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After diagnosis #glennthecancerwaarrior
, colon collorectal cancer BRAF information for patients, public and broader
awareness. My cancer journey as a stage 4 terminal BRAF sufferer- glennthecancerwarrior
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#glennthecancerwarrior -terminal BRAF MSS
After Diagnosis - Managing with Treatment and surgeries
Some tips to help possibly
with surgery effects and reduce recovery time. I've found fb patient groups like Breaking Braf and Stage 4 cancer very
useful in information in these areas. Espectially on the details. It's great to see what is or isn't working for others
for making an informed decision yourself.
Links to my experience with specific surgeries and generl surgery tips below
I'm not medically trained so this is not advice but simply some principles Ive followed and adapted according to surgery
type and situation.
Over all fitness Keep as good as possible i.e leg and upper body ready for when weaker.
Food I found seeing my bloods useful to see iron levels, sodium etc..
for some surgery like SIRT you may need to build weight a bit in the knowledge harder to eat after. Speak to your care team
before making any changes
supplements there maybe some that help the organs the surgery will be on, but Speak to your care team
for advice and before making any changes
Well being Getting mentally strong ahead of surgery. Individual choice as to what
works for them. Here's what I found useful. Reiki, Local councelling, sleep meditation
breathing techniques. The later especially useful to
with calmness. Both for you and staff
Packing for surgery Amongst other things in particular. Black out canas eye mask,
earphones, dressing gown, slippers, stretchy jogging bottoms, ear plugs
Tips for after surgery
Mobilise early
- Starting from the bed. Following advice from the physio which should there after all major surgery.
This will progress to walking short distances out of bed. little and often..
Stay hydrated After some may start with sucking on a sponge, then small sips.
little and at sensible timigs
Pain management For major surgery idealy agreed mostly upfront but anyway things can bechangeabe
. Ask the pain management about the side effects, levels needed i.e. if you've already had alot of
morthpine its effectiveness could half of what it was. May better alternatives.
Ask re any effects on the cancer or organs affected
Rebounder Once home I found these particularly useful. Even just a 2mins of very light bounces a couple
of times per day felt good. Ot
Supplements there maybe some that help the organs the surgery will be on,
but Speak to your care team for advice and before making any changes
Well being for most of us there'll be some things we now can't do or as well as well. This maybe
temporal or permanent. In addition to standard well being mentioned a clinical councellor coukd be of use as relevence to
treatment / sutgery.
Food I found seeing my bloods useful to see iron levels, sodium etc..
Speak to your care team before making any changes. Often there'll be a need to change focus and horizons.
Particularly post surgery where the goal is to build strength/ recover well.
I moved to an almost full organic diet with lots of veg, beans etc...
Which was great but not sustainable at certain times or if body can not longer process what it use to.
For example when recovering from a right hemi and again post jaw surgery. Food was staged
from liquids to soft food to "normal" So for me meant drinking alot of full fat whole milk
following my jaw op. To baby food, loose soups. It will be different but can still be inventive.
For example I had avacado on toast early into the liquid / soft food phase by blending it finely and adding milk!
Shave, cut hair, nails I cut my hair usuallt every few weeks at home and every week or so shave.
Better to go into surgery with things short that can then be left a while.
Tips for during treatment
I thought mostly of this for managing symptons i=ahead of them becoming problems i
nreadiness for next cycle.
MStay moist
MOst treatment will cause dryness of hands, feet and possibly other areas.
So regular and fairly libereal moisturising is important to keep nails in good comdition,
avoid cracks etc..
Regular teeth hygene and mouthwash where needed
. Mouth thrush is a potential and pain ful side effect.
If particularly sensitive. Avoiding hot and acidic foods will help.
I wasnt particularly sensitive but did get early sgins a few times - Mucoceles
Difflam Rinse
I found soothing and effective.
Stay active and hydrated to help fluch any toxins out. If
you get tired points try to shift timings, durations and intensities
Listen to you body
Try to make time for you. Ie. massages, salt baths, reiki, accupuncture
can all help. If particularly tired, take time out,
layback to a good tv boxset etc...
Use apps and aids. Often there's good free apps. Here's a few on google play.
Words classic. It does have alot of adds, but i find this good for maintaining cognitive ability.
Easy voice recorder quick to use and lightweight voice recorder, usually ok but sometimes needed
to do this with others permission as I was under the weather / couldn't keep up
Lectio 365 Short inspirational message and prayers.
Notes A simple note taking app I i use alot
DeepL Transfers package ingredients to english. Reallt good in japan when buying for a son
with a nut allergy
Insight timer well being app, sleep meditation
My therapy
set reminders schedules for when to take pills.
