Aa
surgery needed
Hi Ladies,
I finally know what those horrible pain and n/v attacks are from, my oncologist looked over the CT report and said I need hernia surgery.
I met with my surgeon and brought my CT scan from the hospital ER and the blood work. He examined me standing and lying down and concluded that I need surgery for the navel hernias, before the situation becomes an emergency. He said that he'll start with laparoscopic surgery, but if there are adhesions, he'll have to switch to open abdomen. I'll have full anesthesia and the surgery will take longer and so will the recovery time 6-8 weeks.
When I'm recovered, I have to start a new chemo drug since the ER CT showed that the lymph nodes are growing again, I guess that's why my CA has been steadily climbing.
The surgery is scheduled for Oct. 20th which will give me time to prepare mentally and keep my scheduled doctor appointments. I'm cooking and freezing soups and main dishes to keep busy, and make it easier on my poor husband.
It's hard to get my mind around this, I'm usually optimistic, but this is one blow after another coming along and I'm just getting beaten down.
I'm already on an anti depressant, but I just wish I could have my life back, don't we all?
Just had to vent, I know you all understand.
Jane
I finally know what those horrible pain and n/v attacks are from, my oncologist looked over the CT report and said I need hernia surgery.
I met with my surgeon and brought my CT scan from the hospital ER and the blood work. He examined me standing and lying down and concluded that I need surgery for the navel hernias, before the situation becomes an emergency. He said that he'll start with laparoscopic surgery, but if there are adhesions, he'll have to switch to open abdomen. I'll have full anesthesia and the surgery will take longer and so will the recovery time 6-8 weeks.
When I'm recovered, I have to start a new chemo drug since the ER CT showed that the lymph nodes are growing again, I guess that's why my CA has been steadily climbing.
The surgery is scheduled for Oct. 20th which will give me time to prepare mentally and keep my scheduled doctor appointments. I'm cooking and freezing soups and main dishes to keep busy, and make it easier on my poor husband.
It's hard to get my mind around this, I'm usually optimistic, but this is one blow after another coming along and I'm just getting beaten down.
I'm already on an anti depressant, but I just wish I could have my life back, don't we all?
Just had to vent, I know you all understand.
Jane
Hi Jane, I'm sort of going the opposite way to your battles, but as I have had a major multiple incisional hernias repair i thought i might give you a bit of a heads up on the surgery for that. After 2x c-sections, appendectomy and TAH (leaving ovaries) I was involved in a motor vehicle accident, which caused numerous incisional hernias. Because of all my previous surgeries I thought the hernia repair would be a breeze. I think that was where i came unstuck. I had open surgery and had a 15x20cm gortex mesh placed over the abdominal area that was anchored to my pelvic bones with titanium screws. Not trying to make things sound to scarey, but I would say, it was my most painful surgery, and longest recovery I've had. I was off work for 8 weeks, totally bedridden for the first two, and unable to do hardly anything for at least 6 weeks. I think you need to go into this expecting it to be hard, so as not to get the shock I did afterwards. Hopefully, your experience will be alot better than mine. I would really be interested in any info you can find out about your repair. Now 6 years on I have been diagnosed with a 6cm cyst on right ovary, and 4cm one on left, with elevated CA-125, though i don't know my reading. I am in excrutiating pain on a daily basis, which I am covering with mega doses of painkillers, and have been told I have to have my ovaries removed, and won't know what this is until after surgery. I can't mentally prepare myself for this surgery, as apparently it is very complicated due to them having to now remove the mesh, and battle masses of adhesions before even starting to deal with my new problem. Like you, I can't believe I have to have surgery again, and am so confused about so many things, like do they have to replace mesh after this surgery???, is this OVCA??, and keeping everything crossed that this will be my last operation. Good luck with your surgery, and just take it easy. I'm sure with your history, it would take alot to break someone whos battled so much, you're a obviously a fighter. I swear I'm coming back as a man in my next life, as we all are.
Jane...I'm so sorry to hear of this latest setback - I hear you...it just seems to be one thing after another, doesn't it? You do have to look at the big picture though and remember that this surgery is ultimately to help you and get you feeling better. Being in horrible pain and having n/v attacks can't be much fun - you may have a few weeks of painful recovery but the end result will be worth it :)
My only suggestion for after surgery care has been to make sure you have nightgowns - I always wore PJ pants and a top to bed but went out and stocked up on nightgowns because I knew my abdomen would be swollen after surgery and I didn't want anything rubbing on my tummy!
I wish you the best of luck with this Jane...and your right - you can always come here to vent because we do understand :)
Becky xx
My only suggestion for after surgery care has been to make sure you have nightgowns - I always wore PJ pants and a top to bed but went out and stocked up on nightgowns because I knew my abdomen would be swollen after surgery and I didn't want anything rubbing on my tummy!
I wish you the best of luck with this Jane...and your right - you can always come here to vent because we do understand :)
Becky xx
Jane,
I had two surgeries at once last summer, one appendectomy laparoscopic and one intestinal surgery (opened me up). They were both done on the same day. My best suggestion is rest, sleep, rest, sleep and when you feel up to it, very short walks. Take advantage of ALL help (I didn't do, but wish I had) but most importantly, the rest. I had people who wanted to visit me right away and that was too much - you feel like you have to be up for them and you don't need that, you need rest. Take the pain pills, take the pain pill, take the pain pills. You have already been preparing the food so that will help your husband. If you don't have any other help, see if he can hire someone to clean your house - at least once. I know it can be expensive but it would be worth it at least one time. Did I say rest, lol?
