Recurring abcess

JanJan63
JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

After my colon resection in June I ended up with an abcess. They put a drain in which was one of the most horrifying experiences of my life. They took it out after a few days. A week later I was back in the hospital with another abcess and another drain which I had for over a month. The first abcess had closed off so this was the same one. Another drain, I was hysterical, it was horrible.

Since then I've had a radiographic enema that showed that the abcess pocket had been reduced by 80% but was still there, open. The doctor said that they often just stay like that and never heal shut or take years to close.

The other day I suddenly had the urge to go and ended up having an accident. Turns out what I went was the exact stuff that had been in the abcesses both times. It looked the same and I will never forget the smell of it as I lived with it night and day. I don't see my surgeon for two weeks and I'll ask him then but in the meantime... I think I had another abcess and got lucky and it opened up on it's own. I have a bit of discomfort there now.

Is this something anyone else has had recurring issues with? If so, what do they do about it? Can they do a surgery where they clean it out and close it off? How long will this be an issue? I will not have another drain put in me, no way, they'll have to figure something else out. The pain and trauma of it was so bad I think I had PTSD for a couple of months after.

I'm SO sick and tired of the side effects I've had and the complications. And that my surgeon said all of this would take about 8 months and it's at the 11 month point right now with a few months to go. I'm on chemo and just miserable and I'm just done with all of this crap.

Jan

Comments

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #2
    Oh My Goodness

    Sounds like you have just had a terrible time with everything related to this horrible disease.  I'm not sure about the abcess becaused I've never dealt with it.  Did you have a permanent ostomy where they sewed the bottom of you up and that is where the abcess is?  I'd talk to your doctor again and tell them you want something done - other than a drain.  If you aren't satisfied with his answer, please go get a second opinion.  This seems like it has gone on way too long.  Good luck and let us know what he says in two weeks.

    Kim

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #3
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Oh My Goodness

    Sounds like you have just had a terrible time with everything related to this horrible disease.  I'm not sure about the abcess becaused I've never dealt with it.  Did you have a permanent ostomy where they sewed the bottom of you up and that is where the abcess is?  I'd talk to your doctor again and tell them you want something done - other than a drain.  If you aren't satisfied with his answer, please go get a second opinion.  This seems like it has gone on way too long.  Good luck and let us know what he says in two weeks.

    Kim

    Thanks Kim. I have a

    Thanks Kim. I have a temporary ostomy but I'm starting to wonder if a colostomy wouldn't be so bad. My surgeon says the IBS will be worse after I get reconnected. It was terrible to start with.

    Jan

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #4
    JanJan63 said:

    Thanks Kim. I have a

    Thanks Kim. I have a temporary ostomy but I'm starting to wonder if a colostomy wouldn't be so bad. My surgeon says the IBS will be worse after I get reconnected. It was terrible to start with.

    Jan

    Ileostomy

    I've had that temporary ileostomy and never had and abcess but my whole rectum was removed because of rectal cancer and then was redone with a j-pouch made out of the existing colon.  There were times when I'd actually have BM's still having an ostomy which was weird to me.  You can always have a reconnection but make sure that your surgeon is aware that you might want to have a reversal of the reconnect if things don't go well for you because of the IBS because that is one thing my surgeon was aware of - if it doesn't work I'm coming back.  Sometimes its great to start with and you can get a reversal and things will be ok but sometimes it won't - I'm still having problems after 6 years - sometimes going up to 17 times a day.  But I'm glad I'm where I'm at, but sometimes I'm so frustrated especially when I'm going and going.  That's just me, but others have had wonderful experiences so I'd try it - you might do so great and that's the best place to be, not be afraid to take the unknown.

    Kim

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #5
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Ileostomy

    I've had that temporary ileostomy and never had and abcess but my whole rectum was removed because of rectal cancer and then was redone with a j-pouch made out of the existing colon.  There were times when I'd actually have BM's still having an ostomy which was weird to me.  You can always have a reconnection but make sure that your surgeon is aware that you might want to have a reversal of the reconnect if things don't go well for you because of the IBS because that is one thing my surgeon was aware of - if it doesn't work I'm coming back.  Sometimes its great to start with and you can get a reversal and things will be ok but sometimes it won't - I'm still having problems after 6 years - sometimes going up to 17 times a day.  But I'm glad I'm where I'm at, but sometimes I'm so frustrated especially when I'm going and going.  That's just me, but others have had wonderful experiences so I'd try it - you might do so great and that's the best place to be, not be afraid to take the unknown.

    Kim

    Thank you Kim. The stupid IBS

    Thank you Kim. The stupid IBS controlled my life before so if it's worse I can't imagine. It seems like such a kick in the butt that the most likely reason I got colon cancer is because I had IBS. Really? You haven't given me enough grief through my life? I know where every bathroom is in every place I've ever been, I have to pick jobs based on where the bathroom is and if the drive isn't too long. I can't ride my horse on a nice, long trail ride in case I have to go. Sometimes I could barely get anything done because I was in the bathroom so often. This has been such a break having the ostomy. I can eat potato salad, yay! I don't have to eat based on if I think I might leave the house.

    My surgeon is great so he'll be on board with whatever I want.

    Jan

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