Right hemicolectomy in a couple weeks. Looking for info on hospital and recovery experiences

KathyBinNC

Hi. Newly diagnosed with ulcerated invasive moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (boy I hope I got those words in the right order…). Surgery coming up in a couple weeks. I'm getting and seeing inconsistent info on how long I might be in the hospital and what I should be prepared for coming home. I know it's different for everyone, but interested in anyone's experience. I'm 78, no family, live alone, and will probably only have someone with me for a couple nights after getting home. So I'm trying to be as prepared as possible. Like before a hurricane—I'd rather have and not need info and stuff to help me, than need and not have. Scared you-know-what-less about biopsy and treatment plan, so focusing on what I can get/have/do before and after the surgery. Oh, and it also. helps to be pissed at the GI doc who's done my colonoscopies for 10 years, and after the one I had the end of July, apologized to me in recovery for 'missing this last year.' Gee. Thanks for the apology. Anyway, thanks for anything you can tell me!

bibliophile

Hi! Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Glad you found this forum. It has been really helpful for me. I was dx in July 2023 as 46yo female during surgery for a complete misdiagnosis, so I understand the doctors dropping the ball POV. 🤣 Since then I have had really good oncology docs and surgeons, though, so I hope things get better for you. As far as recovery goes, I am 30 years younger than you are, so take that into account, but this was my experience. Recovery from surgery was not horrible, but I did have to take it easy. Mine was converted to open so I was in the hospital for 5 days. When I had my laparoscopic lung surgery, it was only 2. It all depends on how well you respond to their metrics, though, which is probably why they are vague. I was lucky enough to have husband and teenage kids to help and friends who brought dinner because I was not moving well for the first 2 weeks. Do you have people who can bring you food? Or if you like meal prepping, maybe do a bunch of cooking in the next few weeks and put meals in the freezer that you can just reheat. That will also give you something to do to keep your mind off impending surgery. 😊 Sleeping in a recliner was much more comfortable because it was easier to get up and down, so I don't know if that is an option for you. And just take things really slow. I am very active, and I remember being frustrated that even walking slowly was hard at first. But it did get better pretty quickly for me, especially after laparoscopy. Even so button down shirts so you don't have to lift your arms over your head might be helpful for a little while. Anything to avoid stretching incisions too much. I did not have any sort of colostomy/ileostomy bag even temporarily so I can't comment on that if you will have one. Those are the big things I can think of right now. If you have more questions or think of more or just want to talk, though, feel free to write back. It's hard to go through and even harder alone. Best wishes!

KathyBinNC

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724098#Comment_1724098

thanks for all that! I see the pre-surgery /consultants on Monday and the nurse practitioner for the surgeon on Tuesday so I hope to have more info then about some of . As for meals, It’s not clear to me what I’m going to be able to so that’s one of the things I want to ask about. I wondered about pulling things over my head, so thanks for that info. I’ll probably be at home virtually the first week or two so probably won’t get nightgown! I do have a recliner in my bedroom and I do have a daybed that actually has the function of raising the feet and head like a hospital bed. I slept on thatafter my hip surgeries. I have a couple neighbors and friends who will stop in and I’m sure and I’ve talked to a service that will provide a companion or a nurse if I need it for a few hours. Biggest thing is I’m boarding my dog for a couple of weeks and hoping it won’t be longer than that before I can have her home. I know that it’s possible that they would convert to open surgery, but it seems unlikely unless they find something really unexpected. Ditto with waking up with a bag. I just ordered a with a tray from Amazon so that can help me move around with stuff in the house if I need it and also give me a little support getting up if I need that. Truly am less worried about the pain as I have had almost constant pain from other things for years. I’m more concerned about exploding bowels and getting to the bathroom in time. Too bad my recliner won’t fit in the bathroom! Appreciate your input and hope you’re doing well. This is certainly not how I had planned to spend my last years on the planet. Oh well.

bibliophile

FWIW, I didn't have any problems with diarrhea afterwards. I did sleep in the living room on the ground floor, though, near a bathroom. 🤣 Glad you have a dog for companionship! I lost my dog literally the day before my last surgery. 😭 Not a good week. I hope you are able to have him/her back soon. We got a 10-week-old foster puppy 4 days after my last surgery if that is encouraging (or just insane?) 😊 Best wishes! Keep in touch! I would love to hear from you! Feel free to private message me.

KathyBinNC

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724100#Comment_1724100

I would love to stay in touch! I’m sure you will be a great source of information and support not to mention talking about dogs! When I had big dogs and I lived in a house without a bedroom on the first floor a decade or so ago. I spent three years sleeping on the daybed in the living room because I had three big dogs in a row who couldn’t climb stairs as they got old. I just got my Will done again, just in case, to make sure my provision for the dog was up-to-date!