stretching the colon

Vicki2005
Vicki2005 Member Posts: 11
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am 37 years old had surgery may 2005 on my colon..then had radiation and chemo...know I have scare tissue in my colon from the surgery..I had my colon stretched month ago and know they want to do it again tuesday..I ask howmany times will I have to do this the doc. said atleast three more times..if anyone has had to do this please tell me how many times..I hate it..the pain is so bad..Vicki

Comments

  • Shandle
    Shandle Member Posts: 204
    Hi Vicki...Wanda here.. I'm sorry I've never had that done, and I'm currious what advantages it has.. Hang in there. I hope you get answers from someone in the know. Huggs n'prayers ~ Wanda aka Xeena warrior
  • jerseysue
    jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
    Never heard of that either.
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    hi vicki!
    i can't help you either. i've never heard of this. what's the purpose of the stretching? do you have trouble with obstructions?
    wanted to say it was nice to see your name on the board. i've missed you.
    mary
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    Hi Vicki,

    I am curios about this as well becuase I have an ileostomy that will be reversed this spring. I also have had chemo and rediation. My colon has narrowed in diameter for not being used and likely form radiation. They tell me it will expand after the reversal...but I am still concerned about the expansion.

    I have never heard of stretching it.

    Maria
  • Vicki2005
    Vicki2005 Member Posts: 11
    Shandle said:

    Hi Vicki...Wanda here.. I'm sorry I've never had that done, and I'm currious what advantages it has.. Hang in there. I hope you get answers from someone in the know. Huggs n'prayers ~ Wanda aka Xeena warrior

    The doc. says stretching my colon will help my bowels move..I stay constipated so they use a scope with a baloon on the end of it to enlarge my colon..I have scare tissue where they did the surgery at.They said my bowels are only oppen the size of a straw. Thats why they need to stretch it.
  • Vicki2005
    Vicki2005 Member Posts: 11
    goldfinch said:

    hi vicki!
    i can't help you either. i've never heard of this. what's the purpose of the stretching? do you have trouble with obstructions?
    wanted to say it was nice to see your name on the board. i've missed you.
    mary

    Hi goldfinch!
    Good to be back on again.I have been in and out of the hosp. for this problem.The doc. says stretching my colon will help my bowels move..I stay constipated so they use a scope with a baloon on the end of it to enlarge my colon..I have scare tissue where they did the surgery at.They said my bowels are only oppen the size of a straw. Thats why they need to stretch it.He also said I will have to do this atlest 3 more times..I don't like it.When I weak up my stomach cramps and hurts really bad becouse it is so full of air. The last time they gave me a morphin pump becouse the pain was so intense.Nice to hear from you..Vicki
  • Vicki2005
    Vicki2005 Member Posts: 11
    markatger said:

    Hi Vicki,

    I am curios about this as well becuase I have an ileostomy that will be reversed this spring. I also have had chemo and rediation. My colon has narrowed in diameter for not being used and likely form radiation. They tell me it will expand after the reversal...but I am still concerned about the expansion.

    I have never heard of stretching it.

    Maria

    markatger!
    I don't know if the same thing could happen to you but..If you get problems not being able to go for days then you need to have a scope done..I have scare tissue from radiation were they sewed my colon back togeather..That made me not be able to go right..The scare tissue biult up so much I only have a opening the size if a straw in roundness. If you are doing treatment sometimes it will build up scare tissue from radiation..Make sure you ask your Doc. what your chances are of this happening to you...They should be able to tell you...Good luck and god bless..Vicki