Small Bowel Blockage

tngirl
tngirl Member Posts: 28
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi Guys,

I just got out of the hospital with dx of partial small bowel blockage from scar tissue from my debulking 2 1/2 years ago. Thought it was a gallbladder attack but turned out to be my "nightmare" of the blockage. I thank God the blockage repaired itself after NG tube and no food for 3 days. My question is has anyone had experience with this? Does anyone know what the chances that it could happen again? What is the worse case scenerio? Doctors just say they can operate and take out the scar tissue and I wonder how much they are not telling me?
I would rather know upfront what it all consists of. I hope you all can share. I have been NED for 2 1/2 years - and feel blessed every day!

TNGIRL

Comments

  • Litapita
    Litapita Member Posts: 30
    #2
    Hi TN. I haven't been dx'd
    Hi TN. I haven't been dx'd with OC but I do have a lot of history with bowel obstruction because I have Crohns disease. I assume you were probably in a good deal of pain. Bowel obstruction/partial bowel obstruction is common with Crohns. First, I would recommend remembering exactly how you felt when the pain/discomfort first started because many times if you recognize it early and put yourself on a liquid diet for 1-3 days or so, it could resolve itself, just as it seems to have done while you were in the hospital. As for the surgery, it's a major surgery and if I were you I would want to know how much of the bowel they would be taking. Reducing the length of the bowel also reduces the bodies ability to absorb food nutrients and can cause diarrhea and such. That being said, there are times when it won't resolve on its own and surgery is the only option......and it my case, when it happened 3 times....I couldn't get to operating room fast enough lol, the pain was excruciating.

    Hope this helps a lil.
  • tngirl
    tngirl Member Posts: 28
    #3
    Litapita said:

    Hi TN. I haven't been dx'd
    Hi TN. I haven't been dx'd with OC but I do have a lot of history with bowel obstruction because I have Crohns disease. I assume you were probably in a good deal of pain. Bowel obstruction/partial bowel obstruction is common with Crohns. First, I would recommend remembering exactly how you felt when the pain/discomfort first started because many times if you recognize it early and put yourself on a liquid diet for 1-3 days or so, it could resolve itself, just as it seems to have done while you were in the hospital. As for the surgery, it's a major surgery and if I were you I would want to know how much of the bowel they would be taking. Reducing the length of the bowel also reduces the bodies ability to absorb food nutrients and can cause diarrhea and such. That being said, there are times when it won't resolve on its own and surgery is the only option......and it my case, when it happened 3 times....I couldn't get to operating room fast enough lol, the pain was excruciating.

    Hope this helps a lil.

    Litapita,
    Thank you so much
    Litapita,
    Thank you so much for your reply. I always like to know what I am up against. I have a feeling that if I have had one, I am probably going to have another someday. I do remember how I felt, and will tuck your recommendation in the back of my mind. I know I caught my early because it was only a partial, but the pain did bring me to my knees. Thanks again!

    TNGIRL
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #4
    tngirl said:

    Litapita,
    Thank you so much
    Litapita,
    Thank you so much for your reply. I always like to know what I am up against. I have a feeling that if I have had one, I am probably going to have another someday. I do remember how I felt, and will tuck your recommendation in the back of my mind. I know I caught my early because it was only a partial, but the pain did bring me to my knees. Thanks again!

    TNGIRL

    Hi Tngirl
    First, congratulations on being NED for two and a half years! I have been NED for almost two years, and in May and June of this year, I was hospitalized twice for the exact same thing: partial blockage of the small intestine due to surgery adhesions. From what I understand, adhesions and partial blockages are very common for people who have had abdominal surgery. If this should happen to me again, I hope I can ride out the pain at home with the help of pain meds and a liquid diet for a couple of days to let my bowels rest. In talking to all three of my doctors (primary doc, oncologist, and gyn/onc surgeon) about this, none of them said, "do this, do that, and you'll avoid another episode". It doesn't seem to be so cut and dry. I do avoid nuts and popcorn (things that can potential get stuck in the bowels) and I try not to get constipated, although that's a large intestine issue. And I drink at least six 8 oz. glasses of water each day.

    I feel the same way as you - I'm probably going to have another some day. Hopefully, that day is far off though.

    Take care,
    Kelly
  • tngirl
    tngirl Member Posts: 28
    #5
    lovesanimals said:

    Hi Tngirl
    First, congratulations on being NED for two and a half years! I have been NED for almost two years, and in May and June of this year, I was hospitalized twice for the exact same thing: partial blockage of the small intestine due to surgery adhesions. From what I understand, adhesions and partial blockages are very common for people who have had abdominal surgery. If this should happen to me again, I hope I can ride out the pain at home with the help of pain meds and a liquid diet for a couple of days to let my bowels rest. In talking to all three of my doctors (primary doc, oncologist, and gyn/onc surgeon) about this, none of them said, "do this, do that, and you'll avoid another episode". It doesn't seem to be so cut and dry. I do avoid nuts and popcorn (things that can potential get stuck in the bowels) and I try not to get constipated, although that's a large intestine issue. And I drink at least six 8 oz. glasses of water each day.

    I feel the same way as you - I'm probably going to have another some day. Hopefully, that day is far off though.

    Take care,
    Kelly

    Thanks, Kelly. That is very
    Thanks, Kelly. That is very helpful. I did ask the GI doctor if there is anything I can do and he said no. But what I am hearing from you all is there is a chance to try an avoid a hospital stay again. I will work increasing my water/fluid intake and avoid certain foods. I have yet to talk with my oncologist. Congratulations on your almost two year mark! I realize OC will hang over me like a cloud, probably for the rest of my life. It's comforting to know that I am not alone!

    Again, thanks and you take care as well

    TNGIRL.

Discussion Boards