Husband Surgery

buckeye2
buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
Surgery lasted about eight hours, less than I expected. Surgeon cut out liver spot, took out original colon tumor, scraped diaphragm, removed any tumor visible, and finished with chemo bath. Surgeon was able to reconnect colon w/o ostomy. I realize there are challenges ahead but feel at peace tonight. I can't wait to tell my husband how it went. He is still in recovery and probably won't remember much tonight. Lisa
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Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Great News!
    He's going to be "hurtin' for certain", Lisa, after he wakes up. That was the worst pain I can ever remember.

    All I really remember is one of the guys said, "you made it - no colostomy." And I reached over to feel - and he wasn't lying.

    He should be on ice chips for the foreseeable future - sometimes it can take as long as 8-9 days for the bowels to wake up after surgery. So, keep his glass full 'cause he'll be living on that in the coming days.

    His chart should read NPO, which is nothing by mouth.

    I'm so very relieved for you both. Get some rest tonight, he may go to ICU for observation, or they just put him in his room. He's where he needs to be right now though.

    Craig:)
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    I am really glad the surgery
    I am really glad the surgery part is behind you. I know there is a lot for him to still endure but I am always relieved when the actually surgery is over. Sounds like you are in a good place Lisa, congrats for that! :)
    Brenda
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    Great News!
    He's going to be "hurtin' for certain", Lisa, after he wakes up. That was the worst pain I can ever remember.

    All I really remember is one of the guys said, "you made it - no colostomy." And I reached over to feel - and he wasn't lying.

    He should be on ice chips for the foreseeable future - sometimes it can take as long as 8-9 days for the bowels to wake up after surgery. So, keep his glass full 'cause he'll be living on that in the coming days.

    His chart should read NPO, which is nothing by mouth.

    I'm so very relieved for you both. Get some rest tonight, he may go to ICU for observation, or they just put him in his room. He's where he needs to be right now though.

    Craig:)

    Is the NPO thing different
    Is the NPO thing different when the liver is involved? My husband had the colon resection/illeostomy, they gave him clear fluids the rest of the day of surgery and soft foods (anything that you can cut with a fork) the next day. If he is not allowed to eat for an extended amount of time he is going to be one crabby guy. :/
  • janie1
    janie1 Member Posts: 753 Member

    I am really glad the surgery
    I am really glad the surgery part is behind you. I know there is a lot for him to still endure but I am always relieved when the actually surgery is over. Sounds like you are in a good place Lisa, congrats for that! :)
    Brenda

    Wow- what a long day
    Hubby will get to enjoy the pain pump. Wife can have that red wine that's been chillin'.
    Seriously, hope recovery goes well and he'll be asking for "his magazines" soon. You all get some rest.
  • karen40
    karen40 Member Posts: 211 Member
    Lisa
    I'm glad the scary part is over and that you are feeling at peace tonight.
    Karen
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member

    Is the NPO thing different
    Is the NPO thing different when the liver is involved? My husband had the colon resection/illeostomy, they gave him clear fluids the rest of the day of surgery and soft foods (anything that you can cut with a fork) the next day. If he is not allowed to eat for an extended amount of time he is going to be one crabby guy. :/

    BB
    For the liver, I remember being on liquids for a few days, but I didn't do many of them - lost alot of weight in the hospital that way.

    Interesting that your husband was given soft foods to eat; I had nothing but crushed ice for the first 9-days...perhaps it was because I did not get an ostomy of any kind. That might have made the difference.

    My tumor was very low and there was only a couple of CMs with which to re-attach, so it was very, very close. The problem with my surgery is that my bowels never did really have any rest except during those first few days.

    I see now why they do ostomies - to give that area time to heal. I had 25x radiation only six weeks prior to surgery too. Lots of scar tissue before and after and much inflammation and held together by stapes on my resection and on the open incision.

    They were just very adamant about eating nothing but ice until my insides woke up.

    I had gone 3 days without eating before the surgery too, as I had to do a prep so the GI could mark the area for the resection and so it was almost 2 full weeks before I ate anything. Lost about 30 lbs in just under 2 weeks....it's the Sundance Diet Plan:)

    Well, if they let him eat anything, that's good. It's always interesting to hear how different our protocols are. Even all of those years removed, it's still fascinating.

    NPO is nothing by mouth and they usually post it on the door to your room to avoid any mistakes. Glad he got to eat, maybe things have changed some since I did mine.

    Take care, Brenda

    -Craig
  • laurettas
    laurettas Member Posts: 372
    So glad
    the surgery went well. Sounds like he will be laying low for a few days with all the work done on him!

