Not Again!!!

My sugery was 3 years ago. The good news is that the cancer is gone and regular testing shows I'm still NED. I still have frequent bowel movements and often have to repeat until I feel I'm empty. There has been improvement over time and I've learned to adjust. For example, I get up extra early just to have a light breakfast, wait an hour, then have a bowel movement. Wait, have another -- you know the routine -- until I feel ready to face the day. I found that approximatrely an hour after eating something I have to go again. Without a rectum the remaining portion of colon that took its place is simply not as large as the rectum and therefore doesn't have the same capacity to store stool. Trying to stay a bit constipated is the best approach because it stretches the colon that is used in place of the rectum and increases the holding capacity. I find that a banana with my morning cereal and rice with my dinner is helpful. I understand fully what you're going through because I also feel my life revoles around going to the bathroom. Lately, I have a lot of gas after eating, which feels like a pressure against my anus as if I have the urgency to go. I wonder if you, or anyone else, have this same problem, and what if anything helps? This is a real drag and realistically I don't see any way out because we are living with a makeshift rectum. But as you said, life is good, and this sure beats the alternatives.

Robin,

I really had to think about this, because I have just adjusted to life. I am 3 years post surgery that took my rectum and sig colon, if you remember.

My life is fairly normal, but I must admit, as I think about it, I have made alterations. I always have beano and lactase in my purse, to cut down on the gas possibility. As with 4Law, about an hour after eating, especially the dinner meal, I have the most urgency. About half the time, I need to make more than one trip, just to achieve complete emptying. I have, over time, found the foods that cause trouble, and adjust to it. No, I haven't stopped eating them, just know to be near a toilet when I do...the only food completely out of my diet is popcorn...but the surgeon said that would be the case...

As you have seen from my posts, I don't stop living. Travel is a big thing for me, especially now that I am semi-retired! I still have my moments, and, to be honest HATE the thought of a colon cleanse (lol). Fruit juice gets me 'going' if I have trouble, and bananas stop a runaway flow...

The fact that your life is good says it all...at one year, well, I was just getting a handle on my bathroom visits...'potty training' all over again, since what was now my storage organ (rectum) used to be a processing organ (descending colon).

I guess what I am saying is, after 3 years I can safely say, Yes, it DOES get better with a 'tincture of time'.

Hugs, Kathi

Robin, I am a 45 year old 9 year survivor of stage 3 rectal cancer. I too had half of my rectum removed and have struggled with the same issues you are discussing. I do have to tell you that one year post-op is a very short time in terms of this kind of recovery. I just noticed on my last beach vacation that I was much more comfortable than in the previous years....so my function is still improving nine years after surgery and treatment! Many of the recommendations i would give are already here...and it is good to hear that I am not alone. I too get up early so that I can use the bathroom before I go for a run in the morning. That run then ususally helps me go again before I get ready for work! Some days I have to find a bathroom 3-5 times and some days once or twice. It IS a pain and a reminder of what we went through, but I figure that I don't have any alternatives but to deal with it the best I can and smile my way through it! Excercise helps me feel better about my body in general. Patience with your body and your mind!

Hello...I had my entire colon taken out last September except for 6-7 inches of rectum. For me Metamucil wafers twice a day plus Immodium twice a day has worked wonders. Using them together I go 3-4 times a day and it is fairly solid, and I eat whatever I want. The key imho is the Metamucil wafers. If I just take the Immodium without the wafers, I go 10-12 times a day and it is much looser, so they make a huge difference.

Hope that helps,

Wes

2bhealed said:

Hi Robin!

Not knowing what you have tried I apologize if you have already tried these things:

probiotics and digestive enzymes. These support the whole digestive system and ours are out of whack. (well most people's are, we just happened to get the added slap of cancer in our pipes). these two things help to restore proper function and most of us are lacking in them.

I hope this helps. I'm reading a really good book right now all about enzymes and just how important they are to basic life.

Have you read The Makers Diet by Dr. Jordan Rubin? He had major digestive issues (Crohn's Disease) and he healed it. Though I don't really follow the diet, I think his info on intestinal health is hugely informative for all of us.

peace, emily

I have to tell you that the enzymes are part of my routine now. They really helped my 54 year old sister (who is a nurse practioner and had every test in the book) who had cramping and was unable to eat past 6 pm because the pain kept her up all night.

She just bought acidopholis with probiotics tablets from Trader Joes and it has completely fixed her problem.

I was so impressed I take Bio 12 available at Whole Foods or health food stores in the refig section. I thought it might help as I am still in chemo land.

Just another though! Wish you well Robin.

Jen

Hi Robin,
I just thought of one other solution I read about on colonclub.org a while back. This person gave themselves daily enemas and said it had finally freed him from this problem of living life around the bathroom. It makes sense, obviously if you don't have poop in the shoot so to speak, then you don't have to go to the bathroom all the time. It would certainly solve the problem of feeling like you weren't done. I don't know if you are quite to that point yet, but it might be something to consider and it helped this guy. If you look on that site through the archives/old posts, you can probably find it.
Best of luck,
Susan

4law said:

My sugery was 3 years ago. The good news is that the cancer is gone and regular testing shows I'm still NED. I still have frequent bowel movements and often have to repeat until I feel I'm empty. There has been improvement over time and I've learned to adjust. For example, I get up extra early just to have a light breakfast, wait an hour, then have a bowel movement. Wait, have another -- you know the routine -- until I feel ready to face the day. I found that approximatrely an hour after eating something I have to go again. Without a rectum the remaining portion of colon that took its place is simply not as large as the rectum and therefore doesn't have the same capacity to store stool. Trying to stay a bit constipated is the best approach because it stretches the colon that is used in place of the rectum and increases the holding capacity. I find that a banana with my morning cereal and rice with my dinner is helpful. I understand fully what you're going through because I also feel my life revoles around going to the bathroom. Lately, I have a lot of gas after eating, which feels like a pressure against my anus as if I have the urgency to go. I wonder if you, or anyone else, have this same problem, and what if anything helps? This is a real drag and realistically I don't see any way out because we are living with a makeshift rectum. But as you said, life is good, and this sure beats the alternatives.

I am also about a year past my reversal and have had a lot of problem with gas. I also tend to swing between constipation and diarrhea. I started taking probiotics about a month ago and it seems to be helping the gas and helping to normalize things. Since I haven't been taking the probiotics that long I'm not quite ready to give the credit to the probiotics but I definitely plan to continue taking them. The big test comes next week when I have to travel for my job. That always made my system go bonkers in the past.