Turning the corner
It’s been nearly five weeks since surgery, and I’ve finally turned a corner — I’m no longer vomiting every single day.
The past month of recovery has been tough. I’m not going to lie — it was HARD.
The vomiting started and just wouldn’t stop. I had constant pain in my stomach, and nothing I drank would stay down. I cried. A lot. I had no energy to write or talk to anyone. Thank you to my mom and sister, who updated many of you along the way when I just couldn’t.
The Big News
Here’s the good news: the surgery was a success.
If you remember from my last blog, there were multiple surgical options on the table. Dr. Polanko ended up doing Option A and Option B — a full resection and the hot chemo bath (HIPEC). Once he got in there, he saw additional cancer cells in the intestine and decided it was the best course of action.
Even better news: he was able to remove all of the cancer.
As of right now, I am cancer-free.
A Setback — and Then Relief
About ten days ago, I was readmitted to the hospital because of continued vomiting. Since being here, I haven’t had a single episode — and I honestly feel like my old self again.
I can’t explain how good that feels after months of not feeling good at all.
Where We Are Today
Even though I’m feeling better, there’s still a bit of a mechanical issue to address. The doctors believe my GJ-tube is out of place.
After surgery, my stomach tube was replaced with a new one. I now have one opening through my stomach with two lines:
One that goes into my jejunum (small intestine)
One that goes into the gastric area (stomach)
That’s what makes it a GJ-tube.
They believe the line that should be in my small intestine has flipped back up into my stomach. Because of that, I’m scheduled for a procedure on 1/20 with the GI team to push the line back into the correct position.
This tube is important — it’s how I eat now.
Progress Worth Celebrating
If you remember, I’ve been on TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) since last June. The good news is that since tube feeding started, they were able to:
Stop TPN
Remove my PICC line from my arm (YAY!)
Tube feeding started shortly after surgery, and it’s been a learning process. I truly believe the first formula made me really sick and contributed to all the vomiting.
I’ve since switched to a new brand called Kate Farms. They’re doing slow “trickle feeds” to test tolerance, and so far, it seems to be agreeing with me. I don’t know how long I’ll be on tube feeds, but I’m really looking forward to actual food again. (I hope!)
Healing, One Thing at a Time
I also developed a small infection in part of my incision. My incision runs straight down the middle of my stomach, and I’ve been on antibiotics to help it heal. Thankfully, it’s much better now.
A lot has happened since I last wrote.
Emotionally, this stretch has been tough — but here I am, finally turning a corner and starting to feel good again. And I am so incredibly grateful. You have no idea.
Reflection
As I reflect on these past five weeks, I see it for what it was: another deep lesson in patience. Healing isn’t linear. Recovery doesn’t follow a timeline we can control. Some days are about endurance, not progress.
But today feels different.
Today feels lighter. Stronger. Hopeful.
And sometimes, that’s enough to carry you into whatever comes next.
With gratitude for this journey,
KC