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Original poster

Hysterectomies - advice and hand holding over here PART FOUR

206 replies

AtSea1979 · 10/07/2014 07:59

New Thread...
Over here for the hand holding

One in five women in the uk will have to have a hysterectomy at some point in their lives

Come and join us if you are waiting, pre-op, bleery eyed on the ward or recovering afterwards or just need a bit of advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
AtSea1979 · 13/07/2014 23:04

I haven't been given HRT, I was told 'go see your go if u feel like taking it'. I'm 34 and quite confused by it all.

OP posts:
ScarlettOHorror · 13/07/2014 23:17

Nothing, I wasn't offered any and didn't ask as he'd just told me about my cancerous ovary so all my questions went out of my head. Feeling ok so far, I took cipralex for pmt and have just carried on with that as it helps with hot flushes.

TheOriginalNutcracker · 13/07/2014 23:27

Atsea - I was told that if i don't take it for the next 20yrs I will end up a cripple. I'm 36 btw.

I have to take one that can help prevent endo returning for a year and then swap to another.

JennyOnTheBlocks · 14/07/2014 07:07

I'm 47 in a couple of weeks and was well into hot flush and terrible mood swings for months before my op, so GP had already mentioned hrt anyway.

You only NEED to take it if both your ovaries have been removed, if you still have at least one then it's a wait and see job.

I'm taking Elleste I think it's called. Packet is downstairs, I'm in bed.

Having an easy day today after a pretty full-on weekend.

Good luck, AtSea. They won't go poking about unless it's complete necessary, my lovely x

Original poster
AtSea1979 · 14/07/2014 07:57

I had both my ovaries removed and my consultant told me if I need HRT until I'm 50 but if I take it for more than 5 years I'm at risk of breast cancer but if I don't take it I'm at risk of osteoporosis, she then said it need to think about it and chose which one. Then I never saw her before discharge and registrar who discharged me said there's no follow up and if I feel like HRT then go to GP.

OP posts:
JennyOnTheBlocks · 14/07/2014 09:05

Your age and length of time you'd need to take it would impact on side effects, but would early breast screening be available to you?

I'm lucky enough to be part of a trial whereby younger women are being invited for screening, but I'm only younger by 3 years.
I think in your situation I'd go and have a good chat with an enlightened GP, talk through all the options and make an informed choice after that?

More urgently though, good luck with your appt today, fingers crossed for you

notapizzaeater · 14/07/2014 09:07

Think I'll go and see my GP when I can drive, I'm 47 and had both ovaries removed and until this had no symptoms of menopause at all. (Mum was early 50's)

Good luck atsea x

TheOriginalNutcracker · 14/07/2014 17:48

My consultant told me that women who take hrt at my age are at no greater risk of breast cancer. The risk only starts when you get to normal menopausal age.

I've not been offered early breast screening.

Original poster
AtSea1979 · 14/07/2014 19:41

Rang ward who said I can't go to clinic today after all because it's now been over a week since last seen. So need to go GP and get re-referred, no one told me this when I rang them last Wednesday. GP had no slots left today after I rang ward after 10am as instructed. No transport now, DP was off work this afternoon to take me :(

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 14/07/2014 20:17

Aww that's crap Atsea - hope you get sorted tomorrow.

JennyOnTheBlocks · 14/07/2014 20:33

If I were you I'd call OOH or even A&E

This has been going on too long

notapizzaeater · 15/07/2014 10:02

Hope the doctors helped atsea.

I've got an enforced lazy day, DH dropped DS at school at 8.45 then headed off to work. School rang at 9 to say DS thrown up can I collect him. Err no, I can't drive. Quick ring round and friend collected him so we are just chilling. He's fine now, he's like me once it's out he's back to normal. Just hope I don't get it, don't fancy the idea of running to the loo and the retching.

Original poster
AtSea1979 · 15/07/2014 21:15

I drove for first time this morning. 2.5 wks post op. Had a job interview, it's was less than 5 mins in the car and I drive an automatic so decided to go for it. Interview was awful but that aside I didn't 'feel ready' to be driving so I will give it another week or so and see how I feel then.

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 15/07/2014 22:08

Ooh that's brave atsea, I don't feel nowhere ready. Finger crossed for it. Has the bleeding stopped ?

