I finally have apptment date for the Peritoneal Malignancy Unit at Basingstoke

Hi Cheekkat 

That's great that you have an appointment.

I can't help with your questions but noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list.

Wishing you all the best with your surgery.

Hi yes I’ve just been discharged after the MOAS and HIPEC surgery. You go straight to intensive care for 2 days after the surgery and then they move you to C2 ward. Most of the rooms are single but there are some shared wards. I specifically requested my own room and my sleep is terrible as I’m bipolar. Then the next 3 weeks are really hardcore. For 2 weeks your body is pumped with pain relief and liquid food and you’re bedridden. Most people slept through a lot of that but I had chronic insomnia as I couldn’t take my bipolar meds as they conflicted with the pain relief going into me. I had 9 drains off my abdomen- 2 from my lungs. They start u walking with those drains and 2 people carrying them but I can’t remember what day that actually was. Once u start to walk you feel a lot freer and independent. Then eventually they start u eating baby food like jelly and ice cream. This gradually progresses to a low residue diet where u have certain simple foods u are allowed to eat or stuff without skins or pips or seed's eg vegetables have to mashed. We have to do this diet for 4-6 weeks post op so now I’m home I’m still on it…

Apparently you don’t start properly recovering until you get home. But you instantly get more exercise so that drives you on. But you have to space things out due to fatigue. It’s like living in slow motion! So then recovery at home is 3 months… I was in Basingstoke hospital for 3 weeks and 2 days but everyone’s recovery is different. Best of luck… My MacMillan exercise classes for 2 months pre operation really helped me I think …