Hysterectomy what to expect afterwards?

@sophiem77: This article may support your opinion.
Today, 12/2/2024, NY Times has published an interesting article about hysterectomy and patients lack of knowledge in some cases what exactly
has been removed. Title: "So you've had a hysterectomy. What did the doctor
leave behind." If you don't subscribe to the NY Times, maybe you know someone who has a subscription and can share the link with you.
It also mentions this study on the benefits to conserve the ovaries, read the
conclusion:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16055568/

@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.

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

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/

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.

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

I would agree he should not be waiting, he should at least progress through to determine his treatment plan. Prostate cancer has so many different treatments and the outcomes are much less effective if it gets to the bones.

In May I had my second surgery (original was standard hysterectomy in 2004) for major metastasis. My incision was pelvis to sternum, plus I had a thoracic incision with liver and diaphragm resections. So it was a biggie. I was in the hospital for five days, partially due to a lot of blood loss due too the liver resection.

Full recovery was for sure 6-8 weeks but pain and mobility was manageable after 2 weeks. Everyone handles pain differently but I was on Tylenol only after about 5 days at home, and pain meds were limited before that. There was some nausea off and on during the first weeks. Most difficult parts were bowel movements, regaining appetite and sleep schedules.

For the original surgery, recovery was much faster, but I was cut side to side and nearly 20 years younger then. The difficult parts for that were bladder pain and the impacts from immediate menopause and of course bowel movements.

I had laparoscopic surgery 8/29, went home same evening, did not take any pain medication after procedure, had no pain and went back to work 2 weeks later, 10lb weight limit lifting. Felt fanatastic. They took my ovaries and tubes and lymph nodes both side and there were no issues with them. On, 2 week post -op however was told had lesions on back of uterus. So, am going to have to do chemo and radiation. Not feeling real comfortable presently about. Had chemo port placed last Monday and go to have it checked tomorrow. Unluck me gets to have a root canal on Wednesday and am to start Chemo the next Monday. Hopefully, you get to have laparoscopic surgery.

The statistics for cancer with hyperplasia with atypia are literally all over the place from up to 40% currently having cancer (me) and I had a minimal symptom to up to 10 years.
There are articles easily pulled up for you to look at. In my unworthy opinion the investigation with other imaging besides ultrasound and a biopsy could reduce the hesitation for surgery or hasten the surgical intervention. I do not know why it is not done.

All the best to you!

@hqtogo I'm checking in with you to ask how you are feeling today. What did you found out since your CT scan and blood test were done? Did you meet with the oncologist and come up with a plan?

Hi
Yes I will still give up-dates on my progress how I am doing . I was so glad to have joined this site and read about people with the same cancer how they are dealing with it and how they are healing afterwards. We are all one Big Family and that’s awesome! Helping each other out goes along way! Hugs to all my Family in here. I will let everyone know on Oct. 31st after my first check up how it goes.