Connect
← Return to Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?
Discussion
Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?
Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Apr 26 3:45pm | Replies (516)Comment receiving replies
I’m going through the same thing. I’ve been a little more active but not lifting anything. I’m almost 2 months out and I’ve been in quiet a bit of pain the last few days. Pretty swollen and incisions are still oozing. It’s very hard to sleep at night with the pain. And it’s still uncomfortable to sit and I swell/get sore from standing. I have some burning and sharp pains and also feel like I’m going backwards. My dr has basically said the same thing - all is normal and that it takes time. Basically - we are only concerned about a fever or obstruction. I’m starting to have regrets myself. Hang in there!!!! Any suggestions on how to sleep through the pain? I’m doing ice packs but still can’t sleep.
Replies to "I’m going through the same thing. I’ve been a little more active but not lifting anything...."
Hi,
First thing I would say - in my experience - is that expectation is the biggest hurdle. I found recovery wasn't linear. When I have had an injury in the past, typically each day feels better than the last. For me at least, this surgery was v. different. It would seem ok and i would think that I was back to 'normal' then I would hit a bump which would seem to set me back a little. Expectations. From what I have read and now had confirmed from the doc's is that this is all normal.
I oozed for a long time post op as well btw.
Overall you WILL be healing, but will be having little setbacks, all completely normal. I am now 5 months after the op, feel night and day better than I did after 2 months post op, I feel much stronger, but still if I lift too much, I get pain - and I know I have overdone it.
Try to put the worries to the back of your mind. We are all different and you will be healing in a way that is completely unique to you. I would of course speak to your doctor if the pain is continuing for a while and it is preventing you from sleeping, you could just be one of those who has longer post op pain. I would experiment too, do some pain meds work more than others ? do you get the pain at certain times ? can you sleep in a different position ? when i was getting a lot of pain, i slept on the sofa, I found being sat up propped on my side helped me greatly to get to sleep. Interestingly trying to sleep on the opposite side was too painful. Like I say try experimenting. Also food. I found that if I ate certain foods it could leave me in agony.
The number one tip though, try not to worry. I did too, it's natural. But after 5 months I see that recovery just takes a while with this sort of surgery.
Connect
sleepers ..... you need a little help ,,,,,,,10 months and only starting to feel a little normal,, god bless ,