Riding after keyhole hystermectomy for cancer

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thatsmygirl

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Hi I just wondered who's been through this that could offer some insight please. I'm currently under going treatment for stage 1b1 cervical cancer and I'm actually sat in hospital at the mo waiting a general but next week I have a radicle hystermectomy booked in, is there anybody who's been through it and could offer advise reguarding how long it took to recover to be able to deal with the horses? Riding I'm really not worried about but I have 5 horses and can't leave them with other people for to long.
Thank you
 
I would allow at least the six weeks. I know they are planning keyhole but sometimes they end up doing an open and then you will take longer to heal. I have only looked after women who have an open or vaginal ,and although you may be home after a few days you will have to take it easy. I would always plan for the worst and hope for the best. Best wishes for a quick recovery.
 
Oh no, I feel for you. I have not been through that type of treatment, breast cancer for me.

I can comment on the worry of the horses though. The people who are giving you help with them will be your dearest friends and they won't let you down. Try not to worry about the horses, they do adapt to being 'abandoned' very well. I remember vividly turning mine out into a snow covered field in February 2013, it was horrible but my friends stepped in and all was well.

Concentrate on getting well, time will pass quickly and you will be able to get back to normal. Very best wishes to you.
 
I had an open hysterectomy last year - after 6 weeks I wasn't ready for the sort of heavy lifting that goes with having horses - I couldn't have carried water buckets and I couldn't push a full wheelbarrow.

Wait and see how the op goes - everyone is different and ask your doctor for advice. I hope everything goes well and that you make a full recovery.
 
I had a hysterectomy, bikini line cut. Do not underestimate how long you may take to recover. Even without the larger external cut it is still major surgery and there is a lot of mending to do. Do exactly what they say. I went back to work after 6 weeks but wasn't able to do a lot around the farm and would still get very tired.
Hope it all goes well, look after yourself and accept as much help as possible.
 
Thank you everybody. I will try and behave but really do not wont to leave the horses long. Nurse says I can go and see them just not do anything so at least in a few weeks if I can see them that should make me feel better :)
 
thatsmygirl said:
Thank you everybody. I will try and behave but really do not wont to leave the horses long. Nurse says I can go and see them just not do anything so at least in a few weeks if I can see them that should make me feel better :)
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Now listen here !

If you behave yourself you will recover quickly and well. I know all about ' going to see them' it progresses to a 'little bit of this and that'

Does your yard have camera's ? if it does you can link yourself up and see the boys and girls from the comfort of your home. I was lucky as we did have camera's but I was at my very worst in the summer so I could sit in a deckchair at the fence and talk to them. My baby horse used to dribble on my bald head !

Have you got to face any treatment post surgery ? You must put yourself first. Those horses need you but they need you well and they will be there for you when you are well. x
 
I had a total abdominal hysterectomy last June and like you I wondered how soon I could get back to looking after my horses. I found that for the first few weeks there was no way I felt strong enough to venture out very much and I had to accept that my priority had to be recovering. My problem came after that time as I started to feel better and was tempted to do too much. I Can speak from experience and say that its incredibly important not to attempt too much too soon. I ended up back in hospital twice after my operation and ultimately had a much longer recovery time! Its very difficult to avoid lifting things, especially when you are on the yard, I would find myself automaticly going to pick something up and getting told off by whoever was with me! Take advice from your doctors and hard though it may be give yourself plenty of time to heal. If you rush things you risk spending even longer away from your horses than you need too.
There is a website called The hysterectomy association which has a brilliant forum. There is a section on there were you can talk to people having their operations at the same time as you. I found it a real support and there's loads of advice and help from people who've been through it. Its definitely worth a look.
All the best with your operation, treatment and recovery. Put yourself first, your horses will thank you in the long run! Xx
 
Had keyhole hysterical-ectomy about 6 years ago, totally keyhole no messing with the lady bits, gave myself 2 weeks of totally doing nothing but did make myself walk everyday twice a day gradually increasing duration. After 2 weeks I was back in the saddle, others were horrified but consultant was cool about it and actually said return to normal after 2 weeks (although his idea of normal and my idea of normal might be a bit different). Was a bit cautious about lifting really heavy stuff for about a month but otherwise bounced back. Don't know why more consultants don't do keyhole. The worst bit was the gas causing shoulder pain but that went within about 24 hours.
 
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Slightly different but 3 weeks ago I had an open myomectomy to remove fibroids and ovarian cysts, my incision is just over 6 inches as they couldn't remove via keyhole. Before the surgery I was sure I would bounce back quickly, they tell you that you will feel tired, as someone with insomnia I thought I'd be ok, but I've not ever needed to sleep as much as I have in the last few weeks. I have a lovely friend who takes me to the yard each day in the afternoon for an hour or so, I potter about, clean some tack, make the tea and coffee, and the fresh air and smell of horse really helps. BUT I have to go slow, this is all I can do each day, I come home and sleep for 12 hours and whilst I'm there I have to take regular sit down breaks. My advice is to keep taking painkillers as prescribed, sleep as much as you can and when at the yard do less than you think as it's a few hours later that it catches up with you, there's no rush!
 
