Countdown: Only 4 days till my SURGERY for Rectal Cancer Removal!

lizzydavis said:

Knowledge is power. Preparing for surgery...
I had a colon resection on May 15, 2009 (Rectal Stage III – No tumor). Approx. 6" was removed. Your surgery will be different but reading what I went through might help you.

I was in the hospital for 3 nights. I slept in a recliner when I got home since I was not comfortable in the bed. It was easy for me to get up and down by myself that way and I used a comforter and was cozy.
Things went better than I expected. If you have more questions, please feel free to ask. That's why we are here - to support each other.

I was prescribed a Low Residue Diet after my surgery.
A low residue diet eliminates coarse fiber and other indigestible material that may cause distress to the gastrointestinal tract and designed to reduce the volume and frequency of bowel movements. It is similar to a low fiber diet, but also restricts milk and milk products and prunes. Stock up on soup, pudding, jello, saltines, bananas, rice, applesauce.

This is some info I found which may help.
Colon Resection Surgery
Details of the procedure
What do I need to do before surgery?
Please contact your insurance company to verify the coverage and determine whether a referral is required. You will be asked to pre-register with the appropriate hospital and provide demographic and insurance information. This must be completed at least five to ten days before the surgery date. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for the procedure.
Before surgery, your colon will need to be emptied. Your physician will give you directions on how to do this. You may be put on a liquid diet and instructed to drink a solution that will induce diarrhea. You may also be instructed to give yourself an enema.

What happens on the day of surgery?
You will report to a pre-operative nursing unit, where you will change into a hospital gown. A nurse will review your chart and confirm that all paperwork is in order. You will be taken to a pre-operative nursing unit where an anesthesiologist will start an IV. Before any medications are administered, your surgeon will verify your name and the type of procedure you are having. You will then be taken to the operating room. After the appropriate form of anesthesia is administered, surgery will be performed.

What type of anesthesia will be used?
You will have a pre-operative interview with an anesthesiologist who will ask you questions regarding your medical history. Colon resections are performed under general anesthesia, which will keep you asleep during your surgery.

What happens during the surgery, and how is it performed?
If your surgery is performed laproscopically, your surgeon will make three to four small incisions, and insert tube-like instruments through them. The abdomen will be filled with gas to help the surgeon view the abdominal cavity. A camera will be inserted through one of the tubes that will display images on a monitor in the operating room. In this manner, your surgeon will be able to work inside your abdomen without making a larger incision.

Your surgeon will perform the colon resection with the laparoscopic method unless other factors require open surgery. If the procedure will be performed with the open method, your surgeon will make one larger incision to enable him or her to view and repair the colon.
Once inside, the surgeon will clamp off the diseased section of colon and then cut it free. The diseased colon will be removed, and the healthy colon stitched back together. In some cases, a colostomy (link to colostomy procedure) may be performed.

What happens after the surgery?
Once the surgery is completed, you will be taken to a post-operative or recovery unit, where a nurse will monitor your progress. It is important that your bandages be kept clean and dry. Mild discomfort may occur at the incision site, so your surgeon may prescribe pain medication. You will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment within two weeks after your surgery.

How long will I be in the hospital?
Most patients are in the hospital from five to seven days with an open colon resection and three to five days with a laparoscopic colon resection. You may need a ride home when discharged from the hospital.
What are the risks associated with a colon resection?
As with any surgery, there are risks such as bleeding, infection, or an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Other risks include injury to the ureter, bowel, or spleen, and anastomotic dehiscence, which is the separation or leaking of the sutured colon. Your physician will inform you of the risks prior to surgery.

What should I watch out for?
Be sure to call your doctor if any of the following symptoms appear:
• Fever
• Worsening pain
• Redness or swelling around the incision
• The incision is warm to the touch
• Drainage from the incision

