Post Debulking Surgery Experiences

[Newbie_2020]

I'd be grateful to hear/learn from those of you who have already done the debulking surgery.

Once you are out of hospital and have fully recovered what are the changes that will take place within the body? immediate and long-term?

Thanks very much!

[lovemy3dogs]

Are you going to have chemo following the surgery? That will certainly make a difference. My surgery required a colostomy which affected me in some ways. However, even during the chemo I was able to walk about 2 miles everyday starting about 4-5 weeks post surgery. About a month after chemo finished I was able to return to my normal activities: working part time and going to the gym for classes almost every day. My first day back in cycle class was greeted with cheers from my fellow classmates. I think attitude will be an important part in your recovery.

[Newbie_2020 in reply to lovemy3dogs]

Superb news, thanks ever so much. Spot on about the attitude. Really appreciated.

Yes, this was the plan, as I understood it from the Oncologist. 3 sessions chemo, surgery, then 3 sessions chemo. This is if they have begun to go back to normal and operate after Covid.

[lovemy3dogs in reply to Newbie_2020]

I had surgery followed by 18 weeks of chemo. Taxol every week and carboplatin every third week. My only side affects, other than losing my hair, was fatigue and some mild nausea (treated with zofron) the third day of my double treatment. I was able to do all my own shopping and lunch with friends. BTW, I am 67 years old. I thought covid only affected elective surgery. Cancer surgery is considered elective?

[Newbie_2020 in reply to lovemy3dogs]

I, too, am on Carbo/Taxol, three weekly in my case. Lost my hair within the first round. Anti-nausea pills did their job. Fatigue is simply another thing to overcome. Having said that things are always better around the third week after chemo in prep for the next one. The lock down has prevented me from going out as I am over 60, too, and been considered as a high risk, as the oncology nurse.

Surgery is not elective at all and it is part of the treatment plan. However, due to Covid they stopped operating, as I have been told, due to the lack of ICU beds that have been allocated to Covid patients. Many of us with this type of surgery may require to be in ICU, as I understood it.