Tiredness
Tiredness is a common side effect.
Most women need chemotherapy before they
have had time to recover from their operation. Travelling to and from hospitals
and clinics for treatment is also very tiring.
If you start work again during
the treatment, or if you have a home and family to care for, you will be very
tired. If you are on your own and have to do everything yourself, fatigue may also be a problem.
Your tiredness may continue for a while even after treatment has finished.
Some women find that it takes them up to 1-2 years to feel really well
again. It may help to talk with your family and friends about how you feel and
discuss ways in which they can help you. You may need to plan your day's activities
so that you get regular rest periods.
Early menopause
If you have had your uterus removed, you will no longer have your periods and
it will not be possible to become pregnant. If you had both ovaries removed
when you were still having periods, you will experience sudden menopause.
Menopausal symptoms include:
- hot flushes
- mood swings
- trouble sleeping
- tiredness
- vaginal dryness.
The symptoms are usually more severe than a natural menopause because the
body hasn't had time to get used to the loss of hormones.
Talk to your doctor about medication for relieving the symptoms of menopause.
Infertility
Younger women and those who hope to have children may feel deeply upset after a hysterectomy.
For some women, having children is a long-held dream. You may feel devastated if you can't have a child naturally. Even if you had not planned to have children, or have finished having a family, the removal of your reproductive organs may make you feel less feminine.
Consider talking to a counsellor or gynaecological oncology nurse, who can listen and provide support.
Fluid build-up
Sometimes fluid can build up in the abdomen.
- Ascites
- A collection of fluid in the abdomen.
- Can be uncomfortable because of swelling and pressure.
- A procedure called a paracentesis can drain away the fluid
and relieve discomfort. This may require an overnight stay in hospital.
- Pleural effusion
- Fluid that collects in the lining of the lungs.
- May make you feel short of breath and cause some pain.
- Draining the fluid
using a procedure called a pleural aspiration or a pleural tap can provide
relief.
Bowel problems
After surgery, some women may have bowel problems such as diarrhoea, cramps
or constipation. These can occur for some time after treatment. If you have had a colostomy or ileostomy, you will have a stoma bag, which will take some time to adjust to.
Avoid becoming
constipated, as this will put more pressure on the bowel. Talk with your doctor,
nurse or the dietitian about ways to prevent constipation and relieve other
symptoms.
Surgery may sometimes cause the bowel to become blocked (bowel
obstruction). The blockage may also occur because the cancer has come back. If
you have symptoms such as feeling sick, vomiting, abdominal discomfort or pain
you should see your doctor or specialist as soon as possible.
Tips
- Prevent or manage constipation by eating more high-fibre foods, such as wholegrain
bread and pasta, bran, fruit and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of fluids. This will help loosen the bowels if you are constipated
and replace the fluids lost through diarrhoea. Warm and hot drinks work well.
- Eat small, frequent snacks instead of big meals.
- If you have a stoma, talk to a stomal therapy nurse who can give you advice and written information.
More information
Lymphoedema
Removing lymph glands in the pelvic area (lymphadenectomy) may cause one or
both of your legs to swell because of build-up of lymph fluid. This may make
movement and some activities difficult.
Tips
- Gently massage the swollen leg to move the fluid out to other lymph channels.
- Wear special bandages, stockings or a compression garment to help remove
fluid. Talk to your health care team for information.
- Avoid infection by caring for your skin and nails.
- Avoid injections in your legs.
- Ask if your hospital has a specialist physiotherapist or nurse who can tell
you how you can reduce your risk of developing lymphoedema or give you limb exercises to reduce it.
- See a qualified manual lymphatic drainage therapist - see www.lymphoedema.org.au.
More information
- Contact the Cancer Helpline on 13 11 20.
