Need Advice on what it is like to live without an omentum

@blackdot
  I would say you won't notice anything. I have had mine removed. I have heard it described as 'partial' but thought it was 'full". Main point is I can't say I notice anything. I noticed more from the radical hysterectomy and debulking etc than I did anything.  Basically everything finding its new place once removed. I have low grade serous grade 3C primary peritoneal cancer which is treated the same as ovarian. Having the omentum removed hasn't affected my life. Surgical menopause and my recurrence, does affect my life.
  Are they able to do your surgery laproscopically or have to make an incision?
  What is most concerning to you given the information you have received?
  

@blackdot
  My incision was from sternum to pubic bone and knew it was a possibility I would be opened that much going in but no one knew for sure until they operated.  I will not lie, it was difficult to overcome. It took a lot to just walk every day slowly and with help. I had help showering on a shower chair as well.  If this type of surgery is in your future, plan ahead would be my advice. Have a raised toilet seat and wipes. Make sure you have someone that can stay with you for a bit and can help you with many things we consider "simple".  Meals prepped in advance etc.  
  As far as a timeline, many of us have been given one. Some have surpassed them, some on their journey to a date given and of course others have passed.  As hard as it is, live in the moment and day to day.
  Talk to your team about what they are presenting to you for treatment. Risks and benefits. Ask questions.  In the end, this is your journey and your body. It will respond in its own way as well.  
 I would say my biggest challenge was gaining my strength back and being able to do things on my own like shower. Every small accomplishment meant I was starting to heal. 
  Chemotherapy itself can be tough but your team will work with you to minimize any side effects. I am not sure if you have had chemo before from your post. 
  I wish you the best in your treatment decisions.  They can be difficult to make. It is all difficult from hearing your diagnosis, to treatment options and then side effects and recovery or recurrence. A lot physically, emotionally and mentally. 
  I wish you the best and keep us posted.

@blackdot
  You are going through a lot. Do you have supports in place?  You can reach out to your team and/or hospice to find supports as well.  It sounds like you are torn with what to do, outlook etc.  Plus what you are currently processing with your adult child. 
So tough and hard. Sending you hugs and holds.

@blackdot
  Hello.  You seem very definite in your decision in your last post.  I bet it was difficult to watch from the outside having someone go through treatment.  Only thing I would caution is that chemo is not the same for everyone nor the type they use nor the side effects of.  That's all I will say on that.
  I wish you the best outcomes whichever avenue you decide to take.  These are all hard decisions when we are faced with them.  
  You are always welcome to join our Teal Thursdays @ 1pm for a live online chat if you wish.  You need to refresh your page to see incoming comments on it and/or a black box will appear to show you new messages so you know to refresh.  If you can and want to join us, we will meet you there.
 In the meantime, reach out when you feel the need.
Take care

@blackdot
 Thought I would check in to see how things are with you and if you have any updates you would like to share. Have been thinking of you.
Take care

@blackdot
  Ugghh so still some rough times..sorry to hear that. What do they give you for the nausea?  I had a cocktail of Dexamethasone along with the nausea meds for a few days after chemo. I found my 2nd treatment side effects the absolute worst.
  How do you feel about your upcoming surgery?  Have you had any consults regarding it and how the procedure will be done? (Laproscopic, horizontal or vertical incision)  I would highly suggest purchasing a raised toilet seat for your toilet. I don't think I could have done it without it. I also borrowed my elderly Aunt's shower chair to shower initially. (I was also opened up from sternum to pubic bone.)  I had someone help shower me in the beginning to graduating to shower on my own (which was heaven!)  and what a sense of independence and accomplishment it gives you.  Take any assistance you can get as you heal from surgery which includes preprepped meals for the family. It took me a bit to eat normally again so had broth, rice, jello, fresh fruit etc in the beginning. Fish was also something I could tolerate and enjoy.  Everyone is different of course and am sharing my experience.  I will recall soon the name of a product that helped with the residual gas from the surgery and post it to you to have on hand as well.  I figure the more prepared you are, better and if you require none of it.....wonderful!  
 Today in South Western Ontario it is cloudy but nice.  I am off to prepare a new morning smoothie made with taro root. I boile and mashed it yesterday in coconut milk and am going to add a fruit juice and bit of sweetness to it. It smells nutty after cooking it and has tons of benefits to it. Will let you know how it goes.
Take care....and feel free to ask anything!

@blackdot
  Those nurses certainly are amazing aren't they?  
Sorry to hear about the nausea and difficulty drinking.  I have a sublingual Odansetron for when I get ileus episodes which really help as I can barely get water down when I get an episode.  Perhaps asking your Oncologist about this may or may not be an option for you?  I found that using a veggie green powder that was easier on the digestive system in water very helpful while in treatment and I have it now every morning with my Restoralax and meds.  Popsicles or freezies are good as well as they melt slowly. My elderly Aunt takes the Pedialyte freezies and will add either a full or half one to a cup of hot water when she has an episode of her diverticulitis. Perhaps some options for you?  Ginger is very helpful too.  I made my own candied ginger when my system is off and I use the residual syrup for sweetening a hot water or herbal tea.  
  Your welcome about the tips.  They were godsends and when my Mom gave me my first shower, it felt like heaven.  I needed to have the stopper in the tub and allow the hot water to collect at the bottom around my feet and the shower head on either my back or abdomen if not rinsing hair to keep warm while being showered.  I would possibly recommend getting some Poise or something similar when you first come home.  I had a few accidents that my Mom had to clean up that I had no control over whatsoever.  I was 50 when this all occurred and am currently 52. The showers exhausted me and I napped after them but it was worth it.  I also found nightgowns best and a long bathrobe.  It is what I wore for a very long time until I started to heal better and could move better. Bending over took a long time.  I got inventive with putting on my underwear.  Amazing what you can come up with! 
  As far as the chemo infusion at the 4 wk mark, I imagine you will be exhausted.  I feel if you prepare for that, then anything else is good.  Don't expect much and do what you can. The daily walks are a MUST post surgery.  I had to walk with my Dad and hold his arm at first and graduated to having someone near while I walked in case anything happened.  Every step during recovery is a celebration of sorts.  
  Know you can ask anything here and any one of us will do our best to assist you along.
  Wishing you well on this drastic change in weather day.  Definitely short weather yesterday and today in the house I put the heat back on as it is damp and miserable.

@blackdot
 You are amazing......I would never have known by your posts. 
 Thank you for being incredibly brave and vulnerable in sharing part of your story. I would surmise that eating issues may be attributed to the grief you are currently going through as well.?
  My heart aches for you....and am at a loss of words for you....but know I am here regardless for anytime you need to vent. You are definitely undergoing a lot of mental, emotional and physical symptoms.
Here is a passage from a book entitled "Die Wise" by Stephen Jenkinson
"Everything we do and don't do makes a wake, a legion or waves and troughs that pound the shores at the edges of what we mean, grinding away at the periphery of what we know. They go on, after the years in which we lived our individual lives are long passed."
 My thoughts will be with you even more daily as you heal in the many ways you need to.

 

Take care of you! Let the others do what they can for you. 
I have been through a tragic event and it took a long time to get through. It was not easy and don't imagine this is easy for you either. Surround  yourself with all the love and support and heal yourself. You will get there. I was amazed at the support we received through our event. And you are right, they have no idea how even the smallest things have meaning.
 My deepest condolences to you.🙏
 

@blackdot I am checking in as it has been awhile.  How did your surgery go?  Treatment afterwards?  Where are you at now and above all, How are YOU and how are you feeling both physically and mentally/emotionally?  Let us know as I would love to hear an update and see if you need any help at all.
Take care