debulking surgery

[georgiageorgia182]

Hi lovely ladies 💟

My mums off for debulking surgery tomorrow, and I'd love to know if anyone has any tips on anything that made the recovery easier or anything you really appreciated after surgery that would be amazing. (For example, she has recently been having stomach pains and after advice from a forum we got her a heat pad that has been a life saver!)

Equally any words of support always so appreciated. I've read through lots of threads on this forum of people saying how debulking wasn't as scary as they thought, which has been hugely comforting for me as a nervous daughter! She will be with Simon Butler Manuel - if anyone knows him?

Thanks in advance,

Georgia xxxx

[Lyndy]

Hope your Mums surgery goes really well. Let her enjoy a relaxing time afterwards: comfort telly, eating what she fancies and the occasional walk round to get her circulation going. Treatment is quite pressurised, so a little interlude of calm is like a holiday xx

[georgiageorgia182 in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks Lyndy. (You’ve also replied to a couple of my other posts so thanks so much for the consistent support - it really means a lot!) xx

[Irisisme]

Hi Georgia,

I see you posted 10 hours ago so surgery must be close now, I’m trying to work it out. I wish you and your Mum the very best of outcomes.

Debulking surgery generally means it’s not key-hole surgery. Abdominal pain is likely as you try to move after, I found that holding a rolled up towel to my stomach as I sat up helped. It just supports the damaged muscles.

Tell her not to suffer in silence BUT remember that many analgesics can cause constipation, which is common after the op anyway, so check if the hospital staff are offering laxatives.

Definitely follow Lyndy’s advice. She may not want to move but it does help recovery.

Good Luck to you both,

Iris 🤗

[georgiageorgia182 in reply to Irisisme]

Thanks for this Iris (and you also replied to some of my previous posts and offered some lovely advice, so thank you again)! The tip about a rolled towel is super helpful and I will pass it on. I'm popping in to see her today so will speak to the nurse re laxatives

[Lizchips]

Guessing you are in the UK, it's a very long surgery usually up to 10 hrs or so. I had two debulking surgeries. A month a part. Unusual case. If your mom needs to sit up put the bed up as bit, then let her turn to the side she's getting out of bed on, it's much less painful. Other than that rest is key. Prayers for your mom. 💜 Liz

[Kazzh]

Hi Georgia

I have first hand experience to

give you hope! 7 weeks ago Simon operated on me, he's the top oncology surgeon at Guildford hospital & has tons of experience. He managed to remove all visible cancer for me, even though some areas were very tricky, like lymph nodes around my aorta (major blood vessel). Your mum will be in capable hands for sure! But obviously everyone is different, so I am praying he can do the same for your mum 🙏

Regards recovery, alot of patience will be needed. I managed to get up & walk around after 2/3 days, even a few steps, moving helps alot. Ensure she gets the pain relief right. Fentanyl helped me alot, but tramadol just spaced me out. She wont need clothes in there, its most comfortable wearing the hospital gowns. Eating small amounts and some fibre will help the bowels. Remember her insides take a battering and will be very sore, so opening bowels can take some time. I suffered with huge bloating, they fill you with air in surgery to see organs clearly, it can be very uncomfortable. Drinking lots of water is good.

She will sleep alot, its much needed after such major surgery. I posted on here 2 weeks post surgery feeling awful, but things really do get better I promise.

My scar has healed lovely, no more bloating, and now driving again!

It's all worth it believe me 🙏

She MUST take it very easy to avoid complications such as hernias. My family helped me alot with practical things.

Oh & 1 last thing..I did feel very low around weeks 2/3 after surgery. Its very normal & it too will pass.

I am back on chemo now, as my surgery was interval.

Like I said, we are all different & she may not have exactly the same experience, but its worth knowing the possibilities she may face.

I wish her all the very best wishes and love. Its not an easy ride but she can do it, & she clearly has a loving supportive daughter by ger side which is so important!

Keep us posted, & dont hesitate to post again for further reassurance ❤️❤️❤️

[georgiageorgia182 in reply to Kazzh]

Kazzh - thank you so much for such a full and useful response. Im also so pleased to hear for you about your successful surgery and it gives me great confidence in Simon. Thank you for all of this and for taking the time to write it out - its very useful to hear the good and the bad. xxxx

[Kazzh in reply to georgiageorgia182]

You're welcome! Everything crossed for success 🤞💗

[georgiageorgia182 in reply to Kazzh]

She's awake in the ICU now and Simon's also removed all visible cancer! I'm beyond delighted. Thank you for your support and taking the time to reply yesterday - I was so comforted by your positive experience with Simon. 😀

[Kazzh in reply to georgiageorgia182]

Wow, so happy for you both! They are very lovely there, she is in a good hands & they will take it all at her pace, no rush! 🥰 xxx

[Kazzh in reply to georgiageorgia182]

Does your mum have favourite music? Or like listening to audio books? If you can get some earplugs, she could listen to these via her mobile (if she has one) as sometimes a distraction helps if she is struggling xxx

[georgiageorgia182 in reply to Kazzh]

Hi @Kazzh - thanks so much for checking in Mum is struggling quite a bit with the pain interrupting her sleep at the moment which is not nice to see, so this is a well timed message, thank you! I'll suggest this xx

[Jholly4]

I think kazzh above sums it up well. Around 3 days post surgery is when the height of the post op inflammation hits its high so I felt very sore, bloated and gassy ( I thought it was wind but advised the background inflammation causes the wind build up to be worse). Peppermint tea was recomended ( I preferred peppermint water diluted with a little hot water which helped alongside regular pain meds(. She will find what makes her comfy and what doesn't so be patient with her, I used nighties in hospital once up and about so didn't have pj trousers waistband against tummy. I slept alot and managed short walks after a few days which took a while to build up over many weeks so tell her to be kind to herself, enjoy the good days and ride out the bad ones. Hope all goes well.

[georgiageorgia182 in reply to Jholly4]

Thanks Jholly4 ! Super helpful tips and I'll definitely make sure to get her walking. I'll stock up on peppermint tea now as mums a big tea drinker so I think that's a great idea xxxx

[SopSinger]

Movicol is a good gentle laxative if her bowels are still sluggish. Start with one sachet a day and increase until she's comfortable. If you can't get a prescription for her, it is available over the counter.

[georgiageorgia182 in reply to SopSinger]

Thanks SopSinger. This is helpful

[Lind58]

best of luck to your mom!