Post surgery complications

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Hi all,

Just over 3 weeks ago, my 55yo husband had a total gastrectomy, splenectomy and part of the pancreas and part of the liver ended up needing to go too. Initially he was great, unfortunately he’s had multiple complications:

anastomosis leak (started as a pinprick, treated with endosponge, this progressed at each sponge change to moderate size, then 50% circumference to being held by 2 threads and a vac stent was inserted on Friday) 

lung collapse and infection 

Leaking pancreas / pancreatitis 

Sepsis and multiple collections in abdominal cavity as well as pus at drain sites and some seeping from his wound. 

internal bleeding- possibly from pancreas but at time of emergency surgery (8 days post op) bleeding had stopped so they can’t be sure

his heart rate drops dramatically and at one point completely stopped for 8 seconds (he is on a ventilator in ICU so all picked up immediately)

He is on TPN.  

he was fully ventilated and unconscious for 12 days after the emergency return to surgery but wakened a few days ago. He was on dialysis for a few days but now off that. But he has a very long way to go.  He has a tracheotomy and his ventilator requirements are decreasing.  It all feels surreal as his cancer was discovered by chance and he had zero symptoms.  So hard to believe that on 12 September he walked into hospital feeling healthy (clearly he wasn’t) and now he is critically ill.  It’s also been so hard as the kids haven’t seen him in over 2 weeks since he has been in ICU. The colour of fluid in his drains still is a concern (surgeon believes may be a bowel leak although this hasn’t been picked up on CT) his urine has been pinkish red since yesterday.  

I know this is a lot. I’m really hoping someone else has been through this and rallied around. The team around him have been amazing but they are astounded by how many complications he has had as a young and strong patient.

  • Oh I am so sorry to hear about your husband! What a dreadful time for you and your family.  The medical team seem to be looking after him but what a worry for you! The fact he is young and strong is a real positive but it must be so hard when he’s had so many complications! Hopefully he starts to pick up soon! Sending you lots of luck! X

    Jac

    Life is what happens when you are making other plans!  
     
     
  • Thanks Jac,  I really hope so, I get a sense though that this level of complications is very unusual and very unlucky, was really hoping someone on here would have come out the other side.

    Laura 

  • I’m so sorry to hear about your husband… I do send a speedy recovery to your husband! He’s in the best place and seems he’s been looked after well… I do hope he’s able to see your children soon as well. 
    Sending hugs. 
    Michele 

  • My thoughts are with you and it might seem like all is crashing down around you but the body is amazing at healing. The first week post op I had complications, the spleen was damaged and bleeding, my blood pressure remained under 90 systolic and I vomited every couple of hours not to mention blood results all over the place. I was in intensive care for five days. To be honest it was all a blur. Now I’m two years post op and never looked back. It’s a big shock to the system and often multiple complications occur at the same time as the body is under immense stress. Take some positive news that there are lots of us who came through testing times with positive results. 

  • Oh Milly thank you so much for sharing your story, this really gives me hope.  He is still in ICU but was back in theatre today and some healing around his anastomosis was noted, unfortunately his pancreas is leaking quite a bit but they seem to be on top of things. 

  • That’s great news and yes now I remember having similar and the blasted drain and nasogastric tube had to stay in for ages. Everyday they would come and say “ too much drainage, not today”. I had totally forgot about this so there’s proof that a full recovery is possible. It’s much worse for you as I discovered with my family. I hardly remember the time as I was so sick and with drugs it was a blur but my poor family were terrified. Now I’m back to my usual hyper self I bet they are wondering why they ever worried so much. 

  • How old is he if you don't mind as? Also why did he go to hospital in the first place if he wasn't feeling unwell?

  • Hi Bob, he is 55.  He had pneumonia in June, he recovered but then got CT to check his lungs.  The CT picked up gland in his stomach and collection at his spleen, he then had an endoscopy and was diagnosed with stomach cancer.  He was booked in for total gastrectomy and splenectomy on 12 September as due to the infection around the spleen, he couldn’t have chemo. But he had zero symptoms of stomach cancer and felt completely well at the time but unfortunately he had no other option. He was supposed to have chemo after but now that’s off the table.  Day by day stage now but things moving the right direction at the minute.  

  • That sounds like my husband, no symptoms but luckily found on a CT scan he was having for kidney cancer, at the same time they found he had Lymphoma so a TG but no chemo as his hospital don’t give it to over 75s for stomach cancer. He was stage 3. That was 3 years ago in Jan,  he’s doing very well at the moment, Hoping the same for your husband xx

    Sue Xx