Liver resection after bowel cancer surgery

It is still early days Stomagirl I don’t think you can estimate accurately just how much it can take out of you , and the surgeons warned my mum prior to her second one , due to the volume being removed to consider the first six months a time for healing and being good to yourself . 
Looking back I think if we were going to make any adjustments it would have been adding in some very minimal exercise under guidance . Have you asked your team if there is any NHS classes you can do ? 
I do honestly think some holidays helped too . Apart from something to look forward to they were more of normal life and helped put distance between surgery etc . We stayed in Scotland and I do have a bit of a conscience looking back as I think she was still quite ill when I dragged her away . Then we nearly got caught out on Arran as she took ill at night and we had to help her.  Left her at Crosshouse hospital on the way home and caught a glimpse of an odd , odd liver regenerating that seemed to have floated a bit into the middle ! Kid you not . However it all sorted itself out .

The following year was night and day , she was  back with gusto and her normal self . These are big surgeries and the liver does a big job . 
You are doing great but maybe need to think about your expectations a bit too .

Take care ,

Court 

Aww thank you court, I’m also in Scotland, drs have sd take it easy ,I’m 13 wks post op , liver surgeon was yeah it’s big surgery and take time , I’ve not lot energy yet , my moods been affected,I have been through 2 major surgeries in less than a year , had abscesses , etc and chemo lol .. I lady I met is now in a hospice and that’s hit me hard , think I need to figure out a way to lower my expectations 

grateful for your help

elaine 

Court , they took away 40% of my liver and 2 tumours that came from bowel cancer, I do think I need to be nicer to me .. this page is godsend as you know people do understand 

tell your mum that it makes me feel better and she’s an inspiration x

That’s a lot and I think you just need to be a lot nicer to yourself !.

There was no way my mum was fully recovered at your stage . It took a lot longer to get her strength back . Like you she was taking care of herself but was easily tired . She actually still had a big swollen abdomen and wearing maternity clothes with the fluid that was still slowly reducing . I think you are a bit ahead of her in your recovery .

Take heart as it gets better if you are like my mum .

I will go back and correct all my typos! I had just popped in for two minutes when I saw your post . Out sanding the wood on the outside of my house . I can taste it . It goes everywhere .

My mum literally just text me to say not to do too much . She is such a hypocrite! About a year after her big liver resection I caught her up under the roofline whitewashing the outside of her house . No feeling in her feet and not holding on . She scampered down when she saw me coming and was banned ! 

It’s reassuring to know you are on course and forums allow you to connect that way . 
You are doing great !

Court 

Hi Stomagirl

I was sorry to read your story. All that treatment is tough but 13 weeks is still early.  If you can rest, do - I needed siestas for quite some time after liver surgery - the body had to work hard to rebuild the liver. And I’ve CBT really helpful to combat the depression and anxiety that hit me. I’m now 18 months on from my third liver surgery and feeling stronger every day - am in my 60’s so everything is a little slower.  So please allow yourself the time and space to recover, body mind and spirit. 

And here’s a little offering to cheer your soul. 

Aww thank you, beautiful flowers ,the nurses called me a machine lol , I do expect more than I am capable of , working to get garden nice to sit in , and relax beside our wee pond , cancer is hard .. and antidepressants help but side effects alongside recovery are difficult. I have learned to say no to things and do rest when i can, maybe I need to tweak that a bit too 

thank you for kind words 

E

Hi Stomagirl

I like you became really frustrated with the fatigue. I just couldn’t do what I wanted. 
So I listened to my body I would potter about then eat a little and nap. It really worked I also did the gentle exercises they recommended. 
My consultant told me that it would take six months I was convinced it would take two. 
He was right. 

Thanks Artsie, I wasn’t told any exercises,just plod on, and get back to normal life ! Which is difficult after cancer rollercoaster! I’m listening to my body , I do feel guilt having to say no to people but that’s another story lol 

thank you for support 

E

You’re the important one in your recovery. You just do what you can. People understand 
I had to do pelvic exercises as I had an incision and it was recommended 

The warmer weathers on its way I treated myself to a cushion recliner a parasol and a shady tree. Perfect way to pass the time.

Yes you are right , it’s miserable here today , better days are coming ️, my mum is 90 and thinks I’m back to fully functioning daughter lol , so that’s been difficult, important thing is health and getting as good as you can be 

E