Worried about surgery

For the past 2 years I have been having stomach pain and swelling, everytime I went to the Dr they said It was just my period trying to start, because I was still nursing.  Last week I got a positive pregnancy test, but the next day I started to bleed bad, so I went to the ER, It was an early m/c, but they did a vaginal u/s and found a mass on my right ovary that is 10cm my ca125 was 28, they are not to conserned about it being cancer because I am only 29, but my Grandmother died of ovarian cancer. I am having bikini line surgery on Wen.  I am scared of the surgery because I have a 20 month old girl and my husband who is in the USMC is leaving for Korea in a week.  How long will it take to feel myself again and what will the surgery be like?

[Tybear]

Hi there. I understand why you are concerned. It's alot to go through, especially with a little one at home. I was 26 when I had my surgery, however mine was a laparotomy, which is an up and down incision, as opposed to a bikini line one. I did, however, have a c-section with my son and I can tell you, the recovery from both was quite uncomfortable! The biggest thing is, you aren't going to be able to lift anything over 10lbs, so make sure you arrange for plenty of help with your child, especially for the first week you are home. That was the probably the hardest part for me, that first week. I found it uncomfortable to sleep, and walk up stairs, so I arranged to stay at my parents, on the main floor, close to the bathroom. I know your doctos aren't concerned with this being cancer, but it can happen at that age - it happened to me, and I don't have a family history. Keep in mind that though, that 99% of tumors are benign - I'm sure everything will turn out well for you. It's good that you are getting this looked after now as opposed to leaving it.
Good luck to you,
Becky

[claire99991]

Hiya, 2 weeks ago yesterday i had the same surgery a cut along the bikini line because i had a 10cm mass on my right ovary im 23 so as well they werent concerned to much that it was cancer but because i have been suffering terrible side pain and low pelvic pain, bloating and swelling they decided to take it out. I was aso really nervous about operation as i have a 14 month old daughter to look after.

Well i was in hospital for 4 nights ( 1 night before and 3 nights after surgery) it is painful after but the best thing to do is get walking around as soon as you can when you go home they said to me it would take 12 weeks to recover however im 2 weeks post surgery and i feel loads better and i had my ovary removed as well as cyst becasue it was damaged. Im walking around and looking after my daughter again im able to pick her up. I have needed help for 2 weeks so try get as much help as you can and i would say take the painkillers thru the day to keep the pain at bay, every day you will see a imporvment.

Dont worry about the surgery it only takes about 1 hour and you will be fine.

Love to you claire x

[GlendaS]

Hi! I am 28 years old and have a 21-month-old son. I had a laparotomy in Oct. 2005 and a laproscopy almost a month ago. I did have a bikini-line incision with my laparotomy, but found out later that most gyn/oncs would have done it differently. However, the fact that I had a bikini-line incision instead of a vertical incision doesn't seem to have affected me. During the laparotomy, they found a rare form of ovarian cancer that is more common in younger people. I had to have the 13 cm tumor and my ovary and tube removed. Usually, the type of cancer that I had elevates HcG (pregnancy test) and AFP (alpha-fetal protein test-you may remember having that done during your pregnancy). However, neither of those were elevated in me; instead my CA-125 and CA 19.9 were extremely elevated. A cyst can also elevate the HcG test so don't be alarmed and think that you have the type of cancer that I had because it is elevated. They told me that I had a better chance of winning the lottery than getting this type of cancer, so don't be overly worried. You will probably be fine. During the laproscopy I just had, they removed a 6cm cyst off of my ovary and spots off of my abdominal wall that were all benign.

I recovered very well from both surgeries and I'm sure that you will, too. With the laparotomy, I had the surgery on a Mon, and was in the hospital until Sat. morning. With the laproscopy, I went home that day. It took me longer to feel like myself again after the laparotomy because it is a more invasive surgery and I had an ovary removed and my hormones were adjusting (plus I was dealing with the emotional effects of knowing I had cancer). I had more help after my first surgery and my son was younger so it was a little easier than the second one in that respect.

