Depression after surgery

Hi scared my husband had his surgery in January long road we had the same ups and down think the shock of it all hits them when they get home. When Simon was in hospital l he was all positive his cancer was stage 3 but once home is slowly got depressed. I got us walking everyday in nature really helped we still have days where he won't talk sits in silent our details on my name allow him to process everything Simon wouldn't have a councillor but it helped me. It's very early days please ring your macmillan nurse think I was on phone everyday.

Hi. It might be that it’s suddenly hit him but he’s over the worst part now and health wise he will gradually start to improve over the next few weeks - I was told about 5 weeks recovery from a LAR. Going out for short walks is a great idea both mentally and physically. My colorectal support nurse checked in with me after the first couple of weeks so maybe you could give her/him a ring and ask them to do the same and see if your hubby will talk to them?

Is he coping ok with the stoma? There’s lots of advice on the Ileostomy and colostomy support board on here 

community.macmillan.org.uk/.../ileostomy-and-colostomy-discussions-forum

The support desk on here is available for both of you every day and the number is at the bottom of this post. 

Take care

Karen x

Hi Scared55

Its time to process. Partly I was jumping for joy inside as the horrid cancer was in the bin. But then I had sore skin around my stoma and felt I couldn’t go out 

Foods also concerning as we have to be aware of blocking so your hubby has a lot to process. 

I felt low after four months and my doctor prescribed Citalopram which is serotonin. This my body needed and I for those 2mg pills really helped. 
Drinking is another important factor to think of as dehydration is more common with an Ileostomy. So isotonic drinks and lots of weak squash really help too 

I hope your husband has support from his medics. I found my stoma tricky to start with and like Karen said the group here are amazing 

best wishes 

I can understand exactly how he feels, although I did not give up. For me, I had been on such a roller coaster, from diagnosis early July 22 to surgery late July 22 and all the required scans/tests/MD/ meeting with the surgeon betwen early to late July. Then after surgery and discharge, nothing much. Occasional call from CNS nurse and my GP but almost felt abandoned. I did require chemo but in the period between discharge from surgery and the start of chemo felt very down only saved by giving myself a good talking too that I did not require such hand holding anymore. I am sure that quite a lot of post surgery pateints feel like this and hopefully he will come through this. I realised, early on during my cancer journey how my mood affected those close to me and it was just not me going through this terrifying ordeal. I then made an effort to return the support that my nearest and dearest had unconditionally gave me and we got though this together. I hope your husband realsies how lucky he is not to be alone on this journey. Sending virtual love and support to you xx