HOW I WISH THEY HAD INSTALLED A ZIPPER!

I am sitting in my hospital bed for the ninth night after coming to ER with yet another small bowel obstruction. They got it to resolve after the normal program of ng tube, morphine, and no food. They gradually got me back on food thinking I would be okay and yet another one hit. This has been tough after two months of fighting these at home and also another at the hospital. I am scheduled for surgery on Monday and know I am facing a tough adhesion removal surgery. This is #6 "gut" surgery and hence the title. This brings back all of the memories of the cancer and pain and worry. Of course the old fear of what if they find more, even after all these years.

I am praying and asking God to give me the strength to get through this. I know only with his help can I do it.

You are all so brave and going through so much. I come to this list often to try to encourage everyone that there are lots of long time survivors out there. Now I need your encouragement! I almost feel guilty asking for it knowing there is no cancer, and then remember my dear friends I lost to ovca telling me to never feel guilty for surviving, but to share with everyone about ovca, and I do. Linda

By 99to1
Posted October 3, 2009 at 12:37 pm
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Argh! No one EVER mentioned adhesions or bowel obstruction to me until I ended up in the Emergency Room 1 year after my surgery. One week with a tube up my nose hoping the adhesions would "release" and another week with the tube after they did the surgery. But that was 2 years ago and I've had no complications since. I do yoga and go to an acupuncturist and I really feel that has helped.

I am a 4 year Ovarian Cancer survivor and going strong! I do still worry about recurrence but if it happens, I'll beat it again. Don't feel guilty. This is a disease and our bodies all handle it differently. Plus with spotty diagnosis there is a lot of "luck of the draw" in terms of when you catch it. Those of us who are still here can help others stay hopeful and that's a big job! Good luck and hope it goes better than expected.

By lifeisgrand
Posted October 3, 2009 at 1:33 pm
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You can do this. You are a great inspiration to all of us. Even your screen name gives us hope. We all want to have that name :). Even without active disease we are always at risk of something. It is a mean mean diagnosis, cruel the things it does to us. I'm at a good place today and hopefully can bring you strength with some prayers and good wishes. I know others will do the same when we need it. That's why we're here... to help when we can and call out when we need strength. You rest and get well. Will be keeping you in thoughts and prayers. With God's help you will be strong enough for what the day brings.

By Jennali
Posted October 3, 2009 at 6:34 pm
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Linda, I am so sorry to hear of your troubles. I don't blame you for not looking forward to yet another surgery. At least you'll know what to expect!

And don't waste a second on feeling guilty! We are all thrilled for you that you have beaten back the Beast. Every long term survivor I hear from gives me renewed hope that I, too, might join those ranks one day.

Wishing you a successful surgery and many more years of NED.

By Patricia123
Posted October 3, 2009 at 9:03 pm
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Hang in there and sorry you have to go thru this! I wish there was a way to stop adhestion formation,,sort of a PAM spray in the abdomen before surgery. So many have these problems. Or a laser or something.

By Debofil
Posted October 4, 2009 at 9:17 pm
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May God Bless you. You have been through so much. With this disease, I don't think the fear of recurrence ever leaves, but we learn to live with it just like you have for all of these years. You have my prayers !

By 10yrsurvivor
Posted October 4, 2009 at 10:22 pm
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Thank you all so much for your encouragement and prayers. Tomorrow is the day and I feel that I am ready to get it done and get on with my life. I know God will be directing it all. I know I am safe in his hands. When I can I will let you all know how I am doing. Linda

By kimsmom
Posted October 5, 2009 at 10:02 am
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I am just reading this and suppose by the time you see my reply you will have this surgery behind you. Just last night I was talking with Kim, who is so discouraged with port sites not healing, and another place where they removed an external cyst that is not healing..she is hurting from shoulder pain, port site pain, feels like her ribs are broken, and is sick of digestive problems and food tasting terrible. She just completed her 4th chemo round, but the first IP, and first cisplatin. Her first 3 rounds were taxol/carbo IV.
I told her that I'm praying everyday for a long and "feel good" period to make this all worth it. I told her I am so inspired to hear of the long-term survivors, like you, who have have some good times in the journey. She said she has never read that anyone ever feels good after being diagnosed, treated, and in remission. I know some of you have had some good days, months, and years. That is right?

