Lymph node removal

Hi Ally,

Good that you’re out of surgery and was thinking of you today. Hope you’re not too sore, especially with the additional Bogof repair. You are really going through it.

It will be an anxious wait for results but absolutely hoping for a good outcome for you and whatever the next step is. 
Really impressed that you’re typing on your back and hope you’re able to take it easy for a while.

Big hug to you,

xxx

The only pain I can feel PEB is coming from the stoma repair, but expecting tomorrow to be a bit sore. Stoma is working so that is a big relief.

Waiting 2 weeks for results and resting.....ordering the sedatives!

Rest for at least a week, then light duties only. I have orders from my partner and am very lucky he's retired.

Big hugs, right back at you and hoping your healing is going well.

Ally xx

 AllyL 

It is so good to hear from you although I am sorry to hear that your surgeon though they looked suspicious.  But also reassuring to know that the option of chemo/radiotherapy is available in addition to HIPEC.

You are under strict instructions from all your virtual friends on here NOT to lift a watering can.  What were you thinking of?!!!  After my stoma formation, I barely lift a thing, my husband is on hand and is happy to cart things around.  So now your hernia has been repaired, the instruction for no heavy lifting is for all time, even if you are wearing a support belt - not just after surgery.

I am thinking of you waiting the next couple of weeks, which I am sure will be fraught.  So keep yourself occupied lovely lady, just not carting things around.

Big hug

Irene xx

Hi Ally,

From your previous posts I imagine you’re going to find it quite challenging to follow orders and take it easy but as Irene says- you are under strict instructions from all of us!

My healing is going ok thank you, although it’s a bit of a change to be focusing on the top half rather than the lower regions. 

I will get results from lymph node removal on 4th March so similar timescale. 

Rooting for you and for good recovery and results xxx

I hear you Irene 

After the watering can incident,I read a post from a lady who was under strict instructions not to lift a kettle with more than one cup of water. I think the damage was done in hospital, I was rigling about like a worm, keeping busy.

I have now read some great info about exercising the stomach muscles after the operation. The advice to do no exercise is now thought to be damaging long term. Strong core will help future stoma hernias. Heal and gentle exercise on the cards.

Ally xx

Terrible at taking orders and my other half gets so frustrated. I've downloaded a few books, so chill time booked in for the next week.

Good to hear the healing is going well, no watering cans mind!

I've been lucky with scan results, nice and quick, but biopsies are always 2 weeks. I think mine will show cancer, but very much hoping yours are negative.

I have everything crossed for you PEB.

Ally xx

 AllyL 

I hope you aren't in too much pain today.  I feel your frustration, I find it very hard to rest and after I had a hysterectomy I hit upon the idea of getting all the family photographs up-to-date (when albums were a thing!)  So getting hundreds of photographs in chronological order and sticking them in place took some time but kept me occupied.

I am interested in the information you read re stomach muscles after stoma formation; I have always exercised a lot, lots of walking, but had read so many hair-raising stories about massive hernias that after my op I don't lift anything really heavy at all - I don't wear a support belt either, maybe I should.

Anyway, lots of rest for you in the meantime!

Irene xx

 PEB24 

Thinking of you too in the next couple of weeks (the stress of waiting) and I am keeping everything crossed that the lymph nodes are clear.

Irene xx

No real pain Irene, just a bit tender round the stoma from the stitches. Loving the idea about the photos, keeping occupied and lovely memories to look at.

Sneaked my travel kettle into hospital so I can have a proper English cuppa, sheer luxury, my only weight lifting for now.

I picked up a post from a woman on the bowl cancer site and she shared details of a fitness woman who came up with specific exercises. My other half watched stuff and came up with little routines for me, also includes the outer hips. Will try to dig the info out for you.

I was reading your post about weight gain. I lost 12 kilo's before chemo radiation and was shocked when the hospital put me on the scales. I've gained a little bit back by a few simple extras. I eat a lot more protein and if I have yoghurt and fruit for breakfast I add nuts, seeds and peanut butter. I've also made protein powder, ground seeds, I put into everything. I also make homemade protein bars from nuts, seeds and dates and lots of dark chocolate. I eat them between meals to add a few calories. An extra smoothy with my protein powder and avocado, dates, nuts, kefir and tahini. I always have boiled eggs to hand and I use them as snacks. Sounds like I'm stuffing all day!

About the belt, it's cheap and cheerful from Amazon. The bag fits through a premade whole and velcro keeps it in place. It's firm and really gives me extra security. No further bulges after that initial one and I have lifted quite a bit. I haven't had children, so my pelvic floor and stomach muscles have not had that strain. Also menopause has such an impact on our skin elasticity and healing.

I've managed to ramble on again and I can't even blame it on the meds.

Ally xx

Thank you so much AllyL , some great tips there.  I think my biggest problem is that the chemo, the systemic and then alongside radiotherapy has done something to my taste buds.  Food most often tastes like chewing old blankets and my husband and my family are constantly trying to tempt me.

Tea, however, is a different matter!  I had to laugh at you sneaking your kettle into the hospital.  We regularly do overnight, sometimes two nights ferry UK to Spain and I have a picnic bag with kettle, little teapot and cosy (really!) which goes everywhere with me on the journey.  So before I even get up I have my normal three mugs of tea in the morning.  It causes much hilarity in the family but when they came on the ferry too, they all ended up in my cabin drinking my tea!

Irene xx