I have my treatment plan!

Hi @IreneW. That’s great news and thanks for the update. Sounds like you will have a busy few days ahead but one foot in front of the other is a great mindset and you can spring into spring tumour free  

Take care

Karen x

Hi Karen, 

Indeed - so looking forward to springing into Spring tumour free ;-)

With all good wishes and thanks for your support.

Irene

xx

Hi IreneW

Thanks for the update on your treatment plan. It’s all systems go to get rid of that cancer. 
I have an Ileostomy and have amazing support from the stoma support group. 
Any questions that you have ask away. 
Pack your hospital bag making sure you have all the things you like. 

Thanks Ann - indeed I will be having an ileostomy too and have just been on the phone with the Stoma Team regarding the practicalities of this and how it is going to affect my day to day life.  Thank you for your offer to answer my questions - I am sure we will be in touch about this, comparing notes ;-)

Indeed, hospital bag at the ready and I have treated myself to a new pair of slippers, some great soft socks and some new pyjamas as will be in hospital for 7 days.

With all good wishes

Irene

Brilliant it sounds like you’re well organised. If you have the same op as me you may need to add loose fit shortish nighties because it gives them easy access I had two nighties but needed three and big pants. My op was a LAR and had an incision and keyhole so I had a drain   It was easy for the staff to check my dressings etc  And easy for me to deal with my pouch

Lavender oil is soothing and some of your favourite toiletries 

sending you a hug 

Hi Ann - many thanks for the tips ;-)  As things happen - before this I actually went through my wardrobe for a big clean out and threw my nighties out!  Thinking PJs R Us from now on ;-)  So indeed I will buy some nighties ;-)  

I believe I am having the same as you.  And thanks - calling it a pouch ;-)  OK, this gives me a memory.  I am originally Australian, but have been here for 35 years.  My very favourite book as a child was about a little Kangaroo that wanted a pouch ;-)  So now I too will have one. In the story the Kangaroo's mother made the pouch out of a large leaf with cotton wool balls glued on the outside ;-)

Many hugs,

Irene

xxx

Hi Irene,

This is positive post to read. I’m awaiting my treatment plan and it’s a horrible wait. Reading how you are now you’ve had your next steps made is really reassuring. I can’t wait to get the next bit started…

Best wishes for your operation.

Lou

Thanks Lou for your best wishes. Indeed it has made a huge difference to my mental wellbeing to have a plan in place. After my diagnosis I was just numb and said nothing at all. Next day crying, phoning family etc., dark thoughts and immense anxiety and panic attacks.  This happened on a Saturday. .By Monday I got through to the GP who talked me through everything and that helped.  But still my adrenaline levels were so high I just took to pacing outside in the garden.  But once I saw the surgeon and the appointments started coming in, I seemed to settle mentally.  I am in what could be called 'Acceptance Mode' rather than panicky struggling. 

We are trying to pick TV series that actually uplift or are just straight out comedy.  Seinfeld is currently on Netflix and I haven't seen that series since the 80s.  It really is diverting AND there are so many seasons of it ;-)  

Indeed, the journey is the worst at the beginning.  Once you are 'in the process' it is just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other and looking to a bright and happy future.

Much love

Irene

x

Hi IreneW

A very belated welcome to the board from me, I thought I’d replied to you days ago but don’t quite know what happened, maybe I got side tracked.

So pleased to hear you’ve got a treatment plan in place now and hope this has helped alleviate the worry to some extent. One day at a time now and put your trust and faith in the system.

I’m just over a year ahead of you and had LAR (in Jan 2021) with temporary ileostomy (ask anything you want re this) , which I’m having reversed next week 9th March so we can recuperate together along with others undergoing procedures at a similar time.

I agree with Ann, nighties are easier for access while in hospital and with a pouch – I only took one and thought pjs would be better. I found pjs much better once I was on the mend at home.

They’ll want to get up and moving asap once you’re back on the ward after the operation and although I was fairly fit before my operation I was shocked how weak I felt afterwards and couldn’t believe that getting out of bed and shuffling 90 degrees into a chair wiped me out! So don’t be too hard on yourself.

Some other stuff I found was or would have been useful in hospital:

If you can take an extra long lead for your phone and any tech – I didn’t and it was impossible to stretch to plug it in.
Blackout eye mask and possibly ear plugs – wards are noisy places at night and can be bright.
Some headphones and music to listen to (if you can’t sleep and to block out noise)
I also took some fruit tea bags (hospital tea/coffee etc is horrible, ginger biscuits to help rubbish taste in my mouth after anaesthetic & Jelly Babies to help thicken output and to help rid taste in mouth.
Lots of mosituriser – it’s very drying on skin in hospital; Vaseline for lips

I also took a cosy throw (my comfort blanket).

There’s a thread (link below) with what others found useful which may help too. 
(community.macmillan.org.uk/.../surgery-7th-jan---what-to-expect-and-take-help-please )

Best Wishes for your op, let us know how your'e doing once you feel up to it.

Take Care

Net77 x

Oh I know what you mean exactly about those first few days. It is definitely tough and I was like you very frightened and panicky. 

I find out this Thursday what’s next and I’m apprehensive but leased at least I can get moving on to the next bit. 

Great idea about the TV series, I’ve done the same. Watched all of Benidorm!! 

best wishes 

Lou