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
Oh this is very good news Rosie! I’m so pleased for you coming to the surface and floating! That’s very honest of your surgeon to put you forward to another expert in the field, and getting the best outcome is what you want to strive for. Sounds like a very good plan, and not long to wait to get this cancer out.
If you don’t need any kind of stoma, that’s one less thing to think about, but if you do then you know there’ll be lots of support for you here.
Sarah xx
Sometimes it’s who you know that can make all the difference! My surgeon wanted specific surgeons for my op as 3 were required and she did apologise for making me wait but told me they were the best in their fields-she was gynae and I also needed colorectal and urology - and she worked well with them. I was happy to go with her recommendation, though I didn’t like waiting due to the pain I was in. The result was worth it though!
Seems like you’ll be in good hands.
Sarah xx
