Surgery done

[Supermary]

Went through surgery for stage 4 on MOnday

It was 7 hours hysterectomy omentum small portions outside liver and small piece of intestine

First the bad -because of the bowel work and order to get the cancer he saw underneath it he had remove piece and perform Reversable Ilioscopy

Second good news the best news he said I looked a Clean !!! He appeared very encouraged and he is usually so serious

Now I am recovering it’s tough lots of gas pain very painful and the stoma it isn’t fun but I march on

Walking around the ward here at MSK

Will be recovering then getting three more chemo s then reversal surgery

Any one had experience with chemo and the stoma ?

Thanks

Margaret

[Irisisme]

Hi SuperMary,

I didn’t have the stoma because, as the surgeon put it, “your bowel wall is like sandpaper and to remove all the seeding I’d have to take your whole bowel out” - that was in January 2017 and I’m still doing fine 😁👍

I can remember my recovery from surgery. Yes, it was painful and slow, but now it’s just a memory - and yours will be too, eventually.

There are plenty on this site who will let you know how they coped with their stoma, I just want to say that better days are ahead for you so follow the advice and try to move even though it hurts.

Try a rolled up towel pressed to your belly when you roll out of bed as that helps with the muscle pain - and although I’m not sure if the same applies with a stoma, if they offer Laxatives TAKE THEM, constipation can increase your pain BIG time!

The chemo is to mop up and it’s impossible to say how you will react to it as everyone is different. You aren’t likely to get all the possible side-effects but are likely to get some, so take whatever help is available.

I found it helpful to ask for copies of all my tests and scan reports as it made me feel in control.

Pack a bag for your chemo day, with a book/Kindle/tablet, favourite food & drink, a rug, even fluffy slippers. I used it as a ‘pamper day’ - and try to get a lift to & from, just in case you’re not up to driving home.

You may be given an option to have a PICC line or port. I had a PICC line and it made chemo so much easier than them having to find a vein every time, so I would advise it, I assume a port also has advantages.

Good Luck 🍀and Congratulations 🍾🥂for getting this far on your journey.

Iris x

[Supermary in reply to Irisisme]

Thank you Iris

Happy to heR of your ongoing success

I have 3 more chemos to go then stoma reversal

So not sure if my chemo reaction for these last three

Margaret

[Irisisme in reply to Supermary]

Good luck for the rest of your journey, Margaret 🍀❤️🍀

[Beabe]

I think this is where im heading. On my 2nd lot of chemo. Just have to try and cope day by day. Still in shock i think

[Supermary in reply to Beabe]

Whatever it ends up being , my only advice is believe in yourself

When I awoke from surgery I expected the OV scar but not the bag. I cried

I know it is temporary (reversible) and it allowed for the best possible surgery to ensure cancer was all removed but it’s still a lot to process

Today I changed my bag albeit with some nursing help on my own and I am proud of myself

I look forward to chemos 4. 5 and 6 cause I can then get my colon back and getting cancer out of me

Pain will be there and it will suck

The surgery at least for me was tough and I tolerate pain pretty well

But you can do it YOU CAN AND YOU WILL

Hugs

Margaret

[Beabe in reply to Supermary]

Well done you and thank you for your reply. Im such a mess at the moment. Xxx

[Supermary in reply to Beabe]

It’s ok to be a mess , to cry , to be angry

But you are not alone Remember that

And you are stronger than you realize

Myself and others going through it are all here to help and answer questions

It’s ok to feel

[Lyndy]

Well done! Hoping you will have a good recovery and feel better very soon xx

[PCCDaisy]

Hi Margaret,

Just finished my last round of chemo and it was a little rough I do admit. Asked my team and they said it was like going thru it the first time. The only issue had was my neuropathy, which was happy for which was the only thing.

Stay strong and have a steady recovery.

Hugs,

Shelly

[Supermary in reply to PCCDaisy]

Congrats SHelley

Happy to hear your chemo is complete !

[Tulips66]

Hi Margaret, delighted to hear you are over the op & doing ok. It will take time, but you will be amazed how quick you recover when you get home. You won't be allowed hoover,iron or lift anything heavy for 6 weeks & force yourself to get outside & walk a little more each day. I also have a stoma since my op in feb 2019 & gynaecologist said he won't reverse it till I have recovered fully. I had a few accidents with it when I came home first & it took awhile for me to have the confidence to go out to a coffee shop or to a restaurant but I got there. Just a tip I found the drainable one- piece stoma bags were much better as the skin barrier never comes away like the two -piece bags so no accidents & you will have to adjust your diet too to see what upsets your stomach or not. When you are going for your chemo bring your little bag with a supply of bags just in case because it's usually a long day & if you need to change it I am sure there will be a curtain around your chair for privacy. I also brought a spray deodorant with me 😂 You will get used to the stoma & look back in a couple of months & wonder what you were worrying about . I think Ovacome had information recently on stoma's maybe you could contact them or if you have anymore questions just ask me I will be happy to help. Good luck with your recovery & chemo & let me know how your getting on. Xx🌸

[Tillymint61]

I have just had my last post op chemo. The debulking was pretty much as you describe with the exception of having to leave behind some in 4 locations. Despite initially being relieved I didn't have a stoma or an illyostomey only to be told they had to leave seeding on large and small bowel and rectum and also nodules on diaphram. My reaction to such a long anaesthetic wasn't good. I have come to terms with this and will have 18 treatments of Avastin hopefully starting soon. Had scan on Monday so hoping for the best from this. My advice for your remaining chemos would be to really rest up. I have experienced severe fatigue which I didn't pre surgery. I was advised this is the accumlative affect of chemo and so just go with the rest your body needs..fine line with the activity you need alongside the rest you need. Other advice I was given was to take the anti sickness tablets as a matter of course rather than waiting to feel sick. Have done that since 1st chemo and haven't had any nausea. (It was a chemo nurse that advised me to do that!). Good luck.