Rectal Cancer APER op - recovery aids

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.

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.

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

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. 

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 ! 

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. 

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

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

GOOD NEWS UPDATE

Hi all - its Ten weeks since the Recovery APR operation, three weeks in hospital as wound didn't heal (happens in 30% of cases apparently) and five weeks on the vacuum dressing machine (forget its proper name, but the one that you have to carry around 24/7 that draws the excubate (gunge) from the wound and encourages healing). Once home, wonderful community nurses came 3 x per week to change the vacuum dressing machine (1 hour each time) and then one happy day I came off it. Ten weeks later I still need dressings changed 3 x per week but as I started driving 3 weeks ago I can go to my GP practice. I'm now pretty much living as usual - gardening, driving, moderated yoga, seeing grandchildren in their creative activities (requiring sitting at performances) and building up walking - now approaching 3 miles !  I don't think I will take turning over in bed, or sitting on the sofa, or sitting at a table to eat for granted ever again ! I'm about to be 71 and apart from controlled hypertension I have no other major medical issues. The community nurses put my rapid recovery down to my protein intake. As a vegetarian with bowel cancer related onion intolerance I was chronically underfed in hospital (mashed potato dinner anyone?)  so once I had my own kitchen and on line shopping I was able to reach at least 100g of protein a day. I learned so much ! Easy if you eat meat. Anyway, just wanted to share my good news as I was in a dark place when I was enquiring about recliner chairs - I didn't need one in the end. I think its true to say that whether the wound heals or not the first six weeks are the worst - so if this is happening to you, keep the faith and IT WILL GET BETTER !