my worry to her as she is healing and I don't want her worrying (I'll do the worrying for both of us). Does this change the staging of the cancer? Is there any advice you all have or questions I should take with us when we see the gyn/onc for her followup? Anything at all would be helpful. I am so grateful to have found this site. It has been a lifesaver for me to be able to come here and ask questions on behalf of my Mom. I've been doing a lot of reading on here.

    Diane

    Diane
    Wow such as change in news. I know after my hysterectomy I heard nothing for almost 2 weeks waiting for the pathology report. They had the full report of all samples of lymph nodes, parts taken out, fluids sampled. I received one call from all the samples, as found out of 25 nodes removed only found cancer in 1 node (pelvic). I had 6 chemo and 33 radiation since it had moved from the uterus. Without spreading outside of uterus, I would have required NO treatments.

    Did your doc not wait until all reports were in before telling you? If you look at the staging for uterine, it does increase when it has spread. Your doc can comment on her having treatments or not as I'm not the expert.

    Best to you and yes I'd keep this to yourself and she might not need treatments. Why even mention it at this point, until you've spoken to he doc.

    Jan

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