That’s excellent news! The plan is that you will be cured and live a long and happy life.
But I do understand your worry, as it a major op, but it’s one that they have been doing for decades. To be offered surgery your health team are confident that you will have a good outcome.
From my experience I was made comfortable during the whole process. The epidural is fantastic at managing any pain. To be honest it was more distressing for my family and friends to see me in the HDU attached to so many wires and tubes, but actually, I was quite happy and comfortable.
My guess is that you are 62 and quite fit, having had little to do with hospitals in the past, otherwise you wouldn’t be so worried! Trust in your clinical staff, listen to what they say, and ask questions. Be positive, retain your sense of humour and above all be active both now and after surgery.
You will not become a permanent invalid; the recovery and stabilisation is fairly slow, but steady. I went on a Mediterranean cruise six months after my surgery and went to Vietnam and Cambodia a year after.
Start by determining to make the most of every day. You are alive, so live your life to the full. It’s been 1965 days since my surgery when I was 62; happier now than ever before!
Hi Johnyboy, all I would add to what Brent said is to practice deep breathing exercises. Preferably inhale through the nose and exhale out the mouth. Keep posting and ask anything you want someone should be able to help you. Being positive really does help. Good luck and kind regards Frank.
Best advice - trust the medics, they know what they're doing. Of course you're worried, because it's big surgery, but four years on, there isn't a day when I'm not so grateful for what they did for me. Baby steps, be kind to yourself, and keep your eyes on slow, steady progress. It will come!
I haven't been following your story so don't know your staging. You should be entitled to claim pip and if you are not working or have exhausted your sick pay, either Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit, depending on if you are in a full digital Universal Credit area or not. Can I suggest you Google for help on how the PIP applications are scored as this will give you an understanding of what to record. Remember it it always best to reflect and record the effect in your health on a bad day. Macmillan may have a staff member that will be an expert in claiming pip, Esa, carer allowance. If money is tight then contact Macmillan for for financial support. They were very helpful with me. I was given about £500 for help with addition costs such as electric, gas to keep warm and wash clothes separately during chemo and also for travel expenses for my wife at the time, to travel and visit me during chemo and surgery. The hospital was 45 miles away and the benefit agency only pay back the patients travel expenses. There is full access to pip and other health benefits for those who are on paliative care almost immediately. If claiming Universal Credit you should hopefully access the additional monthly payment for those unable do work or not well enough to carry out job search. Reply if you want me to suggest a few websites for pip scoring etc.
Keep fighting on. Keep yer pecker up ...Keep positive.
Johnyboy, contact your local MacMillan for advice on claiming benefits. Failing that your local citizens advice shop should be able to help. It's better to get help as they know how to word things better. Good luck and kind regards Frank.
You can speak to a benefits adviserin confidence by telephoning the Macmillans telephone support line on
0808 808 0000
It's a free call from mobiles and landlines
The lines are open every day between 8 am and 8 pm and the advisers are very friendly and supportive.
If you want to speak in confidence to a benefits adviser I would suggest that you call between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday.
Apart from benefits advisers we have advisers who can help with Welfare. Energy, and all matters of the Financial nature.
You can also use our Ask a Nurse page to ask one of the specialist nurses any questions you may have.
The online community are always available to give you help, support and advice anytime you need to ask something, our doors are always open, don't knock just come on in and chat and ask questions as often as you want.
Ian
By clicking on any of the green text above will open up new pages for you.
