Prayers to you and the family.

lbj...I'll make a reminder on my calendar to be praying for you at 0800 next Monday morning.

HERNIA RECOVERY

I'm basing this on the fact that I had "open" surgery...NOT laparoscopic surgery, which might heal faster. My particular surgeon is a hernia specialist and prefers open surgery. He said in 35+ years of doing hernia repairs, he had had only 1 failure and that guy weighed over 400 lbs.

I'm not sure what kind of hernia you have, but I had an inguinal (groin) hernia repair done in 2006. I felt great after the surgery until the drugs wore off that evening. I stayed with my brother for the first week because you're not supposed to drive...it would have been too uncomfortable for me to do so anyway.

My biggest problem was sleeping. I sleep on my side and that was waaaaaaaay too uncomfortable, as it put pressure on the incision point and the repaired hernia. So what I had to do was lie on my back up to the incision point and then prop pillows underneath my upper torso to twist my upper body so that I was more or less on my "side". Truth be known, I started sleeping in the recliner after about night 2.

The thing you WILL want to do is start walking as soon as possible. I'd get up several times a day and do laps around the sofa in the living room. That keeps the blood flow going and that's what will aid in your healing process. And take those pain meds...they were GREAT!!!

I had bruising and was black, blue, green, yellow, red and several other colors from the incision point all the way around to my left butt cheek...doctor saw it at the 1 week follow up and said, "WOW...that's cool!!" I didn't share in his enthusiasm. In addition, my scrotum was swollen to about the size of a Texas grapefruit; you know...everything's bigger in Texas. YMMV on that. Unfortunately I didn't feel up to showing it to the ladies and bragging about it. And they were also black and blue, so I guess I really did have a case of "the blue ball". HARHARHARHAR... As for the first bowel movement, I recommend taking Doculax or some other similar stool softener. That helped, but it's just something that'll have to happen.

You'll probably go in for a post-surgical evaluation after the first week and that's when they removed my staples...no sutures. Doc checked everything over and said my recovery was going great, the bruising was not an issue and would go away; and my scrotum would go back to normal as well, which it eventually did. He instructed me to stay out of work for 3 weeks because of my job, but "normal" folks go back to work after week 2...maybe sooner if you have laparoscopic surgery. I should have stayed out a 4th week because when I went back after week 3, it was EXTREMELY uncomfortable to sit on the flight deck for long periods and the most painful thing was leaning forward while sitting down and changing the radio frequencies. For some reason, that pulled like a mothuh on the incision point and those abdominal muscles. After week 4 or 5, though, I was just about back to normal except for the twinge I'd get every now and then at the incision point, but that was probably just nerves regenerating. After a couple of months, you'll forget you even had the surgery...I feel great to this day!!

That was my experience and I just wanted to be helpful in SOME way and explain what you might go through in your hernia repair recovery. You'll do great and you know you have an army of PRAYER WARRIORS behind you!!!

All the best my friend...

quote:

Originally posted by irreverent:
I completely understand where your wife is coming from on the house front. Can your girls help?

All of these posts are so full of love and encouragement, I'm in awe of the goodness here (Sometimes I forget when a thread takes a nasty turn!).

I'd like to just suggest that you start doing research on the cancer drugs they'll be using after the surgery. You want the latest and greatest, and I discovered with a friend who recently went into remission, that sometimes it seemed like a particular drug protocol had to be employed before they could move on to the more efficacious, newer, better treatment. I'm sure there was good reason, but the husband was convinced it was about the $ the drug companies put into R&D. It was hard for me to believe, but I will just suggest you look carefully at the choices your doctor and his team makes and ASK questions. Push. Always bring your wife, or other trusted family member or friend that can listen and make notes for further study. Record the explanations if necessary. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed by requesting a thorough explanation, and having them repeat it so you can understand. This is your life, and your body. Defend it and protect it to the best of your abilities.

My very best wishes to you and your family.