I recommend that you have lots of help with your little one because you're not supposed to lift her after your surgery. You'd be surprised at how much we lift our kids! It was so tempting for me because after a few days, I felt like I was physically able to lift him, but was still not supposed to. I suggest sitting on the floor and letting her crawl into your lap and/or walking over and hugging her at times when you would normally pick her up. I would also spread a towel out on the floor to do a diaper change.You also won't be able to drive for awhile. They made me wait two weeks with both surgeries before I was allowed to drive. I also was a little nauseous when I woke up from anesthesia the second time, but was fine as soon as they gave me nausea medicine. I also had horrible shoulder pain from the gas that they pump into you during a laproscopy the first few days after my second surgery. If you are having a laparotomy, you shouldn't have that problem, though. I wish you the best of luck and am praying that everything will turn out fine for you! If you have any more questions for me, just post. I would be glad to help you if I can. :)

Take care,

Glenda

[lactac1224]

Sorry, I hit submit by accident.

Do not be worried.  There is less than 1% chance that you have cancer.  And if all goes well you can have more children with one ovary.  I had two babies after my first surgery - I only had one ovary.  Stay positive and try not to worry.  The hospital and the doctors and nurses will take good care of you.  Accept help from friends and family.  You will not be able to do much for about 2 weeks.  DO NOT drive before 2 weeks and do not over do - it will make your recovery much longer.

Best of luck.  It will all be ok.  Also remember to come back to this site it you have any questions after the surgery.  You can even have someone post for you and read the responses.  These ladies really know what they are talking about.

Laura :)

[boosty]

laparoscopy took me two weeks to feel like nothing was done. but even the same day when i came home i was able to do all my regular things. but thats laparoscopy. the surgery youre having i think takes about 3-4weeks to heal well. i cant tell you for certain. just on what i have read. but if they told me that two weeks is recovery, they were exact. good luck

[lactac1224]

I had my first laparotomy in 1999 and another in 2006.  I have also had a c-section and a laprascopy.  I will not lie to you, a laparotomy is painful, but it is something you will get through.  Don't be afraid to ask for the medecine before the pain gets too severe.  If you wait it will take longer to keep under control and will feel worse.  For both surgeries I had a morphine drip in an IV for the first day or two.  I prefer o have the drip the first day and pills or medicine added to my IV after that.  I don't like how morphine makes me feel and I didn't like having to keep pushing the button.

A few tips:
*  Take peppermints to the hospital in case you feel sick to your stomach.
*  Be sure to do the bowel prep before the surgery and ask for a supposiory      
   after if you need it.
*  Bring a pillow for the ride home.  Put it between your belly and the seat  
   belt.  It will give you some support and the bumps won't seem so bad.
*  Be sure to use the pillow when you cough.
*  Use a spirometer.  It is the thing you blow in after surgery.  Ask your nurse
   or spouse to remind you.  I wasn't doing it often enough and I got a fever.
*  Roll to the side and push up with your hands to sit at home in your bed.  At
   the hospital it is easy because the bed sits up for you.
* Try to remember not to lift your little one.  I lifted my daughter onto the potty
   because it was like second nature - be really careful.
*  I do not think this happens to everyone, but I have heard of it before and it
   happened to me.  I felt like my stomach was falling out after my first
   surgery. It is a really weird feeling but it goes away.
*  Before the surgery go buy a few fun novels, some toys to play with your  
   child that you can do sitting down and a few good movies.  Also, freeze
   up some meals so that you have some of your favorites while you are out of
   commision.
* I

[christine439]

  It helps so much to hear your stories.  I am going to try to fly someone in the family out to help me.  I am trying to think positive, I will be glad when I finally get this thing out of me.  The Dr said I would have no problem getting pregnant with just one ovary, hoping so, because we would like to have more children.
Thanks again for your support.

Christine

[christine439]

I guess I'm ready.  They moved the surgery up to Monday.  Thank you all for putting my worried mind a little more at ease.