Surgery soon
After surgery, the plan is to do another 3 rounds of ECF chemo to totally lick this thing. I'll be sure to update everyone ASAP once I get out of surgery.
At this point, it's all in God's hands and I'm definitely okay with that.
Take care everyone.
Comments
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Good Luck
May you have the very best of outcomes from your surgery. You are in good hands, and I am confident that Dr. L. will take good care of you. As you noted, different people have different experiences but also, circumstances, conditions and events are different as well. Each patient is unique. Everyone here will be praying for you. Please keep us informed. It is an exciting time. Good Luck. Mary0 -
Surgery
Minimally invasive surgery when compared to the Ivor Lewis traditional method is definitely the way to go. I had 9 holes, the largest being an inch long. One was for feeding, 2 drains and the 6 were for cameras and the actual surgery. 3 were on my right side and right back where they did most of the work. I know it is scary but the way to look at it is that withing a week, your 3000% better. I was walking the day after surgery and pushed myself to keep doing that to get my strength up. I was home 6 days after surgery. With the traditional Ivor Lewis, you're home in 4 to 6 weeks, you are sliced open big time and there is a much greater risk of infection. I'll pray for you and I wish you the best of luck. I hear good things about your surgeon so you're in the best of hands.0 -
Thinking of You
Dear Jim,
We will be thinking about you and praying for you. My Jim is now six months on the 5th from his MIE. We live on the West Coast and were so grateful for the MIE vs the Ivor-Lewis. It is a major operation and I know you are in good hands there in Pittsburg.
Linda and Jim0 -
my thoughts and prayers are with you today....
I too, remember those feelings as 15 months ago I had my surgery. I put that day in God's hands and He was there with me. Keep poitive as this will change and improve your life. It is a big day for you and your family. Everything will go well and we look forward to hearing from you. God bless....
Gerry0 -
We will be thinking of you on Friday
Jimbo,
I remember that anxious feeling during the days leading up to my surgery. I had never been in the hospital before. When my surgeon described the specifics of my surgery and that I would be in the hospital for 10 to 12 days, if all went well, it certainly gave me pause. You are fortunate to be able to have surgery; and very fortunate to have an MIE.
I remember the 4 hour drive to the hospital and the hour it took to check into my room was some of the longest hours of my life. But interestingly once I got in my room and got settled a strange calm came over me. Like you, I thought “it is in God’s hands now”.
I will be thinking about you and praying for you on Friday.
Best Regards,
Paul Adams
McCormick, South Carolina
DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
6/21/2010 CT Scan NED
3/14/2011 CT Scan NED
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!0 -
Just go with itpaul61 said:We will be thinking of you on Friday
Jimbo,
I remember that anxious feeling during the days leading up to my surgery. I had never been in the hospital before. When my surgeon described the specifics of my surgery and that I would be in the hospital for 10 to 12 days, if all went well, it certainly gave me pause. You are fortunate to be able to have surgery; and very fortunate to have an MIE.
I remember the 4 hour drive to the hospital and the hour it took to check into my room was some of the longest hours of my life. But interestingly once I got in my room and got settled a strange calm came over me. Like you, I thought “it is in God’s hands now”.
I will be thinking about you and praying for you on Friday.
Best Regards,
Paul Adams
McCormick, South Carolina
DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
6/21/2010 CT Scan NED
3/14/2011 CT Scan NED
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
Hi Jimbo,
I just wanted to let you know I’m also thinking of you and wishing for the best possible results. Like Paul I also felt no anxiety going in for my surgery. All during my pre-op treatment I worried about the surgery and wondered what surgeon I should pick but by the time of the surgery I knew I had done my homework to the best of my ability and was completely comfortable with my decisions. All that’s left to do now is put your fate in the hands of your gifted surgeon and go with it. Recovery in the hospital will be the same way but you’ll have the ability to participate in how fast you recover. Personally during my 10 days in the hospital I pushed everyday to get stronger and become more independent. For example everyday at ~7:00am the nurse would come in to help with cleaning up. The usual stuff, sponge bath, hair wash, shave that kind of stuff. By the second day I figured out the routine and would get up at six and have myself cleaned up before the nurse showed up. By the third day the nurses on each shift were fighting over who was going to get me as a patient. Also get up and walk as often and as far as you can. When you go to stand for the first time you’re going to be a little surprised that your legs feel like a couple of wet noodles but that will pass quickly.
Best of luck and please keep us posted,
Joel0 -
Good luck!