I'm walking to my village school tomorrow (where I work) as it's sports day, one of my friends is bringing me home as it's about 1/4 mile steep uphill on way back.

JennyOnTheBlocks · 15/07/2014 22:51

Take your walk really slowly, notapizza

And a cushion to rest over your lap and lean on once you get there.

I'm walking at my normal fast pace now, and able to give our lovely dog a full half hour walk midday. The meadows they've left to grow in the woods smell divine, like almonds, and look so quintessential. A real feel good factor.

I called the sports centre today about pilates classes. I don't normally go for formal/organised things like that, but I feel I'd benefit from professional guidance before getting back to running.

My body feels flabby and sluggish, my mind is ready for exercise again but really wary of starting back too soon.

Original poster
AtSea1979 · 16/07/2014 06:00

Mine was laprascopic so was told there was no rules on driving. Having said that, I'm always 'over doing' things. Not good at sitting still I keep getting up and wandering round the house tidying.
Touch wood - bleed has gone back to how it was, I am trying hard to take it easy and rest, I know I've over done it because it gets heavier but much lighter even than 24 hours ago.
Didn't go to GP because of transport really. I find the thought of walking and getting a bus jeopardising my health rather than helpful.
Good luck on your walk to the school Pizza, great idea about the cushion.

OP posts:
marymoocow · 16/07/2014 11:10

OK everyone. Today is the day where I have given myself a good talking to and a kick up the bum. 8 weeks post op, now time to stop feeling sorry for myself! Have been for a brisk 20 minute walk already this morning (not one normally into exercise so this is quite good for me) and feeling good. Now to tackle the house, less enthusiastic about thatGrin . Just posting this so that hopefully I will keep it upConfused .

JennyOnTheBlocks · 16/07/2014 11:15

be careful, mary

it's still early days - if you'd had your leg in a cast you would be offered physio and given exercises to get back to your previous fitness, internal healing should be given the same treatment.

walking is brilliant exercise, i'm doing at half an hour a day now. was going to make some scones and then go for my walk, but it looks like i'll have to go out sooner as not got enough eggs [pissed off face]

Original poster
AtSea1979 · 16/07/2014 11:41

I've ran out of milk. I'm just weighing up whether to live on water until DP gets back at 5:30 or to take the car up the road and back. Usually have a brew every hour or so these days!

OP posts:
psychicpaper · 16/07/2014 11:45

Hi Ladies

DM is having this op this afternoon.

What can I do to support her? Have so far signed her up for netflix as she doesnt do daytime tv.

Thanks,
Psychic

JennyOnTheBlocks · 16/07/2014 12:01

HI Psychic

make sure she has space to sit/move/stretch and reach things etc is very important, she will be quite sore and swollen when she comes home, so not able to squeeze past furniture and turn round perhaps as well as she did previously, especially in the first few days.

make her plenty of tea, give her extra pillows, and make sure she can rest, for longer than you could imagine.

If possible, make a rota for friends and family to come and do big jobs around the house for when you're not there.

Have you got young DCs? Arrange for someone to take them out and do the things they'd normally do, it's really hard to relax and recover when you've got children about putting pressure on you to get up and take them to x,y and z

marymoocow · 16/07/2014 12:50

Don't worry Jenny, I'm still contemplating the houseGrin . I do feel better for getting out earlier though.
I think my biggest piece of advice for anyone supporting someone through this is be as supportive 8 or so weeks after as you were in the early days.

psychicpaper · 16/07/2014 13:28

thanks both - she hates tea, but am all over the ribena situation :)

notapizzaeater · 16/07/2014 16:09

Well I made it, I hurt now and my tummies pulling a bit Grin

Not got anything planned for tomorrow so going to chill, think my mums coming over so will get her to Hoover whilst she's here, DH and ds been doing it but they miss bits ....

notapizzaeater · 16/07/2014 16:13

Not a happy bunny, just had a phone call about giving blood (am a rare group) said to bloke, not can't give blood for 6 months sorry, "ok, I just need to update your records, can you spell me hysterectomy ..... Was it all clear ?" "No, I had grade 1 cancer but I'm all clear, no further treatment needed ".

Apparently I can't now give blood AngryAngry I was up to 34 pints,