Rectal Cancer APER op - recovery aids

Salza 13 days ago

9 replies
129 subscribers
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Hi All ! New here …. Op 5 wks ago, in patient 3 weeks, home 12 days. 30% of wounds don’t heal and I’m in that group. I have negative pressure machine and community nurses changing 3x week. Side lying but I can walk and stand. Too soon to use a valley cushion which my stoma care company kindly sent free of charge. I’m wondering whether I should make room for a recliner chair. Side lying is putting immense pressure on knees which are permanently bent. Any experience of recliner chairs ? Best wishes to all especially post APER community xxx

I don’t really have room for one, plus they are quite pricey and would mess up my lovely living room ….. plus would it take pressure off bum ?

Angelite 12 days ago

Hi Salza, I'm also 5 weeks post APER. I purchased a recliner chair prior to surgery, however, I still find it uncomfortable to use. I'm still spending my time either walking or side lying in bed. Not an easy recovery from this operation I'm finding.

Katz51 12 days ago

Hi.so sorry you are struggling with your recovery.My "barbie bum"took a good 6 weeks to even start healing and the one thing I was told was under no circumstance whatever well meaning friends say Do not use a donut cushion or similar as it pulls the wound apart.

I was leant a blow up square cushion by the redcross which evens out pressure over the whole area and was able to use that for short lengths of time.I was also advised that when sitting to shift my weight to alternative sides at intervals.a mixture of all this did enable me to sit for longer and longer periods of time

Hoping all goes well.you will get through this.

Kath.

Kareno62 12 days ago

Hi Salza Sorry to hear that you’re struggling. I didn’t have this op so no experienced advice but just wondered if one of those big pregnancy pillow things might help? Before my hip replacement I was told to sleep with a folded up towel between my knees to take some of the pressure off my hip and knees which could be worth a try?

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

Salza 12 days ago in reply to Angelite

Standing, walking, side-lying - I’m with you ! Thanks so much for replying. I’ve messaged Consuktant to ask re chair after a great chat with MacMillan nurse. I’m in the 30% where the wound does not heal so it’s doubly hard really. Exacerbated by previous radiotherapy.

Salza 12 days ago in reply to Kareno62

Yep - thanks Karen I got one and it’s been brilliant but too hot to sleep with ! (The pillow not me ha ha) it had its time !

Salza 12 days ago in reply to Katz51

Hi there fellow APR survivor ! I can’t sit at all yet but when o can the stoma supply company have lent a Valley Cushion - hopefully that’s in my future but I havnt got there yet.

Katz51 12 days ago in reply to Salza

Hi I actually had a different larger op a panproctocolectomy but it still resulted in the sitting problem.you will get there.I remember panicking as to whether I would be healed enough to start my chemo on time but I did it .

Kath

Salza 12 days ago in reply to Katz51

Well done Kath - all the best for getting through this xx