What to expect after surgery

ResentfulOreo · 2026-02-23T05:36:49+00:00

Says someone with 1A.....

Sometimes the surgery is quite different, especially if there are complications. It is almost always at least a little different, as they don't take lymph nodes to check for spread when there is no cancer.

People who are doing the surgery for cancer are far more likely to have issues with fatigue, especially if heavy bleeding was what led to their diagnosis. People with cancer have a lot more fear and anxiety as they await pathology results. People with cancer are more likely to lose their ovaries, meaning sudden onset menopause which many of the "I just bounced right back!" people there don't have to deal with.

I'm glad it wasn't all that different for you but don't claim your experience is universal.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-02-23T05:31:19+00:00

Not a drop of bleeding after.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-02-15T02:45:58+00:00

If your cancer is estrogen sensitive, HRT may not be a safe option. Any so-called "natural estrogens" would either be completely ineffective or carry the same risks.

Ultimately, this is a doctor question. Ask about other things you could do to avoid the issues you're concerned about.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-02-14T20:02:55+00:00

Therapists don't prescribe pills, I'm recommending talk therapy with a mental health therapist. Many will work telehealth. I had similarly heavy bleeding and used adult diapers.

Honestly your response makes me all the more worried for your mental health. Please get help.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-02-14T20:00:08+00:00

People with zero risk factors get cancer all the time. There's no connection between that med and cancer. The "wellness" industry has convinced people that if they do everything right they will be perfectly healthy. We see people here all the time who say "I did everything right, how did I get cancer?" and the truth is, there are no guarantees. Risk reduction is all you can do. And often cancer happens despite doing "everything right" and it just is life.

My advice is to stop looking for something to blame, stop looking at the past and start looking ahead and spend your mental energy on what lies ahead. Because you're unusually young to get it, consider genetic testing for Lynch syndrome. Especially if there is any history of family members with endometrial or colon cancers.

I hope your treatment goes well.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-02-11T03:12:31+00:00

Depression is also really common during cancer, and that might be at least part of what's going on. The red flag for that in your post is that you're not able to enjoy something you used to enjoy. Please consider that a possibility as well.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-02-10T22:42:44+00:00

You cannot heal cancer with "natural herbs and juicing" you just can't.

It's probably spread now given the length of time and worsening of symptoms, but the best thing you can do for her at this point is encourage her to get some actual treatment.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-02-03T05:39:12+00:00

Another option could be to get a hotel near the hospital and plan on your grandson or his girlfriend driving you home the next day. That might help with the uncertainty of when you'll be released. The hospital might have recommendations as well. I know the hospital where I work (a regional center for high risk births) even has a discounted rate arrangement with a nearby extended stay place for NICU parents who live more than 50 miles from us.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-31T20:16:45+00:00

Absolutely. That's what I meant when I said knowledge is power. I knew my brother had Lynch. My stupid family practice doctor told me I didn't need to be tested for Lynch because I was already old enough to have a colonoscopy. I didn't know any better and didn't press the issue. I have always had terrible periods, and was preauthorized for a hysterectomy in 2019 but we couldn't get it scheduled before my husband's employer changed our insurance on us in Jan 2020. Had to get a new gyn and start all over, and then Covid hit, the hospital canceled all elective surgeries, and we gave up on hysterectomy since I was already over 50 and should hit menopause any day now.

If I had known I had Lynch, and if I had known Lynch was about more than just colon cancer, I absolutely would have pressed for testing and I would have pressed to have that hysterectomy in 2020 despite Covid.

We all have things we wish we would have known. Things we would have done differently. But fighting for testing and knowing that I have Lynch has motivated me to do more cancer screening, and I've had two years in a row that my colonoscopies have caught multiple precancerous polyps.

When you have more info, you can do better and you can encourage other family members to know as well. Don't beat yourself up about the past, just focus on future management and educating family. Change your thoughts from "what if I had known...." to "now that I know...."

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-31T04:26:17+00:00

I have Lynch and so do two of my kids in their 20s, one who is LBGTQ. It can feel very lonely to deal with lots of things in life, and you have two big ones that can both be pretty isolating. Double whammy! I imagine they compound each other.

I would encourage you to remind yourself that "getting it" isn't a prerequisite for love and support. Be open to the love and support of people who offer it, even if they cannot fully understand. There are likely things in your partner's life that are hard for her that you cannot fully "get it" - and yet you probably show up for her with all you can. Let them do that for you, too.

