Lower Bowel Cancer

Hi Bobby66 and a warm welcome to the board although I’m sorry to hear about your reoccurence. Have they told you that it will be that length of operation? I’m not medically trained but it sounds like the anaesthetist is aware of all your medical conditions and these will be taken into consideration during your surgery. 
I developed large bilateral pulmonary embolisms after one of my hospital stays in 2016/17 and I’m on apixaban for life. I’ve had my stoma reversed since then and 2 hip replacements. Each time I was advised to stop my apixaban a couple of days before the op then restarted after and made sure I wore the ted socks as advised. I also got mobile as soon as possible and did plenty of walking before my ops to try and be healthy.

You will probably meet with the anaesthetist again just before your op to double check everything but I’m sure they wouldn’t put you through the operation if they didn’t feel it was safe for you? Perhaps you could ring your colorectal support nurse tomorrow for some reassurance if you’re worried?

Please keep us posted

Take care

Karen x

Thank you, yes he said it could last from 9am until 7/8 pm. I'll do as you say and have word with my nurse.

Hi, Sorry you have a recurrence but it’s great news they can operate. Good luck. 

Thank you.

Hi bobby, 

3 years ago when you had your chemotherapy and radiotherapy did they remove the tumour at that time? 

As I had bowel cancer I'm 41. They did chemo/radio but follow it and removed the tumour with an 8-hour operation. 

Then used a stoma bag for one year now and recently had reversal surgery. 

Hi Qais, the chemo/ radiotherapy removed the tumour but unfortunately it has returned after nearly three years. Now I face an operation for a permanent stoma.

Sorry to hear but on the other hand living with a stoma is possible and not so hard. 

Had my op aged 67.Was in severe pain for 3 days. Dreadful memories. That was 18 months ago. Booked in next month for camera check. Should be ok. I have to take anti-diarrhoea tablets every day. Bowel has never been the same since. I'm lucky though, i do not have a stoma bag so I count my blessings.

Hi Bobby

Id like to wish you well with your operation. I had a LAR six hours with Ileostomy and was up and about the next day. Home after five. The pain meds kept me able to move around quickly and as I had an Ileostomy I didn’t have any issues with my bowel being constipated 

I had a lobectomy which was meant to be two hours and it wasn’t I was in Critical Care for five days. It’s was quite scary lines wires and beeps.

Try not to worry about the length of the op they will take good care of you and get that cancer in the bin

As for the stoma I know it’s daunting but honestly it’s no bother and the stoma group here are so supportive. They really helped me sort out the teething problems I had to begin with. 

I stayed away in a lovely hotel six weeks later and enjoyed life to the full with my stoma

best wishes