1 week from RC nerves and questions

As Pat already said, bring some gum. It helps get the intestines going again after the surgery and that is one of THE KEY things. You will probably not feel like it but walk the day after. Walking also helps to get the intestines moving around and wakes the buggers up. Have somebody to help out and walk with you. At least three times a day. Even if the first walk is in the room, it is better than nothing.

As George said, this is your step to cancer free.

It is an investment in the rest of your life.

Best of luck on the surgery!

Mike

Julie

The week before is a nerve wracking week indeed! Just remember that this is the week before you get the great gift of being cancer free!

Don't worry about any of the STUFF that you will have. It will not bother you, I promise. I found the first walk down the hallway to be the only memory of a "hard time" All of the other stuff you(an I) worried about, they were no problem.

I do remember my queezey brother coming to visit with my dad. My brother informed me that he did NOT want to see me with any tubes "and stuff" and my dad had enough to worry about as he is the caregiver for my mother(alzheimers). I was only 3 days out, but I shaved and washed my hair and "covered up" so I looked good for them. As I look back on it now, I was doing pretty good to go through all of this. They never knew about all of the stuff! Even to this day my dad and brother think I had some form of cancer "lite"

All the taste; but none of the calories!


I will give you one piece of advice; If you have a roommate, I hope you get one that is entertaining. They can be a source of hilarity. Since there is no pre-screening on roomates, you get what you get. Some are just plain bad. I got lucky, every day was a Saturday nite Live adventure. If he wasn't such a BAD person with so many quirks, I would have been bored with the wait.

As you look forward to your new cancer free life. Be a little selfish. It's OK to think of you! Enjoy the warmth of your supportive family this week and bask in the glow of their love. You deserve it!

We will be thinking of you.

George

Thanks Pat I will gladly be YOUR angel!!
Julie

Julie..you'll have so many drugs in you if you get one of those esophogeal spasms i would be very surprised. I think i know what you're talking about....horrible pain that feels like a heart attack but isn't..lots of belching...hot water, ice cold water helps? I've gotten those since i was about 9 yrs old...finally found out i was allergic to corn especially pop corn which i lived on as a kid. But as an adult anything with excess fat will start it off. My doctor thinks its related to the gallbladder. Its sluggish then spasms. Its worse when the weather changes..from summer to winter and then winter to summer. I'm generally free from it in the summer. There is a test for it now but heck i know what it is and i don't want my gallbladder taken out...just one more thing that will throw off my metabolites!
Speaking of Angels...mine seems to be on vacation. Maybe she's visiting you...that would be ok.
you're going to be fine..........pat

Oh Pat you do find a way to make me LAUGH!!!
I wont swallow the gum!!!! Thanks for the info I was just wondering about water in case I get a spasm as water will stop it. Ativan sounds like a good idea. My parents and sisters are all flying in for the week before surgery that should help keep my mind from going to many bad places..... I really feel such a connection to some of you even though we only talk on online. Pat you will always have a special place in my heart for you were my angel....
Julie