Handhold if anyone’s around? Scan yesterday at 5pm, GP called this morning

[GiveOverWillYou]

Wondering if anyone has any experience/insights?
Late 40s, on HRT. Cycle usually still rock solid, horrendously heavy, except for last few (2-3) months - spotting, random bleeds, periods when not due. Bit of pelvic discomfort.
Went to GP, but kind of hoped assumed it was the beginning of the end of periods and just the timing going haywire/and to find out how I should be taking progesterone as had previously been on that Day 15-28 and cycle being out of whack meant that that regime was going to be hard to do. GP said she could feel something on the left hand side. Recent CA125 was fine, recent smear was clear ‘but cervix is very red’. My cervix has always defied medical science (that’s another story) so wasn’t unduly worried. They upped progesterone to 200mg daily, put me on the 2 week wait for internal/external US. It’s been 5 weeks 😬but I had the US last night after 5 o’clock. Sonographer was rummaging around for ages (over 30 mins) and made a point of saying the GP will be in touch, but if they aren’t, you must contact them. I know they usually can’t/don’t say much. Told myself that it was good that the tests have been done and that I’d hear in due course, not to worry in the meantime. Then this morning I have had 3 calls from the GP before 10am, which I missed as was in a work meeting with phone off. I called them back and they asked me to come in at noon. So now of course I am absolutely shitting myself, and have self-diagnosed with every gynae cancer going.
Don’t know what I’m asking for really, other than a handhold, and if anyone has had similar happen and it turned out to be something that wasn’t nefarious. I feel lucky that at least I find out what’s going on this morning but the speed at which they’ve followed up is terrifying me 😧Speculation of course, but I can’t help but feel that if this was, I dunno, fibroids, there wouldn’t be this level of urgency this morning

Hi Op, watch the bastard thing, don’t let it piss you about. First sign of trouble, A&E! From previous experience of one of these, they can behave as they like.. PM if you want a hand hold

So so happy for you op. I think it's made my Christmas.
Xxx

That's wonderful news. It will be good to be rid of TBT. As for recovery - I had my gallbladder removed by keyhole surgery, so way less invasive than what you will be facing. I was given very little, mostly unhelpful, advice on recovery and exercise from the medics. But do please be very careful with anything that might strain the abdominals. I am into fitness and my PT was very careful about what I should and should not do. Planks off the menu for months. Yippee! Walking is always helpful once you are cleared to do some. I would MASSIVELY recommend doing much of that walking on a treadmill in the early days if you have access to one. I tried walking around town a little because it didn't seem worth going to the gym for 10 minutes. Bad idea. Potholes, uneven pavements, having to stop or swerve suddenly to avoid something or someone - these things hurt. I was surprised. It was totally worth going to the gym instead.

Great to hear and make sure your DH looks after your every whim post-surgery!

That’s fabulous news! I’m really pleased for you. However I’m really sorry to poop on your fun but you really do need to take it easy after your surgery to evict the pesky fibroid. I’ve had major abdominal surgery and although you may not feel that bad after the first week or so, your abdominal muscles will have been cut through and you will have internal stitches that need to heal up properly. Also when lots of internal bits are removed the other organs move around a bit to fill the space so you may find you get things like trapped wind (sorry!) while everything is settling down. You are also a lot more at risk of an abdominal hernia until everything has healed properly so lifting heavy things will be banned for 6 weeks - I was told nothing heavier than a full kettle.
Yes it is incredibly boring and frustrating but it will be worth it after that when you feel like you again and your nasty lodger is evicted. I hope all goes well for you. 👯👯

Amazing! Mine was also rotting in the middle. It confuses everyone because it looks weird on scans. Turned out it was 9x14cm with a horn 🤮

Do you deffo want to lose both ovaries?

@GiveOverWillYou I'm so pleased to hear that it's not the big C, wishing you and wonderful Chepstow and wishing you all the best for the op. As a pp said, how are you meant to get home from the hospital if you can't be a passenger?!

After encouragement from others on here I chased the hospital up a few times, and probably thanks to that I've been given a cancellation so will be having my cyst/ovary removed and fibroids zapped in a couple of weeks, by keyhole surgery. Feels pretty real and scary now though, and I'm hoping it comes back all clear. @cranarc - your post was really interesting, thanks. I too am into my fitness and have found the information given on getting back into sport really vague. No planks for months??

That's the best news!!

@GiveOverWillYou Fantastic news, so pleased for you!

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy as a result of cancer, whopper of a scar and I'd say definitely follow all the advice about avoiding lifting and reaching up as that'll knock your recovery back. I was in hospital for 5 days, OTs encouraged getting up and taking steps with them asap. I then got a taxi home (if you can't walk far, surely you have to be a passenger?!). I really struggled to walk much at first, but 2 days after I got home my husband helped me take a very short walk. A week later I walked to Drs and back unaccompanied to get stitches out (or staples, I forget) - about 20 mins. 1 more week after that I got a taxi to the hospital for a review. 5 weeks after the hysterectomy I got a train to the hospital for my tests in prep to start chemo. I was exhausted after, of course, and I rested a lot. I got through a lot of series' and books but I was encouraged to keep moving and I think it really helped.

