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[LaineyWinks]

Hi Cassie, thanks for your encouraging post. Can I ask how you got the surgeon and anaesthetist to agree to the epidural ?

Also at the risk of sounding nosey whereabouts are you located ? I only ask this because I know it's more common practice in the America ( lucky things !) 

[Cassie]

I went privately..

[LaineyWinks]

I went privately..

Thanks, for the reply, I'm considering going privately too,but I've not even seen a surgeon yet, so I'll wait and see what is said then. Apparently I have to wait until my case has been reviewed  at the MDT meeting.

[Annika]

Just wanted to wish you well Laineywinks... i have had a hysterectomy 2 years ago and it seems surgeons prefer to do an epidural these days, less risk involved i suppose. I'm a bit of a coward and went for a general but all went well and that's all you can hope for so no complaints.  I used a website called Hystersisters.com...got me clued in about what i should prepare for before and after surgery, during recovery etc.,  Sending you big hugs and best wishes   Annika xx

[LaineyWinks]

Just wanted to wish you well Laineywinks... i have had a hysterectomy 2 years ago and it seems surgeons prefer to do an epidural these days, less risk involved i suppose. I'm a bit of a coward and went for a general but all went well and that's all you can hope for so no complaints.  I used a website called Hystersisters.com...got me clued in about what i should prepare for before and after surgery, during recovery etc.,  Sending you big hugs and best wishes   Annika xx

Thanks Annika. That's a very informative site and it's already got me thinking about something that hadn't crossed my mind before. What knickers are best post op ? LOL !

[LaineyWinks]

Had a phone call from the nurse specialist this afternoon to see how I was coping etc. There will be a MDT meeting on Monday morning and my results will be looked into again and a plan of action will be made. She will then see me on Monday afternoon to discuss everything with me.

[Hurdity]

Thanks for the update LaineyWinks and good luck on Monday.

Hurdity x

[LaineyWinks]

Thanks for the update LaineyWinks and good luck on Monday.

Hurdity x

Thanks 

[Taz2]

Hi Laineywinks. I'm just catching up on this thread and I'm sorry to hear your news but pleased that it has been discovered and that you will soon have your treatment,

I am a week after post hysterectomy, vaginally, so if you have any queries I may be able to answer please ask.

Taz x

[LaineyWinks]

Hi Laineywinks. I'm just catching up on this thread and I'm sorry to hear your news but pleased that it has been discovered and that you will soon have your treatment,

I am a week after post hysterectomy, vaginally, so if you have any queries I may be able to answer please ask.

Taz x

Hi Taz, my mind's in a complete whirl at the moment. I went to see the nurse specialist yesterday who was lovely. The results of the MDT meeting where, that I have definite pre cancerous cells and some others that are highly suspicious and are probably a slow early stage cancer. I've been put on Provera 100mg twice a day just to keep a lid on things. Yesterday the plan was to do a vaginal and laproscopic procedure but the surgeon said that I would have to have a GA. Of course this was the worst possible news as the GA is my biggest fear. So there was talk of sending me to a psychologist and all kinds to try to get me over this fear

To day she rang and said they had reconsidered and would now do an abdominal op with spinal and epidural. Actually they are bending over backwards for me. Also Because I'm classed as a cancer patient I will get preferential treatment, such as private room with phone, TV and wifi. I will get more flexible visiting hours and she says I can even take music and headphones into theatre with me ! I hope this is all true !

The protocol on the ward I'm going allows patients to take clear fluids up until a few hours before the op and then they like to get you eating an drinking 2 hours after. If all goes well I could be home after 2 days ! At the moment this is all sounding to good to be true ? Was your experience anything like this ?

[Cassie]

Excellent news indeed. They will possibly give you some Dormicum or a pre med to calm you which is what I had as I was so anxious and although it was all done under epidural I dont remember a thing yet did not have a GA so the moment, I was back in my bed I was wide awake and ate lunch an hour or so later, so much nicer! With a GA one does not usually bounce back so rapidly and it takes a while to get out of ones system.

[LaineyWinks]

Excellent news indeed. They will possibly give you some Dormicum or a pre med to calm you which is what I had as I was so anxious and although it was all done under epidural I dont remember a thing yet did not have a GA so the moment, I was back in my bed I was wide awake and ate lunch an hour or so later, so much nicer! With a GA one does not usually bounce back so rapidly and it takes a while to get out of ones system.

Cassie, your post has cheered me up and reassured me. BIG THANkS !

[Taz2]

Hi - I was an NHS patient but headphones or tablets are allowed into theatre if you are having a spinal block/epidural to keep you occupied while the surgery is taking place. Headphones are advised anyway as surgery can be quite noisy apparently.

I had a GA because I have a fear of vomiting which can be more likely for some people under spinal block and this proved to be true on the ward afterwards with the two spinal block ladies taking longer to recover than myself and the other GA patient. I was back on the ward at 2 and eating sandwiches and drinking tea by 3. I think that everyone reacts differently to both types of anaesthesia and also the pain relief offered so you have to go by what is considered best for you. I didn't want morphine as I had friends who had suffered sickness as a side effect.

Have you discovered the Hysterectomy Association UK forum? The ladies are great over there and you are put into a "club" with other ladies who are having their procedures at the same time. It's great to chat to others who know exactly how you feel.

Taz x

[LaineyWinks]

Hi - I was an NHS patient but headphones or tablets are allowed into theatre if you are having a spinal block/epidural to keep you occupied while the surgery is taking place. Headphones are advised anyway as surgery can be quite noisy apparently.

I had a GA because I have a fear of vomiting which can be more likely for some people under spinal block and this proved to be true on the ward afterwards with the two spinal block ladies taking longer to recover than myself and the other GA patient. I was back on the ward at 2 and eating sandwiches and drinking tea by 3. I think that everyone reacts differently to both types of anaesthesia and also the pain relief offered so you have to go by what is considered best for you. I didn't want morphine as I had friends who had suffered sickness as a side effect.

Have you discovered the Hysterectomy Association UK forum? The ladies are great over there and you are put into a "club" with other ladies who are having their procedures at the same time. It's great to chat to others who know exactly how you feel.

Taz x

Hi Taz, I went on the site you recommended, it's very good and I've ordered an abdominal support for after the op, my daughter's friend used one after a C-Section and said it was marvellous, especially when you have your bowels opened.

Booked in for my op on the 15th Aug, I just want to get it over !

[Taz2]

Glad it was helpful to you Lainey.

Taz x