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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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

REPLY
thull | @thull | 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?

Jump to this post

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!

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 13, 2020
In reply to @mouse1 "Hi All! I am scheduled to have a right hemicolectomy this August 31, 2020 and I..." + (show)
@mouse1

Hi All!
I am scheduled to have a right hemicolectomy this August 31, 2020 and I am scared. Doctor found a pre-cancerous, polyp in my appendix and moved to major surgery. I am feeling great and have no issues but polyp cannot be removed by colonoscopy so operation is the solution. At first I thought I was looking at something like an appendectomy but surgeon said he will be removing a third of my large intestine plus lymphs! Surgeon said this assure all possible signs of possible cancer removed and better blood circulation to remaining area. He said I should expect a full recovery but after reading some posts here, do not know if I should believe this.... I'm 54 and praying for a quick and full recovery.... for my wife and kid's sake (daughter 14, son 12)

Jump to this post

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?

REPLY
2 replies
lah | @lah | Aug 13, 2020
In reply to @mouse1 "Thank you! I need to keep reminding myself, I cannot control everything in my life. I..." + (show)
@mouse1

Thank you! I need to keep reminding myself, I cannot control everything in my life. I must leave things in God's hands, pray for the best and be positive. I do have great family support. Thank you!

Jump to this post

I have to remind myself daily. Having family support is great. My family all live out of state. They are very supportive through text, phone and email but due to the distance they cannot help in other ways.
Hang in there. Prayers and hugs

REPLY
mouse1 | @mouse1 | Aug 12, 2020
In reply to @musicflowers4u "If you have vetted your surgeon and are satisfied with that, sometimes we just need to..." + (show)
@musicflowers4u

If you have vetted your surgeon and are satisfied with that, sometimes we just need to have faith in their ability and leave the rest to God and trust you will heal properly. Have a positive attitude that science will work in your favor.

Jump to this post

Thank you! I need to keep reminding myself, I cannot control everything in my life. I must leave things in God's hands, pray for the best and be positive. I do have great family support. Thank you!

REPLY
1 reply
musicflowers4u | @musicflowers4u | Aug 11, 2020
In reply to @mouse1 "Hi All! I am scheduled to have a right hemicolectomy this August 31, 2020 and I..." + (show)
@mouse1

Hi All!
I am scheduled to have a right hemicolectomy this August 31, 2020 and I am scared. Doctor found a pre-cancerous, polyp in my appendix and moved to major surgery. I am feeling great and have no issues but polyp cannot be removed by colonoscopy so operation is the solution. At first I thought I was looking at something like an appendectomy but surgeon said he will be removing a third of my large intestine plus lymphs! Surgeon said this assure all possible signs of possible cancer removed and better blood circulation to remaining area. He said I should expect a full recovery but after reading some posts here, do not know if I should believe this.... I'm 54 and praying for a quick and full recovery.... for my wife and kid's sake (daughter 14, son 12)

Jump to this post

If you have vetted your surgeon and are satisfied with that, sometimes we just need to have faith in their ability and leave the rest to God and trust you will heal properly. Have a positive attitude that science will work in your favor.

REPLY
1 reply
mouse1 | @mouse1 | Aug 11, 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!!

Jump to this post

If you decided to have the surgery, I hope you are having a quick and full recovery. Sending some prayers your way.

REPLY
flahertygang | @flahertygang | Aug 11, 2020

I had colon resection surgery back in February 2019. I took Miralax daily for several months after surgery to help keep things moving. I eventually didn't need it anymore, but I also added more fiber to my diet. I add both chia seeds and flax seeds to my diet on a daily basis. I have also tried limiting my meat intake and started juicing vegetables. I have at least one bm daily which is much more than I ever did prior to surgery (I used to go days without having bm prior to my surgery). It is difficult to change ones diet, but I believe it does help. Good luck!

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