Surgery-Update Liver Resection/Hai

[hart2hart]

Hi All -

Sloan just called and Pete's surgery with Dr. D has been changed from the 29th to the 25th!
Ahhhhh,,Only a week a half away. Thought we had two weeks to digest everything.......

Should Pete ask for an epidural? How long in the hospital? For all of you that have been through
Liver Resection/Hai Surgery would love any tips or suggestions for Pete! What was the toughest
part of these procedures? Thx.



Julie H
Stamford, ct

Hubby Pete (60)-VLRC - 11/11
Chemo/Rad/Ace Surgeon - 11/11 - 4/12
Oxi/Xeloda - 2 Treatments Stopped Severe Toxicity to Oxi 5/12 - 6/12
5FU/Lec - 12 Treatments 8/12 - 2/13
Clean Colonoscopy - 8/13
Liver Met - 10/13
Liver Resection/Hai - 10/25/13 at Sloan

[juliej]

Definitely ask for an epidural. That's what I had and it was fantastic at handling the pain.

[radnyc]

Hey Julie, I was a good patient and followed all the doctor's and nurses's directives. Everyone is different of course, but I did not require and epidural. I was there for five days, of course, I hate hospitals and wanted to be back home the next day! As soon as I could I was doing my walks around the floor, gotta get the body moving asap, it's important. The nurses and everyone there was excellent, best hospital care I've ever had. GOOD LUCK, you're in the best of hands at MSK.

A

[ptfly]

Julie,
When my wife has her colon resection in May she rcvd the epidural and thinks it helped a lot.
She was never over a 4 on the pain scale and said she had less pain that when she had minor back surgery many years ago.
We will probably still over lap in NY so looking fwd to meeting you.
Paul

[janderson]

Definately ask for and epidural. Liver surgery is quite a bit more painful than colon surgery. I have had 3 liver resections. I was out of the hospital on the third day after the first 2 surgeries. I was in the hospital for a week after the third surgery but that was a big one. They removed 70% of my liver. He will be fine and it's better to get it over with ASAP IMO.

[mymom]

Hi. so happy for you. Mom did not have an epidural. They didnt want to give her one. Not sure why. Recovery time? Dont go by my mom. We have nicknamed her the Queen of Complications. We are buying her a crown.

[pog451]

..

[pog451]

Just to clarify things perfectly, let me say the exact opposite to janderson

My Liver resection (60% removed, open surgery) was CONSIDERABLY less pain and discomfort and hassle than my resection, although I was rectal, not colon.

For my LAR I had an epidural, for my liver I didn't and I never went above 2 or 3 on pain (except when moving significantly like getting out of bed) on either.

I was in hospital longer for my liver resection (10 days) but the last few days were purely because I had some drains still in that wouldn't stop emitting fluid - I had otherwise already healed pretty well by then. I get the idea we spend longer on the ward here in Europe anyway.

Epidurals have one significant drawback for men - When it comes to removing the foley things can take while to get back on track.

[Guinevere]

Julie,
Have him ask for the epidural. He won't regret it. It's the best pain management I've ever had for surgical pain. I also think less time to think about the upcoming surgery might emotionally work in his favor so it may be a good thing that the surgery was moved up. Less time to stress.

God bless ~
Guinevere

[justin case]

Hi Jewels,
No I did not forget. I was waiting for Pete to get out of ICU, before I was going to post. I hope the surgery went well and Pete is doing fine. I know you, and you should probably be getting some rest for yourself, let the kids keep an eye out.
Warm regards,
Michael