Iain
Member of our support group
I just have to say, getting home from hospital after surgery is not a competition. If you manage to get there quickly, well done you!
However, everyone is different, MOAS (mother of all surgeries)* is a very invasive procedure and recovery is an individual experience depending on certain factors.
Laparoscopic surgery is different in my opinion, it’s not as severe on the body, and the length of surgery needs to be considered. Some are lucky to be diagnosed really early, long before all that crap gets time to settle on your organs and run rampant.
Take your time, there’s no rush, go at your own pace and don’t feel pressured to be at a certain stage, just because someone else is. You’ll get there, in your own time, be happy still to be breathing and above ground……..
– Iain
Iain’s absolutely right. Recovery from surgery, especially a major one like the cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) for pseudomyxoma peritonei, is a highly individual experience that varies from person to person. It’s not a competition and there is no need to compare your recovery time to others.
Factors such as age, general health, the extent of the disease, the type of surgery, and the surgeon’s skill can all play a role in how quickly someone recovers from surgery. Recovery’s not just about physical healing, but also emotional and mental healing.
Taking your time to heal and recover at your own pace is crucial. Rushing the recovery process can lead to setbacks and complications, which could prolong the healing time. It is also essential to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard, too soon.
Each individual’s experience with pseudomyxoma peritonei is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. The most important thing is that you are still alive and have a chance to live your life to the fullest. Take the time to heal, rest when you need to, and focus on your overall well-being. Recovery is a process, and it is important to be patient and kind to yourself throughout the journey.
– Pseudomyxoma Survivor team
MOAS
"Mother of all Surgeries"
This is a nickname for the big cytoreductive surgery - full peritonectomy and HIPEC. It was thought up by the wife of an appendix cancer patient some years ago on her blog.
In case you missed it...
Jennifer tells us about Jim’s diagnosis
Jim's surgeon's secretary (for his appendectomy) called him and told him they needed to make another appointment because they "had found something". Thank G-d I decided to go to that appointment! The surgeon came in and told Jim, "You have appendix cancer and I don't...
I was misdiagnosed by my first surgical oncologist
The recommendations from the people in the support group are because they care. The decisions we make are literally life and death.
We thought it was nothing more than an ovarian cyst
My journey started in October 2013 (I was 53 years old), when I had an ultrasound to determine if I had gallstones or an issue with my gallbladder. The results showed a small cyst and mild fluid in my lower right abdomen area. It was decided that we would monitor the cyst and fluid and have an MRI in one year. We thought it was nothing more than an ovarian cyst. I never thought it would lead to a diagnosis of Mucinous Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma.
I am scheduled for LAMN surgery on April 19th and would like to contact someone who has been thru the surgery.
Hi Gloria – we have a buddy’s programme, where we can match you with someone who has had similiar. Details are on our website.