1. < Colorectal Cancer

Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

Posted by virgo1952 @virgo1952, Dec 1, 2019

It’s been 4+weeks since my resection. Found a cancerous polyp during a routine screening. Some frustration over the lack of information given by the surgeon as to what to expect afterwards. Late 60’s so I know the healing will take time. Mostly, struggling with bowel urgency/frequency and experiencing stomach pain from gas (pretty sure) is three months s realistic time frame for returning to “normal”? I’ve seen some posts that talk about two years? No further treatment so I was lucky. If anyone has had this surgery and went through or is going through the healing process, I would love to hear from you. Just kind of out there.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 3, 2020
In reply to @countrygirlquilter "Tonight I am skipping my normal 8:00 p.m. snack. I am at the point of thinking..." + (show)
@countrygirlquilter

Tonight I am skipping my normal 8:00 p.m. snack. I am at the point of thinking about every bite I take - I know if it goes in, it has to also come out. This is not a diet that I wanted to take.

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Hi @countrygirlquilter, I'd like to add my welcome. How are you feeling today? Are you able to keep some food in?

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Mara | @bandaids | Oct 6, 2020

I am scheduled for a sigmoidetomy and these experiences are unsettling to say the least. I have been hospitalized for diverticulitis and have had 5+ episodes in 3 years. I usually have to take 2 doses of medication. Once I'm better with some left side wisps of pain , I get constipated. I eat pretty well but constipation has been a constant in my life. It has been worse between episodes of diverticulitis. Has anyone else experienced this and if so what did you do?

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2 replies
lucky1038 | @lucky1038 | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @virgo1952 "Hi Sundance6! Thank you for your words of wisdom. Pretty much know this could have been..." + (show)
@virgo1952

Hi Sundance6! Thank you for your words of wisdom. Pretty much know this could have been a much more difficult surgery and outcome. So, I just want to say that I was fortunate. It’s mostly the lack of information in the main stream and that “gap” I find in our medical system of service/information that lead me to reaching out to people like you for advice and to remind me that this journey is out of my control. I got scared a week ago because I suddenly felt trapped and could not envision losing a freedom I have always taken for granted. I think what you said is very true. I just need to continue to do what I can to heal my body. It’s a great lesson on patience and, historically, I am not a patient girl....

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Hi -- not to be a PC Police Officer - but please know that the words "ladies" and "girl" aren't used today. "Lady" implies that there is status that isn't there. "GIRL" implies a female child. Please be a woman who doesn't drag other women down. What you do when you use words that imply a certain (negative) status degrades YOU and all women.

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2 replies
virgo1952 | @virgo1952 | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @lucky1038 "Hi -- not to be a PC Police Officer - but please know that the words..." + (show)
@lucky1038

Hi -- not to be a PC Police Officer - but please know that the words "ladies" and "girl" aren't used today. "Lady" implies that there is status that isn't there. "GIRL" implies a female child. Please be a woman who doesn't drag other women down. What you do when you use words that imply a certain (negative) status degrades YOU and all women.

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Hey Lucky 1038, I wrote that comment almost a year ago when I first got out of the hospital and was facing a very big challenge and learning curve on “living” with colon cancer. One year later, I have embraced my situation and have shared my journey with others on this site. I probably have “matured” in more ways than one. sasha.

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virgo1952 | @virgo1952 | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @bandaids "I am scheduled for a sigmoidetomy and these experiences are unsettling to say the least. I..." + (show)
@bandaids

I am scheduled for a sigmoidetomy and these experiences are unsettling to say the least. I have been hospitalized for diverticulitis and have had 5+ episodes in 3 years. I usually have to take 2 doses of medication. Once I'm better with some left side wisps of pain , I get constipated. I eat pretty well but constipation has been a constant in my life. It has been worse between episodes of diverticulitis. Has anyone else experienced this and if so what did you do?

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Hey bandaids! Glad to see you out there making friends. Smart “woman”. 🤣🤣 Be thinking about ya on the 15th. sasha

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monicaeve | @monicaeve | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @bandaids "I am scheduled for a sigmoidetomy and these experiences are unsettling to say the least. I..." + (show)
@bandaids

I am scheduled for a sigmoidetomy and these experiences are unsettling to say the least. I have been hospitalized for diverticulitis and have had 5+ episodes in 3 years. I usually have to take 2 doses of medication. Once I'm better with some left side wisps of pain , I get constipated. I eat pretty well but constipation has been a constant in my life. It has been worse between episodes of diverticulitis. Has anyone else experienced this and if so what did you do?

