Any 411 for pre-surgery?

son of hal
son of hal Member Posts: 117
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Well I'm going in for surgery in 4 days (9/19) and I'm wondering what advice the knowledgeable, battle weary members here might share with me. I'm kinda new here but have had cancer for a couple years. I've been lurking for a long time but had a recurrence a few months ago so I thought it was time to get more involved. I initially was stage II Rectal and had good success with treatment (chemo/rad) but had insurance and other issues. I was NED for about six months so I put off surgery. Now I'm scheduled for surgery to finish the job. I'm going in for a colo-anal anastomosis with a temporary illeostomy being done laparoscopically. I'm in very good health and have no symptoms of any type. My recurrence was only found during a routine follow-up and is a very small tumor in the same spot as the original cancer. I've been very healthy since my first diagnosis thanks to many people on here and I attribute my disease being stable this long to the some of the knowledge I've obtained here. Even with a recurrence my CEA is at it's lowest point in two years (0.7).
So what I'm wondering is what can I prepare for ahead of time, for my return home afterward. Should I have rubber sheets? LOL Should I get a case of depends? Should I send my wife on a vacation? Seriously though, I've heard it's easier to sleep in a recliner. yes/no? Should I expect leaks and accidents? What makes them easier to deal with? Should I get something for skin irritation before hand? What's recommended? Any other tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated.
Also, has anyone on here gone the health/ alternative route BEFORE surgery? I did and I'm hoping it helps with recovery.
Thanks to everyone on here for your past and future compassion and input.
CJ

Comments

  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #2
    Welcome
    I wish I had the answers for you, but I don't. Just wanted to say I'm glad you're posting now. I'm sure someone will chime in with lots of good advice.

    I'm praying the surgery goes great!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #3
    Welcome
    I wish I had the answers for you, but I don't. Just wanted to say I'm glad you're posting now. I'm sure someone will chime in with lots of good advice.

    I'm praying the surgery goes great!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #4
    Hi CJ
    Welcome.

    I have a perm colostomy, but some of my experience may be of value to you.

    Yes, I did sleep in a recliner for a while as I am usually a restless sleeper. I don't know about the pain, discomfort after laparoscopic surgery as mine was the BIG cut. I found that the recliner put me at the right angle to prevent pulling on the area. I put a pillow in the seat of the chair to offer a bit of extra comfort in the rear.

    The ostomy itself was a bit daunting at first, but a little practice got me past that. I would suggest that you locate your nearest supplier of ostomy supplies. I was fortunate to have one in my town, otherwise you will probably need to order them which is not a big deal. You just need a few supplies to come home with until you can get some mailed to you.
    As for the right 'appliance' for you, hopefully you have access to an ostomy nurse at your hospital. Mine not only did the marking for the stoma location, she also saw me after surgery to help with stoma care there. She can help you with the type and where to get them.

    Something to protect the mattress would probably be a good idea. I did for the first little while.

    Leaks and accidents with the ostomy appliance can and do happen, but you will find that you will learn what caused it to prevent same prob again. If you have any issues, come here and tell us what happened and someone will offer advise. We have had many good stories on just that situation.

    I was told that uping protein after surgery was helpful for healing. I wasn't much of an eater when I got home, so did small portions of whatever sounded good. I was fortunate to have my mother (85 years young) to cook for me and make all my favs.

    Best of luck with surgery and recovery. Am sure others will chime in with helpful hints.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #5
    alternative route pre-op
    The first surgery, I wasted weeks trying to get surgical agreement on alternatives. We finally agreed to postop on the heavy oral nutrients, based on outside expertise, similar but often more than the LEF protocol, in whey protein + medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil based shakes. One of her most important presurgery items was the CA19-9 blood test since it relates to long term cimetidine use, but the doctors didn't know anything about that. For surgery, LEF recommends taking immune enhancers and trying to avoid opiates.

    My wife preloads with oral cimetidine per the LEF protocol, vitamins and many specialized nutrients. We requested that the surgeons use cimetidine for prophyllaxis of acid aspiration during surgery instead the more "modern" proton pump inhibitors (our surgeon said 3200 mg cimetidine/day, as 800 mg every 6 hours for the day of surgery). She takes oral cimetidine, high dose vitamins with liquid nutrients ASAP after surgery AND intravenuous sodium ascorbate (15 grams C after the first surgery, without an initial G6PD test, and 25 grams C a few hours after the second surgery). An IV vitamin C infusion is more likely outside US hospitals/staff, than with conventional medical staff. She also takes digestive supplements - glutamine, betaine hydrochloride and pancreatin, to better digest food, especially with cimetidine treatment.

    She stayed off vitamin E, curcumin and aspirin before surgery, but the surgeons were eager and ready with celecoxib both times. Some alt doctors advocate fish oil before surgery, others reject - we didn't use fish oil pre-op, we might next time.

    Over a year after 1st surgery, her 2nd surgeon did not object to the alternatives, he did require that she have a good pro-time (INR) and PTT. He was very impressed by her story (rapid recoveries, no evidence of expected metastases) and documentation from the previous year so he was actually very cooperative, a rare find around a hospital.

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