Airborne72 and Surgery

Annabelle41415
Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Not sure if I'm able to post Monday but wishing you the very best in your surgery and hope all goes well.  I'll be praying and thinking of you and your doctors/assistants for a successful outcome.  Just let us know how you are doing when you can.  Remember that after your surgery you are only a question away from someome that probably knows the answer when you come to this board.  We are here to help you get through recovery.

Kim

Comments

  • airborne72
    airborne72 Member Posts: 303 Member
    #2
    First Question

    I woke up to read this post this morning and it means so much to me.  Thank you Kim.

    We are out-of-town participating in the celebration of life of my brother-in-law, who passed away from stage 4 CRC three weeks ago.  On the inside, I have emotions bouncing all around.  The last communication I had with him was initiated by him, while he was fighting for his life in hospice.  He asked me how I was doing.

    So yes, I report to the hospital tomorrow at 10:30 for a reversal of my ileostomy and removal of my port.  I am excited doubly for the same reason - the outcome.  I could end up close to what I was before all of this began or I could end up with uncontrollable, unpredictable BM's.  My tumor was totally eliminated during the neoadjuvant chemo/radiation so the surgeon needed to remove only a small section of my rectum and it was up high.  My spinchter muscle was not affected at all.  I have had this temporary ileostomy since mid October because he thought it wise to allow my rectal tissue to recovery.  I believe that is code for "maybe additional time will allow your rectal tissue to recover from the effects of the radiation."  I just made that up as my mind is pinging right now.

    To better prepare for my outcome, I have a question for those of you who have experience.  What do you recommend to counter the effects of sore/irritated anal tissue while enduring the high frequency of BM's?

    Once again, thanks Kim for thinking of me.  I fully intend to post a summary of my surgical experience as soon as I am lucid and continent. 

    Jim

  • Lily Flower
    Lily Flower Member Posts: 260 Member
    #3
    Jim, best of luck tomorrow on

    Jim, best of luck tomorrow on your reversal surgery. I have no doubts that it'll be a successful one! 

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777 Member
    #4
    Good luck on the surgery - I

    Good luck on the surgery - I had the date memorized as well.

  • Cindy225
    Cindy225 Member Posts: 172 Member
    edited March 2018 #5

    Jim - I am very sorry about your brother-in-law's passing and to CRC. So sad...

    Good luck tommorrow.  It is exciting that you are doing the reversal surgery and having the port removed. It will feel like deja vu in some respects; back in the hospital, trying not to cough, etc. 

    As far as taking care of your system as it wakes up: PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE.  Given you had a small part of your rectum removed you should be in good shape to hold BMs and may not have as much clustering after a meal. I started with the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast and then introduced other foods.

    Best advice for a sore bum is flushable wipes, wet toilet paper desitin and more PATIENCE...   

    Keep us posted!

    Cindy 

  • Ruthmomto4
    Ruthmomto4 Member Posts: 708 Member
    edited March 2018 #6
    Jim!

    I will be thinking of you tomorrow! Hoping your surgery goes smoothly and your recovery is quick! Rest and let us know how you are when you can!!

  • BRHMichigan
    BRHMichigan Member Posts: 368
    #7
    Best wishes, Jim!

    Looking forward to hearing about your experience. 

    I cannot imagine how emotional it must have been to attend that funeral. You are so strong and doing so well, I just know you'll face this next step with the same courage you've always had. 

    And I hope you can eat whatever you want soon! Well, within reason. Lol.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    edited March 2018 #8
    A Sitz Bath

    If you are having many BM's a day, a sitz bath is a wonderful comfort.  Also, Calmoseptine worked WONDERS for me.  It is used to protect the bottom from excessive acid due to BM's.  You can't get that in an aisle in the pharmacy but ask for it behind the counter.  If you find you need a lot, get a larger tube as it can be kind of expensive for the 2 oz tube.  Also, don't be stingy on yourself with toilet paper.  Pamper yourself and get some good stuff.  Sometimes a bath can help as well.  The bottom can get pretty raw at times, but if you take care of it, you will be better in the long run.  I'm sorry about your BIL. Once again - good luck tomorrow and I'll be thinking about you throughout the day.

    Kim

  • PamRav
    PamRav Member Posts: 348 Member
    edited March 2018 #9
    Thinking of you today

    and wishing you a successful surgery and a speedy, uneventful recovery. 

    All the best

     

    pam 

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    #10
    Answer

    You could try RADIA GEL frm wallmart.

  • lizard44
    lizard44 Member Posts: 409 Member
    edited March 2018 #11
    Thinking of you

    and hoping all went well with your reversal and port removal.

    Grace/lizard44

     

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #12
    Thinking of you

    I've been thinking of you today, and hoping that everything went well. 

    Try a Bidet (this is the one I use https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TPGPUW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1  ) helps clean sore rear end without rubbing with toilet paper. Just dab dry with soft hand towels or flannels.

    Tru

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #13
    Surgery

    Hoping that all went well today.  I've been thinking about you all day.  It's time for you to take a breath and get better.  Let us know how you are doing when you can.

    Kim

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