Aa
I feel lucky?
I found out on June 2 that I have a large complex cyst within my right ovary after complaining to my PCP after one visit. I had a pelvic U/S and TV U/S done with in a week. He sent my to the gyno for possible surgery. I saw him June 12th and my surgery is July 12th. I have all the usual symptoms..abdominal pain, constipation, pain w/intercourse, back pain and leg pain. During my visit, he contacted an gyn/oncologist while I was in the office to assist in the surgery. I will have a laperotomy, frozen section and removal of both ovaries and will know pretty much the outcome when I awake from surgery. (I had hyst in 97, but ovaries remained.) I want to let you ladies know I can't even imagine waiting as long as most of you have and I have been reading your posts daily and consider myself fortunate to have gotten care/treament so quickly without any problems. I am thinking of each and everyone of you and pray that all of you get taken care of properly. I will check the site daily to check up on you all and will let you know how my surgery turns out. I just joined the site a few days ago and I am really moved by the "Cysterhood" here. If anyone has any advice for laperotomy surgery.....I'd be grateful!
Take care,
Shawn
Take care,
Shawn
Hi Cyster and Welcome to the site. I was dx with stage IIc Ovca on March 9th, and had a TAH/BSO at that time via laparotomy. I have had 5 chemos so far and am doing pretty good. I'm 45 years young.
As for laparotomy advice, you've come to the right place! As was mentioned above, take a pillow or small cushion to the hospital with you to press against your belly for support. I got one of the kids pillows from Wally World with the microbeads in it. I not only used it when coughing or sneezing, but also put it over my belly under the seat belt when coming home from the hospital. My surgery was out of state due to where my gyn/onc was located. Having my belly protected on that hour long drive home was nice. Have several comfortable gowns ready. You won't want the elastic waistband of pj's on your tummy for a while. Get some granny panties 1 or 2 sizes too large too. Some minor vaginal bleeding is not unusual after the surgery. These panties will allow you to wear a sanitary pad without the elastic tight around your waist. When I went out of the house the first few weeks, I wore sweats, but the elastic waist irritated my incision. So I put the sanitary pad in the front of the panties to cover and protect my incision. If it hadn't been for that, I'd have been going to the doctor in my gown! Unfortunately my doctor isn't as cute as some of the other ladies here, so I really wasn't tempted to show up in my gown! Ha! (Yes, you can still have a sense of humor in menopause........)
Take it easy after your surgery and let your loved ones take care of you. You only have one chance to heal right the first time and who knows when you'll get the chance to be spoiled again?
Ok, cysters, what have I left out? Ya'll chime in here and let's get this cyster prepared.
As for laparotomy advice, you've come to the right place! As was mentioned above, take a pillow or small cushion to the hospital with you to press against your belly for support. I got one of the kids pillows from Wally World with the microbeads in it. I not only used it when coughing or sneezing, but also put it over my belly under the seat belt when coming home from the hospital. My surgery was out of state due to where my gyn/onc was located. Having my belly protected on that hour long drive home was nice. Have several comfortable gowns ready. You won't want the elastic waistband of pj's on your tummy for a while. Get some granny panties 1 or 2 sizes too large too. Some minor vaginal bleeding is not unusual after the surgery. These panties will allow you to wear a sanitary pad without the elastic tight around your waist. When I went out of the house the first few weeks, I wore sweats, but the elastic waist irritated my incision. So I put the sanitary pad in the front of the panties to cover and protect my incision. If it hadn't been for that, I'd have been going to the doctor in my gown! Unfortunately my doctor isn't as cute as some of the other ladies here, so I really wasn't tempted to show up in my gown! Ha! (Yes, you can still have a sense of humor in menopause........)
Take it easy after your surgery and let your loved ones take care of you. You only have one chance to heal right the first time and who knows when you'll get the chance to be spoiled again?
Ok, cysters, what have I left out? Ya'll chime in here and let's get this cyster prepared.
Hi Shawn!
I have had three laparotomies! The first was 16 years ago to remove tumour/ovary and fallopian tube (it was LMP Granulosa). Two weeks later I had another lap to remove huge haematoma and spent 16 days in hospital. Yes I was only 29 then and I can honestly say that three months later I was back at work feeling fine! It did take a year though to fully get back to normal.
Everything is quite tender, painful and sore. Sneezing, laughing (yes you will do this again!), is very sore! Take a cushion into the hospital and press it against your tummy if you feel a sneeze or a cough about to come. The anesthetic can cause this. For the first three weeks take it very easy and then build up from there. Walking is very good for you. A little to begin with and then gradually build up. Most of all accept all the love and care that you are given.
I had three children in the meantime and they can take a lot out of you too!
I now have tumour on right ovary and am having a hyst, right ovary removal and omentectomy performed (July 3rd). Even though I have been there before I'm still anxious though I have no doubt that the skill of my gyn/onc will contribute greatly to my recovery.
Hope this had helped.
I have had three laparotomies! The first was 16 years ago to remove tumour/ovary and fallopian tube (it was LMP Granulosa). Two weeks later I had another lap to remove huge haematoma and spent 16 days in hospital. Yes I was only 29 then and I can honestly say that three months later I was back at work feeling fine! It did take a year though to fully get back to normal.
Everything is quite tender, painful and sore. Sneezing, laughing (yes you will do this again!), is very sore! Take a cushion into the hospital and press it against your tummy if you feel a sneeze or a cough about to come. The anesthetic can cause this. For the first three weeks take it very easy and then build up from there. Walking is very good for you. A little to begin with and then gradually build up. Most of all accept all the love and care that you are given.
I had three children in the meantime and they can take a lot out of you too!
I now have tumour on right ovary and am having a hyst, right ovary removal and omentectomy performed (July 3rd). Even though I have been there before I'm still anxious though I have no doubt that the skill of my gyn/onc will contribute greatly to my recovery.
Hope this had helped.
Welcome! Glad to hear that you are on the Fast Track. I too was on the fast track (due to the size of my tumors - both dermoids & benign - and my age 46) You are in my thoughts and prayers. Godspeed
~Tascha
~Tascha
Sorry, meant to say that I have had two laparotomies - thinking ahead of myself!
Welcome to the Forum Shawn!
I don't get on as often as I'd like but have to tell you, I am impressed with the way you are handling the "Fast-Track", as I call it, and still managing to contribute to others! You are a true Cyster of the Battalion and I welcome you! I am guessing that we are about the same age, if we were in our early thirties you can bet we would have to endure the W&W much longer. (W&W=Watch and Wait) I too was on the fast track and wished wholeheartedly that so many others here had been too! My two aliens on the left ovary were benign and had them and ovary removed last Novembervia laparotomy. Doing great with remaining ovary! Welcome Shawn!!! MV
I don't get on as often as I'd like but have to tell you, I am impressed with the way you are handling the "Fast-Track", as I call it, and still managing to contribute to others! You are a true Cyster of the Battalion and I welcome you! I am guessing that we are about the same age, if we were in our early thirties you can bet we would have to endure the W&W much longer. (W&W=Watch and Wait) I too was on the fast track and wished wholeheartedly that so many others here had been too! My two aliens on the left ovary were benign and had them and ovary removed last Novembervia laparotomy. Doing great with remaining ovary! Welcome Shawn!!! MV
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