A patient in good shape
My surgery for peritoneal pseudomyxoma with HIPEC was back in March 2002. A year after I retired…
The operation went well, the surgeon worked like a master! I remember him as a serious, affable man, concerned about his patient and visiting him frequently. Thank you again to him.
What kind of “cleanup” did the surgeon perform?
My large intestine was removed, a small part of my liver had to be removed, my stomach said goodbye…and five years after that operation, another one had to be performed because adhesions had formed.
To recover from the first operation, I had to spend two months in a nursing home and then many more to “get back on my feet.” The 15 pounds I lost gradually came back… but not all of them. It doesn’t matter because I’m fine. The stomach pains I had for several years are now gone. All the scans I have had over the past 10 years have never revealed any after-effects; as the surgeon once said to me: “You are doing desperately well!” and the MRIs I continue to have every year give the same information: OK. Everything is fine.
What helped me get through these difficult times?
My morale. Of course, I was very upset when I found out what was happening to me. But I decided to face the problem head-on, telling myself: let’s look on the bright side, things will get better, let’s do what we need to do to get better!
The good news from the surgeon a few days after the operation: your disease is not cancerous!
The many visits I received were a great comfort to me. My family was very present and many friends came to see me.
My decision not to withdraw into myself, to continue to keep an “open door”…
An excellent relationship with the surgeon, as I mentioned above.
The thoughtful attention of the nursing and care staff.
My faith and trust in God: focusing on His goodness, His presence with those who suffer, and the death of Christ…
The sessions I participated in: Qi gong, relaxation, peaceful sleep…
To all those who are facing this suffering: courage and patience!
Albert, 77 years old and in great shape!