Recovering from anterior resection

That’s great news Takayasu and everything crossed for good results on Friday  x

Hi pleased your doing ok and recovering..have surgery booked for 20th April high anterior resection with temporary stoma ..not looking forward to it but needs to be done ..yes please any advice of what happens when wake would be appreciated 

Hi , I observed various reactions to the anaesthetic. I was given a epidural first then a general ( epidural gives more pain relief after the surgery ) once awake and back on the ward you may or may not have oxygen . You’ll will have a catheter and a drain and be hooked up to fluids and pain relief . I felt out of it really for a few days . A lot of other patients had nausea which probably adds to the discomfort but anti sickness drugs are given too . You will have a big nappy on I would think and a pampers pad to collect any loose movements from the back passage . I unfortunately had my period so had that mess too . Once the drip with pain relief was removed on day 2 I think I then had a on demand morphine button - the slightest niggle I pressed it . Around day 3 I think the general starts to wear off and you might feel a bit more with it . I had very scratchy eyes - from the tape the used to keep my eyes closed I presume . I had no appetite and just had a spoonful of food here and there initially . On Day 3 I was encouraged to sit in the chair for 30 mins . That was enough to start as I found I got a dragging feeling - obviously using the core muscles . The catheter is removed around the same time and I did struggle to pee so make them. Aware you have a full bladder but can’t empty or go . Physio come and help you to start walking and climb stairs . Bloods were taken every day . My hospital didn’t restrict food . I drank peppermint tea alot to help with gas . 
I had a high anterior resection ( my tumor was in the sigmoid ) they did think I’d need a stoma but there was enough room to join . 
I wasn’t prepared to be in any pain so the slightest sign of anything from a headache to tum pain to leg ache I took pain relief . 
I hope it all goes well for you - I bet the 20th April seems a long way off . X Dawn 

Thank you for that..very helpful x

Fantastic news Takayasu

Sounds as though it’s gone as well as it possible could go .

So pleased to hear you are safely through  

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Takayasu

Your operation procedure sounds exactly like what I experienced Jan 2021. After the week in hospital, I was thrilled to be back home. I am now on oral chemo 2nd cycle next week and finally I feel like myself, in relation to recovery. I have found keeping physical each day, walks or any outdoor activity, really helps me feel better. It seems to also help regulate my bowel movements, which seem to be settling back to 'normal'. 

All the best on your pathology report. I was relieved to read through mine and then spent quite a few hours researching what it all meant! Good luck take care.

Hi  pathology is in ! 1 lymph node positive in 17 so will be having chemo . My nurse seems to think. It will be a combination of infusion and tablets . The end of the report said MX took me ages to find what that meant . ! I’m now finding that bowel wise if I eat anything to high fibre I feel sick and a bit yuk in my tum .how long will you have chemo for ? 

Thats great news Takayasu, i had the same, tumour removed and part of sigmoid and chemo tablets for 4 months, i had keyhole and they glued me back together, although a bit sore to begin with was soon on the mend, in fact had the operation on the Thursday and was home on the Sunday afternoon.

Even being a man i found wearing a girls nightdress was best as the insision to remove tumour was right on the boxer line, also lay flat but get up for regular exercise, after shower dry with hairdryer on cool to prevent touching the wound

I found its trial and error with food and drink, but mostly stuck to a regular diet and drink plenty of water to help prevent constipation, good luck with recovery

TG 

1. Good luck for the results it’s always a worry time we’re all here with you in spirit and support lovely.

I had my bowel resection last December and thankfully was spared the stoma. I had a lot of throat pain and was intolerable to any liquids by mouth for 24hrs in ICU but once on the ward and catheter was removed i’m happy to say my bowels and bladder opened up straight away -shock for the nurses not quite quick enough with a bed pan and then later that night my period followed suit so it was an eventful night of kissing shitting and bleeding and me ending up with a nappy which i was actually relieved with. Day 2 i was able to shower in the sitting chair although it fell off the wall the nurses did come and assist and by this point you’ve lost all sense of dignity if i had any left after having 3 kids. Thankfully i went home on day 3 on Christmas Eve and was just so happy to be home in my own bed with the family around me i recovered much easier in my home environment. Although the surgery went well sadly the pathology report didn’t. What was stage 1 possible 2 at most was actually stage 3 with 17lymph nodes and vascular invasion and cysts on the liver (which are benign) and now going through folfox treatment and a scan looking around mid April and dreading it’s spread or not working the side effects of chemo have been brutal and although i try and stay positive and smile and shrug it all off i can’t help thinking the worst... people say you’ll beat this stay positive it’s all you need but they have no idea what the future holds and all i worry about is i can’t leave my kids and husband and it’s just heartbreaking.

Yes I also had this 'Mx' (pT3 N0 Mx) had to do lots of reading! I am just starting 2nd cycle tomorrow of my oral chemo (capecitebane) 2 weeks meds, then one week off, up to start of Sept.  I chose to start on a Monday which I feel makes it easier to remember med cycle. During the week 'off', I go into the hospital for blood test and if all well with the blood, they hand over the same medication. So far, so good. I have not had any side effects, my appetite is good and bowels working okay ( I go everyday, sometimes more than once but I think this is ok). I am enjoying trying new healthier foods and actually paying attention to what 'works' and what does not work. I have found, for me, high fibre in the form of a small bowl of muesli with some fruit, works just fine. 

Hope all goes well, keep us posted on when you are due to start your cycle and don't let the long list of side effects scare you! It may never happen :)

Take care