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Having hysterectomy next week for early cancer and panicking about silly things. Tell me not to be stupid.

147 replies

MrsCarrot · 23/04/2008 12:31

I had loop diathermy recently for an abnormal smear test and it turns out it is early cancer, really early, stage 1A1 adenocarcinoma. The consultant tells me a hysterectomy is curative, I shouldn't need chemotherapy, as long as there isn't a further developed lesion after biosy but that would be rare. I go in next Friday but I am getting really anxious about everything, even stupid things.

Mostly I am worried about ds2 (15 months) who still breastfeeds at night, I have bought a bottle for DH to give him some milk but still, he is unlikely to be impressed. But I keep going over pointless things like the anesthetic, what if I don't come round or what if I come round during the op and can't tell them. What if I get a hospital aquired infection, how will I feel about asking everyone if they've washed their hands. I run through little scenarios several times a day thinking how I can keep asking without them thinking I'm awkward.

I know it's my right to check, I know I shouldn't be obsessing about it, I know ds will survive four days without me, I know dh will cope with all three, I know I am unlikely to get MRSA or die during the op but My God, I cannot stop all of these thoughts. I am freaking out and I now it is probably displaced stress, only found out a few weeks ago so am still shocked I expect but I can't seem to calm down about it.

Anyone experienced this, weird panics before an op, or had a hysterectomy? Am also terrified of how I will feel after, though they are not taking the ovaries so I won't have the menopause and I have had three children, you don't expect this at 30. I keep saying pull yourself together and get on with it but the anxiety is immense some days.

OP posts:
Boco · 25/04/2008 09:31

HERS I'm not sure if you think that was helpful, but knowing MrsC's situation and the worries she already has, i think that posting that link was the most fantastically insensitive and unhelpful and actually idiotic thing that I have ever seen.

poshwellies · 25/04/2008 09:34

Glad you reported HERS fllight,and I utterly agree with you Boco.I had to step away from puter last night as HERS idiotic post/link made my blood boil .

Tnog · 25/04/2008 09:38

MrsCarrot, I've nohting very helpful or insightful to post but just wanted to wish you well with the op next week and to tell you to definitely ditch The Gathering.

Good luck

Tnog · 25/04/2008 09:40

nohting makes me sound Jamican.

Of course I meant, nothing.

MrsCarrot · 25/04/2008 14:53

Oh God, what did HERS say? I know I should just forget it but I am going to be thinking about what it could have been now, ghastly tales of anesthesia or MRSA... Good job I was off drinking gin and tonics.

Thanks for all the helpful advice, I have been very reassured by the thread and feel more prepared now.

OP posts:
Fllight · 25/04/2008 15:00

No, no no no! MrsC, it was nothing at all like that, it was not even a person who posted (really) but an organisation masquerading as a person, linking to their website which as far as I can see is militantly anti-hysterectomy (for some reason)
No idea what it was all about but a very stupid idea of theirs and entirely inappropriate!
Don't worry about it xx

Boco · 25/04/2008 15:00

I'm glad you've been reassured MrsC.

HERS posted a link that was just very unhelpful and it would have made you fret with NO good reason. So forget about it, honestly, it wasn't useful to you.

xx

Boco · 25/04/2008 15:01

Look at that, me and flight posted within two seconds of each other, both ending with two kisses, I never end with two kisses - isn't that funny.

Fllight · 25/04/2008 15:03

We are obviously the same person, Boco.

Fllight · 25/04/2008 15:04

People that go round scanning the net and spamming boards make me very angry. Very angry. I hope MNHQ told them where to get off

MrsCarrot · 25/04/2008 15:07

anit-hysterectomy even with cervical cancer? What does she propose I do, chant the cancer away? That's made me feel really weird.

Anyway, I had a lovely night and we just had lunch where we got married and it was sunny and relaxing.

Hi Tnogu - nice to see you. I am going to give up with The Gathering for now, light and not too funny and magazines for the moment!

OP posts:
MrsCarrot · 25/04/2008 15:09

she wasn't even a mnetter?

OP posts:
Boco · 25/04/2008 15:09

I don't expect hers actually read your post to be honest, probably just scanned net for the word hysterectomy and read the title - it was a very thoughtless thing to do and thats why it's been deleted. So don't feel weird about it, it's not relevant to you.

glad you had a good night. Have you found any light but not hysterically funny books yet?

MrsCarrot · 25/04/2008 15:16

Okay, will try not to google militant anti-hysterectomites.

Have no idea what to read tbh. Any suggestions?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 25/04/2008 15:26

something that doesn't make you laugh too much - as the wise nurses pointed out, it can hurt a bit after abdominal surgery.

thinks like Easy Living mag, O, Red, etc.

maybe a really juicy crime novel. i'm a Rankin fan myself.

LOVED Kate Atkinson's 'One Good Turn'.

ThingOne · 25/04/2008 19:45

"chant the cancer away?"

You mean you're not already doing daily chanting? Shame on you Mrs C.

I start my day with a chant that goes "I will not eat crisps. I will not eat crisps". I have another chant at around 5pm "Where are the crisps? Where are the crisps?". I'm sure it's helping my chemotherapy work .

saralou · 25/04/2008 19:59

keep the books at home, take trashy mags (the trashier the better)

heat and those types.

most hospitls have bedside tv's & telephones - but don't have a long conversation on them, they cost a small fortune!

keep in mind you will want to sleep a lot more than you usually do!

cluttercup · 25/04/2008 20:02

Just to say hope all goes well and that lots of warm positive wishes are bring sent in your direction x

newgirl · 26/04/2008 18:45

i do like the crisp chant by the way!

ThingOne · 28/04/2008 13:24

How are you today Mrs Carrot?

MrsCarrot · 29/04/2008 17:43

Sorry, Thingone, I missed these last few comments. I am ok, going in for pre- assesment stuff tomorrow and then op on Friday. Thanks.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 29/04/2008 17:50

MrsC, wishing you the BEST for this in a smooth op and recovery.

Are you packed?

MrsCarrot · 29/04/2008 17:57

Thank you, Expat, not packed yet no, but I have got down a very large bag!

OP posts:
ThingOne · 29/04/2008 18:25

Good luck. Keep calm!

ladytophamhatt · 29/04/2008 20:30

Just coming back to this one to wish you a super speedy recovery MrsC.