hessteh

my onc said the neuropathy could last up to 2 years, decreasing as time passes.

I had the same type of surgery in July of 2010. Within a year I had a pretty good size hernia at my stoma site. It was bothering me, plus it was sometimes noticeable through my clothes. My surgeon and I decided it would be worth repairing. After some research I asked my surgeon if it could be performed laparoscopically. She conferred with some colleagues, did some of her own research and we decided to go for it. It was her first try and the first time a parastomal hernia was repaired laparascopically at the hospital where it was performed. It was very successful, only spent 2 nights in the hospital and healing time was only a few weeks. I walk almost daily, but still have not done any weight training (it's been 5 months since the hernia repair). I've been thinking about seeing a trainer to see what types of exercises wouldn't compromise the hernia site. Let me know how you are progressing.

Thanks Carol for your helpful comments. Have you ever heard of TheraBond (a silver dressing)? Article in this link talks about its advantges. Worth trying?
http://www.woundsresearch.com/article/use-new-antimicrobial-dressing-therabond-non-healing-wound?page=0,0

Hessteh, did you apply or were you approved for social security disability the time you were healing your wound? My temporary disability pay had expired and I need financial help. I hope ato hear from you soon. Thanks!

I did not apply as I don't even know what social security disability is. I am retired and get social security monthly benefits. Sorry I can't help more. Good luck.

I am assuming you are seeing a doctor to take a look at the wound and recommend the wound care.

The best things for healing are eating a balanced diet. Sometimes extra protein helps with healing. Keep the wound clean and do the wound care as directed. Wounds heal best when they heal at their own speed to prevent them from opening again. You also have to watch that the skin doesn't just heal leaving under your skin to still need to heal.

I had a different surgery, robotic laproscopic surgery, and no radiation, but 100 days after surgery on of the sites split open from infection due to an undissolved stitch, The doctor said for some reason my body did not sissolve that stitchand the body just pused it out and reopeaned the area. He had to go in and remove the stitch and give me antibiotics, now it is healed.

Part of my wound from peritoneal surgery did not heal properly because an ostomy was too close. I had to go to a wound care specialist and they had me put on something called duoderm. It is like a clear rubber that goes on the wound and helps it to heal from the inside out. You keep it on the area for a few days. It looked white underneath like there is fluid in there but when I took it off, I was amazed at how beautifully it was healing.

I have been off heavy chemo for 10 months and the nueropathy is still an issue. I have been taking a calcium magnesium supplement and also medicinal mushrooms for my immune system. It has been slow improvements with it all moving down to my feet. My whole body felt numb for months especially after I would eat. It will get better if you pay attention to it and don't let it bother you.

I was advised to take Alpha Lipoic Acid for my neuropathy, and it helped a lot (from being unable to walk to functioning on a high level.) I did this over a year post-chemo, as I was still having severe problems.

My dr recommended 600-800 mg twice a day; I took 600-800 mg after breakfast. I couldn't tolerate the evening dose. Saw improvement in a few weeks.

My PCP was going to try me on Lyrica or Neurontin if that didn't work - both drugs have their own side effects.

I took vitamin B12 for the neuropathy. After my 3rd chemo round I had a really hard time with the tingling sensation. I researched on the net and found out that vitamin B hleps especially B12 and B6. I bought sublingual vitamin B12 from SAMS and it helped a lot. After my 4th session the sensation was still there but not as severe and it diminished much sooner than before. I found out that taking one pill 3 times a day helps more than only taking it once a day. Hope this helps you I also will look into L-Glutamine but will talk to the doctor before taking it.