Hysterectomy Recovery- what to honestly expect

Posted by sam1108 @sam1108, Feb 7 5:51pm

Hello all,

My grandmother who is an otherwise healthy and physically independent 88 year old has endometrial carcinosarcoma with spread to cervix.

Her doctor would not operate first based on age and other factors (I guess) I didn’t get a clear answer on that.

Anyways, she did NOT want chemo but did complete 3 sessions of Brachytherapy and 5 weeks of radiation. She is now going to have a total hysterectomy (open) on Tuesday. I am her advocate and an RN. I plan to help with her recovery but looking for honest feedback of what she can expect.

Any advice will help!
Thanks,
Samantha

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

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 11 8:42pm

Hi @sam1108, I wish you and your grandmother successful surgery next week. @gynosaur42 wrote a detailed and inspired post here that you may wish to check out https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/894787/

Also see this discussion:
- Hysterectomy what to expect afterwards?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hysterectomy-what-to-expect-afterwards/

I'm tagging a few additionaly gyne members who have had a hysterectomy like @rose53 @naturegirl5 @jjevitts @sbt19 @hlp123 @cheriels @cmb2022 and others. They can share tips about what your grandmother might expect and more importantly tips for you the caregiver. They can share things that others did for them that helped (or not) with recovery.

As an RN, I'm sure you have many tricks of the trade availability to you. But every procedure has its idosyncracies, don't they.

imhisru | @imhisru | Feb 11 9:14pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sam1108, I wish you and your grandmother successful surgery next week. @gynosaur42 wrote a detailed..." + (show)

Pain.
Do not lift or manipulate anything heavier than a feather.
You’ll do great.

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Feb 12 9:39am

@sam1108 How fortunate that your grandmother has you in her corner to advocate and provide medical attention for her.

My experience with a hysterectomy was likely different from what is planned from your grandmother. My hysterectomy was laparoscopic with just five small incisions in my abdomen so that part of the healing process was quick. My gyn-oncologist told me that my “inside” healing was pretty much the same as if I’d had an abdominal “open” hysterectomy.

I did experience pain for about 24 hours after the hysterectomy but that was due to the CO2 that was introduced into the pelvic area because my surgery was laparoscopic and robotic. Once the CO2 diminished I didn’t have any pain. I had restrictions on what I could lift (nothing heavier than a grocery bag), and no driving for about a week. I mostly had the expected fatigue from the anesthesia and healing process. I did not have radiation prior to surgery so I cannot comment on that.

I think the biggest issue could be if your grandmother resists medical advice. I did not need any assistance such as a walker after my surgery but I was very careful to stand up slowly and have my hands on the bed or arms of the chair before standing.

My partner was my caregiver and he would remind me about being careful when I stood up, when taking a shower, and walking. Will you be present at your grandmother’s home after her surgery? The challenge could be how to provide care but still allow your grandmother the independence she desires.

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