How are our recent surgery friends doing?

Lovekitties
Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hoping our friends who recently had surgery will post to let us know how they are doing:

sfan428 had surgery 9/8 Responded here

theresa8's hubby surgery 9/13

Kenny H. had surgery 9/15 Responded here

Best wishes and better health for everyone.

Marie who loves kitties

Comments

  • Kenny H.
    Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member
    #2
    I was released yesterday
    I was released yesterday evening (9/20)Rectum removed and colostomy installed.
    dr said pathology showed tumor shrank but cancer spread to 6 L/nodes which were removed also. Not sure if got it all though, will follow up with more cemo and Rad in a couple of weeks.
    The surgery went well & no complications & had me walking the next morning (slowly)Used Demeral (IV) for pain and now just on Darvocet. So far doing well with it, just soreness when I try to get up or down.
    Getting used to the bag & not on a solid food diet yet. Been cleaning it twice daily (strong oder)still expiermenting on which type I'll want to use.
    At least no more running to a toilet!!!

    Getting some stiches removed friday in front abdomen and lower rear anus ones removed later. Will keep you all updated, dont feel like moving around much now.
  • 462lt
    462lt Member Posts: 117
    #3
    Kenny H. said:

    I was released yesterday
    I was released yesterday evening (9/20)Rectum removed and colostomy installed.
    dr said pathology showed tumor shrank but cancer spread to 6 L/nodes which were removed also. Not sure if got it all though, will follow up with more cemo and Rad in a couple of weeks.
    The surgery went well & no complications & had me walking the next morning (slowly)Used Demeral (IV) for pain and now just on Darvocet. So far doing well with it, just soreness when I try to get up or down.
    Getting used to the bag & not on a solid food diet yet. Been cleaning it twice daily (strong oder)still expiermenting on which type I'll want to use.
    At least no more running to a toilet!!!

    Getting some stiches removed friday in front abdomen and lower rear anus ones removed later. Will keep you all updated, dont feel like moving around much now.

    HOpe you heal quickly
    Kenny,
    Thanks for the update hope you heal quickly. Laura
  • sfan428
    sfan428 Member Posts: 32 Member
    #4
    Hi Marie, Surgery went well.
    Hi Marie, Surgery went well. Surgeon said he was very happy, they were able to get everything out and the pathology reports were very encouraging. one of the two spots removed from the liver and 15 of the 16 lymph nodes that he removed came back negative. He was not, however, able to save the sphincter muscle, so the bag and I will be spending quite a bit of time together. I am just trying to get up adn move around as much as possible but this is hindered by the fact that I had to be released with the catheter. They had removed it on the third day but I just could not get myself to urinate. Anyway they had to reinsert (which i might add is probably the most traumatic experience of all of this) and I have an appointment with the uroligist on 9/26 to have it removed again. I pray that I can go on my own because I do not think that i could take that again. I think once I get past all of that I will be in much better spirits and will begin feeling normal. Thanks for the thoughts and wishes and I will update again soon.

    Shane
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #5
    Kenny H. said:

    I was released yesterday
    I was released yesterday evening (9/20)Rectum removed and colostomy installed.
    dr said pathology showed tumor shrank but cancer spread to 6 L/nodes which were removed also. Not sure if got it all though, will follow up with more cemo and Rad in a couple of weeks.
    The surgery went well & no complications & had me walking the next morning (slowly)Used Demeral (IV) for pain and now just on Darvocet. So far doing well with it, just soreness when I try to get up or down.
    Getting used to the bag & not on a solid food diet yet. Been cleaning it twice daily (strong oder)still expiermenting on which type I'll want to use.
    At least no more running to a toilet!!!

    Getting some stiches removed friday in front abdomen and lower rear anus ones removed later. Will keep you all updated, dont feel like moving around much now.

    Glad you are home
    Surgery is never easy, particularly one which changes our appearance or life style.

    I hope you have good experience with the bag. It will take some time and experimenting with all the products out there, but it is not too bad after that.

