What to expect with surgery

[Tina509]

Hi. I have a 7cm tumor on my right ovary. I have been having issues for a nearly a year now (unable to urinate for 2 days, frequent urination, fatigue and exhaustion, weight gain for no reason, trouble breathing with stairs, pain the whole month through) and I had a transvaginal ultra sound done 9 months ago so I saw no issue. Then, about 2 months ago, I started having gastrointestinal issues. I eat so healthy and exercise each day nearly 30mins-1 hour, with the weight gain and intestinal issues, I thought I had a gall bladder problem. I decided to start with a new gyno and this time she told me she saw a 7 cm mass surrounding my right ovary. They did a CA 125 and it was only at 52, but to be on the safe side I am having my surgery done by a GYN Oncologist. He states that it may be no problem and not cancer, but they will know when they see how things look. They are going to start the surgery laproscopic in order to remove the tumor and right ovary. If they need to take out the other ovary, the uterus or anything else they will make a decision when they do the frozen slice on the tumor and also on how everything appears. I have been nervous and upset. I have been lashing out and then keeping myself isolated. I have been in so much pain, trying to work is so difficult. I would like someone to at least try to give me a sense of what to expect and how to deal with this? Thank you so much.

[JC145]

With a "lap", the incision(s) are very small.  I just had a large abdominal hernia repair (patch was about 6 x 8 inches) that way and had multiple little cuts.  They gave me oxycontin for pain after I came home, but honestly found XS Tylenol did just as good and it wasn't as tough on the bowels.  Now, if they need more extensive surgery, they will keep you in the hospital for a few days with really good drugs ... again, when home, I preferred XS Tylenol.  I will pray for very good results tomorrow .. a nasty benign tumor removed .. end of story.  Push gets to shove, miralax is wonderful.  Take senokot stool softeners as soon as you get home and if that doesn't keep the pipes open, go for the miralax.   Judy

[Janet535]

I wish you the best of luck with your surgery and hope you have a speedy recovery!!

It's quite normal to feel "angry and upset" when faced with something like this and playing the waiting game doesn't help in the least, But keep the faith, stay as positive as you can and hopefully in a few days time all the pain will be gone and you will be on your way to recovery. In regards to what meds you should take, speak to your Doctors, they can best advise you.

Take care, Janet :)

[chrissie42]

good luck and allthe best to you im sure you will be fine i know what the wait is like am sitting hear still waiting to see if i have it or not
you take care at least it will be out soon and you can start to get better
chris x

[Tina509]

I am seeing a GYN/ Oncologist. I do know that 52 is above normal, but they believe it is because of the endometriosis. The doctor is prepared to do more when he gets in there. They are calling it a lap, but I was told I would have an abdominal incision. I keep researching and questioning. Well, now I just have to bite the bullet. The reason they were waiting til the end of the month was because my insurance will only cover one GYN at one hospital, if you catch my drift. He is the head of surgery there and does 30 day rotations in another hospital. My bowel prep starts tomorrow. I will be going in some time Friday morning. I am wondering what pain medicine is best to use so that it does not cause additional issues with constipation. I believe I get sick with Tylenol with codeine. I have been angry and and upset about all of this and I just have been so quiet about it preparing. I almost just hate not knowing what will happen when I wake up. I am scared. I have to say, but I don't want anyone in my life to know it. Well, I guess if I just put it in my head that this appointment I cannot drive by. I am sure that recovery will be okay. I have been sick and in pain for a long time. Wish me luck!!!!!!!! Any last words of advice I appreciate.

[Teresa222]

If they know you have a tumor that is 7cm, I don't know why they would begin the surgery with a laporascopic.  Furthermore, you mention it is wrapped around your ovary. That seems to me they would need to cut out the tumor.  You don't mention your age.  A CA125 of 52 is above the normal range.  I hope you are talking to an GYN/Oncologist about doing the surgery. They are the only ones who should operate on your considering these issues.  Also, why are they waiting until the end of this month to do the surgery. I must be missing some information. Please don't be alarmed, but you really need to get a second opinion.
Teresa

[Tina509]

My surgery is August 29th and they did say they were going to start with it laporascopic, but may have to do a laporatomy. I think that 7 cm may be the size of a baseball or a little smaller. I am not sure. It is a tumor, not a cyst. He stated that it is showing up dense on the ultra sound, however the doctor did say that he believes it may be a "chocolate" cyst symdrome, which as I looked it up appear to be cysts. I asked why they are calling it a tumor and not a cyst. They said it is hard to decifer what it is until they see it. They said if I have a laporatomy, I would only be in the hospital for 1 night. I guess what is making me nervous is the, "not knowing" feeling of what I will wake up to, which way I will be cut.
I want to thank you for taking the time to respond to my post and I will check out the posting. Also, it is great and inspiring hearing that it is 2 months and someone  is living pain free and better than ever.

[TrudieC]

The Painterchic posting I mentioned is on the ovarian cyst forum.  I will bump it up for you.  Also take a look at the health pages associated with these forums (top right) for additional good info.

[TrudieC]

The waiting and the pain can be awful.  Do remember that over 95% of cysts are benign.  I had surgery to remove a grapefruit sized cluster of cysts from my right ovary plus my right ovary and tube just over 2 months ago.  Mine were benign and I am now blissfully pain free and feeling better than I have in quite a long time.  

Has your doctor given you anything to help with the pain and anxiety?  I found that this site (Ovarian cancer and ovarian cysts) and the knowledge and help I received from the ladies here did so much to help me relax.  Do you know what kind of cyst you have?  When is your surgery?  

There is a good posting called Painterchic's 10 things I learned from laporascopic surgery with some good info on what to expect around that.  I had a laporatomy (vertical cut) due to the size of my cysts and scar tissue.  I was in hospital for 5 days and had an epidural (no, I was not awake, this is just a method of putting the anaesthetic and painkillers into you).  I found that I needed to stay on narcotic painkillers for the first 2 1/2 weeks and then took Motrin for a couple more weeks.  I was off work for 6 weeks although for the last 2 I was really feel great so treated as a mini holiday.  Feel free to send me any questions or to post additional on the ovarian cyst forum.  Please keep us posted.  Good luck with everything.

Trudie