Jump to this post

I experienced the same thing - chronic diverticulitis where antibiotics stopped working to get rid of the infection. I’m almost 5 weeks out of my surgery. This group has been a blessing for my recovery. It’s hard to know what’s normal and what’s not and it’s helped me try things to slowly get back to normal. My experience at 5 weeks - the pain is less severe, I am walking several times a day (short walks), tire easily and my bowels are still odd. I’ve had days where I’ve gone 10+ times and days that have been pretty normal and right now I’m on day 3 without a bowel movement. I have good days and bad days but every week that goes by I do feel as if I’m improving from the week before. I’ll be thinking about you and hope you let us know how you are doing!

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1 reply
virgo1952 | @virgo1952 | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @monicaeve "I experienced the same thing - chronic diverticulitis where antibiotics stopped working to get rid of..." + (show)
@monicaeve

I experienced the same thing - chronic diverticulitis where antibiotics stopped working to get rid of the infection. I’m almost 5 weeks out of my surgery. This group has been a blessing for my recovery. It’s hard to know what’s normal and what’s not and it’s helped me try things to slowly get back to normal. My experience at 5 weeks - the pain is less severe, I am walking several times a day (short walks), tire easily and my bowels are still odd. I’ve had days where I’ve gone 10+ times and days that have been pretty normal and right now I’m on day 3 without a bowel movement. I have good days and bad days but every week that goes by I do feel as if I’m improving from the week before. I’ll be thinking about you and hope you let us know how you are doing!

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Good morning. This is the real story behind colon resections. I experienced many similar challenges over this last year. Starting with Coleen’s input “Early days Sasha, be patient.” Everybody’s story is unique, but we all have colons. When part of your colon is removed, your body has to have time to adjust to the lose. So, baby steps. Thank you for sharing. It is a relief for someone just starting this journey to have others share. No, we’re not being whiny. We are just trying to figure it out. Take care. sasha

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ajl4 | @ajl4 | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @lucky1038 "Hi -- not to be a PC Police Officer - but please know that the words..." + (show)
@lucky1038

Hi -- not to be a PC Police Officer - but please know that the words "ladies" and "girl" aren't used today. "Lady" implies that there is status that isn't there. "GIRL" implies a female child. Please be a woman who doesn't drag other women down. What you do when you use words that imply a certain (negative) status degrades YOU and all women.

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This has always been one of my pet peeves: the infantilization of women. People will NEVER get a clue about this. If someone calls me a "girl" I go ballistic! At 67, those years are looooong gone! Thank you!

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jmccabe51 | @jmccabe51 | Oct 6, 2020

I had a resection on December 31st. Happy New Year, I guess. I had stage 2 colon cancer and they removed 10". I had 2 severe bouts of diarrhea each lasting a week and a week apart. Strong antibiotics solved that problem. It took a while but I am pretty regular but still have a semi-loose stool. My recovery is good. My 6 month CT showed no cancer. I am 68. Hang in there, it will get better in time.

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troyhenn22 | @troyhenn22 | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @monicaeve "I am 4 weeks out of surgery today. I had 12 inches removed. I thought that..." + (show)
@monicaeve

I am 4 weeks out of surgery today. I had 12 inches removed. I thought that the recovery was 4-6weeks. I’m pretty much still sitting up in bed most of the day. It’s very uncomfortable to sit in a chair. I go on 15 minute walks a few times a day but find it exhausting and it seems to cause Throbbing pain in my left groin into my thigh. I still have 2 incisions that ooze a bit but no fever and a lot of abdominal tenderness. Shooting pains and cramping with blood in my stools is still happening. Is all this normal at 4 weeks. It’s confusing because I thought I’d be “back to normal” in 4-6 weeks. Im still eating a bland diet due to abdominal pain and bowel issues. I am 45 and pretty healthy. This has been a struggle. I’m glad I found this group!

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i hope you heal quicker then i am , I am 8 months now , and still sore tummy and sore if i eat after 7 in the evening , Best regards and hope you get better sooner x

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