Love you,
Colleen
I had two surgeries at once last summer, one appendectomy laparoscopic and one intestinal surgery (opened me up). They were both done on the same day. My best suggestion is rest, sleep, rest, sleep and when you feel up to it, very short walks. Take advantage of ALL help (I didn't do, but wish I had) but most importantly, the rest. I had people who wanted to visit me right away and that was too much - you feel like you have to be up for them and you don't need that, you need rest. Take the pain pills, take the pain pill, take the pain pills. You have already been preparing the food so that will help your husband. If you don't have any other help, see if he can hire someone to clean your house - at least once. I know it can be expensive but it would be worth it at least one time. Did I say rest, lol?
Love you,
Colleen
Jane,
I just had a laparotomy in August. A few things that made my recovery time smoother was having easy access meals when my boyfriend or family wasn't around to help me. Eat well balanced meals, the healing process takes a lot of energy out of you! I bought 4 extra pillows to help keep me comfortable at night and during the day. The pillows also helped when I laughed, sneezed or coughed (if you hold on to the incision it helps with the pain). Try to get up and walk 2-3 times a day...but do not over do it and don't do it by yourself...I almost fainted my first week. It is really tough at first but you will recover! :) I'll keep you in my prayers and I hope this helps!
I just had a laparotomy in August. A few things that made my recovery time smoother was having easy access meals when my boyfriend or family wasn't around to help me. Eat well balanced meals, the healing process takes a lot of energy out of you! I bought 4 extra pillows to help keep me comfortable at night and during the day. The pillows also helped when I laughed, sneezed or coughed (if you hold on to the incision it helps with the pain). Try to get up and walk 2-3 times a day...but do not over do it and don't do it by yourself...I almost fainted my first week. It is really tough at first but you will recover! :) I'll keep you in my prayers and I hope this helps!
If anyone has any suggestions to help in preparing for the surgery, or in my recovery from the surgery, I would really appreciate it.
My surgeon has already mentioned the belly binder, and compression stockings, and not lifting, so we have those covered.
Thanks,
Jane
My surgeon has already mentioned the belly binder, and compression stockings, and not lifting, so we have those covered.
Thanks,
Jane
Thank you ladies,
The support and friendship I feel from you, and all the ladies here is so important. I know you are aware of that because you also need the warmth and caring we all get here.
Sharon you're right, it is exhausting to constantly have a new challenge to face, and my husband said I have to get my angry back in gear. I know you've been having a rough time and I'm thinking about you, thanks for your offer of some of your limited strength, but you keep it my dear, for your own battle!
Colleen,
Thanks for your good wishes, be well and have good health! My hubby has already informed work that he'll need time off to be with me and help me, he's always there for me and I feel badly that this is his "golden years", not what either of us expected.
Gail,
Thanks to you as well for your good wishes, you're right this is a total bummer and I wish all of us could return to pre diagnosis life.
Since it's not emergency surgery, I'm glad for the time to get ready. I'm an organized person and like to have things running smoothly, don't we all! I think it makes my hubby a bit crazy but it takes pressure off of him.
Jane
The support and friendship I feel from you, and all the ladies here is so important. I know you are aware of that because you also need the warmth and caring we all get here.
Sharon you're right, it is exhausting to constantly have a new challenge to face, and my husband said I have to get my angry back in gear. I know you've been having a rough time and I'm thinking about you, thanks for your offer of some of your limited strength, but you keep it my dear, for your own battle!
Colleen,
Thanks for your good wishes, be well and have good health! My hubby has already informed work that he'll need time off to be with me and help me, he's always there for me and I feel badly that this is his "golden years", not what either of us expected.
Gail,
Thanks to you as well for your good wishes, you're right this is a total bummer and I wish all of us could return to pre diagnosis life.
Since it's not emergency surgery, I'm glad for the time to get ready. I'm an organized person and like to have things running smoothly, don't we all! I think it makes my hubby a bit crazy but it takes pressure off of him.
Jane
Hearing your news just makes me so angry. Here you were doing so well (considering you have OVCA,) Constantly fighting and facing new challenges is exhausting. Let me lend you some of my very limited strength to get thru this hurdle.
Sharon
Sharon
I am so sorry that you have to go through surgery. It will be good to be out of that pain but I know thinking about it and preparing for it is long. I hope you will have help afterwards, you need to rest and let your body repair. I will be thinking of you and praying for you. Hugs, Colleen
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi Jane,
I'm so sorry things are taking this turn for you. You have a month to prepare, which is good, but then again, you have a month to prepare, which is bad! I know you'll have it on your mind 24/7 until the 20th gets here. So I'm glad you have things to keep you busy. I wish things could return to normal, too, whatever that may be. I think the worst part of this disease is what it takes. It's no fun to go through surgeries and chemo, but the fact that it changes one's life so drastically is a total bummer.
Anyway, I'll be thinking about you, and saying prayers for successful surgery, and an easy recovery.
Gail
I'm so sorry things are taking this turn for you. You have a month to prepare, which is good, but then again, you have a month to prepare, which is bad! I know you'll have it on your mind 24/7 until the 20th gets here. So I'm glad you have things to keep you busy. I wish things could return to normal, too, whatever that may be. I think the worst part of this disease is what it takes. It's no fun to go through surgeries and chemo, but the fact that it changes one's life so drastically is a total bummer.
Anyway, I'll be thinking about you, and saying prayers for successful surgery, and an easy recovery.
Gail
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