ovarian cyst

[ally71]

i was diagnosed after ultrasound with an complex ovarian cyst which i was told was 4.5cm in June. then yesterday i saw the consultant who told me the cyst was actually 12.5cm x 9.5cm x 6.5cm and had a solid area of 3.4cm. she did a pre op straight away and has booked me in for a weeks time for surgery. now i don't know what to think. i am having a bikini line cut and have been told i will be in for 4 days. i have had to arrange child care for my 11 year old with friends. will i be fit enough to look after him when i come out of hospital and is my cyst complex or simple. i had so many questions but was completely thrown when they told me the proper size although i no people have ones much bigger. any advise or experiences will really help x

[ally71]

thanks to all of u for your fantastic advise. i can not believe all the organising that u have to do for 4 days in hospital!!! never knew i could clean and iron so much in the 4 days since i knew i was going in this friday. and following yr advise i have a freezer full of meals.
think i am pretty much there now and just wish the stay in hospital did not need to be so long. i am not the sort of person that can stay in the house for one day so i know i will not find being confined to the hospital or house easy.
now i just need friday here and really pity people that are told to they are going on a waiting list or having surgery in months.

will keep u all posted and thanks xx

[justscore]

I have had 3 laparotomies and each one (as far as recovery) was different.  The most important thing is to NOT overdue it!  Take it easy, let other people help you.  I was mostly just tired and sore.  I was never in any real pain.  Take your pain meds to stay ahead of the pain and I also recommend taking Milk Of Magnesia to help with bowel movements cuz they can be a bit tricky post-op.  Good luck and rest!

Heidi

[dawnlyn]

I agree with the other ladies, JosieHock's advice regarding getting a gyn/onc to do your surgery is Extremely important.  They have the most experience and schooling like she said whether its malignant or benign.

After surgery like Trudie said you will not feel up to doing too much.  We are al different so please let your friends help and give your body time to heal.  I wish you the best of luck, let us know how you are getting along.

Take care,
Dawnlyn

[Toni128]

It's sad that you don't have your mum with you to help.  Mine is my rock!  But I got the news when she was on holiday, so I faced it alone for a while.  Don't feel like you have to put on a brave face for your friends, though!   I bet you're always doing nice things for them...give them a chance to help you, because they love and care for you.  Good luck with your surgery!

[TrudieC]

Hi there.  For your first week you will likely not have the energy or strength to do cooking and you will not be able to drive for the first couple of weeks.  You will need your son to help out with dishes and light housework.  If you can plan ahead and freeze food you should be OK.  Good luck with everything.

[ally71]

i had meant to say thank u to all the fantastic people on this site. some of u have such hard lives yourself yet u still take the time to reassure others. that is so commendable and unselfish. where do u get your strength? xx

[ally71]

thank you so much for your reply.all this is very scary. my mum died when i was 11 of breast cancer so i feel very alone in making decisions. i was brought up by foster parents as i had an abusive father and i seperated from my sons father before his birth. i am actually relieved my cyst is so big as i thought i was just getting very unhealthy and unfit at a relatively young age. all my friends care about me so much and are so concerned that i need to put on a brave face but inside i feel like a kid again.i am so scared. at least i am fortunate that the specialist arranged my op the day she saw me. for that and people like you replying i am so grateful.  

[JosieHock]

Hi there -

I can't offer much in the way of surgery experience, as I haven't been through it - (yet).  However, I can tell you that your cyst is complex.  The sold component to it tosses it into the complex category.  Many wonderful women will reply to you here, to share experiences and give you peace of mind.  I'm new to this forum myself, but I've learned enough through here, and my own experience ( currently have a complex cyst on my left ovary and I'm 27weeks pregnant) to know that the vast majority of complex cyts are benign, but that it is in your best interest to have your surgery performed by a gynecological oncologist as they have the best experience with masses - malignant or benign.  Hang in there.