Take immune support. The best is 'Transfer Factor', but it's expensive. I started taking it as soon as I knew I had cancer, and will continue so to do.
I have had no infections in the 3years and 9 months since starting this journey, even when all around were suffering 'flu, etc. That includes 6 months of chemo.
There are sceptics, but for obvious reasons, I'm a convert.
I don't know whether there is anything you can take, I would just suggest trying to be as healthy as possible so you are in the best shape you can be, but equally if there was ever a time to give in to those cravings, this is it!
If you look back at previous questions, there is a lot of really good advice about dealing with the operation and recovery, and most people seem to find it isn't as bad as they expected, and you're up and about surprisingly quickly.
This is a really little thing, but someone suggested taking hand and face wipes and I found this really helpful because you're not always in a position to wash your hands when you want to and face wipes can be really refreshing. I'm sure there is a lot more important stuff, but this sticks in my mind!
If you do need bowel surgery, come back to us because a couple of us on this site have had various things done and can give advice and positive messages about life afterwards. Hopefully you won't have and you can disregard that!
I really hope it goes well for you.
Sending warmest wishes
Sue
x
Hi Pilates,
The only advice I would give if you mean in terms of eating anything.... It would be wise to check anything you might intend to take with your oncologist....I know you have a weight problem..( by this I mean losing too much weight).... so you need to build up your strength and try not to go on faddy diets....I never took supplements of any kind but never as much as had a sniffle or cold either.... so I don't know what the answer is really....I think I could have bought expensive supplements and the outcome would have been the same...but of course I would be lighter in my pocket ....when I went for my op my daughter was more worried that I might catch a bug so wanted me to take toiletries etc. In plastic bags instead of a toilet bag I did take a bag I could wipe.. and anti-bacterial wipes... but what I found useful I took a beach bag one of those mesh ones..I got mine from BHS in the sale (it was this time of year) and when I went to the bathroom I put everything I needed in the bag toilet bag towel etc. that way I wasn't dragging anything in the floor and it was easier to get to the bathroom and can be hung up on a hook...I also had a yearning for wine gums when I was in there... Wishing you all the best love x G x
• in reply to
Valuable feedback, Gwyn -as is mine.
Perhaps better not to directly criticise my (or anyone's) genuinely shared response, though.
I had full Hysterectomy and Appendix removed in Dec but not the Omentum .
I did not know til later that the Ovarian Mass was wrapped round my bowel but they removed it with out cutting into the bowel ..So lets hope all will be ok for you ....
Anything I took during chemo I used to run it passed the consultant via his secretary via E mail .
I had no colds ect only shinges after the 2nd chemo .... Have been taking Zinc and Garlic daily for years ...
I have added vit C since having the chemo ...
Drink lots of water ...good for your insides ..Mint tea or pepermint water for after your op for wind problems and gentle walking will ease it ....
Lots of TLC , Laughter but hold your stiches or clips !!!
Washing your hands when you can is a good preventer of infections and of course all fruit and veggies/ salads before eating too .
Wishing you all the very best for your op and take very good care afterwards ..
A small pillow........to support your abdomen especially if you need to cough or sneeze or laugh!
Slip on slippers so you don't have to bend down.
Wipes are great for freshening up.
Make sure you don't get constipated & ask for peppermint water for wind issues!
I had arnica with me but forgot to take it.....it's meant to help with bruising......grt your nearest & dearest to rember these kind of things as sometimes theres so much happening you forget.
My last piece of advice is if you have a urinary catether don't let them take it our till you can walk to the bathroom unaided.......
Guard against getting constipated as you need to avoid all unnecessary strain on the pelvic floor after this type of operation. Equip yourself with the best laxative on the market: MOVICOL. This laxative has a very gentle, softening action and does not result in cramps or diarrhoea. Oncologists recommend this laxative to counteract the constipation so often associated with chemotherapy.
Take nighties that give easy access to the upper arm as you will be having your blood pressure taken. Pyjamas would be too difficult with a urinary catheter.
The hospital atmosphere is hot and can be drying to the skin so take face cream and lipsalve.
Leave jewellery at home. Take a small mirror with you as it will not be easy to reach the bathroom mirror with all the different tubes. Take a shower hat as most hospitals have showers rather than baths.
Take plenty of sanitary pads with you (the hospital ones are awful). You will have vaginal loss for about 6 weeks after the operation.
After surgery, drink as much water as you can manage as this will help prevent urinary tract infections when the catheter is in place.
Take plenty of coins for the ward trolley telephone as mobile phones are not allowed in hospitals as they interfere with the hospital paging system.
Good luck with the operation and take things gently after you are discharged. We can help you with most things if you have any queries after the surgery. We have the T-shirt as the saying goes..........
Hmm - I think reactions to laxatives are very individual - Movicol gives me terrible cramps! Does work, though.
The hospital I was in didn't have phones on trolleys - just phone/TV/internet access stations on long arms attached to the wall. Radio was free on these, but everything else cost the earth - at least 5 GBP a day (no pound sign on this keyboard). They did allow mobiles though. Best to ask in advance so you can go prepared.
Be sure to take some light reading material. Hospitals are very boring places to be, but it's difficult to read anything that requires much concentration because you keep getting interrupted or falling asleep.
I had the hysterectomy/oomentum/cervix and something else (forgotten what,so I mustn't be missing it!) removed in May. Eat as much fruit and veg as you can to boost your feeling of well-being. The hospital also gave me several boxes of something nutritious to drink pre-op, which was very useful as I didn't feel dehydrated afterwards. A small radio and ear-phones are good so you can cut the hospital noises out.
I would like you to take with you the knowledge that should you have to have the bowel resection and this results in you having a 'bag' it is not the end of the world. I did not want to think about the possibility that this might happen to me and so it was a bit of a shock when it did. I assumed my world/social life was now over and I would not be able to go out in polite company again. HOWEVER, The bags are very discreet, and you can swim/exercise in them. I even wear a bikini.
Anyway, lets not go on about it too much, as It might never happen Just thought it would ease some of the nerves. The other ladies suggestions are much more practical I will second the advice for a long nighty (not pyjamas).
i dont think i could add anything tothe advice above...its all good advice.. a good healthy diet plenty of fluids ... anything that eases wind pain im all for it.. at the end of the day.. do take to hospital anything that will make life easier for u..
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