Guest guest Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Hi All 48 yr old female with no cancer in family.I was recently diagnosed with colon cancer (at the cecum)after going in for a physical & having my blood count come back low - leading to a stool test - then colonoscopy. I have not been staged, doctors said they will wait until after the surgery. I will have a lap. assisted surgery Monday. Any advice? Doctor says 5 - 7 days in the hospital - is that about right? When do you start walking? How is the pain? Sorry for all the questions, please remember me in your prayers. June Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Welcome, June... So glad you found us, even though I'm sorry you had to do so. I'm a caregiver for Glenn and it's been a wild, wild roller coaster ride for us the last 2 yrs. You are in the right place to vent, scream, cry, whatever you need to do....we also laugh, tease and share lots of good " stuff " ...there are patients, survivors and caregivers here and we all support each other with great love and concern with lots of prayers and positive thoughts. Glenn's journey has not been easy by any stretch of the imagination, but he's still fighting!! The short synopsis below gives you a little idea of our journey. He recently had a surgery to implant a pump to help remove the fluid from his abdomen up into the jugular vein and out through the body in a normal process. The pump appears to be working, but he's had severe diarrhea since the surgery 3 wks. ago. We have a drs. appt. on Monday for his post surgical check up and to determine what we do next. He's very, very weak and his spirits are way down, so requesting uplifting prayers for both of us. And we will add you to our prayer list. Tell us a little about you and your family whenever you feel like sharing. Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle Caregiver to Glenn Colon resection 6/03 removing 9 in. of colon including cancerous tumore and 3 of 22 removed lymph nodes were also cancerous. Infection set in at surgical site...Open wound for 2 months, chemo for 8 months Mets to Liver found 4/04, inoperable; one tumor too close to artery and vein Chemo infiltration to chest 8/04 with severe side effects including severe pain and muscle damage (permanent??) 10/04 Severe lower ab pain unable to eat, colon shut down, hospitalization w/morphine 8 days. Sent home with basically no diagnosis. Possibly the cancer causing the pain. Ascites (Fluid build-up) and Paracentesis (draining) on a regular weekly basis 11/09/04 on 5FU/Leu/Oxaliplatin/Avastin " cocktails " 46 hr. infusions Mid Dec. 04 - CT. Scan shows largest tumor on liver has reduced 1/3, remaining 11 tumors stable; no growth. Chemo is working...Yippee!! 02/05 Continued bi-wkly Ascites and Paracentesis may mean chemo no longer working. Emergency CT. Scan performed. Tumors are reducing in size, some as much as half!!! Chemo is working!!! Found a blot clot in the vein going in to the liver!!! Waiting for MRI so GI Dr. can decide to treat with meds or surgery. Onc. now believes the blood clot is reason for the continuing Ascites. March 04...Lovamax shots nightly to dissolve the clot and open the portal vein going in to the liver, hoping the liver will function more normally. Still not sure if blood clot or tumor. Why? No answers. ICU hospitalization twice..total of 9 days out of 14 for varices bleeding in the esophogus. No chemo now for 6 wks. Drs., Liver specialists, and GI specialists working on a plan. Ascites is doing more damage than chemo to Glenn's body. Have to " take a chance " (Drs. words) and do the shunt surgery and very SOON!! " Chemo Vacation " to build up Glenn's body for whatever!!! Liver Spec. does not agree with GI Dr. re: shunt surgery...now what?? TRYING TO KICK BUTT with this darn disease!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Hi June, I saw what Larry wrote, and wanted to add to it. The surgery went well. They force you to walk the very next day. It wasn't easy the first day, I was bent over, and the staff said that they would let it slide the first day, but I would have to stand up straight the second day. Well, the second day was so much easier, that I was amazed. The more you walk the easier it gets. The third day, I didn't walk as much, and I didn't feel as good, so the 4th day I walked more and felt better. I was sent home on the 5th day feeling pretty good physically, but emotionally it was difficult due to having the wrong people bring me home. That was one day, but if you have a choice, be mindful of who surrounds you the first day home. It is really helpful if there are people who make it easy for you to just heal yourself. The first full day at home though was fine. not too many surgeons do the lap surgery, but I think it was awesome. You can barely see the scars anymore, and several of the tiny ones are no longer visible at all. My onclogist was very amazed when I met with him the 24th. I'm sure that it was one of the reasons that I healed so quickly too (less cut muscles less to heal). Good luck with your surgery and healing. Janet --- sweetiepies808 SweetiePies808@...