Surgery next week

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I have T2/3 low rectal cancer and I am having a LAR/TME procedure next week. Tumour was found back in early June and it has been a blur of scans and appointments since. Now as the day for surgery is getting nearer I am getting more and more frightened and anxious. By far my biggest fear is having an ileostomy and how life changing it will be. I am trying to be positive but it's proving very difficult, feel like I'm spinning and I can't find anything to hold onto.

I wondered if anyone can give me any ideas on how to manage the anxiety and to centre myself ready for surgery.

Kareno62 3 months ago

Hi Jelly29 Yes it’s scary but you will be in the hands of experienced surgeons who know what they’re doing and the nursing staff will take good care of you. I’ve attached a link to a booklet about the operation and also a link to a post that a member posted about managing stress levels

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/YourOperation_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Controlling anxiety and panic

You will quickly get used to dealing with the Ileostomy and the stoma nurses will make sure you’re confident with changing the pouch before your discharge. There’s also lots of support on the stoma board

Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support

Sorry about all the links but if you’ve any particular concerns then please ask away

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

Jelly29 3 months ago in reply to Kareno62

Thank you so much.

MyNorfolkLife 3 months ago

I'm having the op tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on if you like

Jelly29 3 months ago in reply to MyNorfolkLife

That’s so kind, what a difficult time this is. Wishing you all the very, very best.

KathyW 3 months ago in reply to MyNorfolkLife

Wishing you the very best of everything tomorrow. Kath x

Dulac 3 months ago

The surgery was an interesting experience. The anaesthetist will look after you and the next thing you know is when you wake up and the tumour has been binned. The colorectal teams know their business.

I have both an ileostomy and a colonoscopy as a consequence of a 13cm tumour. My stoma nurse was first-class and I got used to managing them within a few days; just develop a routine that suits you best. Look forward to having the main threat to your health removed and don't strain yourself for a couple of months until you feel that your insides have fully recovered from the surgery. Then life can just continue nearly the same as it was before but with extra considerations and occasional monitoring for your well-being.

Best

Dulac

MyNorfolkLife 2 months ago in reply to Jelly29

I had my ileostomy, and spent 2days in icu which is standard procedure and am now in a surgical ward on soft fluids(jelly mousse yogurt for breakfast lunch and dinner).

Care is good , have had a bit of trouble with my pain relief cannula but getting there on road to recovery. Won't say it walk it the park and everyone's experience will be different but not anywhere as near as bad as I expected.

MyNorfolkLife 2 months ago in reply to KathyW

Thanks Kath, I'm out the other side and very grateful