I have name changed for this.
I’m 46 and had a womb cancer diagnosis in February. I’ve just had a total hysterectomy. I was told there would be a check up after 4 weeks but when I phoned yesterday to ask the date I was told they don’t do this anymore and there are no check ups.
I’m managing ok but I’m really quite shocked that I’ve not had a single phone call from the hospital or cancer team (if there is one?) or nurse specialist or anyone to ask if I’m ok. I’ve had barely any actual literature to read about what to expect. What I was given was for an abdominal hysterectomy which I didn’t have. I had to ring to ask exactly what was being taken out of me and the nurse read it off the booking form. I’ve had quite a few scans but heard nothing back.
The operation went fine which is the main thing. I read in the discharge letter that there was a fibroid which I didn’t know about. And that the operation was done laparoscopically (which I knew) but also vaginally which I didn’t know. I have stitches which are apparently dissolvable but I have no idea when they are meant to dissolve. The ones in my vagina hurt and I’m not sure if this is to be expected.
The surgeon was excellent but not the best communicator - it’s fine I would rather she was good at what she did. But I feel a bit all at sea with what’s going on and I guess my question to you all is to ask if it is normal to have zero support and information with this kind of thing? I’ve purposely avoided things like the “hyster sisters” website support groups because I wanted to keep it low key in my mind and not to get stressed about it all. I’ve been Googling a lot to help me understand what’s going on and some NHS trusts have created some helpful booklets.
I’m an NHS patient so I expect that private patients get a lot more contact and support. But to all of you who have had hysterectomies (and also to treat cancer) have your experiences been similar?