> wrote: > Hi All > 48 yr old female with no cancer in family.I was > recently diagnosed with > colon cancer (at the cecum)after going in for a > physical & having my > blood count come back low - leading to a stool test > - then colonoscopy. > I have not been staged, doctors said they will wait > until after the > surgery. I will have a lap. assisted surgery Monday. > Any advice? Doctor > says 5 - 7 days in the hospital - is that about > right? When do you > start walking? How is the pain? > Sorry for all the questions, please remember me in > your prayers. > June > > > > __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Hi June, I saw what Larry wrote, and wanted to add to it. The surgery went well. They force you to walk the very next day. It wasn't easy the first day, I was bent over, and the staff said that they would let it slide the first day, but I would have to stand up straight the second day. Well, the second day was so much easier, that I was amazed. The more you walk the easier it gets. The third day, I didn't walk as much, and I didn't feel as good, so the 4th day I walked more and felt better. I was sent home on the 5th day feeling pretty good physically, but emotionally it was difficult due to having the wrong people bring me home. That was one day, but if you have a choice, be mindful of who surrounds you the first day home. It is really helpful if there are people who make it easy for you to just heal yourself. The first full day at home though was fine. not too many surgeons do the lap surgery, but I think it was awesome. You can barely see the scars anymore, and several of the tiny ones are no longer visible at all. My onclogist was very amazed when I met with him the 24th. I'm sure that it was one of the reasons that I healed so quickly too (less cut muscles less to heal). Good luck with your surgery and healing. Janet --- sweetiepies808 SweetiePies808@...> wrote: > Hi All > 48 yr old female with no cancer in family.I was > recently diagnosed with > colon cancer (at the cecum)after going in for a > physical & having my > blood count come back low - leading to a stool test > - then colonoscopy. > I have not been staged, doctors said they will wait > until after the > surgery. I will have a lap. assisted surgery Monday. > Any advice? Doctor > says 5 - 7 days in the hospital - is that about > right? When do you > start walking? How is the pain? > Sorry for all the questions, please remember me in > your prayers. > June > > > > __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Hi, June. Sorry to hear that you have this problem, but glad that your doctor found it, and you found this group. I haven't read what all the other members have posted to you, because I am in a great rush today. Our oldest son is having a birthday party tomorrow. Just the family, but we're all getting together. Yes, you will have fun again. I read this on a website and was using it as info for my husband: Patients having abdominal surgery may not drive for 10 days, should avoid lifting objects heavier than 25 pounds for three months and should avoid a lot of dietary fiber or roughage for four weeks. They should take 4 to 6 weeks off work. Pain medication will be needed for two weeks, and patients will feel tired for 1 to 3 months, depending on how fit they were before surgery. © Copyright 1995-2005 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved That sounds very conservative to me, but I guess everyone's case will be different, although a bit similar. My husband was in the hospital 6 days. Three days later he had staples removed. Two days later he drove the car. However, he is retired, so he hangs around the house and has only been out about four times since his surgery August 26. He takes the maximum of 8 extra strength Tylenol each day and has to lay down on the bed when the sitting hurts him. He has a memory foam pillow with the middle cut out of it. However, you may be able to tolerate pain better than he did. He said he now understands what my C-sections and my hysterectomy were like. My prayers are with you. We all are thinking about you. Let us know how you are doing. ~Deb from Kansas > Hi All > 48 yr old female with no cancer in family.I was recently diagnosed with > colon cancer (at the cecum)after going in for a physical & having my > blood count come back low - leading to a stool test - then colonoscopy. > I have not been staged, doctors said they will wait until after the > surgery. I will have a lap. assisted surgery Monday. Any advice? Doctor > says 5 - 7 days in the hospital - is that about right? When do you > start walking? How