Rectal Cancer APER op - recovery aids

Gosh Kath, sorry I missed this message - I hope you are doing well now xx

GOOD NEWS UPDATE - ten weeks since operation, 3 weeks in hospital, 5 weeks on the vacuum dressing machine Im now driving, walking up to 3 miles (I'm as walker), doing careful yoga and have dressings changed 3 x week at GP surgery after 21 visits by community nurses. Im 71 and apart from controlled hypertension, I don't have other major health issues. TOP TIP: Check your protein intake. After abysmal food in hospital (vegetarian with bowel cancer related onion intolerance) I research how much protein I needed, which is based on your weight/height etc. I rose to the challenge of 100g protein a day - this is what the community nurses put my eventual quick recovery down to. They said they visit people who live on Mr Kipling! I didn't get or need a recliner chair in the end, but its true to say the first six weeks are the worst, or they were for me. Now I don't take turning over in bed, or sitting at a table to eat, or sitting on the sofa with my feet up for granted EVER ! Plus its Spring. So good luck to any APR op peeps out there. 

Thanks salza.glad you are doing so well now.

I had my 5yr anniversary in the autumn.so shows its all worth it.

Kath

Congratulations ! What a brilliant result xx

hi i'm having this soon..how bad is it? the thought of more or less lying down for a few weeks is already messing wirh my head, i'm usually just on the go all the time x

Sorry to hear that It can be quite daunting. Yes I was very active beforehand - and did LOADS of swimming and yoga beforehand to get pelvic floor in tip top condition considering my age (71) so I recommend anything you can do in that direction will be helpful for your recovery. It was frustrating afterwards but good to get out of hospital and home and looked after by community nurses. Eat as much protein as you can as that builds muscle which you need to heal  - lots of protein rich yoghurts on the market, cottage cheese, tahini - this was imp for me as a vegetarian and extremely poorly fed in hospital (cancer related onion intolerance made nearly every veg option impossible). It will take a chunk of time out of your life but it will prolong that life so I felt it was a case of ‘grin and bear it’ - happy to say now 3.5 months later I’m back walking (17 miles in one week, followed by 10 the next), eating everything I’ve had to avoid; ONIONS   brown rice, lentils, beans, cabbage. Wound still checked by GP surgery weekly and baths/swimming not allowed yet but hopeful in time for solo holiday to Italy in June ! You WILL get through it. I live on my own so there were some challenging times early on but friends, family and the lovely nurses and two fabulous calls with macmillan nurses got me through. Keep in touch xx 

PS Hopefully you've been told not to use a doughnut type cushion (as that stretches perineum) recommend a Valley Cushion (expensive but lent free of charge by my stoma supplier RapidCare - highly recommend) this supports bum with  no pressure on perineum. This is after the six week (approx) period of side lying/standing/walking. Sitting stops blood supply, delays/halts healing. The time goes quite quickly surprisingly and hopefully you will have community nurses calling frequently. I had some complications (see above) but I was still sitting gently on the valley cushion to eat and able to go about my business within two months. Altho I still go to GP surgery nurse for a check weekly, there is now no need for a dressing or mini towel - just waiting for the skin to fully cover the wound "tiny bit" to go apparently and I'm waiting for the go-ahead to swim. I have had very good care from everyone involved with my recovery. Once I could sit and move there was no stopping me. Good Luck x 

Hi Salza and Katz51 … I’m glad I found this post as I’ve just been told I will have an APER soon. It’s heartening to read your comments and tips. Thank you so much. Hope you’re both well xx 

Oh gollly sorry to hear that. It’s nearly 8 months since my op - and I’m fully recovered. I did two 5 mile walks this week and at 71 I’m currently volunteering for a patient transport charity. It’s a hard road - don’t hesitate to come back for info/sypport xxx 

Wow Salza! I am so pleased to read this. I’ll be 72 soon and have kept very fit all my life with yoga, pilates, swimming so I have found the past year particularly difficult. I’m 7 weeks post chemo now but the most stressful thing was waiting for the diagnosis and its awful 4 year delay.

Actually when we go on Monday to the pre op discussion it’ll be our Silver wedding anniversary - and 25 years ago we got married in the middle of my 3 breast cancer operations! So, on past timing, I’ll probably be in hospital for my 72nd birthday ‍♀️ xx