What kind of scar tissue and where? I had a ton in my abdomen from my earlier surgery that my doc had to clean out. At the temporary illesostomy site. Could you describe the surgery and how long it took to recover from it? I'm considering it but am kind of a chicken on another surgery and recovery.
One thing that I forgot to mention is the potential for scar tissue. This can show up about six months after surgery. It can result in a hit at Quality of Life.
Chemo during the winter is brutal, particularly if temperatures are freezing, it's windy and there's snow around. I think that there has been research to determine optimal number of rounds but I have not looked at results. My oncologist told me that four is minimum, eight is to be sure, six is optim...
You've had a rough time for a very long time. I've been through what you're going through and things get somewhat better with time but part of that is managing things better. Things that I've found helpful: - A bag or kit to deal with emergencies - Supplements that work for you (I use VItamin D3, No...
Hi Mike, It has been almost a year since I last posted. Can’t believe it’s been four years on this journey. You were just a little ahead of me at each step so I read your words as a guide. Just checking in, wishing you well. Wondering what’s next? Susan I've been learning some new skills and thinki...
Hi Mike, Glad you finally got in to see your surgeon. That is a tough call on whether or not to do the additional surgery. I haven’t had the obstructions like you have. It would be hard to have an additional surgery and go through all of that again. I hope you are able to get that interview. I thin...
I went to see the surgeon yesterday. My original appointment was scheduled for August 2020 but it was canceled by the hospital. I rescheduled for several months afterwards but there was a COVID outbreak at the hospital. I was going to try early 2021 but COVID numbers spiked over 700%. So I scheduled...
I had the rise as well. Also started in December and it rose through six or seven months of chemo. The oncologist ordered a CT and it was clear. In my case, it was most likely due to working out as my workouts increased as my chemo progressed.
I stopped running for several weeks which was difficult and replaced it with spinning, stretching and the weight machines at the gym and bodyweight and barbells at home. I then started running 1/2 mile last week (that was my limit before injury) and have been running 1.5 miles/day this week without ...
Education plays a big part. There are a lot of products out there but discovery is challenging. You wake up out of surgery with this thing attached to you and you have to do care and maintenance of it for six months or the rest of your life depending on your situation. You get some training in the h...
I did XELOX starting December 2017 in New Hampshire so it was pretty challenging. I think that keeping warmer clothes around during the day is helpful. The cold can affect your eyelids, mouth, throat, fingers and toes - those were the worst areas for me. The chest port is a bit of a pain as it's har...
NH opened appointments to everyone yesterday. I had to reschedule my second dose because Walgreens screwed up and they don't have second appointments available. I found something but it's not ideal. First dose of Pfizer this past Thursday. My arm was sore Thursday night until Friday afternoon. It wa...