Fresh from Surgery

LOUSWIFT
LOUSWIFT Member Posts: 371 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Well I'm back from Surgery and the hospital. My surgeon said the laproscoptic surgery would be about three hours but turned out to be six. The first problem was they could locate the tumor. It had been stained with ink two weeks before but was not on my left side as the gastro doc said it was on the right side on the asending colon not the descending colon. He then took some time to look around with the camera at my other organs and decided he wanted to correct a umbilitical hernia and repair several adhesions that my first colon cancer surgery had caused four years ago. So about three hours to locate and remove the cancer and three hours in repairs. I have a four inch incision runs from by belly button north (towards sterum) and two one-half inch incisions on either side of my abdomin. Now the seven day wait to determine if the 30 nodes removed have any cancer in them. I spent five days in the hospital to watch for infection and to make absolutely sure that I could not sleep more than two hours in a row. In the hospital when they say get some rest they mean do it fast and between cleaning staff/doctors/nurses/clergy/lab techs/pharmacy/maintenance/ and my walks. They meant well but I was glad to get out of there so I could get better. Thursday I get the staples removed and find out about the nodes. Monday I see my oncologist. Won't he be surprised when I tell him what he can do with his chemo. I endured 15 weeks of Xedola four years ago that caused me permanent damage and for what? Cancer came back anyway! My poor abdomine- my wife thought I looked repulsive four years ago wait until she sees me now. I have to many scars even for the colondar. Well getting a tired still on meds for pain not as bad as last time just different.

Comments

  • lesvanb
    lesvanb Member Posts: 905
    Glad your surgery is done
    and that all turned out well under trying circumstances. Yep cancer sucks and can be an insidious little bugger when it makes surprise appearances after long hard treatments and healing regimines. Here's hoping that no cancer is found and that the waiting passes as easily as it can for you.

    all the best, Leslie

    PS I also don't think the colondar has a limit on scars.
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    Louis
    It is good to hear from you. It sounds like things went well + you got some repair work done as well. Throughout my hospital stays it has become clear that hospitals are not a good place to go for rest. Even when I have had private rooms, I have found it difficult to get good sleeps. Often I have been in rooms right across from the nurses' ststion - brutal because you hear all their noise as well. I bet you are glad to be home! Take good care + good luck with next steps.
  • Crow71
    Crow71 Member Posts: 679 Member
    You've had a rough time Lou.
    You've had a rough time Lou. Glad that the surgery was successful and that you're home. I know exactly what you mean about the hospitals. Hope the nodes are clear.
    Get well - Roger
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    Speedy Recovery
    Sure hope you have a speedy recovery. Will be praying.

    Big Hugs and Prayer,

    Debbie
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    Glad to hear from you
    So very glad that you are back home and felt up to letting us know.

    I agree, there is no rest for a patient in the hospital unless they drug you to sleep. My hospital allows nursing students and their teachers to practice on the patients. One time I have about 8 people in the room at once trying to 'minister' to me. I finally told them, no more praticing on me after one pulled out the IV which had taken only about 10 tries to get it in to begin with!

    Hope all the news from your doc is good. Don't sweat the scars. They are the badge of a true warrior.

    Take care, get lots of rest, and stay in touch.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Oh, my.
    Goodness, Lou! That was a long surgery. I'm so sorry you had to endure that.

    Praying for great news on the nodules!

    *hugs*
    Gail