Follow up to in shock

3 replies
182 subscribers
423 views

Following on from my husband finding out he has cancer growth 27 cms along on his colon. We took a week out as we had a holiday booked , after initially saying we wouldn’t go, my husband’s nurse said it was only a delay of four days so we went. Back to it this week with a pre op appointment and a Ct scan with a first meeting with his consultant they are pencilling in an op date for January with the plan to remove a portion of his colon and reconnect. Sorry I’m not up with the correct terminology. Still waiting for the results of the Ct scan ensuring that it hasn’t spread anywhere else. I’m just looking for some advice really about what he can expect just after surgery and then in the following weeks. He’s been advised to clear his work diary for possibly three months. Also anything I can do to make it easier when he comes home would be very helpful

many thanks

Poppy60 11 months ago

I took four months off work, on diagnosis the doctor said spend time with friends and family you will be busy with appointments.

The operation is major but they really do keep on top of the pain. Your husband will be encouraged to get up the following day and possibly have a little walk to the end of his ward or just transfer to his chair. He will have a drain and be catheterised for a couple of days.

I don't remember too much about the first night only that when I got to the ward and was settled they let me phone my mum and we had a good chat.

His diet may be bland but each day he can build it up again. He may experience wind and for this peppermint tea is a must, jelly babies and marshmallows were encouraged he will build his strength up daily.

My advice for his stay would be a long phone extension lead, peppermint tea, snacks, a good book and loose around the waist pyjamas and toiletries.

When he comes home encourage him to move about and not lie down all day. After a couple of weeks I started walking and increased daily. This really helped me. Don't let him bend down or lift anything. Diet wise I was told to eat anything but found myself in a not so good place. I read about the beige diet and that really helped me a lot. From there I added a tiny bit of root veg and salad every day. He will learn what he can and can't eat. It's like retraining his bowels. At seven weeks I drove and mum had me going out and about to just about every garden centre. We shared a prawn sandwich, that was a big mistake for me. My first accident but can now eat prawns.

He will be well cared for in hospital.

Ask away if you have any questions xxx

Curlyjo65 11 months ago in reply to Poppy60

Thank you for taking the team to answer my questions. I find that speaking to real people who have experienced something first hand give a much better understanding than reading a leaflet. I’m sure I will have more questions as we go along but at least I now have a better understanding than I did an hour ago. Many thanks again

Rac 11 months ago

I’m just over 4 weeks post op after my bowel resection (right hemicolectomy). When I came back from the operation I had a catheter but that’s all. I was encouraged to eat and drink but I was honestly too sleepy. The next morning they removed my catheter and I was encouraged to walk the corridor. I needed more pain relief so they called the on call dr who upped the dose of my oramorph. The gas pain was the worse but they brought me peppermint tea to help. I had keyhole on the Monday and left hospital on the Thursday.

Once home, getting comfortable in bed was a difficult but I brought a body pillow which really helped. I’ve been signed of work for 10 weeks in all but that might be extended once I start my chemotherapy.