My journey with rectal cancer: What's your experience?

@martin77, oh tweezer removal of the glue sounds tedious (painful?). I'm so glad that the cause of the flare was discovered. While it's great to be unique, this is one instance that I bet you wished you weren't.

I've been meaning to say that I really appreciate your daily journalling of your experience rectal cancer. I wonder if you would permit me to update the title of this discussion to indicate this? Any suggestions?

Day 20. After mixed advice from local doctors my hospital consultant asked to see me yesterday and declared that the skin issue around the incisions was not an infection but a rare allergic reaction to the glue used on the stitches. Removing the glue gently with tweezers seems to have improved the situation already.
The post-op biopsy results are very positive on the whole - clear margins around the tumour, 22 of 23 lymph glands clear but one gland found to have traces of cancer cells.
Next step - oncology meeting on 5 December to decide if any chemo needed.
Onwards and upwards!

Day 16. Skin reaction/ infection around incisions getting steadily worse despite taking antibiotics and antihistamine on doctor's advice. Good news is that normal service has resumed in the bowel.

Day 12. Everything was going well until a wound infection developed which has required antibiotics to hopefully clear it up. Started a 7 day course yesterday but so far no sign of improvement. Other than this, I'm eating well, diarrhoea has almost gone, the reconnected pipework works well, and getting steadily increasing exercise. Histology results due early next week which will determine if any further treatment is required.

Day 8. Nice to breathe fresh air outside for first time since op whilst walking several circuits of our house. Going well except for touch of diarrhoea - any suggestions for suitable post-op diet much appreciated.

Day 6 after operation. Good news. Pain much reduced using Paracetamol and getting plenty of exercise.

I was pain free in hospital after my anterior resection operation on 4 November. A couple of Paracetamol, that's all. Discharged yesterday 8 November but significant pain today in scar area when walking and sitting. Is this normal? Reconnected waste pipe seems to be working ok!

That's great news, Martin! You must be relieved that the colon could be reconnected. (By the way, I corrected the spelling of colon, not column.)

You can see all your comments that you've posted in your profile. I think members including future members would be very interested in hearing about your experiences, the operation and considerations for the future. And I might add, to journal your recovery. I hope all goes well.

Sorry, colon not column!

Hello Colleen. I've had my anterior resection and now recovering back home. My tumour was high up which meant that the colon could be reconnected.
I think I made a comment that was not listed on the forum. Do you think members might be interested in hearing about my operation and what might happen in the future?
Kind regards
Martin