Life after surgery

Hi Jools63

I had surgery in May and feel good now , but did have a set back which you can read on my profile , when is your surgery and what are you having done ?

regards

Darren

My surgery is booked for 7 November. I’m having most of the rectum removed and a temporary ileostomy.  

Hi Jools

I had a Low Anterior Resection which sounds similar to your op. I was in hosp for around ten days as it was converted to an open op and I ended up in ICU with low blood pressure. Clips come out around day 10 post op. You can't lift anything heavier than a half full kettle for around 6 weeks to let the muscles heal. I was not a zombie but I was easily tired at first and it takes a while to get used to changing the bag and the new diet. Do you live alone or are there people to help? 

As far as the dogs are concerned it depends on your dogs. You can get tons of food in so you don't have to lift sacks/cans for a while. If a shuffle around the garden meets their exercise needs and they don't pull on a lead then you might be OK. Otherwise get someone else to do a decent walk for a couple of weeks and then take over from there. Big boisterous dogs might be a bit of a problem. My big one still jumps up and plants a paw in my belly when he is excited and I couldn't have walked him at first. My little one loves nothing better than snuggling up to me on the sofa and a gallop round the garden would be fine for him.

It is always good to have a plan B if you feel unable to cope but I was happy pottering around the house pretty quickly and they get you walking if they can the first day after the op. Just get someone else to do the shopping and chores if you can.

Nicky

Nicky

Thank you so much for your response. I feel a lot better about what’s to come. I’ve arranged for a dog walker to do a trial walk next week! If all goes according to plan I’ve asked her to come for at least a couple of weeks. I am lucky enough to have a husband who can cook so won’t starve. I am going to have a practice with my fake stoma and bags this weekend just to try and prepare a bit. I think I may be in a bit of denial as from day one I just said oh okay it’s cancer. More than a little apprehensive that I’ll have a complete meltdown post surgery.

Hi Jools

For what it is worth I had my meltdown in hospital around 7 days post op. A combination of finding out that I had 3 lymph nodes positive for cancer, very little sleep as they do your observations day and night and wards are noisy, and a bag that kept leaking. I burst into tears when I was asked to leave the visitors room so some nurses could do a handover. (I was telling my husband about the lymph nodes on the phone). I got sarcastically hysterical  and insisted that their meeting was far more important than me telling my husband that my cancer had spread. Their sympathy just made it worse. Having said that I find that letting it out is much better than repressing it. You think that you will cry forever and loose it, but after some wailing, lots of tears and telling those you love that you are scared of dying you inevitably find yourself blowing your nose and looking for the next cup of tea and cracking some pretty awful jokes about faeces, death and leaks. Well I do anyway.

Don't be scared of a meltdown, having one is perfectly normal and you just need to go with the flow really and let it out when the time is right. You will probably only say what your nearest and dearest are already thinking (I love you, I am scared of dying, what if it's spread, what if this kills me....etc etc) then you will feel better afterwards. You will get through this

Nicky.

Nicky your kind words and wisdom are very much appreciated! I fitted my fake stoma and put on a bag in the hope of getting my head around the real thing. Had a mini meltdown as it made the situation suddenly closer to my new reality. Luckily my husband was very supportive. He’s not known for his patience and doesn’t do sickness! On a good day I feel almost invincible with people like you showing your support. Thank you doesn’t seem to convey how much I value everyone out there in our community.

Hi @Jools63 , if you read my profile you’ll see my journey. I was lucky enough to have keyhole surgery so my recovery was quicker, though it was about 2 weeks at least before I walked my dog. The pulling on the lead is the worry! I walked everyday from the beginning though, it definitely helps recovery & digestion. I started with walks around the garden, then a little further each day (remember you have to walk back!) Good luck! Message me if you have questions. x

Hi Jersey Lily 

I just read your profile and have to say I’m both impressed and inspired! My surgeon says that I  will have key hole assisted surgery, whatever that means. I’m expecting an ileostomy for anything from 3 months depending on how it goes and when they can reverse it. I’ve been practicing wearing a bag, but took it off to shower as I wasn’t sure quite what to do with it! I’m trying to remain positive, but since having the stent am struggling with food. It doesn’t seem to take much to upset my stomach. Thanks for responding and I wish you continued progress.

Dear Jools

Sorry you find yourself on here, great as people are I think we'd all prefer not to be a member.  I was operated on on a Wednesday, up and in a chair on Thursday, 'walking' sort of on Friday and home on Saturday.  I then slept - a great deal.  I went out of the house a week after surgery, it would have been earlier but it was the first week in February and was bloody cold.  From then things got better, a month to the day of surgery I drove to our usual spot and walked the 1Klm from car to Anfield to watch Liverpool.  By the end of March we went on a walking break to the Lakes.  Recovery was much quicker than I ever thought it would be.  This had little to do with me and alot to do with the skills of Fran McNicol and her team at RLUH.  Since surgery I have much to thank them for, including going to two European cup finals and a trip to Antarctica.  I wish it had never happened but it was better than I could have hoped in the post-diagnosis pre-op days.  Remember the T-shirt worn by Mo Salah on the night of the marvelous, marvelous Barcelona match, 'Never give up.'  All best wishes

YNWA  Mike

Thank you so much for your response. I’m going to do as I’m told by the nursing staff while I’m in the hospital! My surgery is on a Thursday so I’ll be interested to see if I can match your progress. I’ve arranged for a professional dog walker as one pulls on a lead, but my aim is for that to be short term!