Surgery booked for 21 of July

Hi Martina3

I don’t think I would be much use to you in the reassurance front so will let someone with experience do that , but just want to wish you s as ll the very best and hope it all goes smoothly ! 
Just remember it’s something they do every single week !

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Martina3. It’s natural to be scared but the surgeon will have done plenty of these ops and I’m sure will have come across ladies who’ve had c sections.I had open surgery because the surgeon wanted to get all the tumour away. Recovery is initially quicker with keyhole but he said that after the first few weeks then they pretty much equal out. My scar runs vertically down through my belly button.

Yes you may well need a bag to allow the join time to heal but it’s a small price to pay to ensure a successful surgery. Although it’s a little daunting at first you’ll soon get into a routine with it and the stoma nurses are always really helpful. 
The surgeon will probably give you the ‘mortality’ rates at your pre-op but these figures include anyone who’s died within 2 years of surgery regardless of the reason so I took it with a pinch of salt to be honest.

Ive attached a link to a booklet about the op but if there’s anything specific that you’re worried about then please ask

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/Your_operation_Bowel_Cancer_UK.pdf

Take care

Karen x

It's understandable that you are scared of the operation. I had mine on 5th February this year, had 40% of my colon removed. It all went fine. The surgeons do this type of operation every day so the risks are minimal. Recovery was rapid and I felt ok after a few weeks. 

Hi there ,I am an nhs nurse and was thinking of the absolute worst of everything before my op but everything worked out really well and this is nearly 2years ago .Have faith in your team,they see it all the time .They will get you out of bed for a short time the day after and physios will have you walking but you will have adequate pain relief.When you get home accept all the help offered but you can still potter about .I didn’t have a stoma but had a very long scar which took a few weeks to heal.You will get there and remember that everyone is scared,it is the most natural thing in our case .Good luck and keep smiling x

Hi Martina3,

I had a low anterior resection plus temporary ileostomy in January this year. It was keyhole surgery although I’ve had 2 ‘C’ sections and other abdominal surgery. The surgeon thought it could be tricky if I had adhesions but it all went fine.

I think it’s fairly normal feeling scared about surgery and being put under general anaesthetic (as we’re totally out of control), as others have said the surgeon & team will have done many of these operations so put your faith in them.

They get you mobile as soon as possible after the operation, but do be prepared to feel very weak. The best advice I can give you regarding recovery is to be as fit as possible before the operation and you’ll find your body can deal with it better and take all the help you’re offered once you get home.

I look on the ileostomy as saving my life and although daunting when you first hear you need one you soon become used to it and it now isn’t an issue at all.

Take Care,

Net77