By kimsmom
Posted October 5, 2009 at 10:06 am
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I am praying you will have a fast recovery and feel good for the holidays. I am so hopeful that you have had days and times that were free from discomfort. I hope the good times you have had as a 10-yr survivor have made all this yucky surgery and treatments worth it.
hugs and prayers for you!!
love,
kimsmom

By 10yrsurvivor
Posted October 5, 2009 at 11:54 am
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I am sitting here waiting for surgery reading your posts. PLEASE tell Kim that I have had a very good quality of life after ovca and this is just another bump in the road. There is no guarantee ovca or not that life will have quality. She will enjoy food again, she will be pain free again, she will live a full and joyous life! God is good and he has gotten me through the tough times and I know he will do it again. After about a month and a half of no real food I am really looking forward to that first great meal!
Thank you for for your good wishes. I think why Kim thinks this is because most survivors don't come back to the lists and post. I wish more did, but sometimes it is too painful, sometimes they just get on with that new painfree life. ovca in many ways has improved who I am. It has made me a stronger person emotionally and strengthened me with my Lord. Linda

By MaryW
Posted October 5, 2009 at 12:38 pm
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Dear Linda,
You will probably be in surgery by the time my note comes thru, but know you are in my prayers for a safe surgery and good and quick recovery. In June I was in the hospital waiting for an obstruction to let go and then after a number of days had to have the surgery anyway. One of the things my doctor did because of not having eaten for so long was put me on TPN for a number of days. I think it really helped the recovery.
Peace, Mary

By MaryW
Posted October 5, 2009 at 12:41 pm
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Kimsmom, there are days when this journey can be very difficult. And on those days I hope Kim has you or a good friend to "hold the hope for her" until she can hold it again. I have not gone into remission since surgery and have been on chemo for 5.5 years, but I have appreciated these years so much. There have been many, many good days. And as Linda said, I have become a much stronger and appreciative person. I think often of the poem about the two sets of footprints in the sand which then turn into one set. And I remember that the Lord is the one who carries me when I have become so burdened.

I am part of a support group where 4 members are 4-12 year survivors. With this disease anything is possible. I wish Kim good recovery and many years of remission. Peace, Mary

By esther3kids
Posted October 6, 2009 at 12:26 am
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Linda, with this disease we all seem to come to a bump in the road sooner or later. For you I am hoping that it is just a little bump. And that you will get on with your "normal" routine in life.

I hope to one day say that I too, am a ten year survivor.

My prayers are with you for a speedy recovery.

Love, Esther

By verlinda
Posted October 6, 2009 at 10:00 am
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LInda,

I'm trusting that all went well with the surgery. I'm sending you a virtual meal of turkey and sage cornbread dressing with cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes with raisins, a touch or orange juice and a lightly browned marshmallow topping, chocolate pie with mile-high meringue (Hey, this is virtual! My meringue can rise above it's usual half-inch here.), and scrumptious, country-cooked green beans. Best of all, there is no sugar in it and only 500 calories for the entire meal.

Seriously, thanks for your inspiration and encouragement. Let us know how we can help.

Blessings.

By Kat56
Posted October 6, 2009 at 11:36 am
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Could someone explain what exactly bowel obstruction is? Is it on the inside of bowels or outside? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I have had 4 surgeries and Dr. told me I am full of adhesions. Is this what causes obstruction? So far I haven't had to deal with this. What are the symptoms?
Thanks to all of you wonderful ladies -

By 99to1
Posted October 6, 2009 at 12:36 pm
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In my case, I thought I had food poisoning (no one had ever mentioned an obstruction to me either) I was vomiting everything I tried to swallow. Luckily, I have a doctor friend at the CDC who specializes in food borne illness--if it lasts more than 2-3 days--it's not common food poisoning.

Adhesions were described to me as like spaghetti strings--and if you are unlucky, they can string around your the outside of your guts and cause a blockage.

They try to avoid doing more surgery, since this leads to more scar tissue, but sometimes it's the only course of action.

Hope that helps.

By DeterminedLaura
Posted October 6, 2009 at 4:52 pm
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My best wishes & prayers go to you. Your upbeat & pragmatic attitude will carry you through. I've gone thru several surgeries including adhesion removal, so have small inkling of what you're going thru. I have recurrent granulosa cell tumors which keep showing up like a bad penny. Also thought a velcro opening - and liposuction would have been useful idea as long as they're in there...

I'll be thinking of you.
Laura

By kayb
Posted October 8, 2009 at 11:56 pm
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I don't know you, but I seriously hope you will become an 11yr survivor! You have my prayers. May God continue to show you his love through these wonderful people hear on inspire. I am new to this site, and am facing my 3rd surgery. It feels so good to finally have dialog with people who really relate to these issues. Thank you for your story, together, we are stronger!

By dunya
Posted October 9, 2009 at 9:58 am
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Thanks for your posts Linda and sending you much relief through out the holidays. My mom went to the emergency room last night...kind of weird cause she just had a CT scan that wasn't great cause it showed the cancer has come back in small amounts but all over...but no bowel obstruction. This was just on Monday! Then she went home beginning a new treatment with Topetecan instead of the Doxil which obviously wasn't working...now she's having real bowel problems and her doctor's office told her to go to emergency room to X-ray before she did any medication for it. Can things change in just 4 days?!!?? She's been in remission twice in 2 years so this is the third round of chemo....with 2 surgeries behind her and an initial horrible bout with septic shock after the very first chemo treatment that put her in the hospital for almost 6 months she has shown just how strong she is since they didn't think she could make it and she did!!! Sending prayers to eradicate the cancer ...for everyone!

Hugs,
Dunya

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