HIPEC April 16th--getting jittery

Hi Sue,

Sorry I didn't see your posts until now. If I understand correcty you were diagnosed PPC via laprascopic surgery last May and had neoadjuvant chemo that worked fine and now you are about to have full debulking with HIPEC (heated chemo). Please correct me if I am wrong.

Whatever you're imagining now is much worse that the actual surgery. It is really not that bad.

I did not have HIPEC. 2 years ago I was looking into HIPEC and I was told at the time that it was rarely done for ovarian cancer and never done if cancer has already escaped peritoneal cavity. It has potential for cure, but it has higher morbidity and mortality rate. It is only done if patient is young and in excellent overall health. Not a single surgeon does HIPEC for ovarian cancer in Canada where I live (I talked to 5 surgeons in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia).

At diagnosis I also had cancer cells embedded in the omentum (omental caking) as well as 1 large tumor (9 cm), many peritoneal mets (studding) and ascites. Surgeon removed uterus (left cervix in at my request), ovaries, fallopian tubes and omentum. My appendix was removed 30 years ago. There was a lot of talking before the surgery about potential bowel resection and temporary iliostomy, scaring the sh*t out of me. It is only done if surgeon sees that cancer had invaded your bowels or if there are adhesions connecting bowels to other organs. I know plenty of people who agreed to a stoma and either had it reversed later or learned to live with it. To me it was not an option and I did not sign consent to ileostomy. I don't recommend that you do what I did (fighting, lawyers, etc.). Rather explain your feelings about the stoma to the surgeon and ask them to do their best if it could be avoided. Goes without saying that you want to have the best gyno-oncologist money can buy, someone who has done hundreds of those surgeries, ideally at the teaching hospital.

Surgery itself took about 2 hours. It was open laparotomy leaving a long vertical scar (about 14"). I know others who had laprascopic surgery or horizontal laparotomy. I asked for both morphine and epidural. I woke up with morphine / epidural drip and catheter and was not in a lot of pain. I was able to get up and walk around the next day and was out of the hospital after 3 days. Staples came out after 2 weeks. By then I was able to drive, do almost everything and took minimal painkillers. Pathology report / staging should be ready 2 weeks after surgery. My only problem was that incision partially opened, so I had to go to the nursing station every 2 days and get it packed for several months till it finally healed.

Buy yourself some large (3 sizes too large) underwear, a soft front-closing bra, and a surgical abdominal binder and wear it for at least 4 weeks after surgery. It's hard to get in and out of bed without a binder. If you have a comfy recliner, you could sleep in it for several days at home.

Full recovery takes 6-8 weeks. Don't be a hero with housework, rest a lot, ask for help or hire someone. If you have a labor-intensive job, take a leave. If you have a desk job, you could probably do it after 2-3 weeks, but I wouldn't. Take all the time you can to heal and rest. Regardless of how great you feel after the surgery do not lift anything heavy, don't reach up, don't make any sudden movements, press a small pillow to your belly when you caugh / sneeze. Try to avoid foods and drugs that cause constipation / gas and drink lots of water. Gas is painful. Hernias are the plague that follows abdominal surgery. I got one 6 months after hysterectomy.

If you have any questions, PM me. Best of luck to you!!

Just want to say -- thinking of you & wishing you the VERY BEST! HIPEC has never been mentioned as an option for me, & I've never asked about it, but I've read that it has had good reults. Keep the faith!

Carole

sk_Nebraska said:

Laproscopic/exploratory yesterday went well

Hi, Just to update:  Had the "look see" for the sscheduled HIPEC whish is the 15th, not 16th. The University of Nebraska Med Ctn/School is fantastic! The surgeon Dr Jason Foster is super. Well respected susrgeon plus a high level of compassion and clear ecplanations to family and patient. He did not find as miuch cancer as we anticipated--with all the detours this winter, CA 125 numbers had gone up significantly.  Of course now I wonde where is it hiding?? He told us after yesterdays look see that i am an excellent candidate for the HIPEC, anticipates saving colon, will anticipate adding "multiple years" to prpognosis.  I know miultiple can meen 2--I am thankful for anything I get:)  Or if it is days, still grateful. Daughters arer here for surgery, one is a doctor, friends support netwok is incredible!! Our church frineds have been signing up to bring meals.  It is a website maintained by a church in Vermont. Meal Train is the website.

I am scared about being under anthethetic for 10 plus hours as I am 68 years old. But.....I absolutely trust my surgeon. Am also a 15 year Stage 3 breast cancer survivor--oine total masectomy, 6 months chemo clinical trial that has now become standard of care.  Will update once I am coherrent after surgery.

not fixing typos, sorry:(

Thank you for all the great support you all provide here--it is lifesaving.

Sue 

With the surgeon you trust, I am sure your operation will go great on the 15th. And your strong support system will pitch in while you're recovering.

Here's to multiple years cancer-free!

Hugs,

Alexandra

Dear Sue,

I hope your surgery went well and you are not in any pain or discomfort. Please update us when you feel up to it.

Sending you hugs and healing thoughts,

Alexandra

sk_Nebraska said:

Laproscopic/exploratory yesterday went well

Hi, Just to update:  Had the "look see" for the sscheduled HIPEC whish is the 15th, not 16th. The University of Nebraska Med Ctn/School is fantastic! The surgeon Dr Jason Foster is super. Well respected susrgeon plus a high level of compassion and clear ecplanations to family and patient. He did not find as miuch cancer as we anticipated--with all the detours this winter, CA 125 numbers had gone up significantly.  Of course now I wonde where is it hiding?? He told us after yesterdays look see that i am an excellent candidate for the HIPEC, anticipates saving colon, will anticipate adding "multiple years" to prpognosis.  I know miultiple can meen 2--I am thankful for anything I get:)  Or if it is days, still grateful. Daughters arer here for surgery, one is a doctor, friends support netwok is incredible!! Our church frineds have been signing up to bring meals.  It is a website maintained by a church in Vermont. Meal Train is the website.

I am scared about being under anthethetic for 10 plus hours as I am 68 years old. But.....I absolutely trust my surgeon. Am also a 15 year Stage 3 breast cancer survivor--oine total masectomy, 6 months chemo clinical trial that has now become standard of care.  Will update once I am coherrent after surgery.

not fixing typos, sorry:(

Thank you for all the great support you all provide here--it is lifesaving.

Sue 

Yes, Sue how are you? Hoping all went well. Please let us know you are dancing in the streets!