recovery from liver resection

strato

Can anyone tell me what their recovery was like after a liver resection? My husband is about to have 50% of his liver removed because of a tumor that's a metastasis of the Stage 3 rectal cancer he was diagnosed with 2 years ago. Then he will undergo 6 months of chemo.
Any info would be appreciated.
By the way, the people on this site are the warmest, kindest group of people I've ever met.
This site has become my safe haven. Love to all of you who have been so helpful and forthcoming with all kinds of invaluable information.

sladich

It was 6-8 weeks of recovery. I won't kid you, it was painful, very painful. But what other choice do you have? Best of luck!

Debbie

jenhopesprays

I had my on December 11, 2007 and I had house guests at Christmas.

My pain was not so bad for me, but I underestimated what this surgery would do to my body. I had fatigue for at least 6 weeks and lost half of my hair from the surgery not chemo. No joke. Luckily I had lots of hair to spare and it just made it easier to blow dry. I was doing "laps" around the hospital on day 2 and managed to get up to a mile before I went home.

Alas, I still got pnuemonia (sp). When my husband and I arrived home to my cozy house decorated for Christmas, picked up the kids and the dog, the doc called to say I had to go back immediately. That meant taking the dog and kids back to our good friends house. I think that was the hardest thing and I was depressed for the two days the had me stay. Luckily, the antibiotics did the trick and I insisted I would go nuts if they didn't let me go home. It was a total of 8 days.

He will be hunched over for quite a while and that is a strain on his other muscles making up for the hunch. Spontaneous shoulder massages rock! When is that ever untrue?

Tips: If he is not in pain, don't let them keep giving you the zofran. It is usually very constipating and they like you to "deliver" before you go home.

Also, he will poop again....just be patient. He will probably loose weight...I sure did. Herbal tea is a good way to get lots of fluids if water sounds yucky. Bring your athletic shoes for floor cruisin'. I felt healthier and more cheerful in my own jammys.

When he is home recovering the movies is a great outing because you can sit the whole time. Just watch the comedies because it hurts to laugh, but I am sure its fun to watch the stifled giggle.

I have one more chemo to go on my 6 months so your right behind me.

Wishing you the best!

Jennifer

If you would like to talk to someone....email me.

Monicaemilia

Any pain I had was very easily controlled with pain meds. I had 75% of my liver resected and I was walking to the washroom by the next day. By day 2 I was walking in the hallways. Just keep an eye out for any fever that could be a sign of an infection. I had a slight one that hospitalized me for three days. I would say it takes about 6 weeks recovery but much longer to get full range of mobility. Just tell your husband to be patient and to start moving as soon as he possibly can. Monica

StacyGleaso

I had my resection during my original surgery when the colon tumor was removed. I had 57 staples down the front of me like a zipper. They took my gallbladder too, for a cleaner shot at the liver. I was back at work, full time without restrictions in 3 weeks. However, I find I am a very bad example of a "typical" patient on a lot of fronts.

Fingers crossed!

Stacy