surgery recovery

minnieak

I have been recovering from surgery for the past month - had a tumor removed and 8" of my colon - which was resected. Also during this same surgery, I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed (had hysterectomy years ago). I am frutrated that my incisions are still soar and I cannot seem to do much before having to rest. I had orthoscopic surgery although the surgeons did have to put an incisions in my lower abdomen to take out the tumor. As a breast cancer survivor who went through a bilateral mastectomy in 2007, I am well aware of the time it takes to heal but this recovery seems much more intense and longer. I am VERY uncomfortable with bowel movements - every day seems to be having to go to the bathroom several times as I go some and stop....yet still feel like I have pressure on my rectum always like I need to go more. About every 3 days, I seem to have a more significant bowel movement. Why the pressure constantly on my rectum? From sitting so much since I can't be up and around much of the day? I still take Vicadin for pain. I started back to work a few hours a day so I do get out but still have to sit on the couch quite a bit. I take benefiber once a day, eat plenty of fruits/veggies each day and usually have raisin bran or similiar cereal to try to keep my bowels someone soft but still clearly not normal. Any thoughts anyone can share with me? Can I be doing something more to help make my bowel movements easier and ease the pressure on my rectum?

ADKer

I believe that the recovery from surgery varies so much from person to person that it is difficult to comment on that. I do know that walking helps with the recovery from any abdominal surgery. With respect to recovery of your bowels from the surgery, for me, it has been a slow, gradual process. I remember alot of gas and urgency after meals in the first 6 months after the surgery. Gradually, over time, it has improved, although not back to where it was before surgery, even now, 19 months later. I do not understand the constant, mild constipation but it is something that I have also had to deal with. I eat high fiber and a LOT of fruit and vegetables which apparently still leaves me with mild constipation. I had the same diet before the colon resection and never had much in the way of constipation. It is a side effect of the surgery for me, although I really don't understand why.

Walk, hang in there - it does gradually improve over time.

Unknown

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

minnieak

ADKer said:

I believe that the recovery from surgery varies so much from person to person that it is difficult to comment on that. I do know that walking helps with the recovery from any abdominal surgery. With respect to recovery of your bowels from the surgery, for me, it has been a slow, gradual process. I remember alot of gas and urgency after meals in the first 6 months after the surgery. Gradually, over time, it has improved, although not back to where it was before surgery, even now, 19 months later. I do not understand the constant, mild constipation but it is something that I have also had to deal with. I eat high fiber and a LOT of fruit and vegetables which apparently still leaves me with mild constipation. I had the same diet before the colon resection and never had much in the way of constipation. It is a side effect of the surgery for me, although I really don't understand why.

Walk, hang in there - it does gradually improve over time.

thank you for sharing
Thank you ADKer for sharing and responding so quickly. Really helps to hear other's experiences to help me get through this. Patience is not something I'm good at but helps to get input from others!

I start chemo again on the 18th of this month - am sure my bowels will change with those drugs too.....just have to take it day by day.

Will take your advice about the walking for sure - My Oncologist recommends an hour a day - probably won't get that much time in given I live in a cold climate but will do my best.

Cheers.

minnieak

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Thank you Babs211
Hi Babs211 - thanks for sharing your experiences and encouragement. Needed to hear from others who have gone through this - really does help so much to get through it. Hope you are well.......

Cheers

coloCan

Walking
Hi....I spent 8 days ijn hospital after my colostomy, which took place 9/2 of this year. The pain for the first few weeks was intense, walking and sitting up almost unbearable. When I was able to walk, I started by walking thru my apartment(as immune system wasw badly compromised, I was afrain to be near people so I stayed indoors except for doctor appointments.)I would walk up and down, in and out of my 3 1/2 rooms and time myself, walking more each day, until I was able to do 30 minutes nonstop. Then I walked in the hallway on my floor and eventually, with a cane for balance and support, in the street. I can now do about a mile. Recovery takes time, is painful, frustrating but every day is that much less...My bowels are pretty good, justr had to ger used to using ostomy bag and all that entails. Chemo restarts soon so that might change. Wishibg you a less painful recovery and a resolution of your bowel problem...Steve

Patteee

I am not sure what benefiber
I am not sure what benefiber is? Like metamucil? I know I took milk of mag and or a stool softener daily for months and months- actually 17 months later I still take a stool softener daily. My colorectal surgeon wanted me to increase fiber naturally in diet, but told me that metamucil was too bulky on my resection. I also drink gallons of water daily.
I would think, depending on how low down your resection was, that some of that pressure you are feeling is on the resection. If the stool is not soft or difficult to pass, maybe irritation on the site? Again, I think as soft/loose as you can get the stool, the better that is on the colon and rectum.
And, your surgeon knows the problems you are having?

fcosl

I'm recovering from surgery as well
I had surgery for a colon resection on 9/30 so I am five weeks into recovery. My surgeon told me I would be tired for at least two months. This was major surgery. The surgeon has had a 16 year old that said he was still tired after two months. I agree with ADKer that everyone heals differently but your struggles are very close to mine. On Halloween I tried to clean up my front porch. I had to rest for 20 minutes three different times over an hour and a half. I could not believe how low my energy level was. But my energy seemed to improve a little bit after that. Sitting upright takes its toll on me after about an hour to hour and a half. Then I start fidgeting and need to stand up or lay back in a chair. Meals also affect me, I had breakfast with my wife at a restaurant today but driving home I could not figure if I had to head to the toilet as soon as I got home or not. I am going to have a sheet in the bathroom to log when and what I eat and then when I have a bowel movement. I go several times a day a well, usually later in the afternoon and evening. For what it is worth my surgeon said somethings will go through faster. If they do, don't eat that for a couple of weeks. Our minds can do more than we can physically at this point. I think you still need to take it easy for a while yet. I try to walk a lot every day and I seem to feel better each day. I am on the right road, it is just going to take some time. Hang in there.

