update-surgery-cpap

sweetdreams · Post by **sweetdreams** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:12 am

Hello,
A few fellow cpappers asked for an update after stomach cancer diagnosis and surgery to remove stomach. I had surgery on 4/16 and was in the hospital for 8 days. No food or water for 7, just sponges on a stick with ice water to wet my mouth. Food was just a word anyway. You're pretty much out of it.

As many of you suggested, I told everyone I had osa. The anthesiologist was attune to osa. The surgeon suggested no cpap unless I felt it necessary for a few days with my setting of 13. I had a RT come every night to set it up (definitely in chart orders) but chose to by pass, with so much being done. Hubby was at my side every night and kept a careful watch. When released the surgeon suggested reducing my setting for awhile. I have to admit that as much as I have beneffitted from cpap over the last 1 1/2 yrs (very compliant), I haven't wanted to resume it. Just a few episodes of the snoring-jerking awake, etc. Sleeping on a wedge on my back since can't sleep in my preferred side sleeping.

Am home recovering pretty well. Food/eating is the issue. Must be what gastric bypass is like. The surgeon left a very small pouch (any helps) with digestion. They took 48 lymph nodes (usually 15) and 46 had cancer. Not good, so will begin chemo as soon as strong enough and maybe radiation if felt would help. No other organ involvement that can be detected but with such lymph node involvement, probably cells are loose not dectectable yet. So we must "burn, poison, remove".

I am in good spirits, I will do what it takes to beat this. I have sooo much support and lots and lots of prayers on my behalf which God is answering.

When nurses, others, ask the symptoms, I didn't have many, none that were overtly obvious. Told the doc that my stomach felt bloated like waking up from CPAP. I try not to wonder if I overlooked early warning because of this. Symptoms did progress to feeling full early, gnawing discomfort like and ulcer (I thought). Eating helped sometimes and others not. Thank God my doc wouldn't just treat for an ulcer without an endoscopy (I have been on Prevacid for a few years and shouldn't have the stomach acid and she didn't think it was an ulcer...anyway she started the ball rolling and I have had many "instances" of things happening on my behalf.

Please continue your prayers, lots head. Sorry so long, helps to talk.

Sweetdreams (again).

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:25 am

Thank you for reporting is so much detail, sweetdreams. I was wondering the other day how you were doing now I know. Nothing in that post was too long.

I hope you will find your physical strenght soon, and beat the disease.

Wishing all the best for you.
O.

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Mon May 05, 2008 12:12 pm

So glad you checked in and let us know how you are feeling, and so glad that you are feeling better. Just know that you are in our prayers, and that you have all our support. You have come so far, and are on you way to winning this fight!
Keep your Faith strong and you will find your physical strength soon.

God bless and keep you in his hands

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon May 05, 2008 2:52 pm

May you have complete recovery and be well soon.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Mon May 05, 2008 4:59 pm

Thanks so much for the update! I'm glad to hear that you're in such good spirits! Attitude can be such a big part of this!
I wish you a speedy recovery and the best of luck with your future treatments. Ya know, even if it isn't xpap related, you can come here and vent if you need to. Or join in chat and let us help boost youyr spirits some more! Keep us all updated!

Brenda