I just wanted to know if anyone else has been through the same thing, I still cannot sleep at night it gets too uncomfortable lying in the same position, and also everything still feels quite tender, as if it’s pulling ?
I had invasive surgery due to my pelvis being too big it was due to be keyhole and I have the scars from this but in the end they cut me open.
It seemed to take between 6-8 weeks before I felt comfortable in both sleeping either on my sides or back. I put this down to the surgery and the slower recovery I am a 49 yr old man and had surgery last July I was 48 then.
I have had since further surgery for an Ileostomy around 7 weeks ago and recovered so much Betta from this one. I had invasive surgery again basically the same scar cut back open again but was ready for work after 4 weeks if it wasn't for covid 19. I have also had 20 weekly doses of chemotherapy to go with it all of this since my bowel cancer surgery on the 30th July last year please click on my name to read my full story in my profile.
Thank you to Court for linking me in to her response to you and finally welcome to the online community and please don't hesitate to contact me if you need to or post on the forum and you will get responses.
Hi hutchm and a warm welcome from me too. I had open surgery although the surgeon did tell me that the recovery times from keyhole, although slightly better initially compared to open, pretty much equal out after the first few weeks.
The stoma nurse told me that it usually takes 4-5 weeks before you start to feel a bit better. It is a major op and it’s not unusual to feel sore afterwards. I watched a programme showing live surgery once and they seem to drag things about a lot and then just pop them back in so it’s not surprising that you still feel sore! I think the pulling feeling can be things starting to knit back together? I got a dull ache at the bottom of my back if I tried to walk anywhere and the nurses said to just have a day resting after walking and to try not to overdo it?
Have you got some paracetamol to take to see if that helps? Not sure if you’ll get an imminent follow up appointment under the current circumstances but, if not, do you have a colorectal support nurse that you can ring for reassurance?
I had open surgery in October 5 weeks is still quite early I slept propped up with pillows and the painkillers they gave me also helped. I found it very tender sleeping on my side but it will eventually ease as you heal . I managed to turn a little with the help of pillows supporting me . Can you call the GP and ask for some mild sleeping tablets? I never used to take any tablets but have realised they are vital to recovery as the more comfortable you are the easier it is . Sorry I can't be of more help but it will get better with time.
Yes Hutchm, it's the same that I experienced. In another week you really will feel a change. And yup, the sleeping is very difficult, just to try and get comfy. At week six you will find that you can walk more, and as each week passes you can do more.
One thing that really help me was to try and walk for a minute each day.
