Headed for HIPEC

lizbiz
lizbiz Member Posts: 120
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone,

I hope you all are having a great holiday season despite the big C. It looks like I'll probably be having the HIPEC procedure done in January, barring any catastrophes. I've been speaking with Dr. Martin Goodman at Tufts Medical Center about this and he feels I'm a good candidate after seeing my CT scans. He intends to do cytoreductive surgery which would involove a liver resection, removing my rectum (leaving me with a permenant colostomy), and taking out my 2 abdominal tumors and then on with the heated chemo bath.

I'd be a big fat liar if I said that I wasn't totally freaked out by this surgery, but I feel that this is my last chance.

For those of you who've had this, how did you do recovery-wise? Who performed it and what questions do you suggest I ask beforehand?

Thanks,
Elizabeth

Comments

  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #2
    Wow
    Wow Elizabeth I don't blame you for being freaked out. I have no experience with the procedures you are getting just wanted to tell you hang in there and I am so happy you found a doctor that can help you. As hard as it may be try and focus on the end result. How did you hook up with Tufts? I had to look up where they are and if I have the right place, it is Boston, right? I think others on the board are familiar with the heated chemo bath so they should respond to you. I'm glad they are getting the tumors out and you are able to have a resection but I am sorry about the permanent colostomy. If it gives you your life back the go foward and don't look back. I wish you nothing but the best and will keep you in my thoughs and prayers that all goes well. Please keep us informed. Tina
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #3
    Hope it goes well
    I don't know anything about the procedures, but I just wanted to say that I'm praying that all goes well for you.

    *Hugs*
    Gail
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #4
    Happy for you
    Elizabeth,

    I am glad that you have a plan for action with your new doctor. I don't know anything personally about HIPEC but have read that there have been great results from the procedure. My thoughts will be with you as go into surgery.

    All the best,
    Amy
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #5
    Elizabeth
    I'm so glad you've found someone to help you with this journey! I'm keeping you in prayer and wish you well.

    Have a wonderful Christmas with hubby and your fur babies and God Bless!

    Diane
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #6
    dianetavegia said:

    Elizabeth
    I'm so glad you've found someone to help you with this journey! I'm keeping you in prayer and wish you well.

    Have a wonderful Christmas with hubby and your fur babies and God Bless!

    Diane

    Go over with your surgeon placement of stoma
    With colostomy, stoma is what sticks out of your stomach and serves as your new rectum. You want it in a position thats good for you . Also, take someone along with you to doctor;s meetings to take notes of what is being said......Best of luck....Steve
  • virginia girl
    virginia girl Member Posts: 4
    #7
    Headed for HIPEC
    Elizabeth,
    My brother met with Dr. Sugarbaker in DC and will have the cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC as soon as he finishes 3 months of chemo. I have been doing a lot of research and this procedure while extremely complex and with significant risk, is the only hope for so many people. We've been told that the in-hospital recovery is anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. After seeing my brother in the hospital for a week this summer after two surgeries and then watching my father who was in the hospital with pneumonia for 42 days.. a key questions for you would be do you have someone who can be with you at the hospital for the period after surgery when you are not able to take care of yourself at all. With both my dad and my brother it amazed me how much they needed someone to alert the nurses, make sure they got their medication on time, question tests and make sure the Doctor came by. With my brother's surgery we are expecting a fight with my brother's insurance company. He has Optima insurance. We are trying to find people who have Optima and have had the surgery covered, but are also looking for the names of other companies that are paying for the surgery. If you don't mind, could you tell me the name of your insurance company if they are covering your surgery?
    Thanks so much and I'll have you in my prayers for a very successful surgery.
    Jane
  • sfmarie
    sfmarie Member Posts: 602
    #8
    JenHopesandPrays
    Is the expert. I hope she reaches out to you. She is an incredible advocate and is such an angel. Marie
  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
    #9
    sfmarie said:

    JenHopesandPrays
    Is the expert. I hope she reaches out to you. She is an incredible advocate and is such an angel. Marie

    Good luck
    And wishing a good recovery, You are all so strong

    michelle

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