operation

pat9409
pat9409 Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am 3 weeks away from an operation to take a tumor out of my colon. I have had 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. Is there someone out there that has had a similar operation. I am interested in how much pain there is after operation, how long in the hospital etc. I am having Laprascopic (spelling????) so I am assuming it will not be as long a recovery as regular operation. I have had an easy go of it so far. I have good support etc. I would just like to talk to someone who has first hand knowledge. Can someone answer??Thanks Pat

Comments

  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    #2
    Hi Pat,my husband had rectum
    Hi Pat,my husband had rectum resection two months ago.He stayed in hospital for 6 days after surgery.The first night after surgery was the hardest because of the pain.But the nurses did a great job to manage the pain for him.The next day after surgery he felt much better.Pack up the things you may need in the hospital,like toothbrush and other cleaning things(but the hospital where my husband stayed did offer everything).Please walk as soon as possible and as much as possible once you can after surgery,this is the best way to help the incision to recover.You may have a stoma after the surgery,don't be afraid of it,we had a stoma specialist to give support and stoma nurse visiting at home after the surgery.If you are going to have a permanent one,then it is more mentally than physically to get used to it.If not,then life is perfect.Before you leave the hopspital,the doctor will give you prescription of pain killers,so you can have it when you need at home.I think my husband totally feel back to normal after 7 weeks since he was out of the hospital.So just take one step at a time,you will heal soon.Good luck with the surgery!
  • Mouse88
    Mouse88 Member Posts: 8
    #3
    Surgery
    I had colon surgery in Feb 2008. Pain wasn't too bad, the meds are good. Part of the surgery was laprascopic, but I also ended up with a "C" section scar. My tumor was lower colon and had spread into the rectum and anus. I was scheduled to be in the hospital for 4 to 6 days but ended up there longer because of a reaction to a blood thinner they gave me after surgery - it worked too well, and I bled some internally (not good). I also had chemo and radiation prior to surgery. For me the worst part was trying to stand up straight (because of the c-section scar) and sitting down hurt for awhile also.


    Good luck on your surgery. I wish you a speedy recovery.
  • fcosl
    fcosl Member Posts: 2
    #4
    Hi Pat, I had surgery five weeks ago.
    I had a portion of my colon removed on Sept 30th. I was in the hospital 5 nights. I don't want to say it was pain as much as discomfort. I had the button to push, so the pain meds went through the IV and got into my system quickly. I used the button regularly for the first two days. Then I used it occasionally during the day and always at night so I could sleep. On the fourth day the RN said I was not using much and they switched me to oral pain killers. I went home the next day. Your body's energy will be focused on healing the surgery so it will be an effort to walk which they want you to do the day after surgery. The area of the incision felt more like a brick than painful so I guess the meds worked well. Everyone heals differently so follow the docs orders and listen to your body. You will do great.

    Scott
  • pat9409
    pat9409 Member Posts: 6
    #5
    fcosl said:

    Hi Pat, I had surgery five weeks ago.
    I had a portion of my colon removed on Sept 30th. I was in the hospital 5 nights. I don't want to say it was pain as much as discomfort. I had the button to push, so the pain meds went through the IV and got into my system quickly. I used the button regularly for the first two days. Then I used it occasionally during the day and always at night so I could sleep. On the fourth day the RN said I was not using much and they switched me to oral pain killers. I went home the next day. Your body's energy will be focused on healing the surgery so it will be an effort to walk which they want you to do the day after surgery. The area of the incision felt more like a brick than painful so I guess the meds worked well. Everyone heals differently so follow the docs orders and listen to your body. You will do great.

    Scott

    surgery
    Hi Scott,
    Thanks for your comments It helps alot to get some idea of what I am going into. I have never had any surgery before so I am a little anxious. I am in good health so I figure I should do okay. Thanks again for the support Pat
  • Julie 44
    Julie 44 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #6
    Mouse88 said:

    Surgery
    I had colon surgery in Feb 2008. Pain wasn't too bad, the meds are good. Part of the surgery was laprascopic, but I also ended up with a "C" section scar. My tumor was lower colon and had spread into the rectum and anus. I was scheduled to be in the hospital for 4 to 6 days but ended up there longer because of a reaction to a blood thinner they gave me after surgery - it worked too well, and I bled some internally (not good). I also had chemo and radiation prior to surgery. For me the worst part was trying to stand up straight (because of the c-section scar) and sitting down hurt for awhile also.


    Good luck on your surgery. I wish you a speedy recovery.

    I had a resection on9/18/08..I was in the hospital for 12 days..I also had the pump for meds.They also gave me an epidoral...The pain came the next day..When I was still it wasn't a problem but they make you walk walk walk..That sucked at first getting in and out of bed..But you need to walk so you don't get gas problems...That was terrible pain. It felt like you were having a heart attack then the burps felt like they were coming up and out from your toes....They said I was burping like a drunken sailor lol lol...Actually it wasn't a bad thing to have a cathader in..You didn't have to get up and go to the bathroom but when they took it out it it was painfull to get up but after a couple of days it gets better too...I was cut from pelvis to breast bone with 35 staples in...When you look at the staples for the first time prepare yourself cause it is not a preety site...But all in all it is not to awlful..Good luck and remember when you get home just REST..Let other people do for you..I will be thinking about you......JULIE
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    #7
    Hi Pat
    I had a colon resection 5 years ago. It was very low in the sigmoid. I was on an epidural which worked very well. I also had the epidural for my liver resection and a hernia repair. It has worked very well for me on each occasion. They would reduce the dose a little each day until it came out on day 3 or 4.

    I have to say the the worst of it for me was gas pains on day 3 or 4. Ouch!!

    Good luck. I'm glad to hear you are having the tumour removed.

    Rob; in Vancouver

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