1. < Gynecologic Cancers
Profile picture for phoenix444

Total hysterectomy with possible lymph node dissection in just 3 days

Posted by phoenix444 @phoenix444, Sep 7 11:32am

A couple years ago, I began having heavy periods, and a chronic left side pelvic pain. I’m now 38/F so my doctors initially just tried hormonal pills. It didn’t work. My issues continued progressing, heavy bleeding, mid cycle spotting, urinary Tract infection symptoms with bleeding, but no evidence of active infection on urinalysis.
I was told I had a couple benign abnormalities on U/S and CT, and continued to not be taken seriously. Then about 3 weeks after the last set of imaging I underwent a pelvic exam for a papsmear. The doctor was not able to get a sample because my cervix is now retracted superiorly above my pubic bone. No hysteroscopy is possible either as my cervix is now inaccessible. The change occurred rapidly over a couple of weeks.
I have been seriously ill for the better part of a year. I’m in bed with pelvic pain, fatigue, and joint aches most of the time. But this anatomical finding finally fast forwarded me to GYN Oncology and they scheduled me for surgery in under two weeks from the day I visited them.
The doctor said they are treating this as a potential malignancy until ruled otherwise. Now I am facing this major hysterectomy and lymph node dissection Thursday and have no idea what to expect.
I’m really looking for others to tell me their surgery experiences and outcomes and if there are any similarities that can be shared. Obviously myself and family are all worried. Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

Profile picture for phoenix444
phoenix444 | @phoenix444 | Sep 12 3:38pm
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@phoenix444 Presumably you'll see your final pathology report when you have your appointment on September 21..." + (show)
Profile picture for Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5

@phoenix444 Presumably you'll see your final pathology report when you have your appointment on September 21 and can discuss the findings. I'm so relieved for you that the surgery went well and you are already feeling better.

Isn't it amazing how a hysterectomy is performed? My hysterectomy was robotic laporoscopic and I was discharged the same day. Did you have same-day surgery?

Jump to this post

@naturegirl5 yes I did! The surgeon actually told me I could stay the night or go home if I felt up to it. But my sister was in town and I was really feeling okay so I decided to go home that day. I have to say it’s been a better than expected experience.
And the robotic surgery is very cool! Medical technology is amazing

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Helen, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Sep 12 4:13pm
In reply to @phoenix444 "@naturegirl5 yes I did! The surgeon actually told me I could stay the night or go..." + (show)
Profile picture for phoenix444 @phoenix444

@naturegirl5 yes I did! The surgeon actually told me I could stay the night or go home if I felt up to it. But my sister was in town and I was really feeling okay so I decided to go home that day. I have to say it’s been a better than expected experience.
And the robotic surgery is very cool! Medical technology is amazing

Jump to this post

@phoenix444 Yes, all the advances in medicine continue to amaze me. How nice that your surgeon said you could stay the night if you wanted and gave you a choice. I'm in agreement with you on the experience of the hysterectomy. While no one wants surgery my experience was overall very positive. In fact, after I got home I wrote thank you notes to my surgeon, her surgery fellow and the nurses on the floor where I was in pre-op and post-op. I felt that I was surrounded by angels during the entire experience. I figure there was/is a whole lot of education going on at the Mayo Clinic hospital where I had my surgery. I was very frightened when I arrived but quickly calmed down with all the empathic and expert care.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.