Slow recovery after APR surgery...is this normal?

Hi@Ewok

Good to hear from you again

I’m going for a hospital checkup next week so I’ll ask them but I have spoken to the colorectal nurse a couple of times about the recovery generally and she just reiterated the fact it will take a long time 

like you I just want to move on with life and know what to expect 

hope all is going well for you x

Hi I had Apr surgery Aug 18 so six months on I still get some pain in lower abdomin and still have leaking from wound on bottom and back on antibiotics . 

I can sit okay for about 45 mins then have to walk around. 

I think I under estimated the recovery for this operation unless I am just being a wuss lol. 

Fingers crossed it will get better in time

Best wishes xxxxx

Hi, I had my APR about ten months ago now, and I feel so much more normal again. I have recently started properly exercising again, including yoga. And running too, I can do!!! I never thought I’d run again! 

Sitting is a million times easier now. I can sit however I like about 90% of the time. Sometimes a hard surface might be a little uncomfortable. If I’ve been sitting for a while, my bum cheeks do feel numb but wears off after a minute. 

I know how you feel. I felt frustrated for a long time after my op, felt like I’d never recover. I remember my nurse telling me to remember that if this op had been done even ten years ago, it would have been a huge wound from ribs to bikini line, as well as being sewn up Barbie bum style, and a far longer recovery. That put it all into context for me. She also said I needed to allow a year to feel normal again. Like I said, I’m ten months post op now and I’m doing fine. 

I know it feels like a lifetime, you feel like you’ve lost some independence, you feel weak and useless, you feel like you’ll never recover, but you will. Don’t be hard on yourself, focus on mini goals. 

And apply lots of e45 to the wounds. I found it really helpful.

Good luck, you’re doing better than you give yourself credit for xxxxx

All good here, signed off by Surgeon today.  Cancer has gone. Follow-ups to come. Physio visits. Getting my life back and learning to live with my bag. Baby steps. Hugs to all for your encouragement. Xx

Seems like it really is a long recovery with lots of highs and lows 

Thanks it’s so good to know your journey and just how long it will take to feel “normal “ again

Thanks @Pippajane, yes I generally get the same response from the colorectal nurses who are always very encouraging. Sadly no one can wave a magic wand so we just have to stay as positive as we can and take every day as it comes and not expect to much. 1% is a good target to aim for any more is a bonus. We always bounce back! Xx

Hello,

i was diagnosed with Anal cancer in October 2017. It was 5.5cm long and a stage 3. I had to have immediate IVF to save any chance of having my own children with my partner and then the Chemoradiotherapy started at the end of the November. I had it for 5.5 wks with tablet chemo.

By Jan 18 I finished the treatment which was pretty rough. I was in a lot of pain down below and struggling to walk, sleep and sit. I gradually got more mobile and had my follow up appointments; I got the all clear in the July. By November, I started to feel sore again and what felt like a lump like before, although I wasn't sure that it wasn't scar tissue. I saw my Oncologist in December who examined me and found the lining to be smooth. She wanted to see me as scheduled in Jan for my year out of treatment appointment.  

I got a letter for a CT in Jan which now showed an enlarged lymph node on my left side. Concerns rose. After another examination by my oncologist in clinic, the lump felt different to her and she was very concerned. I then had an MRI and another biopsy which has now confirmed its back. I'm pretty devastated but putting on my 'I'm going to beat this again' trousers. I now have to have the APR on the 27th March and full on chemo. I'll be meeting with everyone over the next few weeks to learn much more. I'm really scared to be honest, about infection, the length of recovery and the pain I might feel. I wonder it it ever fully went away in the first place. What sort of limitations can I expect following surgery? Emotionally, how are people coping? 

Hello @Ricaroo1. That is devastating but you sound so tough. Unfortunately this is a terrible evil disease which takes no prisoners. I had an eLAPE which takes a bit more away than an APR on 31 Oct. If you click on my name it will take you to my profile. Please feel free to send me a message if you wish. My surgeon signed me off last week! Yesterday I joined a Pilates class instructed by a chartered physio for people recovering from surgery, suffering from arthritis etc. I couldn’t do everything as well as I once could but my disappointment was outweighed by the fact that I had made s start. Swimming next for me. Emotionally I am good. I also drove for the first time without hubby in the car. Freedom and my new life has started albeit a bit slowly. Once you have the surgery you’ll be on your new course as most of the lovely people on this forum will agree. I am copying @Tina cb @ Jmas and @Pippajane. I hope we can all help you through this. Bigs hugs. Xx

Hi there sorry to hear your news. 

If it helps I had low rectum cancer diagnosed April 18 I had Apr surgery Aug 18 like you I was scared of the recovery and well everything really. 

I can honestly say yes it's a major operation before I had mine I had no medical problems not even a filling. 

The operation was okay and had lots of wonderful pain relief. 

The recovery is okay just listen to your body you will feel better day by day. 

The only problem I had and is on going is that the community nurses left packing in perianul wound so had another operation 18 dec18 saw consultant yesterday still got packing stuck so another operation to endure 

My stoma causes no problems and to be honest I feel I can do everything I did pre op. 

Emotionally I just think positive all the time and write my feelings in my journal. 

Pain will be well under control  wishing you the very best of luck to you this is doable xxxxxxx