Me, Cancer & Husband

Good Evening Everyone! 

I am new to this, Cancer Chat Thingy…

A little bit about me, I’m 49 yrs old, Married to Mark, who was diagnosed in November 2024 with Bowel Cancer, My world fell apart. Lots of waiting around for scans and a treatment plan.. Fast forwa to January and he’s had his first session of chemo, second session on Wednesday( His birthday )

Last Thursday, our world came crashing down again, I got diagnosed with Womb cancer, Grade 1, awaiting a MRI within the next two weeks to see if it’s spread and to stage it then  a op- Hysterectomy in 4-6 weeks! 

If I said I was ok, I would be lying out my a&!e , I am scared of the MRI, I am petrified of having an op, and I am also frightened I am not going to be able to look after my husband. 
I have been to every appointment with him so far and I know that once I’ve had my op I am not going to be able to do that, I am so worried that he’s not going to be well enough, or have an appointment the day I have to go for my op. 

I feel very selfish as I am so worried about me, I am a strong woman but I am feeling like all this bad news is starting to break me. 

I feel like we are the unluckiest couple in the world right now

I am 50, in September, and we were going to New York, that is not going to happen now.. 

I have a few questions about a hysterectomy (hoping I can get some answers) 

1. How long is the op? 
2. How long are you in hospital for?

3. How long are you at Home not being able to do anything? 
4. How painful is it after the op? 

Thank you for reading 

lots of love ️ 

C xx 

  • Your surgical team will be best placed to answer your however my recent experience (hysterectomy in December)may be helpful.

    I had various pre surgical procedures and tests, mainly because I'm a stage 4 bowel cancer patient and endometrial cancer was discovered incidentally following a PET scan for lung mets. Long story short, I had day surgery - and as promised by consultant was first on her list and discharged by 5pm the same day. I  was in surgery for maybe an hour and felt quite disoriented for a while after I woke up back on the ward. I think I may be a tough old boot but I found the pain quite manageable, opting to stop oramorph after a couple of days. Some movement was initially painful then for me moved to uncomfortable fairly quickly.I took regular doses of paracetamol for a week or so.

    I was cautious about overdoing things and paid strict attention to not lifting anything heavy for six weeks post surgery. I started gentle exercise in the same week as the procedure. I didn't drive for approx 5 weeks, husband did the bulk of housework and cooking. 

    I'm by no means the fittest but had made efforts to lose some weight and up my exercise levels ahead of surgery (made possible because of delay to surgery  to address lung situation and a requirement for a colonoscopy). I definitely think this helped speed my recovery.I'm now 7 weeks post surgery and feel great, a?part from a very occasional twinge.

    I hope you will have similar good fortune and wish you good luck.I'm happy to answer any questions if there's anything I can help with.

    Helen