I had full hysterectomy for ovarian cancer. You have to give it time. Look at your horses but do not overdo it. I left mine all turned out no rugs...my hunters looked like giant hairy ponies. But it did not matter. The most important thing is your health and that you survive ........... I had six months of chemo and did ride but then got DVT...so couldnt.

Take all the help you are offered and don't be too precious about your horses.......your health is more important...good luck be positive be strong x x
 
Ditchjumper2 said:
I had full hysterectomy for ovarian cancer. You have to give it time. Look at your horses but do not overdo it. I left mine all turned out no rugs...my hunters looked like giant hairy ponies. But it did not matter. The most important thing is your health and that you survive ........... I had six months of chemo and did ride but then got DVT...so couldnt.

Take all the help you are offered and don't be too precious about your horses.......your health is more important...good luck be positive be strong x x
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Hope you are well now.
 
Thanks AA just had op for further lump but fortunately all clear...so very happy. I have to say that when I thought I was going to die it did put everything into perspective. The day I returned to work after months off work I found my mare dead in her stable that morning. Whilst I was upset it was nothing like it was when I have lost others. Harsh as it may sound...you can replace animals but you cannot replace people. It did change my outlook.
 
I was supose to have key hole but when he got in it was such a mess I had to have full hip to hip. A big shock to wake up after the opperation to find out. I was very very lucky to have found a wonderful groom/housekeeper to look after me, family and horses (9). I could not have done anything for the first 5/6 weeks I was so sore and got twinges when I did try out lifting the kettle. I was also very tired after the GA. When I went back for my 6 week check the surgeon was very pleased that I had been doing as I had been told but he refussed to sign me off and I was instructed to have 6 further weeks. Sitting about is not my stile and I am always out and about. I am now 20 weeks post op and although our lovely groom has left I am still getting very tired. Do be very very careful about returning to things to soon. If you do have hip to hip you will have to be careful not to open up the newly stitched mussel and give yourself hernia. Do listen to what your body is telling you.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.
 
Higgledy Piggledy said:
Slightly different but 3 weeks ago I had an open myomectomy to remove fibroids and ovarian cysts, my incision is just over 6 inches as they couldn't remove via keyhole. Before the surgery I was sure I would bounce back quickly, they tell you that you will feel tired, as someone with insomnia I thought I'd be ok, but I've not ever needed to sleep as much as I have in the last few weeks. I have a lovely friend who takes me to the yard each day in the afternoon for an hour or so, I potter about, clean some tack, make the tea and coffee, and the fresh air and smell of horse really helps. BUT I have to go slow, this is all I can do each day, I come home and sleep for 12 hours and whilst I'm there I have to take regular sit down breaks. My advice is to keep taking painkillers as prescribed, sleep as much as you can and when at the yard do less than you think as it's a few hours later that it catches up with you, there's no rush!
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Really good advice, especially the painkiller bit.
 
Well main advice would be ask your doctor not the nurses. I love nurses they are brilliant at their job but a doctor would know better on how quickly you will heal.

Now most i know about hysterectomies doesn't include keyhole ones unfortunately. My mum has been told to get one but it would need to be a full big surgery if you get my meaning and the healing time is minimum of 6 months. Keyhole surgery does cut that drastically but you are removing a rather large organ.

If i were you i wouldn't even think of riding for at least a month and little exercise at all during that time. Painkillers like people say there are some very strong ones that you can get over the counter so speak to a pharmacist rather than going for the usual paracetamol. I would say the name of one but not overly sure I can. Take it easy no heavy lifting I mean my mum was told even lifting a kettle would be too much but she was getting the major surgery plus she has other complications. It won't be that bad for you.

Get a heat bag too that you can microwave. They are quite good for pain I use one if I have bad cramps or even just for sore muscles.

Other than that I hope it goes well and I hope you get better very quickly. Just try not to run before you can walk you know. Just take it easy on yourself and try not to push yourself to meet other people's achievements. Good luck with it :-)
 
Do take notice of everyone who says don't do too much too soon. Know a relative who had similar operation, (not the same but it was major in the same area) and started to do too much work, and then had to undergo the whole lot again. The second time when she went away from home/work afterwards and wasn't allowed to do a thing for weeks and weeks.

It really is a case of make haste slowly.
 
I had a vaginal hysterectomy 20 years ago but didn't have any horses back then. The one thing I remember over everything else was the exhaustion! Even walking to the garden gate and back was an effort during those first few weeks. As I had no 'physical' evidence of having ad the operation, it was far to easy to over estimate my capabilities. That said I was back at work after 7 weeks. Do take it easy and listen to the doctors, and good luck!
 
