• From: Washington DC
  • Registered: Wed, 17 Oct 2012
  • Posts: 121

Topic: surgery scheduled - advice?

Dear CC family:  after four cycles of gem/cis and tons of tumor death and shrinkage, we are skipping the y-90 and going straight to surgery on the 31st of this month. Yay! (after several docs said never operable...) I am crazy about my team of Dr. Abby Seigel (onc) and Dr. Kato (surg) up at Columbia. But anyway, I need advice. What is surgery like? How long a recovery? anything to think about before and after? How many days in the hospital? I figure they'll tell me things closer to the date, but you guys are so great at filling in the blanks on this stuff. Any advice docs won't give me?

  • Registered: Mon, 27 Jun 2011
  • Posts: 433

Re: surgery scheduled - advice?

Wow, what great news!!
I had a 40% of my liver removed at 31.  I was in really good health prior to surgery.
I was in the hospital 5 days after the resection. 
My biggest regret was not doing a bowel prep.  My surgeon said one isn't needed for this surgery.
I got an ileus after surgery and was readmitted for a week.
That was awful.  But the surgery itself and recovery wasn't so bad.  I had very little pain.
I would recommend going very slow on your diet afterwards. 
So very happy for you.  Please keep us posted and feel free to ask me any questions if there is something else you want to know.

Best wishes,

Susie

  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 8,205

Re: surgery scheduled - advice?

No advise from this peanut gallery but HOLY COW and a big YIPPEE! This is so very exciting! WIshing you a ton of success and love and may God come through the Surgeon's hands.

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.
  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,160

Re: surgery scheduled - advice?

Holly...Wow, here too.  I am thrilled to hear the news and am sending a tidal wave of good wishes your way.  My husband was walking on the second day and was able to eat soft foods on the third day.  He was able to consume his beloved steak within two weeks.  Of real importance was the "pillow" which he pressed lighty against his abdomen when caughing.  It makes a world of difference. 
Has the surgery date been set yet?

Hugs, 
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • From: Washington DC
  • Registered: Wed, 17 Oct 2012
  • Posts: 121

Re: surgery scheduled - advice?

@ Marion, the date is two weeks from today, January 31st, my middle son's 20th birthday and so an auspicious day for me. I had chemo lite (gemzar) one week ago and they want the time off before surgery. Is that normal?

@Susie, what (hope you don't mind me asking) is a bowel prep? Like before a colonoscopy, to empty everything? Sounds like a good idea.

I am very excited of course and terrified. Mainly I am afraid they might change their mind or a storm might come in ... I want this so much.

  • From: Phillipsburg NJ
  • Registered: Mon, 21 Dec 2009
  • Posts: 154

Re: surgery scheduled - advice?

Holly
What wonderful news that you are going to surgery! I'm approaching the 3 year mark on the 19th of my first resection...I needed to be off chemo for at least 3 weeks prior to my surgery...so I think this is the norm...I'm thinking they would like to not have your immune system compromised at the time of surgery which chemo does.....I just had my second resection in August and I was off chemo for 4 weeks prior to that surgery....I did not do a bowel prep before either and had no complications.....I would check with your surgeon about that...I was in the hospital 5 days after both surgeries...I spent 2 to 3 days in a step down unit which has only 4 patients to 1 nurse....I was out of bed the 2nd day although I did have my catheter in for 2 days.....use the pain meds...ask for help if you need it thats what the nurses are for ...all of mine were wonderful...get up and walk if you can as soon as you can as it helps with gas pain later on.....I brought pillows in from home so I would be more comfortable and as Marion said definitely a pillow for your abdomen as any coughing or sneezing can cause pain just bending slightly and holding the pillow on your stomach helps so much....Most of all I will be thinking of you and praying for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery...
Nancy

  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 8,205

Re: surgery scheduled - advice?

HOLLY, I just thought of something to tell you. I don't have CC, but the year before Teddy passed got my own rare stomach Cancer and had surgery. Still not sure why I did this but as I got on the surgery table, I asked the Doctor for an epideral and he said OK. It really doesn't hurt and it numbs your stomach area for 1 -2 days after. I was so glad I did that. Just a suggestion.

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.
  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 772

Re: surgery scheduled - advice?

Holly:
I am so glad to hear your news!! No advice here but I am sending loads and loads of well wishes your way!

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,488

Re: surgery scheduled - advice?

Dear Holly,

I don't have any advice because my daughter has never been able to have surgery, but I just wanted to say that I am so happy for you!!! It is so wonderful to hear that you may be cured!! I know it will be a long haul, but God bless and all the best to you!!

Love and hugs,
-Pam

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,160

Re: surgery scheduled - advice?

Holly...the 30th sounds like a good luck day to me being that it is your son's birthday.  Count in the enormous support and good wishes heading your way; sure feels like everything is lining up perfectly for you.
Hugs,
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER