My brothers been admitted to hospital with bowel obstruction. He had a colonic stent put in a few weeks ago in the hope that it would avoid this. He is in a lot of pain because his abdomen is very distended. The plan is to give him enemas to try and relieve the obstruction which they believe is due to constipation rather than tumour progression. Needless to say I’m worried sick. He is in so much pain that he’s on iv morphine which is obviously not ideal as the side effects can make the obstruction worse. He has been reluctant to tell anyone that he hasn’t really been moving his bowels properly since the stent because he is so scared that he will end up with a stoma. His fears about his are understandable but I think he would have a much better quality of life with a stoma.
its not my body though, and he’s in the hands of professionals that will decide what’s best for him. He has not had much luck so far, I just wish he could catch a break. His surgeon is away this week, so he’s waiting to see the on call surgeon later this evening.
He drove himself to the hospital at 6 am after suffering horrendous pain all night. He didn’t tell me where he was until lunchtime. I will have to go and find his car and take him some stuff for staying in hospital. He was under the impression they would let him go home later…. WRONG mate you’re not going anywhere with an obstructed bowel. He will be the death of me this lad.
I have just rang the hospital, and he has dozed on and off this afternoon which is good. His pain is now being controlled better, he had some weird 2 hourly prescription for morphine which I think they have now converted to oral morphine hourly if he needs it. He is happier now he can have a drink. He’s still not moved his bowels but I’m guessing there will be a tsunami tomorrow once the docusate, macrogol and senna all kick in. 
Trying to be optimistic that this will sort him out, but I have got a feeling this may not do the trick and he will need surgery to relieve the obstruction. I hope not though.
