Hello, my name is Ryan DiLello I am a junior bachelor of science in nursing honors student participating in the Brackenridge summer research fellowship. My project is titled “Influence of receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy on post operative pain and opioid use in women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for advanced gynecologic cancer.” 

My research is examining whether chemotherapy treatment before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) affects post operative pain and opioid use more or less than chemotherapy after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy). Very little research exists in this area and given the detrimental side effects of chemotherapy and surgery, it is important to consider which treatment method not only cures the cancer but also allows for a better quality of life; free of pain and dependency on opioids. By evaluating the type of treatment nurses and physicians may be able to predict and understand acute post-surgical pain and optimize pain management strategies for advanced gynecologic cancer patients to improve their quality of life and treatment. 

Being able to participate in the Brackenridge is a tremendous honor. The fellowship gives me the ability to spend significant time on my project over the summer and assists me in conducting my research. I hope to use the experience I gain over the summer fellowship to continue my research in my undergraduate program and beyond.