    As for odor control, I use "Adapt Lubricating Deoderant" from Hollister to help with that. It is a liquid which comes in premeasured pack that you put into the bag when first applying or when have emptied it. I find that it helps some. I have also heard that some folks put a tick-tac in the bag to help with the odor.

    Take care and keep moving as much as you can.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #6
    sfan428 said:

    Hi Marie, Surgery went well.
    Hi Marie, Surgery went well. Surgeon said he was very happy, they were able to get everything out and the pathology reports were very encouraging. one of the two spots removed from the liver and 15 of the 16 lymph nodes that he removed came back negative. He was not, however, able to save the sphincter muscle, so the bag and I will be spending quite a bit of time together. I am just trying to get up adn move around as much as possible but this is hindered by the fact that I had to be released with the catheter. They had removed it on the third day but I just could not get myself to urinate. Anyway they had to reinsert (which i might add is probably the most traumatic experience of all of this) and I have an appointment with the uroligist on 9/26 to have it removed again. I pray that I can go on my own because I do not think that i could take that again. I think once I get past all of that I will be in much better spirits and will begin feeling normal. Thanks for the thoughts and wishes and I will update again soon.

    Shane

    Glad to hear from you
    Glad the surgery went well. Having 'the bag' will become second nature to you in no time, especially after having had the catheter for a while.

    Good luck with the catheter removal and here's hoping that will be a thing of the past when you go to doc on 26th.

    Yes, moving around is a big part of feeling better quicker, and standing as tall as you can, rather than bent over as we are want to do, is better too.

    I know that once I got the staples all out it was much easier.

    Take care and stay in touch. If you have any questions about the bag, post them here and you will get plenty of responses.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #7
    sfan428 said:

    Hi Marie, Surgery went well.
    Hi Marie, Surgery went well. Surgeon said he was very happy, they were able to get everything out and the pathology reports were very encouraging. one of the two spots removed from the liver and 15 of the 16 lymph nodes that he removed came back negative. He was not, however, able to save the sphincter muscle, so the bag and I will be spending quite a bit of time together. I am just trying to get up adn move around as much as possible but this is hindered by the fact that I had to be released with the catheter. They had removed it on the third day but I just could not get myself to urinate. Anyway they had to reinsert (which i might add is probably the most traumatic experience of all of this) and I have an appointment with the uroligist on 9/26 to have it removed again. I pray that I can go on my own because I do not think that i could take that again. I think once I get past all of that I will be in much better spirits and will begin feeling normal. Thanks for the thoughts and wishes and I will update again soon.

    Shane

    decaffienated coffee...and lots of it....
    it will not give you the jitters and it will make you pee like a racehorse.....then take yourself into a room with your urinal stand it up where you do not have to hold it in your hand (the urinal) and simply relax...It will happen...and when it does it will be easier and easier each time there after.......Good Luck to you ....Buzz
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #8
    Kenny H. said:

    I was released yesterday
    I was released yesterday evening (9/20)Rectum removed and colostomy installed.
    dr said pathology showed tumor shrank but cancer spread to 6 L/nodes which were removed also. Not sure if got it all though, will follow up with more cemo and Rad in a couple of weeks.
    The surgery went well & no complications & had me walking the next morning (slowly)Used Demeral (IV) for pain and now just on Darvocet. So far doing well with it, just soreness when I try to get up or down.
    Getting used to the bag & not on a solid food diet yet. Been cleaning it twice daily (strong oder)still expiermenting on which type I'll want to use.
    At least no more running to a toilet!!!

    Getting some stiches removed friday in front abdomen and lower rear anus ones removed later. Will keep you all updated, dont feel like moving around much now.

