Surgery time

Hi ECG I’m not surprised that your feelings are mixed to say the least. A lot of these are probably caused by the unknown element of your current situation. I was fortunate enough to know that I was having a LAR back in 2019. I didn’t know if I’d be having keyhole assisted, or open surgery, which was pretty daunting. In the end I was able to have keyhole assisted surgery which meant less time in hospital. I was encouraged to claim PIP, but as I was married to a high earner, thought that wasn’t appropriate. I must admit that I don’t know what ESA is?  I am quite a strong person on the whole, but find any kindness really difficult to handle. I find it brings me to tears. It’s bizarre, but part of getting used to cancer I suppose. Wishing you luck going forward. I hope you have a good network of support around you. The consultant told me I’d likely be unable to do much for myself during the early part of recovery from surgery. I’m sure for some this is the case, but I’m fit and healthy, so bounced back well. Keep posting and you’ll get a wider variety of experiences which will hopefully be of some help.

Morning Liz

Its daunting not know what op you are having, I’d definitely be in panic mode as I’m a little bit of a control freak so I’d probably have a melt down.  It sounds as if you’re in auto pilot which is a functional way to handle what’s happening 

Please don’t feel weak, you need to just focus on your health and not be worried about funding 

I had a LAR with temporary Ileostomy, when they went to check if I was a candidate for a reversal there was uncertainty so my surgeon said that he’d book me in for an EUA and if I was a candidate then he’d reverse me. 

Well I was a pain I refused saying I wanted to know what was happening before I woke up. Like a child throwing their toys out the pram. 

Not at all like I normally am I’m ashamed to say. 

When I went in for my op I signed the forms for any procedure. I was so grateful to be there and get it sorted 

Just get that cancer in the bin 

I think your surgeon is telling you now what mine told me on the morning  of my operation 

Keep us updated 

Good luck 

Hi Liz. Like Jools63 whilst I knew what the operation was I didn’t know if it would be key-hole or open. In my case they tried key-hole but had to open me up in the end. Fortunately, the anaesthetic team had planned for such an eventuality and wired me up for post-op epidural pain relief before putting me under.

Also like Jools63 looked at PIP but don’t qualify. However, I have claimed ESA after being signposted to it by a HR colleague. It is certainly not weakness and is there to support you at times like these. 

I think many of us regard ourselves as resilient but this sort of thing takes some getting use to and that’s where support networks like this come in. At a conscious level I thought I was dealing with things pretty well but as a read of My Profile will tell you the unconscious is a strange thing and can physically impact daily life. 

Whether or not chemotherapy will follow surgery will, to a degree, depend on the histology results from the tissue removed in surgery, although lots of factors are taken into consideration.

All the best for your surgery.

Maninbath

Update, Hello ,I am currently typing this from my hospital bed, listening to Pink Floyd, comfortably numb so surgery completed 18th of August, was around 8 hours in total. Spinal block and general anaesthetic. Once I awoke the reality dawned, Abdominal Perineal Resection….. never mind I survived and I have been quite unwell until today. Two blood transfusions, an iron infusion, IV antibiotics, infection in the perineal wound. CT scan, X-ray, all good now.

Perineal vacuum drain caused extreme discomfort for 10 days and I begged for the removal, it had been stitched so tight and was pressing on a nerve all the time.

Pelvic drain removed and finally removal of the catheter today. I am almost independent. I can now waddle down the ward corridor not feeling like a badly decorated Christmas tree.

Still no results from the Tumour and lymph nodes. Should be done this next week. I am hoping to get home by Wednesday.

Not going to lie it’s been emotional.

Keep fighting guys, we are here for each other.

Hi ECG

Lovely to hear from you.

I didn’t know anything until my follow up  

I’m not sure that’s same for all  just concentrate on getting you well  I fought but after learned to listen to my body  Power naps are important, pain meds essential then some fun between 

Keep waddling til you waddle right out of there 

Sending you a hug   

Hi ECG

I do recall my relief of getting my abdominal drain out after 8 days post op. It was partially physical relief but also a mental milestone that I was 1 more important step forward.

Recovery from surgery for some can feel a little slower than we'd like but be kind to yourself and listen to your body. Now is a great time to enjoy the gentler aspirations while still keeping mind active whether that's some documentaries you were curious about, shows on your wish i had time to watch list, an online course or just a great time to write, draw or do puzzles.

And you are right, this forum means you have lots of support as and when you want it.

Hi guys, so I was discharged from hospital last Thursday. With the best news. MDT day, my consultant came to see me on the ward. His exact words “it couldn’t have gone better” ,

The tumour removed and no evidence of spread from the diseased area. The 28 lymph nodes removed and sent to pathology, all returned on the histology report as no cancer cells detected.q

No further treatment required, go home and have a glass of bubbly.

I think it’s taken until now for it to sink in.

I am still in pain and discomfort from the Abdominal Perineal Resection. Still trying to be friends with my stoma….

But I am on the road to recovery.

I have found the forum and chats within this group a positive experience and I feel it has enabled me to have a positive mindset. This in turn has helped me kick cancers “ass” out, literally

Thanks to you all

Liz

Hi ECG It’s so lovely to hear from you. I’m glad you finally got home and are able to continue your recovery in the comfort of your own home. I hope that you have a good support network around you. ke offers of help when they come as it’ll help with your recovery. Rest when you need to, but most importantly enjoy your life. If you haven’t already done so, then start making plans to do the thin you enjoy that you haven’t been able to do. I only had a temporary stoma, but “Shona”, was my best friend. She gave me back the freedom to leave the house to do simple things like walk my dogs. Takvery good care of yourself, and post an update as and when you feel like it.

Thanks for the update.

Such good news congratulations make sure you have two glasses of bubbly 

Plenty of rest will aid your recovery. 
I found the Stoma group amazing , they had so many tips and advice. 
Take care 

Hi ECG.

What a great post you shared and congratulations.

Surgery recovery can have a few hurdles but try to be patient and listen to what your body is telling you. The pain will ease and the world's yours for the taking.