1. < Colorectal Cancer

Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

Posted by joyce1 @joyce1, Feb 25, 2017

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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kathyoung | @kathyoung | Oct 16, 2020
In reply to @tracy430 "I'm also 3 months post op. I'm always having some kind of pain. I just had..." + (show)
@tracy430

I'm also 3 months post op. I'm always having some kind of pain. I just had my 2nd CAT scan since the surgery. Everything looks fine, all my labs are fine. I'm still severely constipated. I know I needed this surgery, but I still can't help regretting it.

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I’m sorry you’re still in pain after 3 months! I too needed the surgery (although I wish now I had done more research). I’m only not quite 3 weeks out but so far it is nothing like I anticipated. I wonder if anyone feels like their old self?

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kathyoung | @kathyoung | Oct 15, 2020
In reply to @kathyoung "How are you doing now?" + (show)
@kathyoung

How are you doing now?

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Getting discouraged.
I have a telephone consult with my G.P. on Monday so I can at least ask her about the pain being on the right side. Apparently she will see me if she thinks it’s necessary.

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1 reply
troyhenn22 | @troyhenn22 | Oct 15, 2020
In reply to @thull "Hello @mouse1 Diverticulitis is what caused my issues. I first had emergency surgery and ended up..." + (show)
@thull

Hello @mouse1
Diverticulitis is what caused my issues. I first had emergency surgery and ended up with a temporary colostomy for 6 months in order to let the infection clear up. When they did the reversal, the adhesions were bad and caused a blockage in my small intestine. They opened me back up at day 10 in the hospital but couldn’t get to it. I went home at day 17 with a PICC line and on TPN for nutrition. It all cleared up after about another 2 to 3 weeks. One thing that I focused on to help was gently massaging my abdomen and picturing the adhesions releasing and also lots of prayer!
But then diverticulitis came back bad about 2 months later and ended up with surgery #4. They did a Deloyers Procedure. All told, I think they removed about 2 1/2 feet of large intestine. I unfortunately have moderate gastroparesis now so my diet might be different than most on here. Low residue/ low fiber is what works best for me. Sometimes I have to take Senekot when things seem to get sluggish. With all the surgeries, where they had closed the colostomy up the incision area started pulling and was uncomfortable, so surgery #5 was a scar revision and it looks pretty good. It was all pretty scary at times, especially at first when we did not know if there was cancer. Thank God there wasn’t! I have had family/ friends supporting and helping take care of me so a good support system is important. After surgery, I drank a lot of Boost Breeze which is a clear drink that has 9 grams of protein and 250 calories per container. They had it at Mayo, and I was able to order it by the case on Amazon when at home.
I hope all goes well for you. Keep us posted!

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Hope now you are feeling much better x

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1 reply
mouse1 | @mouse1 | Oct 14, 2020

Thank you for asking! Monday was my 1st day back to "distance" work (on computer/internet). I feel good. Still have some discomforting feelings on my right side (where large intestine, some small intestine and lymphs were removed) but things have been getting better. External scares never really hurt like I thought they would (I have 3 scars). I was in the hospital 5 days after surgery. I had dark blood in my stool (lots) all 5 days but was sent home on the 6th day. That night at home, I developed a fever of 102 and was taken to emergency (what a nightmare!). Turns out I had a small "leak" my blood count was 5.6 and I developed an infection. I was going to get a blood transfusion but my blood count leveled off and did not continue to drop. I was in the hospital an additional 5 days (pumped full of antibiotics) to control infection. Leak fixed itself (human body is amazing). I pray All that is behind me now. I feel stronger every day. Still have some digestive issues (DO NOT drink soda) the gas causes PAIN! Stool is returning to normal, pain is almost non existing. Only discomfort again is my right side...feels like I have a lump inside that's in the way when I tie my shoes... Thinking maybe it is where new connection is and will eventually learn to "fold' at that location. It does not hurt just feels sore and "in the way"... Hoping time will resolve this. External scares are still healing (not fully healed) so I'm guessing internal scares are also still healing. Thanking God and all the prayers that were and are still being sent out for me! Very happy to be home recovering. Feel free to ask me any questions and I'll do my best to answer.

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mouse1 | @mouse1 | Aug 26, 2020
In reply to @mizreehop1896 "Hello I am 72 and had colon resection surgery in January for Diverticulosis also . Took..." + (show)
@mizreehop1896

Hello I am 72 and had colon resection surgery in January for Diverticulosis also . Took me 3 months to recover but I am a slow healer . It left me with scar tissue on my left side. It is very painful . It is now August and I am still dealing with it daily . Doctors told me same thing they told you . My mistake was not asking a lot of questions. It is a very scary operation . I then had to have Gallbladder surgery on June 9th . Still having bad parents n on right side where surgery was done !!! I have been in constant pain since January 27th and I have vowed to never have another operation . Have appointment with Gastric Dr and Pain Management. So tired of dealing with the pain no kind of quality of life but thankful to God for His guiding hand everyday ! Hope you make the right decision. Wish I could be of more help to you . It is a tough surgery at least it was for me !!

