Surgery Anyone?

ssaye

I have stage 1 rectal canceer and was diagnosed 12/2003. I have just finished 6 weeks of chemo/radiation and tolerated that pretty well. I am supposed to have surgery in 6 weeks to take out the bad patch. I am not sure what to expect as far as recovery goes. I am 37 and in good health. (besides the cancer). I was told that I would have to have a colostomy for 3 months and then get it reversed. How was this type of surgery for those who have been through it?? Any insight would be appreciated.

RunnerZ

You're lucky that your cancer was Stage 1...you will be fine. I was 36 when I was diagnosed with Stage 3 rectal cancer. I also had the preoperative chemoradiation which worked extremely well. The surgery is no picnic..but you may not even need a temporary ileostomy depending upon the exact location of the tumor location. I was really sore for a week or so and it did take some time to redevelop a new bowel pattern. However, if you have a temporary ileostomy, that won't be a problem. I was up and walking for excercise within 2 weeks and started running within 6 weeks. It does take awhile to recover from the preoperative treatment, and I did have to have followup chemotherapy, which you might not even need. Anyway...the surgery is a pain, but doable. I'm here 5 years later to attest to that. Good luck!

pleach1

I had surgery on 12/23 an like you I needed a temporary colostomy. I am 46 and in good shape (well so my doctor says). The colostomy was a suprise to me I had stage III and 23 of 27 infected so they decided during surgery to do the colosotomy so I had no time to prepare for it. I took 6 weeks to recover after the surgery and it really was not as painful as I imagined it would be. I did have an epidural as well as a general anasthesia and I am glad I did as the delivered morphene through the epidural. The advantage of that is no pain with minimal side effects.

The colosotomy is not as bad as I thought it would be. Do some research on bags and if your health insurance covers it get disposable 2 piece pouches. I use Hollistor New Image and they rock.

The main downside of the colostomy is that you get less time to read the sports page .

Good luck to you and remember to keep your sense of humor and that helps your recovery. I alwasy used to say that I would rather have another a**hole than go with my wife to a Shania Twain concert. I did not go the concert. Be careful what you wish for

Paul.

ssaye

pleach1 said:

I had surgery on 12/23 an like you I needed a temporary colostomy. I am 46 and in good shape (well so my doctor says). The colostomy was a suprise to me I had stage III and 23 of 27 infected so they decided during surgery to do the colosotomy so I had no time to prepare for it. I took 6 weeks to recover after the surgery and it really was not as painful as I imagined it would be. I did have an epidural as well as a general anasthesia and I am glad I did as the delivered morphene through the epidural. The advantage of that is no pain with minimal side effects.

The colosotomy is not as bad as I thought it would be. Do some research on bags and if your health insurance covers it get disposable 2 piece pouches. I use Hollistor New Image and they rock.

The main downside of the colostomy is that you get less time to read the sports page .

Good luck to you and remember to keep your sense of humor and that helps your recovery. I alwasy used to say that I would rather have another a**hole than go with my wife to a Shania Twain concert. I did not go the concert. Be careful what you wish for

Paul.

thanks Paul. It seems like you have a good attitude about it. I definitely want to look into disposable bags. I will check on your model. It is crazy that we have to go thru these things. I always find humor in everthing and I think that it will pull me thru this. good luck!