Ovarian cancer but colon questions

BonnieR
BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I have a good friend who said to post my question here and not the ovarian board. I have had ovarian for seven years and the last year it has caused bowel incontinence. All the treatments I've been on has given me neuropathy of the colon, diagnosed about 3-4 years ago. But the past year has been hardest, I have had a tumor by sigmoid for quite awhile, thickening of my colon wall, and on a tumor on my rectum..the last ct scan says it has infiltrated my rectum wall.

Anyway because of the incontinence ~ no warning that I am going to have a bowel movement ~ my doc referred me to a colorectal surgeon Friday.

I have lots to digest after seeing the surgeon and another test on Monday. She was really nice and very caring, her recommendation is surgery, BUT only if I am wanting it. She kept saying you are very hard to read, I can't tell if you do or don't want the surgery. I told her its because I don't know. She feels I am healthy enough but doesn't know what she well find until they open me up. Said one of three things could happen, It could be I have colostomy and all went okay, or they could get in and discover I need an ileostomy, or it could end up that she could not do anything because the cancer has sheeted everything too much. The test on Monday well help get an idea how ridgid and narrow my colon has become I guess.

I am suppose to follow up with her in 2-3 after the test and let her know. I am so torn and a bit frightened I guess. I have lots of questions and Dr Kwaan not being an oncologist really couldn't answer some of them for me.

My last CT scan did say the cancer has infiltrated my rectum wall so is it a matter a time and it may well be an emergency surgery anyway? See them kind of questions.

I would have to be off chemo for a couple months also; then I worry about a bit about wound healing ~ although that has not been a problem in the past, it has been almost 5 years since I have had any major surgey.

I don't have accidents everyday but enough that it keeps me from doing some things we planned on a particular day.

Sorry the post got so long. I guess I am looking for input from others who have had the surgery and are living with a bag. Thanks Much and God Bless Bonnie

Comments

  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #2
    with a bag
    Mine was temporary- due to emergency nature of cc surgery, there was no choice. So I had one for 6 months and my colon reattached a year ago. There are many of us on this board who have a colostomy or illistomy, some permanent, some temporary. So you have come to the right place.

    I worked extensively with Mayo stoma nurses before leaving the hospital after my resection surgery. You will also have this opportunity- probably even before. Stoma nurses are cream of the crop human beings who not only know their stuff, but really work well with the emotional aspect this kind of change of colon brings on. So I say, use them!

    For me, it really only felt like minor adjustments- I didn't crash with this, truly it didn't seem like that big of a deal. It was really clear to me right up front that this was a private thing- some people poop out the back and some of us out the front. Nobody knew, unless I told them and I was so aware that there were probably many people I would walk by on a daily basis that had one and I would have no clue if they did or not.

    Many more will pitch in here with comments I am sure! Best of luck in our decision and in the journey that lays ahead.
  • karguy
    karguy Member Posts: 1,020 Member
    #3
    Colon
    I had surgery 1 and a half years ago,and I have a permanant colostomy bag,and it is no big deal,in some ways it's more convenient.I don't have to run to the bathroom all the time.You get used to it,and no one even knows unless you tell them.The wound healed with no problem,except I lost weight,but gained it back in a few months.My tumor was attached to my tailbone,was almost blocking my entire colon,and had spread just as much out side the colon.So all that was removed,with my apendix,and 11 lymp nodes.People say that I look better now then before the surgery.I can still do everything I did before.I hope this helps.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #4
    karguy said:

    Colon
    I had surgery 1 and a half years ago,and I have a permanant colostomy bag,and it is no big deal,in some ways it's more convenient.I don't have to run to the bathroom all the time.You get used to it,and no one even knows unless you tell them.The wound healed with no problem,except I lost weight,but gained it back in a few months.My tumor was attached to my tailbone,was almost blocking my entire colon,and had spread just as much out side the colon.So all that was removed,with my apendix,and 11 lymp nodes.People say that I look better now then before the surgery.I can still do everything I did before.I hope this helps.

    thanks for the posts
    Thank you both for the reply, today is trip to radiology to give the doc a little idea if I am even a candidate for the surgery. God Bless
  • Crow71
    Crow71 Member Posts: 679 Member
    #5
    Hey Bonnie, Wow. You've been
    Hey Bonnie, Wow. You've been through a lot - and you will get through this as well. I was dx with stage IV rectal in July '09. Large tumor in my rectum, 15 liver mets and unknown amount of cancer in my peritoneal lining. My dr's and I decided not to immediately resect the primary tumor, and opted for systemic chemo with no radiation. There was a good chance that the primary tumor would block my rectum completely during the chemo; so I had a colostomy in order to avoid an emergency situation. My hope is that the colostomy is temporary, but I really don't know at this point. Having a colostomy is no fun, but I'm not sorry for a moment that I did it. I've had a good response to chemo and hope to be a candidate for surgery soon. Having a sense of humor about it has helped. I've had a few blow outs, but nothing too major. If you are crapping your pants from time to time anyway, the colostomy will give you a lot more control. I've been able to coach my kids' soccer teams, go to meetings and such. After a while you gain confidence. As others have stated, the colostomy nurses are great people and a great resource.

    I hope your appointment today goes well. You most definitely need to get those questions answered. Keep in touch.
    Roger

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