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I am now officially speyed
My cats will be able to put me up for adoption once I'm wormed and flea treated and, as a friend said to me, I'll be cheaper for them to register me with the council!
In all seriousness, the op went well and after two nights in hospital I'm now staying with family to recover. For background - original post here and update from last month here.
My gynaeoncologist was able to do a laparoscopic hysterectomy and oopherectomy, meaning only small abdominal incisions with no need for dressings (as one of the nurses evocatively described it "just a few stab wounds") and after two days I'd describe it as annoying discomfort rather than pain. I have to be really careful not to overdo things, rest as much as possible, no lifting, housework or vigorous exercise, but I was able to get up and shower by myself yesterday and today and the doctors and hospital physio were all really pleased. It's being managed with over the counter painkillers - before I had the operation I thought I might need something stronger for nights but it's not proved to be the case. I also have to give myself a regular injection to prevent blood clots for the next couple of weeks, and wear compression stockings at night.
The initial pathology results are also encouraging but I won't know till the end of this week or early next week whether I'm officially (for now) cancer-free. But so far everything is looking good and I feel okay.
My thanks again as always to everyone in this community for your support. It means a great deal and gave me much needed strength.