Sigmoid colon resection after complications

Posted by jmccabe51 @jmccabe51, Feb 6, 2020

I was diagnosed with colon cancer just before Thanksgiving. On December 31st they removed 10" of my colon and all cancer robotically. Fortunately, it had not spread so no chemo or radiation was required. About 8 days after surgery I developed a fever and uncontrollable diarrhea. The doctor put me on ciprofloxacin and metronidazole for 7 days. It seemed to do the trick but 7 days later the symptoms recurred. This time the temp went up to 101.6. I went back on the two meds and after 5 days in they ran blood, stool tests, and a CT scan. All normal. I finished the 7 days and all seemed ok.

About 5 days later I experienced tingling body aches throughout my core and then all functions stopped. I could not urinate or have a bowel movement. After not being able to urinate for 2 days we went to the ED and they took Xrays, and blood work and hooked up a catheter which removed 2 liters of urine. All tests were normal.

I am home now and still have the catheter and will see a urologist this morning. I have this tingling all over my body on the surface of my skin and my feet are pretty numb. As a side note, I was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

I don't understand what is going on. No one seems to find anything wrong but I am getting very discouraged. Can you shed any light about what is going on with my body?

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I wish I could offer some words of wisdom, but I can’t. I hope they figure it out. It sounds awful!

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I second that thought. I had a colon re-section end of October,2019 and two months later tested positive for c-diff. I was thinking you were going down that same road until I started reading about you not being able to urinate. I know I experienced some irritation from a week with a catheter (in the hospital) but not a blockage. How did your dr’s appointment go yesterday? Are you feeling more hopeful? I hope he gave you some answers.

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@virgo1952

I second that thought. I had a colon re-section end of October,2019 and two months later tested positive for c-diff. I was thinking you were going down that same road until I started reading about you not being able to urinate. I know I experienced some irritation from a week with a catheter (in the hospital) but not a blockage. How did your dr’s appointment go yesterday? Are you feeling more hopeful? I hope he gave you some answers.

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They told me I needed to keep the catheter for another week. No other insight into what is going on. My feet are numb and it is hard to walk. No answers

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That is so weird. I know there’s a “soft” science that studies feet ( reflexology). Many nerve ending in our feet. Certain areas are thought to be connected to certain internal organs. When pressure is applied to these different areas, people experience pain. Not sure how much validity it carries, but maybe there’s a connection??? Kind of a stretch, but nobody else seems to know. I drank unsweetened cranberry juice while I had my catheter. If you start experiencing irritation or just as a preventative measure. You don’t need a UTI on top of everything else. Keep at your dr for answers. Don’t get lost in the crowd of patients. You are your best advocate

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@jmccabe51

They told me I needed to keep the catheter for another week. No other insight into what is going on. My feet are numb and it is hard to walk. No answers

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Hi @jmccabe51, I was wondering if you're still experiencing the numbness and tingling in your feet or if it has subsided. Has the catheter been removed now?

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The catheter was removed after a week and though not completely normal my urine and bowel movements are operating. The tingling in my feet is almost gone. Multiple MRIs of my brain, neck, and spine only showed a little arthritis.

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Hi. I’m glad Colleen asked about you. I have been wondering what happen with your doctor’s appointment. The body is a crazy thing, I decided. At least mine was/is. Kind of on it’s own clock when operating. 🤣🤣 Still scary when there's a malfunction and you don’t know why. Happy to hear you are doing better.

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@virgo1952

Hi. I’m glad Colleen asked about you. I have been wondering what happen with your doctor’s appointment. The body is a crazy thing, I decided. At least mine was/is. Kind of on it’s own clock when operating. 🤣🤣 Still scary when there's a malfunction and you don’t know why. Happy to hear you are doing better.

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thank you. Things are slowly getting there

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