We received the letter from Basingstoke yesterday morning. My surgery date has been booked for the 14th August and I'm to be admitted two days before on the 12th for the various tests and preparation prior to the op.
I rang and spoke to Sue Alves (specialist pseudomyxoma nurse) and we had a chat about the results of the last blood tests and the CT scan done on the 19th June. The good news is that the tumour markers remain normal. The CT scan also showed "marginal growth" from the one done in January and no signs of disease anywhere else. All this is very good news as there are no nasty surprises at this point and it only remains to see what the surgeons find when they actually open me up again. In some ways I think its good to have a 2 year MOT to see whats going on inside since the MOAS.
We talked a little again about the operation itself and Sue basically echoed the comments from our last meeting. The operation itself will be around six hours or so with the first couple of hours likely to be dealing with the adhesions and scar tissue from the last operations. Then the excision of the PMP and subsequent re plumbing .I will also have another dose of HIPEC during the op which takes around 90mins which may also be followed up with repeat doses over the following days.
Its hoped that I wont have to have chest drains this time around as there is no need to operate on the upper abdomen. The chance of having a stoma is also less although cant be ruled out and I will be marked up by the stoma nurse prior to surgery (a big black circle on my tummy with a marker pen-x marks the spot!).
In terms of recovery I am being told to expect to take the same amount of time as the MOAS both in hospital and at home. The first time around I spent around a week in ICU and then out onto C2 ward for a total stay of 13 days. Lets hope its as quick this time around. I was off work for around 4 months.
The family have all coped well with the news. It was a foregone conclusion really and is no surprise.We were already mentally preparing ourselves for it and as there are no nasty surprises in the results we have received are now focussing on getting it done. We have done it once so we can do it again is the attitude. Hopefully this will be the last time.....
So once again we climb aboard the PMP runaway train and the countdown begins........
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Glad you have a date, it will soon be here and all sorted. Then the runaway train can bring you back again!!!! Love & hugs to you all. Uncle Derek & H xx
ReplyDeleteUgh. It seems that since they aren't taking all those organs out (like last time) the operation and recovery should be easier. At least you will recognize all those milestones along the way!! As always, my thoughts are with you : )
ReplyDeleteHello Derek & H and Nancy too! Thank you all for your messages of support. It's great to hear from you and your on going support means loads to us.
ReplyDeleteAs Nancy has said I'm hoping that second time around things may be a little easier and recovery time a bit quicker but still recognise its a big op. Been there before though and can do it again. Hopefully this time it will be the last! Keep focused and fight hard is the plan. Time to kick some pseudo butt again!
Dave
Dave that's the date I originally had for this last op, they must have 14th Aug reserved for PMP royalty ;-) x
ReplyDeleteAlso Dave as you know my last op was my 3rd and sounds identical, was 6 hrs with heated chemo, and mainly consisted of the stripping of adhesions from previous surgery, I stayed in ITU for just 1 night and was home on day 17 with my first Skype conference call with you and the lovely Angela not long after coming home!
ReplyDeleteNo rest for the wicked, you have so many people supporting you, I have no doubt you will be back on your feet in no time x x
hi Dave again, its funny I google PMP holiday insurance and you came up.. I will try you suggestion, my dad also has high cholestrial or something so im really thinking of leaving the parents behind ha ha not really, we have done me , andy and kids on one & will do my parents on a seprate one, You will need a nice break away in the sun with the family after you recover, its a good enough excuse I think.. take care Josie Kelly
ReplyDeleteHi Josie, I Hope you are well? Hows Mum doing?
ReplyDeleteGive MIA online a try. I have personally found them to be very good and the quotes very competitive. They cover all kinds of ailments so worth knowing about. You also get the option to store your details on line regarding medical conditions and they send you a keyring showing the MIA tel numbers in case of emergency so that the people attending can find out about medical information. Very useful.
Dave
Hi Dave. My name is Drew. Was diagnosed with a low grade appendix cancer a couple of months ago. I stumbled upon your blog while doing some research and I wanted to share how inspiring your story has been. You've shown incredible couragre and positivity. I wish you the best of luck. My prayers go out to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteHello Drew, Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time to make a comment on the blog and also for such positive comments. I'm touched when I get comments like this as it makes me realise that it's all worthwhile and doing some good!
ReplyDeleteWhereabouts do you live and what's the plan with your treatment?
Dave
Hi Dave so sorry to hear your news, I met you when I was having my first moas in Basingstoke yourself and Tracey came to say hello, I said to my mum what a lovely strong couple you were so know you'll get through this x thinking of you all love Lauren x
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren,
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you! Thank you so much for your message of support. It means a great deal. How are you? How has your recovery been?
Dave
I recovered very quickly which I was so pleased about, I got the all clear in march from my first year scan, we got married 3 weeks ago so loads to keep me focusrd.
ReplyDeletehearing your news did make me realise that every day is precious xx how you feeling dif you have any symptoms this time