HIPEC in my future

[raym]

Due to recurrance in my colon and suspiscious areas in messentery (revealed by PET scan) I was referred to a new surgeon (Dr Armando Sardi in Baltimore) whose does HIPEC. Surgery date is April 10th, admitted on the 9th. Surgeon wants my port removed asap as it caused clots in the past and I have been on coumadin due to that. He wants to eliminate that risk, so I will switch to Lovenox injections for the time being. Surgeon is also evaluating if pre-surgical radiation is warrented, had an MRI today on my pelvic area to assist with that decision.

Good to have a plan, though quite a big procedure!

[Lee]

Sorry to hear about the recurrence, but it does sounds like there is a good plan of action in place. I hope your Dr.(s) are able to kick some cancer a$$ to another galaxy. Good luck with the upcoming surgery and try to enjoy your time over this next month.

Lee

[SoConfused]

always nice to have a plan of attack on these cancer cells ... though I am terribly sorry you needed one at all.

I've read good reviews about Dr. Sardi - so good to know you're in capable hands.

Curiously, were you considered high risk for this type of recurrence? as in to say, did you have signet ring and/or T4 tumor to begin with?

[florencedollar]

You are in excellent hands with your Surgeon. My sister decided on Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, and was so happy with the team.

[Fede]

Hi, Raym

I m glad to hear this plan, I d like it, HIPEC technique is really hard, but wonderfull, I have a friend call sky "diving in Sidney right now" who told me all about this stuff.
The post surgery could be a bit hard, but you will do it well, and this is an important possibility for you to get this bastard disease out .
For other side of course, I am sorry you needed one at all, but my friend it will be POSITIVE...remember my words.
I see it as a "curative" technique in surgical stuff, however Sky I think... will help you a lot about it.

The best for you ... and try to see it as a possibility to solve the problem and not just a problem.

I know that is hard, but could be a solution.

A hug for you

Fede

[ams5796]

You're right, it is a big procedure, but it is great to have a plan in place. It seems like it all happened so fast. Hopefully, you'll have it all over with just as quickly and be back to your life.

I'm wishing you all the best.

Ann

[NWgirl]

That's a lot to get your head around but it sounds like you have a solid plan in place. Sending strong thoughts.

[seva]

I have been thinking about you all since last week. Although HIPEC does not sound like fun, I am glad your new medical team has a plan for you. From your other posts it sounds like you are in good physical shape which should aid you in your recovery. I don't know much about MRIs, do you have to wait long for the results?

Seva

[raym]

I have been thinking about you all since last week. Although HIPEC does not sound like fun, I am glad your new medical team has a plan for you. From your other posts it sounds like you are in good physical shape which should aid you in your recovery. I don't know much about MRIs, do you have to wait long for the results?

Seva

I would expect the doc will have the results in a day or two? He is leaving on Monday for 2 weeks so he wanted to have the MRI done immediately to review. He will use it to decide on radiation and how successful a reconnect may be. He is concerned about scar tissue from the original surgery. The cancer appears to be below the original incision but is probably 6 to 7 inches up. Depends on how far down it goes if they have enough rectum left to connect.

[raym]

always nice to have a plan of attack on these cancer cells ... though I am terribly sorry you needed one at all.

I've read good reviews about Dr. Sardi - so good to know you're in capable hands.

Curiously, were you considered high risk for this type of recurrence? as in to say, did you have signet ring and/or T4 tumor to begin with?

I had a T3 tumor, moderated differentiated. The doc today mentioned the original pathology that there were fatty deposits around the tumor and he is thinking some of that escaped during the original surgery or perhaps was just floating around.

[SMR]

Good luck to you, I've read wonderful things about HIPEC so far. I know it is a difficult surgery and lengthy recovery but I have to believe it can help.

My husband is scheduled for HIPEC on March 20. He has quite a lot of disease in his abdomen, but we are going for this full steam ahead. We are hoping that he will be recovered from the surgery, and done with his post operative systemic chemo by the time our one year wedding anniversary rolls around in July! Cancelled our honeymoon for obvious reasons so maybe we will get to take a little break from chemo for our anniversary.

Wishing you the very best.

[Toby57]

Sorry you have to go through all this raym, but it sounds like a good plan. I wish you all the best, let us know how it goes.

[stephh]

Hi Raym-That is good that you are getting this procedure done-It is a big surgery, but I think the benefits outweight the risks.
I had this done in December, and am doing good. Was back to work Mid-January - maybe a tad too soon,,,but I was ready. I have a desk job, so it wasn't a lot of moving around. I hope you have a job you can ease back into?
I did not have any spots along the mesentary area-but had them in the pelvic area, diaphragm, and lining on the liver. I think my surgery lasted 6 1/2 hours or so....and went well. I had no major complications. Just had some edema (gained 20+ pounds in water weight), and low WBC count due to the chemo that I absorbed into my bloodstream. I highly recommend it-if you do not have any other health issues that could be a problem. You look like a young guy that can definately stand this surgery. There was a lady around 60 years that had this done a few weeks before me by the same surgeon, and as far as I know-did well also. Be sure to walk a lot-as with the colon resection surgery...your bowels will need to get moving again. And it's good for the healing process. But take it easy of course.
I wish you the best! And I look forward to hearing good news!
If you have any questions or anything please let me know.
I'm also curious to hear what your onc decides with chemo afterwards? My surgeon and onc both thought it'd be good not to do any chemo after HIPEC, as I have no signs of cancer, and they wanted to give my body a rest, and use the chemo for the future if ever it came back. It's kind of scary to me not being on chemo,,,but I see their point. My next scan is 3/27-1st one since surgery.

[SkiFletch]

Welcome to the HIPEC club Ray. After being around here a lot, I'm sure you know a bunch of what it's about but feel free to ask questions of any of us who have had it, myself included of course. Keep us posted

[Ashlee H.]

Our HIPEC club keeps growing. I just had my one year anniversary. Although I do have a nasty lymph node that is hanging onto some cancer cells, the area touch by HIPEC is cancer free. I think my ONC was surprised when he first mentioned HIPEC to me because I knew so much about it (thanks to SkiFletch). It seems to make his job easier that he doesn't have to explain a lot to me.