Right Hemi Colectomy operation but now pain in left side of tummy.

Hi Scotty 642

Welcome to the forum and so glad to hear that you're feeling stronger and fitter each day.  

I had same op back in 2011 and I had pain on the right - just under my ribs - was told it would probably go away and the general thought was that it was adhesion of tissue following surgery but they didn't want to open up again as it could have caused more adhesion. 

You must mention it to your surgeon or Cancer Specialist Nurse so that they can investigate it, but you will probably find it will go away after a while as it is still very early days after your surgery.

It takes quite a while for our bodies to get used to having less colon and sometimes pain can be caused by wind or constipation.  You will find a lot of talk on here about toilet habits, but that's par for the course I'm afraid.

I'm sure other will be in touch who may be able to offer suggestions for what it might be.

Good luck for your test results on Thursday.

Take care and keep safe

VickiLynne

Thanks Vicki. It's even reassuring that a reply has been posted so soon after my listing. I will be contacting the Cancer Specialist Nurse tomorrow and am conscious that every little pain can sometimes be viewed as something serious by the patient. Hopefully as you say the pain can disappear soon. Maybe it is just a little torn muscle.  

Hi Scotty

Glad to have helped, sn that you will contact your Cancer Specialist Nurse tomorrow.  Mine (I had two) were a real help to me throughout my treatment.  

You caught me in the middle of checking posts on the forum, hence the quick reply, but you  will find that there is usually someone about at all time of day and often in the night as we member on here on the other side of the world who are around when we are sleeping.

This is a really helpful and supportive group and I am sure you will soon have lots of other replies.

Take care,

VickiLynne

Just wee update. Key worker contacted me and discussed. Unfortunately the pain whilst it has not got more intense has caused sleepless nights over the past few days. Nurse suggests it maybe muscular and has also advised me to cut down fruit and vegetable intake which I have increased. The specific pain is one inch left of bellybutton and one inch higher. I can replicate the pain by putting my chin on my chest. Should have update on result of PET scan in a couple of days but not sure if this specific pain will be shown up. Anyway just a few thoughts and if anyone has experienced similar please get in touch.

Regards

Scotty

Hi Scotty

Glad you've spoken to your Key Worker.  If you had colon cancer you may need to go easy on the fruit and veg for the moment, as high fibre can be a real problem.

Fingers crossed that your PET scan is ok.

Take care,

VickiLynne

Hi a few weeks on from thread and resultant PET scan showed that cancer free in colon. Unfortunately it picked up two cancer spots on liver so have another operation in a couple of weeks time. Strangely during the last two weeks I have experienced a line of pain just below bottom of ribs and in right hand side of back. A&E twice with pain. Diagnosed Gall stones (it doesn't rain but it pours). Fortunately surgeon has suggested when operating to take away 10% of liver to remove cancer spots that they are going to remove my gall bladder. To manage gall stones meantime I went on zero fat diet and that appears to have worked. (no pain for 5 days now). In fact feel great. Just the op to get through again then some tablet chemo. Any advice re removal of gall bladder or liver op aftercare?

Hi

Sorry to hear you have more surgery to face but it sounds as though it is a small area involved . Do you know if it’s an open procedure or keyhole? My mum a combined bowel and liver resection so it did take the best part of two weeks to recover in hospital . She was up self caring around a week but after she got home she went from strength to strength and kayaked on open seas six weeks later . However she did have a larger liver resection after that and they removed 73% of her liver . She took longer that time to recover however she went kayaking last year to celebrate ten years on from her first liver resection . Her liver function has been good and never been a problem . It’s an odd shape but continues to do its job well . She also improved as the liver regenerated . It’s an amazing organ !

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Court

Thanks for reply. Positive to hear of active recovery especially timelines. My procedure is open as I believe keyhole is not an option during these covid times (not sure of reason). Surgeon has suggested that because of the small amount (10%) being cut from liver that it will not regenerate. Think the more cut the more the body regenerates. During my previous colon procedure I was in a ward with 2 others who had gone through liver cancer procedures and they had been there for 6 and 8 weeks. Hope my recovery period does not involve that amount of time.

Regards

Scotty642

Hi

Just to reassure you I don’t hear of those timeframes around here much . In fact my mum would have been on the longer side . She was 69 when she had the 73% of her liver removed and I collected her on day 11 . She was able to walk to the car and I drove her home from a city 50 miles away . Not the most pleasant of journeys for her but she got there and was pleased to see her bed. She was able to do all her own self care but had all the meals and housework done for her . 

Given your age I would think you would do a bit better in terms of recovery . She had an epidural for pain relief for two days , then transferred onto the oral meds . Given you have already had surgery I think you are properly quite well prepared and realistic for your recovery . Certainly the smaller procedure was a lot easier on her . 

I have heard that they are modifying any surgical procedure that aspirates where possible .  They had a knife that sealed the liver as it cut . Amazing but probably not allowed just now too ! But they still have lots of other methods and pressing on is the main thing . 

take care ,

Court 

Thanks again Court. Will post on this thread how I get on. Others experiences/stories really help.

Regards