Ostomy Patients

afraidinindy
afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband had surgery on August 1 and they did a permanent colostomy. He is doing very well with handling it as far as putting in on, emptying, etc. However, he continues to have daily bowel movements through the rectum - not a lot but enough to cause him discomfort. It was my understanding this would be temporary, only a few days. We are now 16 days post-surgery and he is still going to the restroom 2 or 3 times daily and continues to have cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Any one know anything about his and how he should be by now - are our expectations too high? We thought the rectal pressure and/or cramping and pain would stop after the colostomy. I might mention that they could not do a resection - just closed him back up with the ostomy and a bleak future.
Any thoughts you can share with me will be appreciated. I hate so much to see him continue to have so much discomfort after going through an unsuccessful surgery.

Comments

  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #2
    I don't know. My rectum was removed and the opening closed so there was just some drainage. I'd recommend that you contact the surgeon. It doesn't sound right.
    ****
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #3
    vinny3 said:

    I don't know. My rectum was removed and the opening closed so there was just some drainage. I'd recommend that you contact the surgeon. It doesn't sound right.
    ****

    Thanks, that's what I thought. He has an appointment on Monday to have the staples removed so he can check at that time.
  • cherriann
    cherriann Member Posts: 155 Member
    #4
    my rectum was also removed but at at 7 weeks post op i can let you know life isnt as bleak as it seems at the moment. the first month after surgery i thought life as i knew it was over. i had severe stomach cramps for 2 weeks. for sure talk to your surgeon. mine turned out to be a stomach virus that had gotten severe becuse my immunity was so low. just want you to know that he will adjust to the ostomy. remember to keep hydrated and there is a discussion bord called UOAA that you can ask any questions you want about the colostomy they are really helpful and caring people. good luck and god bless
    cherri
  • jerryberry66
    jerryberry66 Member Posts: 3
    #5
    Hello,
    I had my surgury ovr a year ago. They closed rectum compleatly,so there is nothing else there. I would ask doc the procedure he had. I thought they always closed everything up. I hopes this helps a bit. Jerry
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #6
    cherriann said:

    my rectum was also removed but at at 7 weeks post op i can let you know life isnt as bleak as it seems at the moment. the first month after surgery i thought life as i knew it was over. i had severe stomach cramps for 2 weeks. for sure talk to your surgeon. mine turned out to be a stomach virus that had gotten severe becuse my immunity was so low. just want you to know that he will adjust to the ostomy. remember to keep hydrated and there is a discussion bord called UOAA that you can ask any questions you want about the colostomy they are really helpful and caring people. good luck and god bless
    cherri

    Thank you for the good wishes and the informtion. I'll check out the site.
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #7
    jerryberry66 said:

    Hello,
    I had my surgury ovr a year ago. They closed rectum compleatly,so there is nothing else there. I would ask doc the procedure he had. I thought they always closed everything up. I hopes this helps a bit. Jerry

    Thank you for the info. We'll check with the doctor on Monday.
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #8
    depending upon his level of discomfort, I'm not sure I would wait until Monday..esp. if there is fecal matter, and associated pain. If there is a leak outside the colon, he could become infected..
    Bud
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #9
    depending upon his level of discomfort, I'm not sure I would wait until Monday..esp. if there is fecal matter, and associated pain. If there is a leak outside the colon, he could become infected..
    Bud
  • jerseysue
    jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
    #10
    I had stuff coming out of my rectum it wasn't poop but it was more like mucus for over a year and as time went by I felt like I had to go more urgently from my rectum. I just found out I had Colitis. So make sure you check with the doctor for him. I waited a bit to long.

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