Lower anterior resection

Hi Double G 

Yes, it's scary isn't it. I had LAR in 2021. Like you, I was scared stiff, especially after listening to all the things that could go wrong. I was especially frightened of the anaesthetic and of being in pain - but needn't have been.

On the morning of the op I reported to the ward at 7am and everybody was calm and reassuring. They're so used to dealing with nerves. The anaesthetist came to see me early on and explained everything again. He was so nice. I told him that I was very anxious and scared but he was so reassuring and I fully trusted him. As was the surgeon and registrar. When it was time for theatre the Sister came to walk me along. She chatted away and, when we got there, she kept me talking all the while they were attaching the wires etc. Before I knew it I'd had an injection and an epidural (not painful). I remember nothing after that till I woke up later that evening in ICU.

The next few days went quickly. I was up and in a chair by 8am on the day following the op, then walked along the corridor (trailing tubes and drips) by the physios the same morning. This was repeated the next day, but with some stairs added. Out of ICU the next again day and onto a ward. Tubes were gradually being removed one at a time and I could walk about freely. Very little pain which just needed paracetamol for the first few days. Stoma was working fine so I was discharged on day 5. I needed to do the injections myself at home for 30 days after - but it's not that bad. 

Once home it's really just a case of listening to your body. Do a wee bit when you feel up to it and get lots of rest too. Walking is a good gentle exercise. Start off carefully and increase the distance a little every day. I think I was doing my normal distance of 4-5 miles at around the 6 week mark.

So, for me, the thought of the op was awful but, in reality it wasn't anywhere near as bad. And, it was such a relief to be rid of the tumour.

So, trust the medics, try not to worry (hard, I know) and be kind to yourself. Look forward to coming out the other side. 

You're doing all the right things just now and it will soon be over. Best of luck.

Hi Double G

I had an anterior resection in 2017, preparing for and worry concerning a possible stoma were my main dreads, luckily all went well, stoma not needed, anaesthesia went well, woke up four hours later with the tumour removed, not a cakewalk but I've been through worse... went home 5 days later (had to poo before I was discharged) back to work 9 weeks after..

Take care and best of luck 

Peter 

Thanks Peter that's encouraging, as it draws near I need to face up to it, it's only really the GA that bothers me. Found out recently I may not need a stoma depending on how it goes.

I think they tell you that so it's not a shock when you wake up,  The catheter sounds painful having something stuck down your Japs eye, maybe it's not as bad and I won't know anything about it anyway, only when they take it out.

Thanks everything you said I can imagine myself saying after as people say I'm probably building it up more than I need to.

It's good to hear people's experiences, especially with the same nerves and anxiety, mine is heightened and I feel will be the closer it gets.

On the other hand I could be completely wrong, I need to take the fear out of it.

Friends and family have been so supportive as have the team at the hospital sharing is caring as they say.

Going for a weekend stay at a hotel to get away and had a drink with an old school friend weekend just gone so all in all keeps your spirits up.

I feel the hypnotherapy helped me a bit I just need to get to the other side as you described, waking up and it's all done.

Hopefully no complications and back to normality very soon.

Hi Double G

For me it was the pooing after the resection...opioids/morphine bung you up...but with the laxative supplied even that was uneventful...best of luck with the op.

Peter

Hi  Double G 

Your feelings are perfectly valid. I remember saying to the anaesthetist that "this is your bread and butter, but it's my worst nightmare" and he agreed, but also reminded me that it was his job, and the rest of the teams, to take great care of me. Like I say, he was very reassuring.

Waking up after the op, pain free and feeling relatively OK, the sense of relief that the tumour had been totally removed, was now gone, far outweighed the stress and anxiety that went before. Time then to just concentrate on getting fitter (and getting home!).

Enjoy your weekend away. That's a great plan and nice to look back on. You'll soon be planning the next one.

Take care.

Cheers Peter, i did hear they can give you something to help, maybe i should go for a curry, or perhaps that’s asking for trouble lol.

Yes, totally agree what everything you said i’d be the same, i was supposed to meet the anaesthetist yesterday but for some reason it didn’t happen.

Had a good night Saturday with an old school friend we were reunited after over a decade following his mums death, had such a laugh and felt like we caught up in one evening.

I really needed that, apart from the real ales we drank it was good to chat stuff over. sharing stuff with all that’s going on i think has helped me along the way.

There’s so much for the prep and not so good with needles, like you i’ll have to inject for about 28 days, i’ll have to get used to it i guess.

It can only get better as they say.

Hello there.

Your feelings are natural, we all have them.

I worry and catastrophize everything, overthink and my imagination is wild.

Last November I had open surgery for a 5cm tumour.  Just like you, I was also worried about going under, what if I wake up during the op, what if I don't wake up.  I spoke with the anaesthetist about my troublesome thoughts,  he was fantastic, and reassured me "not under my watch".  The operation went smoothly, I didn't have my ovary removed nor did I have a stoma, they had to advise me this may happen, beforehand.  Don't be alarmed at tubes, they are nothing to worry about, not painful and are quickly removed.  I didn't feel the slightest pain at all, and was sitting up in a chair a day later, eating cheesecakes and trifles,  5 days on I was discharged.   

The first couple of weeks are hit and miss with toilet habits, but it will soon settle down.

Sometimes the actual worry beforehand is worse than the event.

Good luck for the 10th, it will all be over with very soon.

Warm wishes, Jules.

Thanks Jules, Everyone says the same, and again it’s the unknown we fear, all you said have been my fears, and a chat with the surgeon was a bit more reassuring.

For me the closer it gets i feel the worse i’ll be, but like you say, on the day it might not be as bad as you think.

Ive asked to be first on the list, so i’m hoping i’ll be so knackered that the thought of being put to sleep will actually be quite welcome.

Im actually meeting with the macmillan team tomorrow anything to help myself, and there’s also a bowel cancer group i’ve joined locally and i will be able to make one meeting a few days before i go in which i think will also help.

Appreciate your message, no doubt i’ll be posting about about pre-op concerns.

Giles