Colon Curgery-anyone with experience?

Montenegrita · Guest

I am 41 years old female, always healthy with no colon cancer in my family. I had only one symptom (musuc and blood in my stool) and was diagnosed with cancer. I am scheduled for surgery to remove the 1/2 1$ size (coin) of adenocarcinoma on sigmoidal part of my colon. He will remove about foot of my colon along with lymph nodes and some other tiissue around. Doctor is not talkative and I feel I do not have enough information on the surgery. I posted this question once and noone reply, may be this time I will have some answers. Can someone share experience with me? Thanks!

Montenegrita · Guest

Cancer size is half of a dollar (coin). .

brainman

Montenegrita, I apologize to you because I accidentally deleted your membership when I was looking at your messages. It was just an accident on my part... nothing you did wrong. However, you will need to re-register. I do not have any of your profile other than username. I am very sorry for this inconvenience Embarassed

I do not have any personal experience with colon surgery but am sure other members who do will reply soon. When is your surgery scheduled?

You are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Montenegrita · Regular Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 38

Thanks Jim and do not worry about deliting it. I re-did the whole thing. My surgery is on November 23rd. Doc is not talking enough and seems like I have to pull words out of his mouth. Hope some people here will answer. Cheers, Montenegrita.

Hank · New User Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

I'm a healthy 50 year old male, with no history in my family either. I had similar symptoms as you and had 18" of sigmoid colon removed 2 weeks ago. Along with the 6.5cm tumor that nearly blocked the colon, they also removed 26 lymph nodes. My surgery was a success, the lymphs are clean, the tumor did not escape the colon and affect any other organs. I'm a bit tender in the abdomen area, but I'm eating everything except nuts and raw veggies. I've been categorized as a Stage II cancer with a T4b tumor. My surgeon has declared me cancer free and my oncologist is on the fence as to further treatments (chemo). I'm back to work, I'm working half days this week, then I'll evaluate if I'm ready to go full time after Thanksgiving. I'm sorry your doc is a bit closed about sharing info with you, feel free to bounce Q's off me. I know I'll be asking forum members about their Stage II experiences in a short time! Good luck and you'll be in my thoughts this week.
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Hank

Montenegrita · Regular Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 38

Thanks Hank, I am very happy to hear that lymph nodes are good and that organs are clean. My doc told me that in younger people they probably would go with chemo already from stage II. Should not be that bad, he said his nurse was coming to work everyday while on chemo. Newer generation of chemo is easier on us, he said. He told me that surgery will last about 1.5h and that I won't be given the food for 5 days (love to eat! - am not overweighed though). He said I won't be hungry (they will feed me IV). Was experience with anaestesia OK with you? How about first, second day after? Were you in pain? How big is your incision? Is it healing easily? How much weight you have lost? Thanks for all Hank and good luck. I will be thinking about you too!

Hank · New User Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

My recovery wasn't too bad, I have to admit. Pain wasn't too bad, I was on a pump for 2 days, oral meds for a day and discharged the fourth. Your doc is correct, you won't be hungry for a couple of days, I was on clear liquids for 2 days, full liquid for 1, then full menu the last day. I had the laparoscopic surgery, from my belly button down, I have 3 incisions. Two for instruments, one for tissue removal. All along my stomach felt like I overidid an ab workout at the health club, so it wasn't bad.

I consulted with my anesthesiologist prior to surgery and he worked hard to prevent post op nausea. I had a wicked case of cotton mouth but that was easier than the alternative! Incisions are healing nicely. I have no stitches or staples to remove, only 'steri strips' covering and they'll fall off any day now. I love modern technology! I lost about 7-8 pounds, I actually tried to put a few on prior to surgery, knowing I would lose a few! I also hit the gym hard to work on arm/shoulder/back strength to move around easier post op.

