Help for Mom

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Cis4Cure
Cis4Cure Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello to all. I'm in the midst of trying to find some suggestions from any and all who are able to help. My mom has not been able to produce a regular bowel movement for close to a week now. She has an ostemy bag from her first surgery, where they removed the initial cancer from her colon. Her most recent surgery removed her liver and her gallbladder. That was in February of this year. She's been to see her doctor. He didn't think there was cause for worry. That was a couple of days ago though. She and I are both worried because this was what initially happened that led us to discover she had colon cancer two years ago. She's asking for a CT scan to be done, to ensure that it's not a block or something else. I'm curious if any of you have had a similar circumstance and have found anything to be helpful in aiding with producing a bowel movement. She's juicing, doing accupuncture, drinking lots of liquids, walking, stretching. Any suggestions and all prayers are welcomed. I'm really hoping it's nothing more than a bit of constipation, but it';s really difficult not to worry. She's been through so much already. I can't stand the thought of another surgery, or anything equally as grueling. Hoping for the best. My thanks to all of you in advance.

A worried son

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  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #2
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    Your mom is right to insist on a CT scan and the sooner the better. If she is not the kind of person who regularly has constipation, then I can't understand her doctor's cavalier "wait and see" attitude. Keep on the doc and tell him it has been two more days and describe any symptoms she might be having as well. It may be nothing at all, but the doctor needs to pay attention. And sometimes they don't unless we keep at them...
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #3
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    This is worrysome. Her intestines must be packed up with stool (excuse me) by now. I would think that something must be done right away to clean her. Call the doctor or even to emergency. Don't just wait.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mother.

    Eleonora
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #4
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    AuthorUnknown said:

    This is worrysome. Her intestines must be packed up with stool (excuse me) by now. I would think that something must be done right away to clean her. Call the doctor or even to emergency. Don't just wait.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mother.

    Eleonora

    I concur with eleonora. If your mom is having pain of any type, I'd proceed to the emergency room. That is always an option.
  • pepperdog
    pepperdog Member Posts: 96
    #5
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    I find it odd that with an ileostomy there has been no activity for 2 days, and I would certainly be suspect. My husband's is very active on a daily basis. It would seem if she has an ileus (blockage) or constipation, there would be some discomfort or pain. Shout out loud to your doctor(s) until you get some answers.
    Pepperdog
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
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    Bowel obstructions are VERY painful...(being the proud owner of 5 of them....). That said, I agree with everyone...push the doc to do some scanning....

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Cis4Cure
    Cis4Cure Member Posts: 6
    #7
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    Mom got an x-ray today. They didn't see any blockage. Doctor said to keep eating, take a laxative, wait and see. Mom's feeling ok. She doesn't have any pain, but she's still worried. At this point we're just praying for poo. Thanks for all your support.
  • pink05
    pink05 Member Posts: 550
    #8
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    Well, hopefully it isn't anything worrisome, but I do agree with everyone else. Push those doctors for the tests. I think that too often, doctors are less concerned than the patient when maybe it should be the other way around. Don't let the doctors brush anything off as being nothing. That's how many ended up with this disease in the first place.

    God bless you and your mom,

    -Lee-
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #9
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    Cis4Cure said:

    Mom got an x-ray today. They didn't see any blockage. Doctor said to keep eating, take a laxative, wait and see. Mom's feeling ok. She doesn't have any pain, but she's still worried. At this point we're just praying for poo. Thanks for all your support.

    That's good. Hopefully it will all clear out. Usually if there is blockage of any bowel there will be pain and vomiting.
    ****

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