Colon Resection

[livingwith]

Hi my name is Patti. I’m in my 5th week of recovery from my colon resection Everyday I am feeling better and stronger. I just wish I knew what to expect. I wish there was someone to talk to about recovery. I mean people who have had knee surgery share their stories all the time. I realize this is a much different surgery but, it would be nice for those whom have gone through this to share their stories. Thank you Kim! The doctors are great but, they do not tell you what to expect. ...Read the full article

[fftaks]

hi...my mom just had colon resection sugery last week and she would like more information on the recovery part...she thinks the surgery was not a success because of the pain and she feels like she always has to deficate, is this normal?....can someone be more specific of the recovery? Thanks

[anniegam]

I had a colon resection on Aug. 17 to remove cancer in my lower colon, only 3 inches from the anus. The surgeon did a great job and was able to avoid a colostomy, but he had to remove half of my rectum in addition to nine inches of the colon. I only spent five days in the hospital and felt good enough to return to work after only two weeks, probably because I'm younger (56) than most who have this disease and have always kept myself in good physical condition (I am retired from the Army). My long scar is healing well, but one side of my abdomen is still distended. I quit taking the pain medicine a week after the surgery because it was causing constipation.

I, too, would like to know what complications can be expected from this surgery. Now into my second week at work (third out of the hospital and less than four since the surgery), I am beginning to experience different types of pain and discomfort. Monday I saw the surgeon for the second time since the surgery, because I had had blood in my stool two days in a row and then had not had a bowel movement for three days, the first time that had happened since Aug. 20. He checked the abdominal incision and said it was fine, even though I could feel a few bumps beneath the skin. He said they were probably scar tissue and nothing to be concerned about. I mentioned the extreme pain I was having in the lower abdomen that had been worsening each day I had not had a BM, so he suggested that I use a suppository (he said a laxative would be too harsh at this time, and an enema could damage the inner wound, because it was so near the anus) to help get the bowels moving again. After performing a rectal exam in his office and testing it chemically, he said the stool was normal. He said the blood I had in the stool a few days before had to be from small hemorrhoids. He also explained that the anastimosis (where the two cut ends of the colon had been rejoined during the surgery) had hardened, and this was making it difficult for the feces to get through the opening. He said this is normal. I asked him when I might expect things to soften up, and he said he could not make a prediction. Anyway, he allayed my fears that I had a bowel obstruction and told me to contact him again if I did not get relief soon.

I took a suppository that evening, but it did not do much except make my stomach hurt even more. All day yesterday, I could barely walk, and even sitting was not very comfortable. Finally, when I had all but given up, I had a BM, at first a small one. A few minutes later, I was able to fill the toilet. It was such a relief! I had a much better night's sleep than I had had for some time.

This morning, however, I am having new problems. My butt is very sore when I sit, which has also been happening when I sit on the toilet for ten or more minutes. I must get up and walk around about every 30 minutes or so. I also feel like I need to have a BM constantly, but when I go to the toilet, I don't usually meet with success. The feeling is almost like when I used to have menstrual cramps. I suppose I could take pain medication for it, but I don't want to increase the chance of becoming more constipated. Does anyone have any suggestions for relief? I am a writer, so I do a lot of sitting at work, and this is becoming a problem.
Annie