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Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?
Three months after colon resection I had a severe stomach cramp this morning and have not had a bowel movement yet. This is the first time this has happened. So far things have been good.
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Yes, thank you, I have post-op on 8/9/21 tomorrow... the reason for my anxiety is not just the ususage of description of the polyp.. but the fact there’s a vast difference as to Unknown neoplasm and serrated sessike polyp ir adenoma! Sessile serrated polyps were the type found bt original Dr. (Surgeon) 2007-2008.. they are the type most frequently turning into cancer! It was my understanding that a ‘resection or biopsy of the polyp to assess cancer cells or benign does not remove entire polyp! So 13 yrs they had time to grow into cancer... (?) takes approximately 12 yrs I researched. Same Dr. Doing the colonoscopies and precancer lesion surgery plus other!! He had bad reviews on cancer stages for another individual. My trust is ‘shot’ since ‘he’ is now merged with current Surgeons group!!! His ‘verbal comments to me “ BONNIE Were all going there some day!! ... my last consult with him... basically ‘signing off on me.... last yr. 2020.. was totally disgusting and unprofessional. But... though I appreciate my current surgeon for taking needed action... I can’t help but wonder if it was ‘CYA’ for the orig. Dr. Now in the same group... my tryst is completely gone in the medical profession. I had asked (orig.Dr) for a referral to Mayo-Jacksonville, Fla. he said “ oh sure! They like that weird stuff!!!!
How professional!!! I’d like to end his career... but that’s not possible! Money, time and constraint on my hectic challenging life with my very ill husband!!! (Now 3 diagnosed Dementias... you know the rest! We’re 83 and 91!!! Alone!!
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1 ReactionBonnie, were you successful in getting your doctor to make a referral to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville? If not, did you know you can self refer?
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1 ReactionHi @phil123 @glacier and @tbillz119. If I haven’t done so already, I’d like to welcome you. I notice that you are all relatively new to the community and 4-5 months post colon resection surgery.
As you’ve likely read in the previous posts, recovery does take time. 3-5 months is still relatively early in the recovery process as fellow members like @virgo1952 @sundance6 @kowalski @teresak can share.
Fatigue is particularly hard. You may be interested in the tips shared in this discussion:
- Fatigue and cancer treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fatigue-in-cancer-treatment/
What tips would you add?
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2 ReactionsHello @bonnie81
I'm looking forward to hearing from you after your appointment. I agree that going to Mayo Clinic would be a good way for you to understand what is happening and to feel comfortable with your diagnosis.
Will you post again and let me know how you are doing?
oh Im so frustrated also. Had my colon resection 5 weeks ago. dr. says i should be feeling better. but everytime i empty my bladder or have a bowel movement i get this horrible pain in my abdomen that sticks around most of the day. the doctor says the ct scan shows nothing. its all good he says. i feel like i have a bladder infection or something. Does anyone feel like that? im a strong person but this is taking me down mentally. my name is debbie and im 59 years old. can someone give me advice?
Hi Debbie, 5 weeks really isn't a long time to heal from such a major surgery. As you read through the past posts of other members, you'll see that you're not alone. Are you drinking plenty of fluids to help make bowel movements easier?
I tried to get appt w/Mayo 2X but they wouldn’t unless I had full blown cancer....diagnosis.
hi colleen, thanks for responding. im not having issues with bowel movement . when i empty my bladder i get pains. makes me feel lke i have a bladder infection/uti. the pain radiates to my back and my legs and i feel like urinating alot
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1 ReactionI had that for several weeks, maybe a couple of months, with extreme pain on the right side where the robotic arms entered to go to the left to remove the diseased section.
And every time I had a bowel movement, I had burning urination also. Not sure why the bladder is affected but maybe it is just upset from being jostled around. I too had a CT Scan that showed no problem. I am now 6 months in following my 2/4/21 laparoscopic robotic colon resection. I have not had pain for months but the remaining issue is the frequency of bowel movements, sometimes as often as 8 times over a 24 hour period. And even though they are very soft, sometimes diarrhea, I have to strain a bit to go and the stool is sometimes pencil thin.. I am having an MRI Defecography to see what seems to be causing an obstruction but have to wait two months for that unusual test.
But bottom line, my special Rectal Therapist said all colorectal surgeons tell her it takes at least a year to fully recover from this major surgery. Try massaging your colon. It runs in an upside down U right under your rib cage and down each side to your hip bones. My pain was especially bad right under my left rib cage and that is where the colon turns to go down. Food can get backed up in those turns on each side so massaging there really helped me. My therapist trained me on this. The massage softens the scar tissue also so healing is faster.
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1 ReactionColleen, I said two conflicting things in my previous response just now. My major ongoing pain at first was in my right abdomen where the robot arms entered but I had a couple of painful heart attack-like sharp pains in my left abdomen right under my rib cage where the colon makes a sharp turn.