Debulking and HIPEC surgery what experiences, anyone?

@dvosburg shared details about her HIPEC surgery at Mayo Clinic here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1016778/
@isadora2021 shared here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1097408/

Both said they would do it again. @isadora2021 and @dvosburg, is there anything you wished you would've known before surgery to share with @dnfjc as she prepares for HIPEC surgery?

@dnfjc, you can also read experiences in the pancreatic cancer and gynecologic cancer groups. See all HIPEC related discussions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/

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 ❤️‍🩹

@isadora2021 ThAnkyou for all the suggestions. In preparing. I will remember you when they tell me to walk and it hurts. The more the better. I’m only 4’11” and 155 lbs so I think I’ve got that part covered. With all the chemo I e not had the level of energy I used to have. Tho 74 I’ve always been a multitasker and in my yard most days. I love my gardens. It’s my happy place. Did you have stairs to master at home? I have colonial 1923 home so hoping after physical therapy I’ll be doing ok to go up and down. Did I’d you take showers before bandages changed? Did they say you were cancer free? And are you still doing well? Any more chemo after surgery?

@dnfjc I’ll be thinking of you walking!!

You’ll be so glad to have the extra pounds. That’s a good thing. My happy place is also my garden and I could potter immediately after coming home. Protecting your huge wound is the priority when you get home so I had to get in a gardening service to do anything that wasn’t light work.

For a while I could only sponge around my bandages and could not get it wet. I have a shower cord so could direct it away from the wound.

No I don’t have any big flights of stairs. I’d be asking your nurse ahead how that might play out. Personally I think I would have been ok if I had to be but I’d have been better staying on the ground floor for a bit. Walking up stairs does use tummy muscles and might be painful.

I haven’t had any further treatment since HIPEC. That was my choice. It started off just being a short break and then I stayed off. I ran a risk, and got away with it. My oncologist won’t let me go on now I’m off and still NED. It’s something you’ll need to discuss after surgery with your oncologist. I’m screened frequently with PET-CT scans and blood tests. I’m coming up to 4 years NED.

I’m doing extremely well physically. The only problem I have is I lost my gall bladder and have colon scarring as a result of my debulking surgery. So I do need to be careful about my diet otherwise I get diarrhea or constipation. Nothing serious and nothing being mindful doesn’t avoid!! I’ve been very very lucky.

The mental battle though continues, but that’s to be expected. I am strong minded but still have blips especially around scan times. It would be lovely to leave cancer in the past and never think about it again. But cancer has also taught and continues to teach me many wonderful lessons. Like gratitude. Like how to prioritise my time doing what I love and being with my special people. You would have experienced that too through chemo

@isadora2021 yes along with my faith is an attitude of gratitude. So many things to be grateful for. I have had anxiety disorder for 45 years and did not have to up my dose to cope with this past year! That’s Gods grace for sure. Always abit on edge with ctscans and bloodwork. Conquering fear would be a big one. But staying positive with a lot of support from my family and church strengthens me. I have ct scan Sunday. Dr did laprascopic surgery on the 23 Dec to determine the big surgery so not too worried. Thanks for telling your experience. So glad to hear you’re doing well after everything. I will keep you posted. Might need more encouragement down the road.

@dnfjc You have wonderful support going into surgery and no doubt many wanting to help however they can when you come out of hospital.

Please do reach out if you need encouragement and definitely please let us know how you go.

Thanks for kind words.