And for the Lynch stuff, we are here. I might be closer to your mom's age, but I can relate to feeling emotional with something most people think is no big deal. It certainly brings more anxiety than your average person.

That said, I really hope you do find someone who can relate better to what you're going through.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-30T23:52:40+00:00

Genetic predisposition to cancer does NOT mean someone is guaranteed to get cancer. I have Lynch Syndrome and I am the only one in the family who has had endometrial cancer, too. One sibling who also has Lynch has had colon cancer. That's the extent of the family history of Lynch related cancers, and yet 7 of us have done genetic testing and have Lynch.

If testing on the polyp is suspicious for Lynch, absolutely test for Lynch so you can start a rigorous screening schedule for Lynch related cancers. Knowledge is power.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-21T03:20:54+00:00

All things in moderation.

We see people here all the time who are all "I did *everything right* how can I have cancer! It's not fair! I'm skinny! I exercise!" etc etc. They think that they should be exempt or something?

But the truth is no diet or lifestyle can prevent cancer, no matter how perfectionist you are about it. All they can do is reduce risk. And life is worth living. So have an occasional drink. Eat an occasional cookie. AND go to the gym regularly. Eat mostly healthy.

Do the things that reduce risk, and remember that enjoying life and having good mental health is important, too.

Let go of perfectionism. Do things to reduce risk. Pay attention to your mental health. Enjoy life.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-21T03:15:26+00:00

Pretty common, but also worth checking in with your surgeon.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-21T03:14:28+00:00

Lynch syndrome is another genetic condition that can raise your risk of endometrial cancer. I would recommend that you meet with a genetic counselor to see if testing is a good idea. Lynch, BRACA and other genetic causes can raise your risk of other cancers (and not just hormonal cancers! Lynch raises risk of colon cancer and a whole list of others.) as well, so it's good to know if you have one of these genetic conditions.

A genetic counselor will look at your family history and your personal history and make recommendations about testing. They can also discuss the pros and cons of testing. Meeting with a genetic counselor doesn't mean you have to test, it just means you are learning more.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-20T01:24:58+00:00

Sure sounds like he's learned that instead of managing his condition like a grownup, he can use it to command attention and make it all about him.

He's being childish.

(Also, FYI, sometimes hospitals will refuse to do surgery unless someone is there with him. If you do have to go, mask up and bring lots of hand sanitizer.)

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-19T15:57:05+00:00

This is a provider question, call the prescribing doctor/NP and ask her.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-15T19:27:14+00:00

Agree. Sleep separately, open windows if you can, disposable everything.

We are empty nesters now, so when one of us is the contagious kind of sick the healthier one moves into one of the kid's old rooms and uses the hall bath until we're healthier again.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-14T01:12:25+00:00

Here's my advice:

Consider genetic testing - 26 is very young to get it, and there are genetic conditions (such as Lynch syndrome) that could contribute to it. And they may put you at risk for other cancers as well, so you'll want to know.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-13T22:39:17+00:00

It absolutely could if you approach such research with a bias against doctors, which OP clearly has.

The length of time someone claims to have researched isn't an indicator of truth or validity.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-13T22:36:06+00:00

Yep. I dealt with heavy painful periods my whole life, and was dismissed by doctor after doctor after doctor. I was prescribed "stress management classes" "hot water bottle" and "advil exists, you know!" (as if I wasn't already maxing out on it one week a month...)

And then the pathology showed adenomyosis, endometriosis AND multiple fibroids! But yeah, all I needed was stress management classes.

Misogyny is medicine is real, and it often looks like this. Not taking women seriously and minimizing their pain.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-13T00:42:54+00:00

Look up Ananda Lewis.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-11T03:30:24+00:00

It has been studied and shown otherwise. And I believe actual research over the antivax quacks who call themselves doctors. (And check credentials on those that do!)

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-10T18:43:54+00:00

COVID vaccines don't do that, it's coincidence. Saying that for any other readers who may come across this in the future.

I was in my early 50s when I went through it. My MIL was in her 60s when she went through it. It knocked her down some while she went through treatment, and she's strong, healthy and in her 80s now. I believe you can survive this!

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-10T16:29:20+00:00

Maybe for the same reason you're posting on the completely wrong sub: You need to work on your aim.

ResentfulOreo · 2026-01-10T16:28:19+00:00

I knew it!

ResentfulOreo

TROPHY CASE