WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for April, 1997: Re: Hysterectomy due to cancer

Re: Hysterectomy due to cancer

From: Susan (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 26 Apr 1997 19:09:59 -0500 (CDT)

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At Sat, 26 Apr 1997, Connie wrote: >
>I am taking care of my sister-in-law who lives with us. Carole has
>Down's Syndrome and is 49 1/2 years old. Early March she had her first
>internal in her life and 3 rather large polys were removed. Dr. said
>don't give it another thought 99% of the time these are benign. Three
>weeks later she called to say Carole has Endometrial Cancer. Total
>hysterectomy is recommended and she is scheduled for surgery on Monday
>April 28. Can anyone who has dealt with people with Down's tell me how
>I can best help to explain to her what is going to happen and how I can
>best help her afterwards. Carole's blood pressure is very high and on
>200 mg of Lopressor daily to help control bp. Any thoughts would be
>appreciated. She is very overweight also.
>Connie

Connie,

I had to write just to offer support, as this must be a very difficult time for you. I am afraid that being neither a doctor nor a person with experience with Down's people, I can't offer a lot of help. But here's what I know.

First, if Carole can understand that she is ill, perhaps without "feeling" ill, you are ahead of the game. Maybe something like what I would say to my 12 year old daughter would help. I would try to explain that there are "bad" cells (or if need be germs, though that isn't accurate) in her body that are trying to take over all of her "good" cells, and that this is very serious. In order for her to continue to live well for a long time, the doctor has recommended the "bad" cells be taken out. Am I outa my league here? You bet.

I wish I knew Carole, maybe that would help. I think what is important is to focus on her healing and fears she may have about surgery. Perhaps the explanation of what is wrong will be less important than understanding what is happening to her on a day to day basis. I cannot imagine the terror that it could cause a person to be wheeled into a cold, scary operating room without a full understanding of why. Little things like requesting they sedate her before entering the operating room, while you are still at her side, might be comforting. Explaining that she will feel bad for a while after may help too, so she is not terror stricken if she has side effects from anesthesia or pain.

Mostly, I want to say how fortunate Carole is to have a loving family and especially you to help her through this. Ultimately, that love and support and being there will be the best thing you can do for her. She will need you now more than ever. You are such a terrific person for supporting her like you do!

Don't forget to take care of yourself during this, so that you can continue to support her when she comes home. Maybe you and other relatives could visit in shifts at the hospital, so that you can have time for yourself and the rest of your family. Ask for help for you, too, if you need it. Maybe a trip to the massage therapist is in order, to help relieve stree and calm and nurture yourself.

Good luck, and I hope this helped in some small way. With all the resident experts gone to that conference, I wanted to make sure someone at least tried to help you before the day of surgery!

--
Susan Boyles

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