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I asked so many questions... I even canceled my operation at one point. I am now scheduled to have it done this Monday, August 31, 2020. I got to a point where I had to leave it in God's hands. The surgeons will not force you to do anything. It is left up to you, on what will be done. One option is to do nothing. The other option is to try and have the issue fixed. I have prayed for days and nights and finally came to the conclusion to try and have issue fixed, before it gets worse. I am now at peace with my decision and pray for a full and quick recovery. Am I scared? You bet I am. Do I have faith? Yes I do! God's will be done.
Sending out some prayers to you all for peace of mind, and a quick and full recovery.

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mizreehop1896 | @mizreehop1896 | Aug 25, 2020
In reply to @mikasan "Hi I am 76. I am having Sigmoid surgery 8-5-20. I almost died from infection,severe diverticulitis..." + (show)
@mikasan

Hi I am 76. I am having Sigmoid surgery 8-5-20. I almost died from infection,severe diverticulitis back in April. I have bad RA. I am so scared to have the surgery but the Dr. said up to me. I am taking a chance on it rupturing if I don’t have the surgery. I read where so many people seem worse now after having the surgery.
My Dr. told me I could go awhile maybe even the rest of my life it not bother me or may rupture,not make it to the hospital.
I am so scared. I usually house back real fast but this one has me scared.
Would love to hear from you. Be blessed,be safe!!

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Hello I am 72 and had colon resection surgery in January for Diverticulosis also . Took me 3 months to recover but I am a slow healer . It left me with scar tissue on my left side. It is very painful . It is now August and I am still dealing with it daily . Doctors told me same thing they told you . My mistake was not asking a lot of questions. It is a very scary operation . I then had to have Gallbladder surgery on June 9th . Still having bad parents n on right side where surgery was done !!! I have been in constant pain since January 27th and I have vowed to never have another operation . Have appointment with Gastric Dr and Pain Management. So tired of dealing with the pain no kind of quality of life but thankful to God for His guiding hand everyday ! Hope you make the right decision. Wish I could be of more help to you . It is a tough surgery at least it was for me !!

REPLY
1 reply
thull | @thull | Aug 13, 2020
In reply to @mouse1 "Hi Thull, Wow! You have been through a lot! Thank God all sounds like it is..." + (show)
@mouse1

Hi Thull, Wow! You have been through a lot! Thank God all sounds like it is turning for the better now. I pray my procedure goes a lot smoother without any issues during recovery. Recovery is what scares me the most...

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@mouse1

The recovery is tough the first few days, to be honest. But once you are moving around and start going to the bathroom again, you feel a lot better. The first bowel movement was scary to me because I didn’t know if it would hurt. It was not terrible, and I was SO happy things were working! The 4th surgery where they did the Deloyers procedure, I was only in for 6 days, then home. Didn’t have much of an appetite for several days, still stuck mostly to the Boost Breeze, then added some pudding, jello etc. My first actual solid meal was pancakes. At that point, I had been on clear liquids for over a month, so those pancakes were heavenly!

REPLY
mouse1 | @mouse1 | Aug 13, 2020
In reply to @thull "Hello @mouse1 Diverticulitis is what caused my issues. I first had emergency surgery and ended up..." + (show)
@thull

Hello @mouse1
Diverticulitis is what caused my issues. I first had emergency surgery and ended up with a temporary colostomy for 6 months in order to let the infection clear up. When they did the reversal, the adhesions were bad and caused a blockage in my small intestine. They opened me back up at day 10 in the hospital but couldn’t get to it. I went home at day 17 with a PICC line and on TPN for nutrition. It all cleared up after about another 2 to 3 weeks. One thing that I focused on to help was gently massaging my abdomen and picturing the adhesions releasing and also lots of prayer!
But then diverticulitis came back bad about 2 months later and ended up with surgery #4. They did a Deloyers Procedure. All told, I think they removed about 2 1/2 feet of large intestine. I unfortunately have moderate gastroparesis now so my diet might be different than most on here. Low residue/ low fiber is what works best for me. Sometimes I have to take Senekot when things seem to get sluggish. With all the surgeries, where they had closed the colostomy up the incision area started pulling and was uncomfortable, so surgery #5 was a scar revision and it looks pretty good. It was all pretty scary at times, especially at first when we did not know if there was cancer. Thank God there wasn’t! I have had family/ friends supporting and helping take care of me so a good support system is important. After surgery, I drank a lot of Boost Breeze which is a clear drink that has 9 grams of protein and 250 calories per container. They had it at Mayo, and I was able to order it by the case on Amazon when at home.
I hope all goes well for you. Keep us posted!

Jump to this post

Hi Thull, Wow! You have been through a lot! Thank God all sounds like it is turning for the better now. I pray my procedure goes a lot smoother without any issues during recovery. Recovery is what scares me the most...

REPLY
1 reply
mouse1 | @mouse1 | Aug 13, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @mouse1, I would like to invite @thull to this discussion as she has had a..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @mouse1,

I would like to invite @thull to this discussion as she has had a number of colon surgeries. She might be able to offer some suggestions and encouragement.

mouse1 Did your doctor identify the pre-cancerous, polyp in your appendix? In other words, does the biopsy report give it a name?

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Hi Teresa, The name given is: SESSILE SERRATED ADENOMA

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