Liver Resection on Thurs..any advice

[ziggymonster]

Well, time is at hand...liver resection is set for Thurs morning @ 7:30....need to be at the hospital @ 6am. In Aug/Sept did 3 cycles folfiri+avastin...tumor shrank (solitary liver met) from 1.9cm to 1.0 cm and CEA dropped from 4.0 to 1.2 so all this good. Can't believe it is almost showtime.... getting a little nervous now. Any words of wisdom on what to expect? My doc is hoping to do it laproscopically...I hope so.

[Easyflip]

Piece of cake! I'll text you Friday and see how you are doing!

Easyflip/Richard

[skypup]

My only advice is to beat this beast!!! Go, you!

[meatie]

Assuming this is a partial liver resection, you should be fine. It is not as epic as a colon resection. Your diet will likely not be affected.
Good luck!

[singingholly]

If it's open surgery wear an elastic band for more than one month to avoid surgical hernias, especially if you will be put again on chemo.

[Ratepo]

Compared with the rectal operation it was a piece of cake according to my dad. Well, hmm that's maybe a bit exaggerated However surely bit less to worry about normally and probably less complications in the aftermath (bacteria, difficult wound healing, abscess, bowel problems etc.). And the prospect of no more monsters in your body anymore should give you a boost!

Wishing you the best and a speedy recovery!

[dianetavegia]

It was hard for me because of the location of my 1.5 cm (without chemo) met. I had an open incision and 80% of my liver removed, so it took a month for me to be able to raise my arms over my head, dress myself in certain clothes, etc.

That was April 2012.

[elise]

Easier in some ways to the colon (for me) in that there was no diet change and no bowel changes. Also, I was up walking further faster. BUTT harder in that I had a foot long scar to heal vs my colon which was done with 4 small incisions. So I was up faster after but it took much longer to be totally normal after.

Get 'er done!

[Rheaeliza]

Agreed, easier than colon. Mine was not laparoscopic so my rib cage was quite sore for some time.

Also, I had never been so tired in my life. But I slept like a rock. Your body is putting all its energy into regenerating your lost chunk of liver, so let yourself sleep! No alcohol (duh) Eat lots of high protein foods.

Mine was November 4th of last year and by Thanksgiving I was well enough to have a small dinner party and cook a few dishes!

Good luck! You will do great!

[gfpiv]

Congrats on being resectable - that is awesome, and I hope everything works out well. Just throwing this out there, and I have not had reason to look into it further, but some folks feel there is evidence that use of cimetidine post-resection may help reduce recurrence risk. So who knows, possibly something to consider-

http://csn.cancer.org/node/185636

[Rob in PA]

Yeah, i have some advice..... Just like a roller coaster ride, when you get to the top of the first big drop, all the anticipation and fear that has built up subsides once you crest the hill and start down the other side. You are just now cresting that hill. Put your arms up over your head and enjoy the ride, lots of people on this Board would love to be in your shoes!

And yes, my liver surgery was "easier" than most of my colon surgeries.

Go get em' tiger!

Rob

[meatie]

@dianetavegia

Why did you have 80% liver resection for a 1.5cm met? My mother had a 1.4cm liver met and the surgeon only removed sector 6 of her liver.

[ziggymonster]

Thanks guys for the encouraging comments......I am taking cimetidine......I think there is enough evidence that it could indeed help...certainly can not hurt.

[CRguy]

Thanks guys for the encouraging comments......I am taking cimetidine......I think there is enough evidence that it could indeed help...certainly can not hurt.

... especially if we add in swinging chickens my friend .... SO I will be swinging a bunch for you on Thursday !
I am a Lung Thang Ganger so have no liver advice stuff to add...
BUTT still sending all the best wishes for a successful surgery and a painfree, gentle recovery.

Let us know how things went when you are up to it.

Mega Cheers & Harmony
CRguy

[KWT]

Just kick ass zigg, good luck on Thursday