is the pain? > Sorry for all the questions, please remember me in your prayers. > June Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Hi June I think we all have different experiences. I just had my second resection a month ago. I am a 68 yr old diabetic with other health problems. The reason for the second surgery two years after the first is I grow scar tissue very easy and it blocked my recturm. I thankfully had changed Dr's and this Dr cleaned all the mess of scar tissue I had out but required a resection. Taking out all the scar tissue he did testing on it right while I was in surgery and ended in 9 hrs in surgery. I can't believe how well and pain free I have felt. I was in the hospital 9 days and sure they gave me something for pain in my IV and sent me home with a prescription for morphine. I have not taken any of it or anything for pain as I have not had any. I really feel good but know it will be awhile to get all my strength back. After my first resection someone stayed with me 24/7 and we had planned on it after this one. It turned out someone stayed with me the first day home and after that I have been able to fully take care of myself. Hil Going into surgery Monday Hi All 48 yr old female with no cancer in family.I was recently diagnosed with colon cancer (at the cecum)after going in for a physical & having my blood count come back low - leading to a stool test - then colonoscopy. I have not been staged, doctors said they will wait until after the surgery. I will have a lap. assisted surgery Monday. Any advice? Doctor says 5 - 7 days in the hospital - is that about right? When do you start walking? How is the pain? Sorry for all the questions, please remember me in your prayers. June ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 > Hi All > 48 yr old female with no cancer in family.I was recently diagnosed with > colon cancer (at the cecum)after going in for a physical & having my > blood count come back low - leading to a stool test - then colonoscopy. > I have not been staged, doctors said they will wait until after the > surgery. I will have a lap. assisted surgery Monday. Any advice? Doctor > says 5 - 7 days in the hospital - is that about right? When do you > start walking? How is the pain? > Sorry for all the questions, please remember me in your prayers. > June Hello June, I was diagnosed last April-2004 with stage 4 colon cancer, had resection of colon, and 12 lympnodes removed,(no lap)they cut me pretty good, 5 hrs surgery, up walking in 4 days, went home on 5th. Have had more polyups removed this July, yes, their will be pain, just push that button, good luck to you, just take care of your self. Every-one here will be here for yoy, in our Prayers also. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Hi June, Welcome to our group. I am sure by now you have had all your questions answered. I am so sorry you are here becasue of cancer. I was diagnosed at 49 years old. I am a stage three survivor. So you have hope. Many here have stage four and are doing well. This is not the end of the world. You will make it through it just fine. Please post here often and let us know how you are feeling and how you are doing. Ingrid > Hi All > 48 yr old female with no cancer in family.I was recently diagnosed with > colon cancer (at the cecum)after going in for a physical & having my > blood count come back low - leading to a stool test - then colonoscopy. > I have not been staged, doctors said they will wait until after the > surgery. I will have a lap. assisted surgery Monday. Any advice? Doctor > says 5 - 7 days in the hospital - is that about right? When do you > start walking? How is the pain? > Sorry for all the questions, please remember me in your prayers. > June Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Hi June, Welcome to our group. I am sure by now you have had all your questions answered. I am so sorry you are here becasue of cancer. I was diagnosed at 49 years old. I am a stage three survivor. So you have hope. Many here have stage four and are doing well. This is not the end of the world. You will make it through it just fine. Please post here often and let us know how you are feeling and how you are doing. Ingrid > Hi All > 48 yr old female with no cancer in family.I was recently diagnosed with > colon cancer (at the cecum)after going in for a physical & having my > blood count come back low - leading to a stool test - then colonoscopy. > I have not been staged, doctors said they will wait until after the > surgery. I will have a lap. assisted surgery Monday. Any advice? Doctor > says 5 - 7 days in the hospital - is that about right? When do you > start walking? How is the pain? > Sorry for all the questions, please remember me in your prayers. > June Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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