I guess my biggest issue with chemo is the fact that it is another 6 months for not feeling at the top of my game. This is the 3rd major surgery for me in 5 years and I prefer to feel strong. I'm planning to run a half marathon in May 2008 and chemo cuts into valuable training time! In 2003, I had aortic valve replacement with complications that included stroke and paralysis. One year later in 2004 I had Lumbar fusion for an old back injury that reared it's ugly head during stroke recovery. So, enough is enough! How many times can I go to the well? Enough rambling, it's time to quiet your mind, you'll do fine, keep your spirits up, you have a lot of people pulling for you!
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Hank

Montenegrita · Regular Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 38

Well, you' veon a good track, after all what hit you. Think we should look forward, not back. It is past and past is gone. My doc does not want to do laparascopic surgery but the one wit incision all the way from the belly button. Hopefully, I will be sharing good news soon... Good luck to you!

In

Good to see you both have each other to convers with...

Good luck to both and stay in contact. Let us know how it goes.
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Thinking of you Inica

*Administrator*

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~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
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http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

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Hank · New User Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

By the time you read this, your surgery should be complete. I hope your surgeon reconsidered the laparoscopic option, as the recovery time is nearly halved with less invasive incisions. I'm hoping all turns out well and please keep me updated. My thoughts and prayers are with you...

Hank
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Hank

Montenegrita · Regular Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 38

I am back... surgery was not laparoscopic, was traditional one. Just got home yesterday, week after the intervention. I did not have the greatest experience with narcotics, was fighting lots of nausea and was not that much in pain. But since I started getting back to normal food (trying to eat light) I am again fighting lot of nausea and pain in my lower abdomen (which my be associated with increased movements, going up and down the stairs etc). I am barely eating... did you dear friend have similar experience? What did you eat? How was your experience? I am struggling to swalow an antibiotic pill, am throwing up right away... lots to write about but I can't sit too long right now. All the best!

brainman

Glad to have you back, Montenegrita. I assume you have told your medical team about your nausea and they are giving you something for it? If not, ask.

Most people start light... crackers and a low fat low fiber died work best at first. Keep the caloric intake hi though. Dink ensure or a similar product. Maybe an ensure based milk shake.

Do not over exert yourself walking up and down stair too much. You do need exercise, just take it easy until your next doctors appointment at least.

I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Hank · New User Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

I agree with brainman, take it slow regarding stairs and getting around. Don't forget that with all the movement, it pushes gas around your abdomen until it works its' way out. Regarding pain and nausea, are you staying up with your pain meds? Too much pain can result in nausea. I had a bad morning in the hospital where the staff gave me shots to alleviate both. But I think I was being stubborn about using the pain button and got behind. Regarding food intake, again brainman's right. Start soft and low fiber until you're stronger. Yogurt, protein shakes, pudding, eat soft foods that make you happy. Keep your medical team involved and don't 'tough it out', make them help you out.

We're still with you in spirit and prayer
Hank
_________________
Hank

Montenegrita · Regular Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 38

Hi Guys! Thanks for your support and advice, you know how much it means. I am feeling great today, some tiny pain and discomfort (more bloating feeling) but other then that all other crap is gone. Well, I ended up going to the emergency because of non-stop nausea and frequent vomiting that slowly started the night I got home. Next night, after I through up pure stomach acid and burned my esophagus, I run to the emergency where they gave me infusion and double dose of anti-nausea medication (the one I had at home did not help me). I felt better as soon as that acid went out (before that I was throwing up just water) but much better after I got home from the ER. Since then, everything is like I am totaly new born - my apetite is huge, I could eat everything that comes on my way! I am not using any medication. Even in hospital, I stopped using pain medication as I was able to tolerate it (it was not bad at all). My next concern is chemo... one lymph node was problematic. They want to put me on chemo for 6 months and I am already freezing... any experience with it? I think I'll open new topic... as I need to be aware of everything possible before I see doctors. And one more related to the colon cancer recovery diet (long-life). Is it possible to prevent futher cancers? Best wishes to you too. You are in my soul and my Prayers... Montenegrita

brainman

Montenegrita, glad to hear that the nausea is under control. It sounds like you had a very bad time with it.

I know nothing about chemotherapy for colon cancer. But I imagine that if you look through this forum you will get an idea about what is available and what others have experienced. I did take chemo but for brain cancer so my experience would really not apply to you. Hang in there. Six months will fly by. Be assured that this forum is here for you. There might be times when you do not feel weal enough to post so just post whenever you can.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

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