Cervical cancer - advice from anyone who's had a hysterectomy or radical hysterectomy

louisehj

My 29 year old sister has been diagnosed with stage 1B cervical cancer. She is booked into hospital for a radical hysterectomy in 2 weeks time. I am looking for advice on things that would be helpful for when she is in hospital and recovering. I want to do little things to help her like buy her toilitries etc but not sure what she will need for this type of op. She is a mum to 3 kids, 10, nearly 7 and 5 and has a supportive partner at home.

Many thanks.

sorted_2

I am really sorry to hear about your sister, best wishes to her,
When I was in hosp someone bought me some facial wipes and moisturiser, this was my sister and I blessed her, when I was too tired to get out of bed to do the usual wash and brush up I was able to feel refreshed and the moisturiser was a blessing because i found my skin got very dry in hospital.

oystercatcher

Babywipes or hand wipes are really useful for when you are stuck in bed and can't wash your hands before eating etc....
Maybe some nice food that doesn't need refridgerating and easy to eat in case the hospital food is vile.

Oystercatcher

affordmylife

very best wishes to your sister for a quick recovering.

when in hospital i found all drinks were warm - even cold ones.

i used to get my visitors to bring ice cold orange juice in a flask so it was still lovely and cold. or my favourite coffee made just how i like it.

little things like that. im sure you will get loads of suggestions. all the best.

jeannieblue

With me, I liked to receive books... I'm a bit of a bookaholic anyway. Again, wipes, and anything that you know your sister likes. If money is no object, then a DS would be good! When I had mine, I had a gameboy and tetris!

She will get emotional, expect that. Hopefully they will let her have HRT straight away. I chose patches rather than injections. I felt more in control that way.

Get her loads of girlie stuff. Some women really mourn the loss of their womb etc. Personally i was glad to get rid of mine!

You know her best, and I am sure that whatever you choose will be fine, she'll probably shed tears either way.

louisehj

Thanks for all the advice, some good tips there. She is already very emotional. She is trying to stay positive but finding it very hard. She is fine about losing her womb, she wants it out too! Didnt know about the hrt, she hasnt mentioned that. Will she go through an early menopause?

sandy2_2

Put some of her favourite music, audio book or comedy tapes (Peter kay, Alan Carr etc) on her Ipod

oystercatcher

The HRT will depend on whether they decide to remove her ovaries or not.
If they leave them in then she won't need HRT but I've read that patients left with ovaries after a hysterectomy often do have an early menopause anyway!
I'm sure the Drs will explain to your sister.

Make sure your and her mobile are topped up so you can text support when it's not visiting time. There's usually somewhere they can go to use mobiles these days.

Oystercatcher

breezerockz

Hi
5 months ago my mum had radical surgery for cervical cancer,
they shaved her bladder etc, and said she may end up wearing a catheter for rest of life.
my mum is 56, and we had to say Please to get the surgery for her because of her age,
my mum was in from sunday, had op on monday, i know she was really ill for few days, i couldnt visit as she was so far away,
anyway, she was back on the friday, look awful, must have felt same, i gave her egg and beans, and her colour came back,
my mum had a ten inch cut across belly, which must be better than up n down, was told that it would be four months before she could start lifting things like the kettle,
so i made her comfortable in a chair, with mags, and healthy food,( gillian mckeith style), had her move round alittle bit walking etc, but she was given a leaflet to follow, and told what exercise to do etc,
i had to be her carer, theres alot more to it, but do follow the advice you are given re: lifting etc, as you dont want any prolapses,
my mum is also at the moment all clear,
my mum, at the moment has travelled down to wales to stay with her sister for a few weeks, she had help at the stations etc. given me a break,
she is doing well, and feels better now than before the op,
i hope all goes well, if i can help, or my mum when shes back, let me know