ovarian cancer surgery and recovery

[sheena_]

hi... I recently had surgery for Ovarian Cancer. 3 weeks to be precise. I had an abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo oopherectomy. Cancer was detected and some lymph nodes were also removed along with omemtum. Luckily it was in its early stages and the pathology results show that the Cancer hadn't spread therefore I wont need  any chemotherapy. this is the best news ever! I'm now at home and recovering slowly. Has anyone gone through this type of surgery? How long did it take to recover? I'm 38 and have no children. I'm healing slowly but for the past 2-3 days am feeling tired more than usual and the pain doesn't seem to decrease much. I haven't had any complications since surgery but I feel itchy around the incision and it's still hard and inflatted. is this normal? How long will it take to heal? Should I avoid going up the stairs? or should I walk more or do something to help me feel better and heal faster?


I've also started ERT last week but I'd like to know more about it. Is there a book you can recommend for me to learn about "surginal menopause" and ERT?

i guess i'm looking for comfort from someone who's gone through this and I'm hoping you can help.

Thanks
Sheena

[crecco]

  Sheena,
   I am glad that your cancer was caught early. You are very lucky.
I had my surgery 3 years ago and was told to take it easy for 6 weeks. I found out the hard way that they meant "6 weeks". I started trying to do to much after only 3 weeks and only succeeded in making myself very sore again all over. So even if you begin to feel good, remember to continue to take it easy until the Dr tells you different.
  I had my chemo first and then surgery and the chemo started my menopause. It got worse after my surgery and I was put on premarin for awhile. It did not seem to do much so I was taken off of it. I am glad the ERT and calcium are working for you.
        Chris

[sheena_]

wow.. thanks for all your help and great advice. Its so comforting to know I'm not alone in this.  
Dian, I'll definately look up the differences...

P.S. I was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer but it hadn't spread yet (I was fortunate it was caught on time)

[dian07]

You should find out the differences between "bio-identical" hormones and "synthetic" hormones.  Synthetic estrogen is usually made from the urine of a pregnant mare.....I do believe I was very unwise, as many other women were, to introduce that stuff into my body.......I know many women who agree with that statement.  Please don't fall victim to pharmacutical companies more interested in their profit than women's health.  Maybe you could just Google "bio-identical hormones" and get some info......I am glad you are feeling better but that doesn't mean you are any healthier.   Bio-identical hormones offer the same results and are much closer to the hormones your body produced before your hysterectomy.
Please do check it out.......find a "compounding pharmacist" in your area and talk with him/her........they can help a lot.  There is no history of cancer in my family.....I was the first......I was on synthetic hormones during peri-menopause and after menopause.....I felt better but I ended up with ovarian cancer.....go figure!
Peace.
dian

[ChrisP2236]

I had my surgery three years ago at age 54, and I had already been through menopause.  Because of the type of cancer I had I was not put on ert but I was put on 2 tums a day for the calcium.  17 months later I went to my regular gp for a check-up - I was feeling depressed, had no energy, was getting forgetful and confused (and hadn't had any of these problems going through menopause).  When the blood work came back my calcium level was dangerously elevated.  I stopped the tums immediately and went back on a two week basis for tests until my level returned to normal.  I just want to warn you that if you are on calcium supplements it's best to have your blood level monitored.

Also, Pam is right - do not overdo.  You only get one chance to heal properly so take things slowly.  Follow the drs instructions and listen to your body.  You have just had major surgery and it takes months to recover from that.  I had my surgery laproscopically and it was still a good 8 months before I felt anywhere near normal, and it really was almost 2 years before I had a day where I forgot I'd had the surgery. And I was in great physical condition prior to my surgeries so fully expected to heal quickly.   Good luck, Chris P

[jane65]

Hi Sheena,
I had my OVCA surgery two years ago, I was 63 years old and it took me about 3 weeks to a month to recover. I was told not to lift anything, and avoid steps.

Is your oncologist going to order scans and a Ca125 in a few months? I must admit that I'm kind of concerned about no chemo since your cancer had spread to the lymph nodes, as my had. I had carbo/taxo to kill off any remaining cancer cells.
I don't want to scare you, just inform you to be proactive in your treatment.

Best of luck to you.
Jane

[sheena_]

thanks for your replies....

I had a tumor in both my ovaries. The left one was benign however the right was was malignant.Hence the reason of an abdomininal laporaomy. so during surgery, they removed both my ovaries, tubes, cervix, uterus, omentum and some  lymph nodes (illiac & aortic) . And therefore entered "surgical menopause"

I was told that women who enter sudden menopause at a young age due to surgery like mine, need to take ERT. The risks are different than for those who still have a uterus and for those who enter natural menopause. Is this true?

My Dr who was also the surgeon suggested I be on ERT (patches) calcium pills (twice daily)and Vitamin D4 once a week.since I no longer have a uterus. I've done quite a lot of reading on the net but can't seem to find a book on surgical menopause and ERT.

I gotta say that since last week, when I started the ERT patches, i sleep better, I dont have hot flashes and dont wake up in sweats. I am concerned about the risks though.

I look forward to any recommendations.

[dian07]

Hello, Sheena.  I am glad your cancer was caught so early.  I would suggest, however, you do lots of research on estrogen replacement therapy.  It is a very controversial subject.  Hopefully Mary will come along and give you suggestions on books to read.
If not, I will try to retrieve some of her past posts and pass it on to you.
Take care.
Peace.
dian

[nyc lady]

I was 38 when I had my first surgery and was also diagnosed with early stage OvCa...stage 1A, at that time only my right ovary  and tube were removed, 3.5 years later they took the rest.  

Remember it takes longer to heal internally then externally.  Don't over due....the steps are probably okay, but, don't over due.   Walking is good, listen to your body.  

I was also put on HRT and have developed other issues so had to stop immediately.  Please be careful, there are many cancers, including Ovarian that are estrogen fed and taking ERT/HRT can cause issues.  I have been told to even avoid over-the-counter supplements as they mimic estrogen.

Let us know  how things go.

Pam