Questions to ask prior to surgery?

marjans daughter
marjans daughter Member Posts: 21
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Well, this past week has been a whirlwind of activity since Mom's colonoscopy and cancer "suspicion."

Yesterday we finished her day two of heart stress test, went to the hospital where the surgery will take place for pre-admin, where she also did a respirology test for her seasonal asthma and blood work. They gave us a tour and explained in detail what to expect.

So everything is now done we're just waiting for the call, nurse thought maybe this Thursday for the surgery. The nurse reassured us somewhat and said the CT scan showed no spreading , But we will hear all the details of ct scan prior to surgery when we meet with Moms specialist .
I'm so thankful for her specialist who has fast tracked all the testing and this surgery due to the severe blockage.

Mom is having a Left hemiColectomy.

So all that being said, I'm wondering what questions to ask and when?
Yesterday we were given a fairly good explanation about what to expect after surgery, in hospital recovery wise.
I'm wondering do they know what stage/ type just by CT scan (with contrast) or will they have a better idea after surgery?
The family doctor confirmed the cancer dx but didn't elaborate, said specialist will go over it with us this week.

Any tips on what questions to ask would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance, miriam

Comments

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #2
    Questions....

    The one most of us forget about, is the placement of the stoma,
    should one be necessary.

    Time should be taken prior to -any- abdominal surgery, to plan
    where an ostomy should be placed. Even when the doctors insist
    that no ostomy (or a change in the present ostomy) will not occur,
    things can happen during surgery that will necessitate it.

    I have been there twice and have two "T" shirts and a membership
    cards.... Trust me.

    So ask the surgeon.... no, -tell- the surgeon, that if the need arises,
    you want the stoma to be placed where you can continue wearing
    your normal clothes. It's usually 4" aside from the navel, and about
    4" below the belt line. That's usually considered the optimum spot,
    but we're all different... The doc or nurse usually will have you
    wear a pouch full of some substance, just to make certain it's
    placed in the right spot for -you-.

    Having an ostomy isn't the end of the world, although it might be
    the end of what world you once were familiar with. It's livable.
    But.... if the stoma is placed where you can no longer wear
    the clothes you like, in the manner you usually wear clothes,
    it can make your life living hell. Trust me.

    So please, take the time to tell the surgeon exactly what I'm
    telling you about. Don't leave it to chance.

    You can also discuss the "NG tube", and a "respirator tube",
    and how it will feel. You would want the NG tube (etc) placed
    while you are under anesthesia. They usually tie your hands
    down to the bed so you can't kill anyone when you wake up
    finding the tubes in there (I came close, but she got away).

    And the drugs for surgery can take awhile to wear off. Enjoy
    the ability to say and do what you want while you can blame
    it on the drugs. They caught on to me after a few weeks, and
    then I had to straighten out my act.

    Good luck with everything!

    John
  • marjans daughter
    marjans daughter Member Posts: 21
    #3
    John23 said:

    Questions....

    The one most of us forget about, is the placement of the stoma,
    should one be necessary.

    Time should be taken prior to -any- abdominal surgery, to plan
    where an ostomy should be placed. Even when the doctors insist
    that no ostomy (or a change in the present ostomy) will not occur,
    things can happen during surgery that will necessitate it.

    I have been there twice and have two "T" shirts and a membership
    cards.... Trust me.

    So ask the surgeon.... no, -tell- the surgeon, that if the need arises,
    you want the stoma to be placed where you can continue wearing
    your normal clothes. It's usually 4" aside from the navel, and about
    4" below the belt line. That's usually considered the optimum spot,
    but we're all different... The doc or nurse usually will have you
    wear a pouch full of some substance, just to make certain it's
    placed in the right spot for -you-.

    Having an ostomy isn't the end of the world, although it might be
    the end of what world you once were familiar with. It's livable.
    But.... if the stoma is placed where you can no longer wear
    the clothes you like, in the manner you usually wear clothes,
    it can make your life living hell. Trust me.

    So please, take the time to tell the surgeon exactly what I'm
    telling you about. Don't leave it to chance.

    You can also discuss the "NG tube", and a "respirator tube",
    and how it will feel. You would want the NG tube (etc) placed
    while you are under anesthesia. They usually tie your hands
    down to the bed so you can't kill anyone when you wake up
    finding the tubes in there (I came close, but she got away).

    And the drugs for surgery can take awhile to wear off. Enjoy
    the ability to say and do what you want while you can blame
    it on the drugs. They caught on to me after a few weeks, and
    then I had to straighten out my act.

    Good luck with everything!

    John

    Thanks John, I appreciate
    Thanks John, I appreciate your response!

