Surgery date , advice and tips please

Hey there.   I was in exactly the same situation last year.  I had my sigmoid colon removed.  

The unknown is terrifying.  I was advised to accept all pain relief and before the operation I told everyone who I spoke to (you’ll meet the medical team on the morning of your operation). The Anaesthetist gave me some lovely sedation to calm me down just a few minutes after taking me into the prep room I went to sleep super happy and woke up super happy thanks to them. I actually don’t remember anything after the sedation.  

I was in hospital for 4 nights.  The bit that took me by surprise was when my bowel started to work.  No warning!  I had read about it on here and the surgeon was really happy that it was working.  For me it all calmed down after a week.  

The way I looked at it was I was incredibly lucky that my cancer was operable and it was being cut out.  I had to wait until the new year for the lymph nodes to be checked but I guessed this was the case.  The surgeon was able to tell me that he got clear margins which again was positive news.  

You will be told that you cant lift or carry anything so for Christmas feet up and let everyone help you. 

I hope your surgery goes well and catch up on all

the films snd TV programs that you’ve not had time to watch.  

Hi scoutabout, I had surgery on the 14th November, removed part of my bowel, I seen my consultant yesterday and he advised all went well and my lymph nodes were clear so I don’t need any further treatment. Was that the same for you? It’s very positive news but I’m still worried, I thought I might have to have chemo for pre-cautionary measures? 

HI MichTJe3c1f4 ,

 I didn't have the same kind of surgery, I had left hemi-colectomy, I was terrified.  Mine does look like it's come back and I have to have another, much larger, surgery in January.  I'm not looking forward to it (not by a long shot), but I will say I'm no-where near as scared of the surgery (of whether or not it's cancer - that's another thing).

 Try to remember that for them it's just another day, they are just doing what they do best.  They do hundreds of these a year.

 i was in hospital for 8 days, but I did have full open surgery and I was a bit poorly afterwards as my bowel decided it didn't want to play ball!  Generally I don't think they want you in hospital over Xmas, but I'd ask your team their thoughts.

 Advice - take some peppermints, long leads for charging things, something to read.  You'll sleep a lot after surgery.  An eye mask, some ear plugs and treat foods to eat but nothing too fibrous (hospital food turned my stomach, it's not their fault).  You'll need slippers for walking around with good grips, also toiletries.  The more you can move post op - the better.  Movement is magic is a phrase I heard a lot and agree with.

 I agree that you won't be able to cook the Xmas dinner even if you are home.  Get everything prepped before you go in if you are the chef - make use of your freezer and get Father Christmas to wrap gifts in advance.  Then if you are home you can break open the mince pies and be set to enjoy the fun.

Good luck with your surgery, I hope it goes well and evicts the horrible cancer for good!

Best wishes

CerysM

Hey there.  Congratulations that’s brilliant news.  Yes I had the same 13 clear lymph nodes.  I’m felt incredibly lucky that I didn’t need any further treatment.  How you feel now is perfectly normal.  Once you get into the surveillance it brings back the trauma but it will set your mind at ease.  I had my colonoscopy last week and that’s made me feel happier that I could see everything remains clear.