Ovarian & fallopian cancer: Life is hard since bowel resection

Posted by mmbinnj @mmbinnj, Aug 29, 2023

High-grade serous ovarian & fallopian cancer Stage 4b

Help needed. I am a 62 yr old, 57 days post debulk (7/3/23), have had 1 of 6 rounds of chemo. Total hysterectomy, removed appendix, spleen, gallbladder. Had diaphragm resection. 2 bowel resections- (RECTUM, LOW ANTERIOR-told 4”, SMALL BOWEL RESECTION WITH SIDE TO SIDE ANASTOMOSIS-told 15.5”).
My life has been so challenging since dx & the initial debulk. I had a delayed dx of c-diff I picked up at the hospital, but was missed (took 6 weeks of me begging “something is wrong). I have undergone 11 days of Vancomyosin, and there is a thought of reoccurrence (may take a course of Dificid). I am trapped near my bathroom because it takes me sometimes a dozen BMs, I have abdominal pain (dull like a permanent horrible stomach ache), and pain when moving bowels (including rectal pain).
My gyn onc surgeon did all my “parts” and he just keeps telling me “this is normal”. How can this pain, periodic fecal incontinence, inability to gain weight, and no semblance of normal bowels be normal 57 days later? Does anyone have ANY advice post bowel resection this long past surgery? I eat small simple mealsI (rice, chicken, non-gassy vegs). I know I am complicated because of the stage of my cancer and the radical debulk surgery, and the fact that I had/have c-diff, and am now in chemo. I’ve also engaged a naturopath Dr. -just nothing is giving me good days. Thank you to anyone who has ideas. ❤️

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msfarn | @msfarn | Sep 13, 2023

In reply to @jodimj "I’m kind of loopy to start with, not sure if anyone would notice a difference in..." + (show)

I thought I replied to your last text but I don’t see it. I’m in North Florida and yes, I do like all my doctors so far. I’m not sleeping well at night either. Hoping to talk about that today at chemo visit.

jm | @jodimj | Sep 13, 2023

Reply to loopy msfarn
I didn’t get the last one, forgot to hit reply on this and can’t figure out.
Let me know what you learn, I thought it was do to the steroids, which are supposed to wear off in 2 days.
Glad I got my first day over with, not as bad like you said. Not too loopy by the end, woke at 3 a.m. ish again yesterday, so I made a smoothie, packed what I thought I’d need and walked there. The car reads between 4 plus miles, but the phone app was just over 3 plus. And I was walking in circles, lol
Wish I was in Florida for the cold months, my brother’s talking about retiring there after a separation from his wife here. I’d have to be a snowbird though, I love my little community here. People are a bit more open and laid back here.
Can you personal message people on this site? It might be good to talk sometime, not sure how that resonates with you. Just thinking, not always good with technology. Lol

jm | @jodimj | Sep 13, 2023

In reply to @msfarn "How did you do jodimj?" + (show)

I responded and forgot to hit respond. I did gooda , lol then I thought, hope you can find the other one. Got some homework to do.
I’m so con-fused with this site, where do things go? Lol
Ttyl and I hope you get it!

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Sep 13, 2023

In reply to @jodimj "Reply to loopy msfarn I didn’t get the last one, forgot to hit reply on this..." + (show)

@jodimj Yes, you can personal message on this site. Go to the top of the page on the right. You will see an envelope icon. Click on that, open, and you can then compose a personal message. It’s pretty easy and I use it a lot. No one else can see your messages and then you can exchange personal information with another member. You do have to use that member’s screen name.

There is a waiting period before a member can use the PM function but you are well past the waiting period so you should be good to go.

jm | @jodimj | Sep 14, 2023

In reply to @msfarn "How did you do jodimj?" + (show)

I did good, thanks for asking. Did respond to this, apparently incorrectly if you end up with the other one. O goodness!
Had a little more energy day after, and even a half decent nights sleep.
If you care to, pm me with email or number.
Hope your gooda 🙂

jm | @jodimj | Sep 14, 2023

In reply to @naturegirl5 "@jodimj Yes, you can personal message on this site. Go to the top of the page..." + (show)

I looked, no envelope anywhere here. Might be format of iPad not sure. Went to homepage , hit how to send pm and that never opened.
Now I got the instructions in the how to, said to hold on contact user name and should bring up their page option to pm. Didn’t happen! Still willing to learn.
Thanks,
Perplexed

val64 | @val64 | Sep 14, 2023

In reply to @jodimj "I looked, no envelope anywhere here. Might be format of iPad not sure. Went to homepage..." + (show)

On my phone, if I click on someone's username (ie "@jodimj" in blue at the top of a comment) it takes me to a page where there's a big blue box at the top that has a envelope that says "send private message". Maybe that will work for you?

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Sep 14, 2023

@jodimj I’m using an iPad as I type this. When I scroll to the top of the Mayo Clinic page there are three icons. The first is the bell that shows notifications, the second is the envelope for private messaging and the third is a person that is for your account. If you are still unsure or cannot find the private messaging icon, try clicking on the person icon (very top right of the Mayo Clinic page) and pull down to the Help Center. There will be an explanation of Private Messaging in the Help Center.

I hope this helps.