Recent bowel resection

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Hi, I was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in January. Things moved very quickly and after finding I had a 7 cm tumour in my lower bowel that had spread to lymph nodes had a colostomy at Easter time followed by 25 days of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to get me ready for surgery in November.

I was told that my tumour had shrunk and surgery could go ahead early in November. This has now been completed and after 10 hours in theatre I was given a loop Ileostomy to replace the colostomy and I am now waiting for news of what happens next (29th Dec).

After my radio and chemo I managed to get myself into great shape physically by waking 8 miles daily and having a healthy lifestyle which I thought would assist my recovery after surgery. My mood now is quite low and I am back to square one on the way back to a new fitness routine I hope. So I was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and could share some knowledge with me. I am worried that the loop Ileostomy is going to hinder my progress with my walking routine.

kind regards from a new member,

  Gary

  • Hi  and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

    It sounds like you've been through a great deal but I'm sure you'll find others who are happy to share their experiences with you.

    So that you connect directly with others who have bowel cancer I'm going to recommend that you join the bowel cancer group, which is a great place to ask questions and share experiences with others who have this cancer. You might also want to join the ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support group.

    If you'd like to join these groups, just click on the links I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.

    It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment to date into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

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  • Hello Gary

    Latchbrook has kindly pointed you in the direction of groups where you may meet others with similar experiences but that said you are more than welcome to post on here too!

    I don't think the effect of being told one has cancer should ever be underestimated and sometimes the enormity of what you have been through finds its way back into your thoughts, with all the accompanying doubts and fears.  So you feeling low is completely understandable and there is help for those living with a cancer diagnosis through the MacMillan help-line, a Maggie's Centre (if you have one near you) or if you feel you need help coping with depression please see your GP.  I did when I was first diagnosed and he was an absolute Godsend, he had cancer as a young man and father of three and his door was always open to me.  He prescribed anti-depressants (which I am still on today)  which didn't make me dopey but went some way to quietening the constant chattering voices in my head.

    I had an elective colostomy following anal stenosis after radiotherapy and walk my dog every day; it hasn't hindered me in the least and taken away some of the uncertainly of loo visits.  My recovery was very quick but I didn't spend 10 hours in theatre so I would think your surgery was quite extensive and will take longer.  But I don't have pain or any other issues at all with the colostomy.

    And good luck with your appointment on 29th.

    Irene xx

  • Thanks for the reply Irene,

      I have had the colostomy like your good self and managed like you without hindrance, however the loop Ileostomy I now have is completely different and a lot more difficult to plan for. It needs managing up to 10 times a day. I am willing to try and adapt and overcome if possible, but this requires a new approach and game plan.

    So in the kind and wise words of Latchbrook above good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience.

    kind regards to you both Gary.

  • Hi  

    We have members in the stoma support group who will have good experience of managing an ileostomy, so I’d echo the advice  has given to join and post in that group. .


    I have a permanent end colostomy which is generally very easy to manage, so I don’t have quite the right experience of what you’re going through now. But friends in the stoma support group will be able to empathise and offer advice for you, so I’d recommend joining and making a post there. Members in the bowel group will also have had the same cancer and might be able to add knowledge and experience for you. We are all here to help each when we can.

    Sarah xx


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  • Evening Sarah,

      thanks for your kind reply. As I have only joined the support community yesterday and have not taken the tutorials yet. I apologise if I have made a post in the wrong forum. I will take your advice and look for responses in those other groups mentioned.

    kind regards Gary 

  • Don’t worry Gary-you definitely haven’t posted in the wrong place, and you can join as many groups as you want and post wherever you’d like to-you’ll meet lots of lovely people.

    This anal cancer group is particularly friendly and helpful, and everyone here will be happy to chat with you-I don’t have anal cancer but I actually really like interacting with the members here-they are very supportive and friendly and will be happy to have you here.

    Joining other groups in addition to this one just widens your audience so that you hopefully get even more responses in the community, and I hope you’ll really feel the benefit of being part of things. 

    Sarah xx


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  • Gary, my apologies.  Of course I now realise that the output from an ileostomy is completely different from that of a colostomy and coping 10 times a day must be a considerable challenge after a colostomy.

    Best of luck in getting some pointers and advice from the stoma forum.

    Irene x