Hey Tobycat, how are you or is that a silly question?  I waited one month for my radical hysterectomy from the day I got my scan results.  I too had never had an op before or even been in hospital  apart from having kids.  I was more worried about the actual op than the cancer!  But I needn't have worried because it was fine. My husband was allowed in with me to get me settled in as it was just before covid.The nurses expained exactly what would happen, met the surgeons and anaerhestist etc and everyone put me at ease.  My op was done keyhole 4.5 hours.  I was back on the ward in time for tea and although i was hungry they advised not to eat a lot as I was still full of anaesthetic.  First night was ok. Took meds and has nonpain.  Next day I was encouraged to get out of bed.  It was a thought and an effort but practice makes perfect and I was walking around the corridors before teatime.  next morning I got home.  I was worried it might be too soon but they give you great advice about exercises/resting etc but really just listen to your body.  I was going for very small walks from the day I got home and just gradually built it up.  Recovery they say takes 6-8 weeks.  After 5 weeks I was starting chemo and I was pretty mobile by then, the main thing I found difficult was sitting and getting up from lying down but again you will develop your own techniques!  I like you was worried because it was the fear of the unkniwn, but it will be fine.  I have been admitted to hospital twice during covid and been attending daily radiotherapy and the staff are all wearing full ppe, and making full checks of patients so it will be safe enough, just wont be allowed visitors. Hope this helps, and please feel free to ask any time. 

Hi catswhiskers. Thanks for getting back to me. You sound so positive that I feel I can get through this. Not sure they will do keyhole so I may be in for longer but at the moment I just want this out of me so I’ll take on board how you’ve coped and hope I follow the same path. Really scary when you’ve never had an operation before and I’m trying my best not to google as it’s not particularly helpful to hear the how long and difficult recovery can be. Nice to hear firsthand what to expect. Hope your getting stronger everyday. 

Hi Tobycat, yes of course you can do this!  I did not know if I was going to be keyhole or opened up until I went into theatre as I was initally told my tumour would be too large to do keyhole, but when spoke to surgeon he said it was possible and that would be his starting point.  But obviously after the op, my first question was "did you get it all" then I asked if it was keyhole surgery or abdominal.  Could not actually believe it was keyhole and that was why I was discharged so soon.  I took my meds (which were basically paracetamol) for 7 days then completely stopped and I was fine.  I was so worried about pain and meds and doing stuff and even moving but now I wonder what I was worried about.  Dont get me wrong, I did very little for a few weeks, but just built it up.  x

Hi there. Just wondering if you could tell me if you had your lymph nodes removed or had sentinel lph node biopsy ? I' have to have a radical hysterectomy too and my Tumor was very small but soon as it is stage 1a2 they make you do radical. It was only 3.5mm deep by 1mm diam. Removed by cone biopsy.They recommend open abdominal but my doctor said he could do laporoscopic. I'm just worried because of the studies I read about th.not being as successful as open. Did it go well for you ? You said you needed chemo after why was that? Why didn't they just do chemo without the surgery ? Your input is much appreciated ..I'm stressimg out. They don't offer sentinel lymph node biopsy where I am so I wonder if I should go somewhere that they do....

Hi SandiRose

i replied on your other post. My tumour was VERY large compared to yours!!!!! I had to have chemo as I had vascular invasion . That was unsuccessful so I then had radiotherapy and brachytherapy. All good so far!!!!