JimboC, Wishing you all the best on Friday. As long as you are comfortable with your surgical team, that is all that matters. You have gotten some great advise so far: walk (often - we were told it isn't a distance race; frequency is key), breathe (use that spirometer even though you don't want to), and don't be afraid of the pain meds. The nurses at MD Anderson had to remind my husband all the time to "push the button". He thought it would keep him in the hospital longer, but the pain med would help him relax and take deeper breaths using the spirometer ( there was another breathing thing he had to do also, can't remember the name now- like a big party favor you blow into). The nurses also did a great job of talking to the doctor for us about Mikes medications, and got a couple changed that were J-tube friendly (I was clueless at the time) when he couldnt swallow. You may want to check into that before you leave the hospital.
Again good luck!
Kim0 -
This comment has been removed by the ModeratorJoel C said:Just go with it
Hi Jimbo,
I just wanted to let you know I’m also thinking of you and wishing for the best possible results. Like Paul I also felt no anxiety going in for my surgery. All during my pre-op treatment I worried about the surgery and wondered what surgeon I should pick but by the time of the surgery I knew I had done my homework to the best of my ability and was completely comfortable with my decisions. All that’s left to do now is put your fate in the hands of your gifted surgeon and go with it. Recovery in the hospital will be the same way but you’ll have the ability to participate in how fast you recover. Personally during my 10 days in the hospital I pushed everyday to get stronger and become more independent. For example everyday at ~7:00am the nurse would come in to help with cleaning up. The usual stuff, sponge bath, hair wash, shave that kind of stuff. By the second day I figured out the routine and would get up at six and have myself cleaned up before the nurse showed up. By the third day the nurses on each shift were fighting over who was going to get me as a patient. Also get up and walk as often and as far as you can. When you go to stand for the first time you’re going to be a little surprised that your legs feel like a couple of wet noodles but that will pass quickly.
Best of luck and please keep us posted,
Joel0 -
Jimbo, surgery is always a
Jimbo, surgery is always a scary time. but I remember what a releif, when that day finally came.
From the first day I was diagnosed, I just wanted it out of there.When that day finally came, the Lord filled me with peace.
Will be praying for you ,
Sandra0 -
Thank you all for the kind
Thank you all for the kind comments and prayers. We are now in Pittsburgh and checked into Family House. For my last meal, my wife fixed me some meatloaf, hash brown casserole and bread. It was great. I am now in the last few hours of my full liquid diet, tomorrow is clear liquids. The last for several days. I may have a bowl of cream of wheat before I got to bed. Surgery is Friday so I'm freaking out a good bit but I'll be fine I'm sure.
All my best0 -
Praying for you BrotherJimboC said:Thank you all for the kind
Thank you all for the kind comments and prayers. We are now in Pittsburgh and checked into Family House. For my last meal, my wife fixed me some meatloaf, hash brown casserole and bread. It was great. I am now in the last few hours of my full liquid diet, tomorrow is clear liquids. The last for several days. I may have a bowl of cream of wheat before I got to bed. Surgery is Friday so I'm freaking out a good bit but I'll be fine I'm sure.
All my best
I can imagine the emotions you're having going into surgery. I'm a few months out and already I experiencing some of the same. You've done the footwork and now it's up to the docs to perform theirs. Good luck man and I hope to hear a progress report from you shortly. I'll pray for you
Michael Daniels
Brandon, FL0 -
best wisheshopper52 said:Praying for you Brother
I can imagine the emotions you're having going into surgery. I'm a few months out and already I experiencing some of the same. You've done the footwork and now it's up to the docs to perform theirs. Good luck man and I hope to hear a progress report from you shortly. I'll pray for you
Michael Daniels
Brandon, FL
Wishing you all the best, Jimbo as you face your upcoming surgery. Hope it is all smooth sailing! Thinking of you,
Chantal0 -
God Luck!JimboC said:Thank you all for the kind
Thank you all for the kind comments and prayers. We are now in Pittsburgh and checked into Family House. For my last meal, my wife fixed me some meatloaf, hash brown casserole and bread. It was great. I am now in the last few hours of my full liquid diet, tomorrow is clear liquids. The last for several days. I may have a bowl of cream of wheat before I got to bed. Surgery is Friday so I'm freaking out a good bit but I'll be fine I'm sure.
All my best
Jimbo-Good luck over the next few weeks! I'm n ew to the site, but I'm not new to Pittsburgh. I graduated from Pitt in 1982. Indulge me while I tell you a story that mat amuse you.
In an effort to meet more women, I agreed to try out for the cheerleading squad. Hundreds of girls try out and it was a good way to meet people. As part of my responsibilities, I would also occasionally cover for the PITT PAnther, the mascot, when he was unable to attend events. One day he called me and asked if I would do the girls swim meet being held later that night,m because he didn't feel well. I went to his apartment and picked up the panther suit and headed up to the pool.
Everything was going well until they stopped and changed the events to diving. They had to move the lane dividers. To kill some time, I got on the diving board and started jumping up and down. There were about 70 girls swimmers there from both teams and they started chanting "jump, Panther, jump!". I innediately made my way over to the 3 meter board and pretended to jump. Then I went up to the 5 meter platform and pretended to hang over the end. The girls were going wild. I proceeded up the steps to a 10 meter platform and looked down at all the cheering women! I don't know what came over me, but I jumped.