    As far as eating, my husband went six days after his colon surgery before he could eat anything. They even limited his ice chips! He didn't have any ostomies either. I have heard that chewing gum is a good way to get the bowels active more quickly. We didn't know that until after Jake's surgery so I can't tell you if it works or not.
  • tko683
    tko683 Member Posts: 264 Member
    Glad to hear
    Glad to hear that this step is over with for you both. I will hopefully be feeling the same way tomorrow night after my husband's surgery. It is always a relief to be done with the surgery part, so much stress leading up to that day so I am glad that you are relieved. I will pray that the healing goes well for him. Take good care, Hugs, Teri
  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    Hi Lisa, I'm so glad that

    Hi Lisa, I'm so glad that the surgery went well - I can feel the relief in your words. And I know that you're emotionally exhausted from all of the worry, so rest up dear, you need a good night's sleep now. Rick and I are sending our thoughts your way and best wishes for a speedy recovery. I'll chat with you by PM again soon - hugs to you both, Cynthia
  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    Speedy Recovery
    Wishing your husband a safe and speedy recovery!!
    Jeff
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    Jumping over some post
    Jumping over some post surgery hurdles. Fluid is accumulating on the lungs so it looks like a chest tube is going in this afternoon. He was transferred to ICU as a result. His attitude is good as he tried to look down my top when adjusting his bed pillow. Some things never change. Lisa
  • laurettas
    laurettas Member Posts: 372
    buckeye2 said:

    Jumping over some post
    Jumping over some post surgery hurdles. Fluid is accumulating on the lungs so it looks like a chest tube is going in this afternoon. He was transferred to ICU as a result. His attitude is good as he tried to look down my top when adjusting his bed pillow. Some things never change. Lisa

    Too early
    No Hustlers yet!!!
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    buckeye2 said:

    Jumping over some post
    Jumping over some post surgery hurdles. Fluid is accumulating on the lungs so it looks like a chest tube is going in this afternoon. He was transferred to ICU as a result. His attitude is good as he tried to look down my top when adjusting his bed pillow. Some things never change. Lisa

    Hi Lisa,

    Glad to hear the surgery is over with. Hope the chest tube drains and solves the problem of the accumulating fluid. He must be alert enough to peek down your top, lol :)
    I will pray that from this point forward he will recover well and without anymore issues or any complications.

    Hugs,
    Lisa
  • thingy45
    thingy45 Member Posts: 632 Member
    lisa42 said:

    Hi Lisa,

    Glad to hear the surgery is over with. Hope the chest tube drains and solves the problem of the accumulating fluid. He must be alert enough to peek down your top, lol :)
    I will pray that from this point forward he will recover well and without anymore issues or any complications.

    Hugs,
    Lisa

    Hi Lisa,
    Good to hear so far

    Hi Lisa,
    Good to hear so far so good. I had the same, colon resection and no ostomy. Nothing to drink or eat for approximately 5 days,it still took 3 days before the bowels started working. Lots of gass, but that is a good sign. Second day after surgery I had pneumonia, fever etc, High dose of antibiotics etc. It will get better, really, one day at a time.
    They made me walk a few steps 2 hours after surgery, surgery was 6 hours.
    Many good vibes and prayers are send your way.
    Hugs,
    Marjan
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Awesome
    Glad that is behind you and him and it went well. Make sure that he walks when they tell him to because it will make healing go much faster. Let us know how he is continuing to do.

    Kim
  • alexinlv
    alexinlv Member Posts: 194 Member
    buckeye2 said:

    Jumping over some post
    Jumping over some post surgery hurdles. Fluid is accumulating on the lungs so it looks like a chest tube is going in this afternoon. He was transferred to ICU as a result. His attitude is good as he tried to look down my top when adjusting his bed pillow. Some things never change. Lisa

    Glad to hear the surgery
    Glad to hear the surgery went well. Hoping he's out of icu soon Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for strength and peace. Alex
  • alexinlv
    alexinlv Member Posts: 194 Member
    buckeye2 said:

    Jumping over some post
    Jumping over some post surgery hurdles. Fluid is accumulating on the lungs so it looks like a chest tube is going in this afternoon. He was transferred to ICU as a result. His attitude is good as he tried to look down my top when adjusting his bed pillow. Some things never change. Lisa

    Glad to hear the surgery
    Glad to hear the surgery went well. Hoping he's out of icu soon Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for strength and peace. Alex
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    Update on HIPEC surgery
    We are now day three following surgery. Things are continuing to improve. Fluid coming off chest is decreasing. Husband is able to rest peacefully. He is so tired so I am discouraging visitors. He is still in ICU but surgeon says transfer should be soon. Pain is managed well. I am so happy to be on this side of the operation. Lisa
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    Well we are now at day 9.
    Well we are now at day 9. Bowels still haven't functioned which means stomach tube still in place. I know he is anxious to get that thing out of his nose and throat. He had some hunger pains yesterday which is a good sign. No signs of infection yet so I have my fingers crossed. I am staying in a nearby hotel so even though I spend all day here, I am able to get a good night's sleep each night. Progress is slow. I'm trying to be patient. Lisa
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    buckeye2 said:

    Well we are now at day 9.
    Well we are now at day 9. Bowels still haven't functioned which means stomach tube still in place. I know he is anxious to get that thing out of his nose and throat. He had some hunger pains yesterday which is a good sign. No signs of infection yet so I have my fingers crossed. I am staying in a nearby hotel so even though I spend all day here, I am able to get a good night's sleep each night. Progress is slow. I'm trying to be patient. Lisa

    Lisa ,feel sorry to answer so late but had some problems lately!
    Congratulations for the success of the surgery , I'm praying for a fast recovery !
    God bless you both!