Congratulations for qualifying, @dnfjc - that’s a major milestone in your treatment

I had my HIPEC and debulking/cytoreductive surgery in Australia in 2022 also after 12 rounds of chemo and immunotherapy (Folfiri and Avastin).

The main thing I wish I’d known sooner is to put on as much weight as I realistically could before I went into hospital because most HIPEC patients lose a lot of weight in hospital. I did my best in the time available but couldn’t drink the high protein drinks the hospital gave me.

The other thing is making sure you bring everything down or up to counter level in the kitchen etc before you go into hospital. You’ll have trouble stretching and mustn’t because of your wound.

Also try to get your home organised (change bed linens) etc before you go into hospital. You don’t want to be doing that when you come out!

I did have a surgery chair on standby for the shower just in case, but I didn’t need it.

I was prepared by the hospital how to use a stoma bag just in case debulking surgery required I have a temporary or permanent stoma after having part of my colon removed. I needed to get my head around that before going into surgery. I would have been fine if that’s the way things went. Fortunately I didn’t need a stoma.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to do the walking in hospital after surgery that the staff recommend. Initially I did mine with a member of staff supervising me while I was weak and then on my own. I’m sure I healed as well as I did because of that walking.

Thinking of you and hope you keep in touch with us leading up to your surgery

We are definitely here for you and happy to answer any questions ❤️‍🩹