Hi, firstly I thank everybody who has supported me through this period of not knowing what to expect, after being seen by the Manchester consultant, who told me before the sigmoidoscopy that he wouldn't be able to to the op locally in a TEMS procedure, I'm now back to my local hospital and the consultant I first saw, Chris Smart. I have to say he's gone out of his way to let me know what's going on, and the colorectal nurses at my local hospital are superb. I now know I need to have a big op, as of yet I don't know what it's called, I see thw consultant next week, when I also have mu pre op. I know its in through the stomach to remove all of my rectum, my tumor is low down, only 4cms into my bottom. Which apparently is not so good as they're not sure if there will be enough left to be able to attach the ends, if that makes sense, and reverse the stoma, theres also a node that's got to be taken too, I trust him that he will do his best, and there's a 40% chance of it being permanent. I've had a hysterectomy that I flew through. SarahH21 says it's probably not like the hysterectomy recovery. Thank you Sarah, I'm sure many of you have had some sort of procedure that's similar, my tumor is T2a N1. I'd like to know other people's recovery, any problems that you've had, as I say, I'm a newbie and I don't know the name of the op, but I'm just glad that I now have a treatment plan, the waiting was horrible. If anyone can give me any help with recovery, ways to help with pain or your experiences. I'm also dealing with a back spasm now, my kitten decided to trip me up, but a couple of days rest will sort that.I am already on fentanyl patches, 100mcg/hour, with tramadol for breakthrough, and amitriptylene at night, with diazepam to help muscles relax and help me sleep. I can't take gabapentin or pregabalin, they send me weird, I thought I'd been asleep one afternoon, and apparently I had been out in the rain, in slippers and nightshirt digging the garden and trying to get in the car to post a letter, I was glad that Steve was there to stop me. Who knows what I'd have done if I'd been alone!!! Anyway, I'm waffling, I do that a lot!! If anyone can help with their experience of the op both straight after the op and then recovery at home, and any hints to make it easier I'd be very grateful. Everyone has been so nice on here, amd propped me up when I was slipping. My island is now no longer getting smaller and I'm now floating instead of sinking Thank you, sorry for waffling. Rosie
Hi MissTee
The reason I said that the recovery would be very different between a hysterectomy and removal of rectum is that they are such different surgeries. I was opened up for a hysterectomy, but it couldn’t do ahead due to radiation damage, so I didn’t actually have the surgery, but did have an open abdominal cut to attempt it. I was stapled up and sent home. A few weeks later I later had much larger surgery, again open abdominal, involving removal of my rectum among other things, and it was very different.
Once you find out exactly what operation you are having and what it’s called, I’m sure people will have gone through it and be able to give more information. For example, although I’ve had my rectum removed, I haven’t had my anus removed, so I don’t have a “barbie butt”. So there are differences in terms of exactly what does happen in surgery, depending on what type you have.
I have a permanent colostomy, so the issue of reversal was never an option for me, but I’m fine with that and glad it turned out that way for me.
I’m glad you feel that you’re not sinking so much any more. It’s the unknown that is more frightening I think, and once you know what’s happening things do become easier to deal with-at least that’s how I felt!
Sarah xx
Good luck Miss Tee
keep us all updated.
sending you a have hug x
Ann
The removal of my rectum left me with what is charmingly called a “rectal stump” inside, so just a little bit! I never asked questions before my op and probably should have but it was such big surgery I didn’t want to frighten myself out of going ahead with it.
Just make sure the surgeon explains exactly what he will be doing, and don’t be afraid to ask him to go over anything you’re not sure about.
I really hope goes well at your meeting and you have all the details you need going forward.
Sarah xx
Sarah you had the mega operation. You are pretty amazing travelling to the Maldives with two stoma’s. Not many have what you’ve had.
Mary if you click on our names you can read our bios. Sarah’s has had a lot of hospital time. So have others my op was like a flat road.
We will be thinking of you. Let us know what the plan is.
Take care
Ann
Well, yes it was pretty mega Ann! But I was only in hospital for 2 weeks and have never been readmitted since, so it has basically been without any complications needing any medical intervention or further treatment which is the main thing.
I run a private Facebook group (for women only) facing my surgery or who have had it-you might be surprised to discover there are quite a few of us who have had it for various cancers. I felt there wasn’t enough support out there for this particular surgery, so decided to start my own group and it’s been amazing and so helpful to us all.
Sarah xx