    Great advice about the stoma placement, I will definitely write that one down. Mom is aware about the possibility, and is fairly good humored about it.
    I think having a sense of humor throughout this process, although difficult at times, definitely makes everything a little easier.
    I see you have yours intact! : )
    They went over the intubation with us, we are both familiar with it as my father was iintubated prior to his passing due to ARDS 4 years ago. Mom doesn't like the idea at all, but understands the why's and what fors. She's extremely anxious as she's a (in her words) surgical virgin. LoL

    Thanks for the good wishes,
    Miriam
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #4
    The staging of colon
    The staging of colon cancer
    in my case, no CT results were given to me by anybody
    the colorectal surgeon wouldn't even speculate on the stage until surgery
    I knew going in it was a 3 or a 4
    and yes, they do know more with surgery- they take a look at and manipulate the liver
    the feel and look of lymph nodes also give them an idea
    then the lab results on the lymph nodes, which was 3 days in my case
    and finally I got the staging of 3B
    I didn't have a PET until several weeks before chemo and that confirmed no spread.

    Your mother is almost obstructed, very large tumor? (sorry trying to remember if I read that in another one of your posts?) I also had a very large tumor- I saw my surgeon at Mayo on Wed, the surgery date was set for the following Monday and I obstructed on Friday, in the middle of the night. Total nightmare. Just to be careful of this. I would point blank ask the surgeon for the procedure if she obstructs before next Thurs. I was very very lucky that my surgeon had already done all the testing and I was set to go. It was her and her team that met the ambulance in the middle of the night and whisked me to surgery.

    I think what you need to hear and your mom too. This is horrifying, shocking and really a difficult time for all of us to get through. But you will, she will, all of us do get through it. Hang in there- don't let your mind get to far ahead of this. I used to tell myself (especially in the early days) "Patty, don't go there!"
  • JoyceSteele
    JoyceSteele Member Posts: 145
    #5
    Some questions
    Dear Miriam, first of all my best wishes for your Mom's surgery and recovery. I was at Mayo Clinic recently for surgery that unfortunately was stopped not long after it started. But after countless visits, meeting all the doctors on the team (I was having 3 different procedures, left lobe of liver removed, sigmoid colon removed, portal vein embolization)

    1. Is the surgery laparoscopic with open surgery as a back up
    2. Approximately how long does it take, and how long if all goes well in the recovery room
    Usually an assistant will come out at some point and let you know how things are progressing, maybe even a few times
    3. What are the chances of needing a blood transfusion
    4. Is there anything she can do to help prevent infection... is she taking antibiotics BEFORE the surgery? Does she have to shower with an antibacterial soap prior to going to the hospital. Mayo had me do that twice, the night before, the morning of.
    5. What will she be able to do after the surgery when she feels like it? Drive a car? Lifting? Will she need someone with her all the time when she first gets home.
    6. Does your Mom have an advanced directive or living will? I don't mean to be pessimistic, but am sure the hospital asked or will and if she has time to do that, it would be good to have.
    7. How soon does she return for stitches to be removed, if there are any, and/or for a follow up visit.
    8. What kind of pain meds are available?

    Although it seems daunting in a way, once you get there and it begins, it will all work out. And hopefully you have a wonderful group of nurses and doctors, don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for something that you need. And take care of you as much as you can, get rest, care for yourself.

    Will be praying for you and watching for your updates. Love to both, Joyce
  • marjans daughter
    marjans daughter Member Posts: 21
    #6
    JoyceSteele said:

    Some questions
    Dear Miriam, first of all my best wishes for your Mom's surgery and recovery. I was at Mayo Clinic recently for surgery that unfortunately was stopped not long after it started. But after countless visits, meeting all the doctors on the team (I was having 3 different procedures, left lobe of liver removed, sigmoid colon removed, portal vein embolization)

    1. Is the surgery laparoscopic with open surgery as a back up
    2. Approximately how long does it take, and how long if all goes well in the recovery room
    Usually an assistant will come out at some point and let you know how things are progressing, maybe even a few times
    3. What are the chances of needing a blood transfusion
    4. Is there anything she can do to help prevent infection... is she taking antibiotics BEFORE the surgery? Does she have to shower with an antibacterial soap prior to going to the hospital. Mayo had me do that twice, the night before, the morning of.
    5. What will she be able to do after the surgery when she feels like it? Drive a car? Lifting? Will she need someone with her all the time when she first gets home.
    6. Does your Mom have an advanced directive or living will? I don't mean to be pessimistic, but am sure the hospital asked or will and if she has time to do that, it would be good to have.
    7. How soon does she return for stitches to be removed, if there are any, and/or for a follow up visit.
    8. What kind of pain meds are available?

    Although it seems daunting in a way, once you get there and it begins, it will all work out. And hopefully you have a wonderful group of nurses and doctors, don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for something that you need. And take care of you as much as you can, get rest, care for yourself.

    Will be praying for you and watching for your updates. Love to both, Joyce

    Thanks very much Pattee and
    Thanks very much Pattee and Joyce, sorry I can't write more at this time but I wanted you both to know I read your suggestions and found them very helpful.
    I appreciate it so much!

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