I am 5 weeks post op following surgery for low rectal cancer. Complete APR following 5 days radiotherapy. My wound is really slow to heal and yesterday I was told by practice nurse that there is a 1.5cm cavity. Has anyone experience of this and how did you manage not sitting? Lying sideways in bed or on sofa takes it toll on the hips and lower back. Feeling very despondent and wondering just how long healing will take.
Hi MaggiesS. So you are on the same journey. Can I first off reassure you it does get better it really does. At 5 weeks I too could not sit, well maybe 10 minutes max. It’s a major surgical procedure a lot of healing and nerves to rejoin up. I didn’t have what you are calling a’cavity’ I found my district nurses didn’t understand what the procedure was. I would. Certainly contact your surgeons Secretary and get an appointment to see him. Send photos if necessary, that’s what I did. I had to go to see mine in an ambulance (couldnt sit
) all was fine but the assurance the healing is progressing is so good
I use a valley cushion. They are expensive, you can hire, but it does really help I’m now 12 weeks out and I’d say from 8/9 weeks I could sit to eat a meal, that is a real treat. Stick in there, try to walk about as much as you can to get your strength back. you will get there it’s just being patient