I had ovarian cancer at the age of 26 and had a total hysterectomy through a bikini line incision. This was way back in 1986. I had a wonderful friend that took on the loan of my mare for the duration. I wish you a speedy recovery and a healthy 2016....but... you really must take care and only do what your body is capable of. I didn't! I got bored and picky and had an argument with my husband 3weeks after the op. Stormed out of the house, got in the car and managed to reverse to the end of the drive! It was then I realised IT HURT and like a complete numpty crawled back to the house and apologised.
On a serious note though because I did too much I was back in hospital within a year having the adhesions and scar tissue removed. They had already adhered to my bowel and all these years later I suffer with terrible pain and bowel issues.
Please be careful. I wish, wish, wish I hadnt been so bloody stubborn.
 
thatsmygirl said:
Hi I just wondered who's been through this that could offer some insight please. I'm currently under going treatment for stage 1b1 cervical cancer and I'm actually sat in hospital at the mo waiting a general but next week I have a radicle hystermectomy booked in, is there anybody who's been through it and could offer advise reguarding how long it took to recover to be able to deal with the horses? Riding I'm really not worried about but I have 5 horses and can't leave them with other people for to long.
Thank you
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I had endometrial cancer found in 2007 and I had keyhole surgery 5th Nov 2007 it was only in the womb lining and they found it had not spread to cervix but they took the lot out anyway.

They said I could not ride till Feb 2008 and not lift anything heavy for some time afterwards. Mine was stage 1 category 1 luckily.

so 3 months really is what your looking at so I think short term lone if you cannot sell

they went into belly button and two scars on my tummy, check with your specialist as each case is different.
 
I would not risk riding till the designated time was reached. To me after the surgery and getting through that it was not worth the risk riding early which could damage my stitches or recovery which in the long term could be longer if I rode too soon
 
Thanks for your messages.
Iv decided to just turn the horses away, I'm worried about loaning and if anything happens I won't be in a position to sort things out so they will live out with ab lib hay being put in everyday by my friend. The field stays quite dry so I'm lucky there. They are all good doers and perfer being out so that's ok, the only one who needs special care due to metabolic issues has moved down the road on full livery until I'm better and able to cope.

Janetgeorge how the hell did you manage that!! That's bloody good going
 
thatsmygirl said:
Janetgeorge how the hell did you manage that!! That's bloody good going
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I had a great surgeon, I guess. It was funny when I turned up to get the demo going - there were 2 GPs there who knew I had been DUE for surgery and thought I wouldn't be there. I said - hell, it WAS a week ago. Their response: "Does Miss Meggy know" (said in a fearful way, lol!)
 
Ditchjumper2 said:
Thanks AA just had op for further lump but fortunately all clear...so very happy. I have to say that when I thought I was going to die it did put everything into perspective. The day I returned to work after months off work I found my mare dead in her stable that morning. Whilst I was upset it was nothing like it was when I have lost others. Harsh as it may sound...you can replace animals but you cannot replace people. It did change my outlook.
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Omg how awful I'm so sorry.
 
Its a radical hystermectomy I'm having done so not sure if its different from a full one.
They are also taking all the limp nodes out, ( if thats what they are called) shaving the pelvis has he put it and taking the top part of the vagina away.
I'm just not a inside person so its going to be very hard :(
 
thatsmygirl said:
Its a radical hystermectomy I'm having done so not sure if its different from a full one.
They are also taking all the limp nodes out, ( if thats what they are called) shaving the pelvis has he put it and taking the top part of the vagina away.
I'm just not a inside person so its going to be very hard :(
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well you wont need a bikini wax for a while lol



I too have a different look on life now when I got my 5 year all clear despite 1 scare which turned out to be scar tissue. You count your blessing you beat the *C* word, I thank my Dr as it was her not being satisfied with the diagnostic center results that pushed the hospital to run a d&C. I still remember dr *** words, well we have the results of your test and it is not what we hoped for , we found *C* cells and your booked in for a hysterectomy in 2 weeks. I thought WHOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWW rewind I am still on the *C* word

Into menopause in 2 days I was not allowed Chemo due to the cancer so have to suffer and still do with flushes and cannot regulate my temp anymore
 
HGA-12 said:
well you wont need a bikini wax for a while lol



I too have a different look on life now when I got my 5 year all clear despite 1 scare which turned out to be scar tissue. You count your blessing you beat the *C* word, I thank my Dr as it was her not being satisfied with the diagnostic center results that pushed the hospital to run a d&C. I still remember dr *** words, well we have the results of your test and it is not what we hoped for , we found *C* cells and your booked in for a hysterectomy in 2 weeks. I thought WHOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWW rewind I am still on the *C* word

Into menopause in 2 days I was not allowed Chemo due to the cancer so have to suffer and still do with flushes and cannot regulate my temp anymore
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Lol no def won't need a wax for a while!!
Seriously though I am scared to death as I'm a 36 yr old healthy active fit person apart from this bloody cancer! I am worried how I will cope after and very worried about long term effects I will be left with but I suppose its a small price if It cures me and I'm cancer free.
It really does change your view on life, don't think people understand unless they go through it.
 
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