These are good points. However, a non-oncologist trying to figure out what is the best treatment regimen is not easy. There is a lot that has to be taken into account. If you have to undergo treatment following surgery there are a couple of things that I would concern myself with:

1. How many cases of this cancer has the oncologist treated
2. How will they monitor the effectiveness of the treatment (give all courses and then look or use cell free DNA assessments to determine if the treatment is effective)
3. What are the side effects of the treatments and what can I do to prevent going into the ER (scrip for abx's with fever during nadir, "magic" mouth wash, etc.)
4. What are the 5 year survival rates vs. quality of life

There are more, but without knowing treatment plan it is hard to say more. The quoted poster makes a great point in having someone (hopefully the same person) go with you on each visit to act as a second set of ears. It has to be someone who cares for you and can put up with you when you are feeling like crap. I am not sure what he means by, "that sometimes it seemed like a particular drug protocol had to be employed before they could move on to the more efficacious". Treatments damage your heart, kidneys, bone marrow, etc., you do not want to bring out the big guns that cause more damage too quickly (not attacking the poster, just clarifying).

Pray, stay strong and eat well. If you smoke or eat fried food, stop.

I am sitting around getting nervous regarding surgery.
I have to go for lab work later this week.

Unfortunately, I am having to do the potassium drink thing to clear out my system the day before the surgery.

I think this has to do with the hernia part of the surgery where they push the intestines back in.

lbj

I really have nothing significant to contribute to this conversation, just wanted to add to the well-wishes. You are and have been in my prayers.

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
I am sitting around getting nervous regarding surgery.
I have to go for lab work later this week.

Unfortunately, I am having to do the potassium drink thing to clear out my system the day before the surgery.

I think this has to do with the hernia part of the surgery where they push the intestines back in.

Still got the prayers going, sir.

If I recall correctly, I don't remember having to drink anything prior to my hernia repair.....just no food or drink after midnight the day before. Some K will be good for you in the prescribed dose regardless the reason you're drinking it.

quote:

Originally posted by Censored:

quote:

Originally posted by irreverent:
I completely understand where your wife is coming from on the house front. Can your girls help?

All of these posts are so full of love and encouragement, I'm in awe of the goodness here (Sometimes I forget when a thread takes a nasty turn!).

I'd like to just suggest that you start doing research on the cancer drugs they'll be using after the surgery. You want the latest and greatest, and I discovered with a friend who recently went into remission, that sometimes it seemed like a particular drug protocol had to be employed before they could move on to the more efficacious, newer, better treatment. I'm sure there was good reason, but the husband was convinced it was about the $ the drug companies put into R&D. It was hard for me to believe, but I will just suggest you look carefully at the choices your doctor and his team makes and ASK questions. Push. Always bring your wife, or other trusted family member or friend that can listen and make notes for further study. Record the explanations if necessary. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed by requesting a thorough explanation, and having them repeat it so you can understand. This is your life, and your body. Defend it and protect it to the best of your abilities.

My very best wishes to you and your family.

These are good points. However, a non-oncologist trying to figure out what is the best treatment regimen is not easy. There is a lot that has to be taken into account. If you have to undergo treatment following surgery there are a couple of things that I would concern myself with:

1. How many cases of this cancer has the oncologist treated
2. How will they monitor the effectiveness of the treatment (give all courses and then look or use cell free DNA assessments to determine if the treatment is effective)
3. What are the side effects of the treatments and what can I do to prevent going into the ER (scrip for abx's with fever during nadir, "magic" mouth wash, etc.)
4. What are the 5 year survival rates vs. quality of life

There are more, but without knowing treatment plan it is hard to say more. The quoted poster makes a great point in having someone (hopefully the same person) go with you on each visit to act as a second set of ears. It has to be someone who cares for you and can put up with you when you are feeling like crap. I am not sure what he means by, "that sometimes it seemed like a particular drug protocol had to be employed before they could move on to the more efficacious". Treatments damage your heart, kidneys, bone marrow, etc., you do not want to bring out the big guns that cause more damage too quickly (not attacking the poster, just clarifying).

