My Gastrectomy Surgery and HIPEC Cancer Treatment- #19 in Clinical Trial

I Was #19 In Clinical Trial For Both Gastrectomy Surgery And HIPEC

I was diagnosed with stomach cancer in August and completed chemotherapy on November 29th.  My goal on this journey was to qualify for a gastrectomy surgery.  At MD Anderson they treated my cancer aggressively. On December 21st, I had a HIPEC caner treatment and then on January 23rd I qualified for their clinical trial.  The trial was the combination of a gastronomy surgery and HIPEC surgery. I would be #19 in their clinical trial and was told this combination surgery was a HUGE surgery and would take 6-7 hours. After, I would learn about a post gastrectomy diet.

What is HIPEC Surgery?

When I was told about HIPEC surgery I had no idea what it was.  It is hyperthemic intraperitoneal chemotherapy used for cancer treatment in the abdominal area.  It treats cancers that spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity with chemotherapy drugs that have been heated.  The purpose is to kill those microscopic cells.  Dr. Badgwell at MD Anderson felt I should have HIPEC cancer treatment before my gastronomy surgery so I had it on December 21st.  They call it “shake and bake” because they heat up the chemo to around 107 degrees and shake you with the chemo and then remove it. Before each surgery I was surrounded by lots of love!

My First Hipec Surgery Was Around Christmas

The HIPEC surgery in December was about a 3 hour surgery and I stayed in the hospital 3 days to get out before Christmas.  It was painful and my stomach was swollen like I was pregnant (but of course I wasn’t). I stayed on Tramedol and Tylenol around the clock and I remember Christmas Day I stopped the pain medicine.  At the time of this surgery they also did some exploratory which guided the doctor to my next step. HIPEC surgery is not new but this HIPEC cancer treatment is relatively new for gastric cancer.

#19 With Another HIPEC Cancer Treatment with Gastrectomy Surgery

From that last surgery, they felt I needed and qualified for the clinical trial of a gastronomy with another HIPEC.  I didn’t want this combination surgery and heard it was an extremely tough surgery with higher chance of complication.  However, I felt fortunate to be #19 in this clinical trial that Dr. Badgwell started and felt I was a good candidate. With only 19 people having had this done and only two without complications, I prepared myself for a HUGE surgery as they told me.

#19 Clinical Trial And My Outcome

This combination gastrectomy surgery and HIPEC surgery was a MONSTER of a surgery.  Pain was challenging. I stayed in the hospital for two weeks but made it without complications. I am so thankful.  They called me the walker because everyone said walking helped so I even walked in the middle of the night. Anything to get me stronger and better.  No one could believe I had two HIPEC surgeries as they are truly tough surgeries, however, I felt fortunate to be a part of the clinical trial so I tried to keep a smile on my face despite the pain.  MD Anderson’s pain team was wonderful, the nurses were caring, the fellows fabulous and Dr. Badgwell was concerned and listened to me to understand how I felt.  He was pleased with my progress.  My only minor complication was a blood transfusion but healing was challenging.

Great Ideas That Made My Hospital Room The Most Popular in The Hospital

Well, I became the talk of the hospital. My daughter, Haley, had copies of photos made in all sizes of everyone in our family. So, instead of staring at a blank wall, I faced a collage of family photos that continually helped me to fight to get better.  It makes a HUGE difference and when the pictures came down the day I was leaving, I saw how it changed the room.  Since she doesn’t have kids, her dog was center stage and everyone commented. I also received such great cancer gifts that I wanted to share with you.

She Set Up A Diffuser In My Hospital Room

Who would think of a diffuser with essential oils in the hospital room?  My daughter, Haley, did and my room was the talk of the hospital for a spa room. This was one of my favorite cancer gifts I received.

She set up a diffuser with lavender so my room smelled like a spa. All the nurses loved coming into my “happy” room. I highly recommend this little touch as it made such a difference in my small, old hospital room.  With the pictures on the wall and my diffuser, it just made everyone feel a little better.

Home From The Hospital with Pain and Facing My Post Gastrectomy Diet

I came home from the hospital back with “Cookie” my feeding tube and was still battling pain so I really didn’t focus on my post gastrectomy diet. The pain was intense probably from the HIPEC so I stayed on pain meds around the clock even resorting to oxycodone for a week.  The feeding tube was 24 hours a day and I was very limited by mouth. Just clear liquids and my stomach would feel distended and uncomfortable.  Nothing was easy.  I kept fighting and it was good to be back at my sister’s home in Houston and not in the hospital. They did save 10% of my stomach which would make a difference in my quality of life.

Protein Drinks Important for Post Gastrectomy Diet

In the hospital they gave me Isopure which is a clear protein drink.  I sipped on them even though I didn’t like the taste because I knew my body needed protein.  I am drinking them alternately at home with the Premier Protein because they are helping me.

Home from the hospital my daughter also ordered Premier Protein (orange mango flavor was my favorite) which I liked better. My stomach could not hold much so I only drank these two clear protein drinks to give me the much needed protein to heal.  The dietitian was very pleased and I highly recommend drinking these drinks instead of other liquids. My protein count was reflected in my weekly blood work.

My New Post Gastrectomy Diet Was A Major Lifestyle Change

Throughout my cancer journey, I had an appetite and was always hungry.  Now, I had to eat five meals a day and had no appetite and wasn’t hungry.  Why is it always like that? I started with clear liquids and then progressed to 1/2 cup five times a day with first foods. Four weeks later I now eat 1 cup of first foods.  The diet is like white mush but at least now I am putting together food combinations as my diet has expanded.  I’m not hungry but fortunately, whenever you put food in front of me, I eat it and even lick my plate.  So, that habit helped me to eat my much needed calories. Remember, to check out my gift list for cancer patients.

Turned To Eating Well Through Cancer For Recipes to Make For Post Gastrectomy Diet

As soon as I could barely eat more food, I turned to my cancer cookbook to find recipes that would fit my post gastrectomy diet. I had confidence in the recipes in Eating Well Through Cancer cookbook.  We made simple recipes like Potato Soup, Bread Pudding Florentine, Chicken Pot Pie with Oyster crackers.  Remember, these are all small portions so it took me awhile to eat a recipe. I also enjoyed Banana Pudding, Chicken Scallopini and Pasta with Roasted Butternut Squash and Pasta.  I enjoyed this food better than cream of wheat or mashed potatoes.

Get All My Healthy Easy Cookbooks

Get on Amazon below or order directly from my site.

 

 

Follow