So, yes, absolutely take it easy, don't underestimate how big an op it is or over exert yourself, but unless the advice has changed drastically in the last 5 years I'd take the extended "confinement" with a pinch of salt. Despite everything I had a really good recovery.

Great news OP!!! So relieved for you xx

@fourmonthstogo yes, I was surprised. He may have been over-cautious but I am pretty sure I wasn't even allowed to attempt planks on my knees for 8 weeks. They were the last thing he brought back in. Once I started weights again (after about 5 weeks as I recall) all upper body was done with chest support and leg work all done on machines. It all went smoothly and I was pleased with the plan.

Brilliant news! So pleased for you.

Having known two women who have had full hysterectomies this year PLEASE listen to your dr.
Both women I know did not listen and both had issues which meant further hospital visits in one case and further surgery for another.

Really DO NOTHING except lying on a chaise longue being fed grapes, or taking a gentle turn around the garden for at least 3 weeks. it may be boring for a while but well worth it in the long run.

Woohoooo. Happy happy Christmas - the best news. 🥰

Such utterly brilliant news. I am absolutely delighted for you.

I had a tricky time this year. A routine colonoscopy on 2nd January (good job we don't drink or party) revealed a cyst pressing on the bowel, I wasn't at all worried - the consultant didn't make anything of it so that stopped me fretting. I was completely asymptomatic apart from the blood in stool which caused a non urgent referral for the colonoscopy in the first place, Then came the CT scan. Again ok but the next development scared me into the stratosphere.
Completely out of the blue an appointment came on a Friday in February for a week the following Sunday at the gyno/oncology dept with no explanation as to why. It transpired that there should have been a letter before this one explaining why that referral was made. The cyst was on my ovary but wasn't very large, 6cm ,but it was described as a suspicious mass. My 69 yr old uterus was described as bulky and full of fibroids. We (being DH & I)couldn't get any more info (Friday , difficulty speaking to GPs etc etc) but the bowel consultant's secretary tracked down the missing letter and read it out to me and made lots of soothing noises.
Then I got a normal CA125 which made us cautiously optimistic. Saw the oncologist who was one of those hail fellow well met types- asked me how I was ,i replied "worried", he said "What are you worried about" I resisted saying cancer you stupid fucker ............He then asked me how many years young was I at which I almost lamped him. He sent me for an MRI and when the results came back got his secretary to phone me to say nothing to worry about- he'd check me again in 6 months.
Needless to say we took no notice.
We went for a second opinion (privately - sigh) but at The Christie so at least I was going to a centre of excellence (I know there are issues with the NHS Christie) This is a loooong tale but the upshot was in April this year everything removed including my appendix! Many thousands of pounds spent. Everything was benign but if that mass had been more than suspicious who know what would have happened in 6 months.
I have recovered well- but I am still very aware of my operated area and have a scar from 2 inches above my navel and round it down to my pubis- it's not sore at all, just not right. The pain was undeniable but very well controlled (I had a spinal block plus GA and arrived back in my room with a catheter and a naso gastric tube-both of which were removed within 24 hours.) My treatment at the Christie was exemplary and we are very fortunate that our rainy day money was available.
And so endeth that marathon share.

Great news OP.
Just remember that hysterectomy is major surgery and you need to take things easy. The first 2 weeks are most important, after that it gets a little easier and you can do a few things. Mine was keyhole so a little different but I was able to walk around the next day and pottered around the house in between resting. I left the house after a week (as a passenger) to visit an elderly relative for an hour. The ‘not lifting’ rule is really important, don’t lift anything more than a kettle.

my recovery was good and I was back to walking long distances (5k +) by week 5/6. I hope your recovery goes well. It’s changed my life for the better….no more heavy periods.

OP whan an amazing update!!! I'm so delighted for you! I'm one of the posters who shared my experience with cancer ... and I am so happy this is not the case! 💜
Take your time recovering from the hysterectomy and mind yourself. I'm very happy for this outcome. Many thanks for sharing your good news xx

Amazing update!!! Absolutely delighted for you. 🥳😘🥳

👏👏👏👏 brilliant news! Am so happy for you @GiveOverWillYou !!!
have a great Christmas ❤️

Fantastic news!

Amazing update BUT did give me some heebie jeebies - I had HRT for six months and grew a fibroid - I too hd to have the scan - I stopped the HRT immediately (read a mums net thread about other women who took HRT and grew fibroids and their gynaes told them to stop taking it asap) - HRT is not as good as they are making out is it?? If it gives us these things that grow.

Thank goodness you are going to be alright.