Pray, stay strong and eat well. If you smoke or eat fried food, stop.

I understand what you're querying, and having worked in pharm research, I was caught off guard by his (the husband's) comment regarding his wife's cancer treatment. He was saying there was a next generation drug that was better, without the leveling side effects, that they could not employ until the first gen had been used in that same patient. Something about proper procedure and protocol. In hindsight I bet it was a study she was allowed to participate in. He was disappointed and blamed big pharm $ - I understand, he was working very hard to learn about cancer drugs and doing his research to get the best possible care for her and was undeniably upset. All I'm asking is that lbj and family does their homework, just in case that's true and they can sidestep an unnecessary protocol. Just know the lady in question is now in remission and doing well.
Just my 2 cents and no offense taken. We are all on the same side here, wanting the best for lbj and family.
Best of luck with the surgery.

LBJ,
I just saw this. I'm sorry you are going through this. I hope you make a swift and complete recovery. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Best Regards,
Storm

My sister emailed me today. She asked me how I was doing.

Here is my reply:

As to how I am doing mentally with all this, well, I am unsure.
Certainly what I have written on sigforum is true for me.
That is not to say I am overjoyed with the diagnosis and all and I do have my moments of some anxiety.

That said, my family, my faith and everything I have done in life has lead to this moment in time where my mortality awaits.
Mortality awaits us all but we generally do not think about it in a specific way, rather a general way.

Trust me when I say the general way is vastly different than the specific way I am currently facing.

I do believe speaking for myself, that facing death is a test of one's character and what we have learned in our travels in life. I hope I can pass such test.
I think I am and to be honest, I am surprised at my reaction in many ways. But mostly that surprise is that I am, perhaps, passing this test.

I have not given up hope of having some extra years, maybe even a lot of extra years, but there is always reality present. I have lived life with a certain logic and reality since I can remember.

I see no need to change myself in any major way with changes to my character. At the margins, yes, there will be and are some subtle changes.

I am comfortable in my skin. Could I have been a better person, done things differently?
Yes and no, we are who we are.

I have found out that I am a better person than I thought I was and I base this on what friends and family tell me what they think of me. I take them at their word and am happy with that.

lbj...I'm still keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this illness...also for those responsible for your treatment and care...there are many others on this forum and elsewhere doing the same...

May God bless you and strengthen you and yours while you get past this.

lbj

I have been in a spot similar to where you are. I was amazed by the kindness of others and their sharing with me how I touched them at one time or another.

Faith can't be underestimated nor can the goodwill and love of others, most you do not personally know.

Keeping you in my prayers; friend.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: thomjb, January 22, 2016 08:22 PM

I went and had my lab tests done including an EKG.

I guess I'm all set for surgery this Monday morning.

mrs. lbj will probably post an update in this thread sometime on Monday.

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
I went and had my lab tests done including an EKG.

I guess I'm all set for surgery this Monday morning.

mrs. lbj will probably post an update in this thread sometime on Monday.

Godspeed for the best possible outcome! Hang in there lbj, we're all behind you!

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
I went and had my lab tests done including an EKG.

I guess I'm all set for surgery this Monday morning.

mrs. lbj will probably post an update in this thread sometime on Monday.

Please let her know she is in our thoughts as well. We look forward to the update. Have a great weekend.

You've got this! One day at a time. One achievement at a time.

I admire your bravery.

My family will be praying for you.

I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

pages and pages of posts. Took me a while, but I need to add mine. I cannot deny that SF is a sort of family to me. And there are a few handfuls of folks that I can actually say I "kind-of" know. You're on that list. I wish you the best. I really do. Hang in, and stay online. We're here. It's all we can do. So it's what we will do.

Continuing to send positive thoughts your way, Lbj. Good luck on Monday!

They're telling me I get a private room and wireless internet.

I will be sure and post how lovely it is to stay at Hotel Grand.