Scott

Patteee

coloCan said:

Walking
Hi....I spent 8 days ijn hospital after my colostomy, which took place 9/2 of this year. The pain for the first few weeks was intense, walking and sitting up almost unbearable. When I was able to walk, I started by walking thru my apartment(as immune system wasw badly compromised, I was afrain to be near people so I stayed indoors except for doctor appointments.)I would walk up and down, in and out of my 3 1/2 rooms and time myself, walking more each day, until I was able to do 30 minutes nonstop. Then I walked in the hallway on my floor and eventually, with a cane for balance and support, in the street. I can now do about a mile. Recovery takes time, is painful, frustrating but every day is that much less...My bowels are pretty good, justr had to ger used to using ostomy bag and all that entails. Chemo restarts soon so that might change. Wishibg you a less painful recovery and a resolution of your bowel problem...Steve

I am glad you are doing
I am glad you are doing better Steve!

PGLGreg

length of hospital stay
After an LAR for rectal cancer, I had none of the recovery problems you all are describing. However, in the hospital I was kept NPO --- nothing to eat or drink --- and with a naso-gastric tube for 8 days, while my bowel healed up. My hospital stay after surgery was 10 days, which is longer than usual, I think. I wonder if some patients are getting sent home after CR surgery sooner than is good for them.

--Greg

tiny one

alot of discomfort
You're description sounds alot like what I was experiencing after my reversal. Did you have radiation? The colon does not like to be operated on, it takes a long time to recuperate afterwards. The pressure could be from the site inside where they joined the colon together, I think it's called anastamosis. This can cause it to be difficult for stool to pass, the area as in my case is alot narrower. My surgeon has said it's due to the radiation I had. I used to find if I leaned back on the potty or pitched forward sometime the pressure relieved some. Sitting in the tub can sometimes help or sitz baths.

minnieak

tiny one said:

alot of discomfort
You're description sounds alot like what I was experiencing after my reversal. Did you have radiation? The colon does not like to be operated on, it takes a long time to recuperate afterwards. The pressure could be from the site inside where they joined the colon together, I think it's called anastamosis. This can cause it to be difficult for stool to pass, the area as in my case is alot narrower. My surgeon has said it's due to the radiation I had. I used to find if I leaned back on the potty or pitched forward sometime the pressure relieved some. Sitting in the tub can sometimes help or sitz baths.

yes recd radiation
I did receive radiation prior to my surgery so does make sense. I changed oncologist and surgeon because I was not happy with the level of service and glad I did so. My current surgeon said that having radiation is controversial - some believe is necessary others believe it does more harm than good. Thanks for sharing - I have my 6/8 week check up and will go over all this with my surgeon then. I start Chemo on the 18th so not looking forward to that. I had chemo with my breast cancer and prior to this surgery. The biggest frustration with that is most of the anti-nauesea medication gives me some horrible side affects - I bounce off the walls. I hope with this new Oncologist, we can find a medication/plan to off set that. Thanks again everyone for the input - really helps!

minnieak

PGLGreg said:

length of hospital stay
After an LAR for rectal cancer, I had none of the recovery problems you all are describing. However, in the hospital I was kept NPO --- nothing to eat or drink --- and with a naso-gastric tube for 8 days, while my bowel healed up. My hospital stay after surgery was 10 days, which is longer than usual, I think. I wonder if some patients are getting sent home after CR surgery sooner than is good for them.

--Greg

interesting
That is very interesting Greg - no food or drink and on a tube - makes good sense until you heal some. I was in the hospital for 7 days. Maybe that is something more surgeons should practice - I'll ask mine when I see him. Thanks for sharing...

minnieak

fcosl said:

I'm recovering from surgery as well
I had surgery for a colon resection on 9/30 so I am five weeks into recovery. My surgeon told me I would be tired for at least two months. This was major surgery. The surgeon has had a 16 year old that said he was still tired after two months. I agree with ADKer that everyone heals differently but your struggles are very close to mine. On Halloween I tried to clean up my front porch. I had to rest for 20 minutes three different times over an hour and a half. I could not believe how low my energy level was. But my energy seemed to improve a little bit after that. Sitting upright takes its toll on me after about an hour to hour and a half. Then I start fidgeting and need to stand up or lay back in a chair. Meals also affect me, I had breakfast with my wife at a restaurant today but driving home I could not figure if I had to head to the toilet as soon as I got home or not. I am going to have a sheet in the bathroom to log when and what I eat and then when I have a bowel movement. I go several times a day a well, usually later in the afternoon and evening. For what it is worth my surgeon said somethings will go through faster. If they do, don't eat that for a couple of weeks. Our minds can do more than we can physically at this point. I think you still need to take it easy for a while yet. I try to walk a lot every day and I seem to feel better each day. I am on the right road, it is just going to take some time. Hang in there.

Scott

walked today
I took everyone's advice and walked today. Felt good to be outside and although I was tired when I got home and ended up taking a nap - still felt good. Will make a plan to do that more. I am still taking Vicadin for pain so that probably affects my bowels too. Figure another week or two and will be off that stuff. Hurts internally - healing. Am sure since in addition to the colon surgery - removing my ovaries and fallopian tubes has left a lot tissue to heal. This discussion board has helped me so very much an appreciate everyone sharing their experiences with me. I don't feel so alone.....even though I have a so many wonderful friends and family supporting me - just a release to talk to someone who's been there. Take care and good healing.