Will there be scar(s)?
If the procedure is performed laparoscopically the incisions should heal well, leaving small discrete scars. If the open method is used, a larger scar will be present.
When can I expect to return to work and/or resume normal activities?
This can vary from patient to patient. There are no restrictions after laparoscopic colon resection. You will be encouraged to return to normal activities such as showering, driving, walking up stairs, light lifting, and work as soon as you feel comfortable. Some patients can return to work in a few weeks while others prefer to wait longer. You should not perform heavy lifting or straining for six to eight weeks after open surgery. If you are taking narcotic medications for pain, you should not drive.
While you are in the hospital for recovery, stay ahead of the pain curve and if you have discomfort, don't be afraid to ask the nurse for the pain killers. Even when you start feeling better, and you will, stay on the pain meds. They make the stay more bearable.
Also, get up for a walk as soon as you can. They won't let you out until your system kicks back in and the signal for this is passing gas. Walk as much as you can while in the hospital.
Holding a smaller pillow over the incision area. The pillow is comforting. Don't be afraid to ask for an escort while you walk, you wouldn't want to trip or fall.
You will also be very, very thirsty in the beginning and they'll just give you crushed ice, but if you can tolerate it, you can have more.
It takes approx. 3 months to be back to yourself. So, don't push going back to work or your normal routine too quickly, it will be tempting. Try to stay busy with books, light housework, TV, Internet while you are home. Get outside and walk as much as possible.

Also, if they use staples on your incisions, when they take them out, it's no big deal, most of them I didn't even feel. A couple were only a tickle while being removed. None was painful.

HollyID said:

Hi MJ...
Just want to tell you good luck as well. I was diagnosed on the same day as you!

I had my open abdominal surgery just three short weeks ago. My very talented surgeon took out the lower part of my sigmoid colon and part of my rectum for clear margins. He then reconnected the healthy parts of my colon back together. I'm also one of these people who've never been in the hospital except for the birth of my kids, and two very "simple" surgeries for my appendix and my gallbladder.

I'm a nurse and for years took care of these kinds of patients. It's been years since I have taken care of them, but it's amazing how it all comes back to you. ) You're however, facing the unknown. I totally can empathize with your panic. Sometimes the best way to alleviate would be through knowledge. Ask tons of questions of what you can expect and what they expect of you.

The best advice I can offer to you, after surgery and for quicker recovery, is to get up and walk. I was up and out of bed the morning after surgery. I'm not a back sleeper, so it was more a matter of my comfort, plus, as much as it hurt, I knew my lungs, veins, and kidneys would love me for it. ) I also started using my incentive spirometer, which is a device that helps you breathe deeper to keep pneumonia at bay. By that evening, I was up and out of bed again and walking as far as I could go. I think I might have only gone 20 feet, one way. Remember though, you have to walk that far back to bed as well, so don't go too far. By the second day post-op, I was walking the halls around the nurses station. I had to use a pillow to brace my abdomen, but it helps with the pain. My daughter or husband usually pushed my IV pole. Everyday, I made up my mind that I would get up two more time than I did the day before -- even if it was to sit in a chair. Also, a flat harder type of pillow is great to brace your abdomen for when you need to cough. I had my husband push down on it to help with the pain. It did help.

Don't be afraid to ask for pain medication. It's there for a reason. I had a walking epidural that automatically gave me medication and I could push a button if I needed more. By the fourth day, I was passing gas, eating a regular diet and passing stool. The epidural was out as was my urinary catheter. My pain level was nil by that time and it was very easy to walk. I was in my own clothes from home, but wasn't cleared to go home until the next day. I believe I took two pain pills before I went home for a pain level of 3/10. They will ask you to rate your pain all the time. On a level of 0-10. Zero being no pain whatsoever and 10 being the worst pain you can imagine. Since I had all my kids naturally, I used that as my "10". This surgery didn't even come close to that number.

I can't say I was scared of surgery, mostly because I knew what to expect, and what was expected of me. I did everything that I would have told my patients and It really does help to know what you're in for.

Again, maryjane, good luck. My prayers, thoughts and good vibes will be with you!

dorookie said:

Well Honestly,
I didnt handle the panic attacks well, I had to use some meds, which my Doc gave to me. Its hard, you go through so many thoughts and feelings, its hard to understand them much less control them. However, please know this, you will get through this even if you dont feel like you will right now. I pray you wont need any chemo/radiation, but remember if you do, you will make it through that too. Nothing wrong with being scared, we have all been there, its perfectly natural in my book, you are going through alot right now.

I will be praying for you, and please try to take a deep breath and relax best you can. Like you said the DOC is in the driving seat and GOD is his navigator so you dont need to worry yourself, let them do the worrying for you...again I know easier said then done but give it a try..

God Bless
Beth