    Kenny
    I am glad surgery went well, + wish you continued healing.
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #9
    sfan428 said:

    Hi Marie, Surgery went well.
    Hi Marie, Surgery went well. Surgeon said he was very happy, they were able to get everything out and the pathology reports were very encouraging. one of the two spots removed from the liver and 15 of the 16 lymph nodes that he removed came back negative. He was not, however, able to save the sphincter muscle, so the bag and I will be spending quite a bit of time together. I am just trying to get up adn move around as much as possible but this is hindered by the fact that I had to be released with the catheter. They had removed it on the third day but I just could not get myself to urinate. Anyway they had to reinsert (which i might add is probably the most traumatic experience of all of this) and I have an appointment with the uroligist on 9/26 to have it removed again. I pray that I can go on my own because I do not think that i could take that again. I think once I get past all of that I will be in much better spirits and will begin feeling normal. Thanks for the thoughts and wishes and I will update again soon.

    Shane

    Shane
    I am so happy for you that surgery went well,+ sorry you have had this issue with the catheter. I hope it is a distant memory soon.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #10
    AnneCan said:

    Shane
    I am so happy for you that surgery went well,+ sorry you have had this issue with the catheter. I hope it is a distant memory soon.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • theresa8
    theresa8 Member Posts: 61
    #11
    Life is good !
    Well so far so good. My husband was released fom the hospital friday morning. He was up and around and his system was working O.K..
    He doesn't have to go during the night which he really enjoys after having to empty his bag at least twice during the night.
    He does have sudden urges to go especially after meals but he hasn't had any accidents so far, he is planning ahead when he will be going back
    to work. His surgeon saw him this morning and told him that it would improve with time. We'll be seing him again next week just to make sure that the site is completely healed and then 3 months from then for blood works. I can't beleive it, I guess we'll have to plan a little vacation soon.
    Does anyone have any suggestions on how to bring things back to normal, he doesn't have diarhea, just urges to go to the bathroom.
    Someone once suggested a web site which helped in gaining back bowel control after rectal cancer.
    Thanks for everything
    theresa
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #12
    theresa8 said:

    Life is good !
    Well so far so good. My husband was released fom the hospital friday morning. He was up and around and his system was working O.K..
    He doesn't have to go during the night which he really enjoys after having to empty his bag at least twice during the night.
    He does have sudden urges to go especially after meals but he hasn't had any accidents so far, he is planning ahead when he will be going back
    to work. His surgeon saw him this morning and told him that it would improve with time. We'll be seing him again next week just to make sure that the site is completely healed and then 3 months from then for blood works. I can't beleive it, I guess we'll have to plan a little vacation soon.
    Does anyone have any suggestions on how to bring things back to normal, he doesn't have diarhea, just urges to go to the bathroom.
    Someone once suggested a web site which helped in gaining back bowel control after rectal cancer.
    Thanks for everything
    theresa

    So happy for you both
    Thank your for posting here to let us know how things are going.

    Sounds like hubby is doing very well indeed. Tell him to keep up the good work!

    I have no suggestions since I have a perm colostomy, but I am sure others will chime in to help.

    Take care and more happy days to you both.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    #13
    theresa8 said:

    Life is good !
    Well so far so good. My husband was released fom the hospital friday morning. He was up and around and his system was working O.K..
    He doesn't have to go during the night which he really enjoys after having to empty his bag at least twice during the night.
    He does have sudden urges to go especially after meals but he hasn't had any accidents so far, he is planning ahead when he will be going back
    to work. His surgeon saw him this morning and told him that it would improve with time. We'll be seing him again next week just to make sure that the site is completely healed and then 3 months from then for blood works. I can't beleive it, I guess we'll have to plan a little vacation soon.
    Does anyone have any suggestions on how to bring things back to normal, he doesn't have diarhea, just urges to go to the bathroom.
    Someone once suggested a web site which helped in gaining back bowel control after rectal cancer.
    Thanks for everything
    theresa

    Bringing things back to normal
    Here is the link to MD Anderson's Quality of life after colorectal surgery. Hope it might help: http://www.lowrectalcancer.com/PDF Files/Bm 3.pdf

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