A 40 foot jump into a pool with a panther suit is alot like the surgery you are facing. It's not something you can practice for...you have to take the leap and hope for the best. But I digress.
I hit the water and felt my ears pop almost immediately as my feet hit bottom. There were bubbles coming out of the mouth of the panther head where I was supposed to look out, so I couldn't see so well. The suit was very heavy amd made out of some sort of burlap. I eventually made it up to just below the ladder where I grabbed some indents in the side of the pool and pulled myself up and was just starting to black out when the lifeguard grabbed my panther mouth with the pool hook and rolled me out on to the side. Before they could take my helmet off, I ran to the locker room and grabbed my stuff and got out of there amid a mixed reaction from the crowd. I stopped at a laundromat and tried to dry the suit, but it was too wet and too big. I got to my friend's appartment and explained the situation and he said he might have done the same thing. The suit took 3 weeks to dry on a radiator.
Hope this story brings a smile to your face and I wish you the very best of luck!0 -
That was funnyjthomas233 said:God Luck!
Jimbo-Good luck over the next few weeks! I'm n ew to the site, but I'm not new to Pittsburgh. I graduated from Pitt in 1982. Indulge me while I tell you a story that mat amuse you.
In an effort to meet more women, I agreed to try out for the cheerleading squad. Hundreds of girls try out and it was a good way to meet people. As part of my responsibilities, I would also occasionally cover for the PITT PAnther, the mascot, when he was unable to attend events. One day he called me and asked if I would do the girls swim meet being held later that night,m because he didn't feel well. I went to his apartment and picked up the panther suit and headed up to the pool.
Everything was going well until they stopped and changed the events to diving. They had to move the lane dividers. To kill some time, I got on the diving board and started jumping up and down. There were about 70 girls swimmers there from both teams and they started chanting "jump, Panther, jump!". I innediately made my way over to the 3 meter board and pretended to jump. Then I went up to the 5 meter platform and pretended to hang over the end. The girls were going wild. I proceeded up the steps to a 10 meter platform and looked down at all the cheering women! I don't know what came over me, but I jumped.
A 40 foot jump into a pool with a panther suit is alot like the surgery you are facing. It's not something you can practice for...you have to take the leap and hope for the best. But I digress.
I hit the water and felt my ears pop almost immediately as my feet hit bottom. There were bubbles coming out of the mouth of the panther head where I was supposed to look out, so I couldn't see so well. The suit was very heavy amd made out of some sort of burlap. I eventually made it up to just below the ladder where I grabbed some indents in the side of the pool and pulled myself up and was just starting to black out when the lifeguard grabbed my panther mouth with the pool hook and rolled me out on to the side. Before they could take my helmet off, I ran to the locker room and grabbed my stuff and got out of there amid a mixed reaction from the crowd. I stopped at a laundromat and tried to dry the suit, but it was too wet and too big. I got to my friend's appartment and explained the situation and he said he might have done the same thing. The suit took 3 weeks to dry on a radiator.
Hope this story brings a smile to your face and I wish you the very best of luck!
Hope it made Jimbo smile as I sure got a laugh out of it. Obviously, as my husband and sons likewise demonstrated, you were seriously focused on your college interests. And like you, they made it through college, somehow. I'm being too hard on them.
Anyways, Jimbo you are in our prayers for a successful surgery.
A little levity helps your body cope with challenges. As Norman Cousins, deceased, former editor of Saturday Review, wrote: "I made the joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep," [He had some bad form of arthritis that was extremely painful] Of course, I don't know if a belly laugh would be best since you're having stomach surgery, but a hearty chuckle sure feels good. I feel it is helpful on this site as well as we are facing a sobering battle with EC.
Please let us know how you are doing.0 -
best wishesBMGky said:That was funny
Hope it made Jimbo smile as I sure got a laugh out of it. Obviously, as my husband and sons likewise demonstrated, you were seriously focused on your college interests. And like you, they made it through college, somehow. I'm being too hard on them.
Anyways, Jimbo you are in our prayers for a successful surgery.
A little levity helps your body cope with challenges. As Norman Cousins, deceased, former editor of Saturday Review, wrote: "I made the joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep," [He had some bad form of arthritis that was extremely painful] Of course, I don't know if a belly laugh would be best since you're having stomach surgery, but a hearty chuckle sure feels good. I feel it is helpful on this site as well as we are facing a sobering battle with EC.
Please let us know how you are doing.
Good luck tomorrow with Dr. L and his team. You are in the BEST hands you could possibly be in. I only wish we had gone to him.
You will do great and live a long healthy life just like our buddy William
Barbara0
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