As some of you know I have stage 4 endometriosis (my story here) and I recently went into hospital for an operation. Turned out to be a big old op!
Firstly let me start by saying how fantastic the NHS nurses and consultants were, they did a brilliant job of keeping me calm and having me in hospital for 6 days.
I had my own private room with a tv in, very fancy.
Any who, what I originally went in to hospital for was to remove an endometrioma cyst, which sadly became infected. The cyst had stuck to my bowels and kidney too. And, there was a lot of endometriosis tissue to remove.
So, the procedure: I had a laparoscopy, right salpingo-oophorectomy, midline laparotomy – hartmann procedure, cystoscopy – right retrograde study and insertion of JJ stent right side. All very technical words, but I’ll explain below.
What that all means is that I had the infected endometrioma cyst and endo tissue removed, I sadly had to have my right ovary removed. I have stitches from just above my belly button to my lower abdomen. I have a stent in my kidney and my bowels are damaged so I have to have a stoma bag for a year, then have it reversed, which takes another year to recover.
What’s it like having a stoma bag? It’s life changing if I’m being honest. I really struggled at first, being the emotional human that I am, I couldn’t deal with the smell of emptying it without being sick. But now I’ve kind of gotten used to it. The stoma nurses were brilliant in helping me come to terms with it, it’s not forever, it’s only a year they kept saying and that I can lead a normal life.
But it’s hard. At the moment, I’m finding it hard to walk, sit down, lie down without being in pain. I’ve also got a bunch of medication to take, but I’m sick every time I have a paracetamol or my antibiotics as my mouth is so dry and scratchy. I’ve also lost my appetite, I can barely eat anything apart from clear soup or a little bit of mash potato.
Hopefully in a couple of days my throat will stop being so sore and I can eat a proper meal.
Anyway, just wanted to update you all on my endometriosis op, it’s my third one since 2015. Endo you are a pain in the butt, but raising awareness of this condition is my goal.
If you’re struggling with endo or have an operation coming up don’t be afraid to contact me or leave me a comment below.
Let’s get social. Follow me on Instagram or Twitter. I’m also on Bloglovin, Pinterest and Youtube.
Well done Zoey for being so honest. Every day will mean you will become stronger and you can look forward to being pain free and living your new normal. Onwards and upwards! Love you xxx
Author
Aw thanks Marilyn :). Indeed onwards and upwards. Love you too xxx
Great post lovely and a friend of mine has her reversal of madge as she called her Stoma about 6 weeks ago, she had hers for a year and unless you knew, you wouldn’t know xx
Author
I’ve done the same and named mine Barry lol! Yeah, I’ve been hiding mine by wearing baggy clothes, only downside is I can’t wear jeans anymore! x
My goodness, you’ve been through so much. You’re amazing! Stay positive and I really hope the pain passes soon xx
Author
Aw thank you Siobhan! I’m doing much better now :). x
You are so brave! Thanks for sharing! Wish you all the best, a pain free life & hapiness!
I recently got laparoscopy surgery , and diagnosed with stage 4 endo. I’m exactly 7 days post op, and reading up on your experience helps me learn & cope with having endo.
Author
Aw thanks so much Jenny. I hope your recovery is going ok. I’ve got Endo pains at the mo, such a pain to deal with every single month! xx
Hi I struggling with Endo I found out about a year ago I been going to so many different Gyno and doctors no help I want to do surgery to remove the Endo they keep trying to put me on medication they make my stomach bloating even more I came off birth control I have an iud in my Gyno recommended it’s been 2 months now I been a lot of sharp pain I am constantly constipated I changed my diet I make natural drink like celery apple ginger and lemon I also drink natural watermelon juice and drink a lot of ginger tea what do u recommend how did you get a surgery date and how was ur recovery do you still struggling with Endo cause I’m tired