HAD COLON REMOVED 6 MONTHS AGO HAD RECONSTRUCTION ALL DONE AT SAME TIME I E POUCH. My ambition was to get back on a horse again and go hunting the surgeon said no way; this means being in the saddle for 3 or 4 hours. I can do this with careful preparation , be very careful what I eat the day before just bread, rice and cheese etc. Then on hunt day just a tiny bit of porridge and off to go. I take 4 to 6 Imodium a day this helps ,non processed meat is good if I dare eat veg fruit I am in trouble small amounts of alcohol can be coped with but I still need the toilet about 10 times a day. :-D
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I had colon resection on Nov 2nd.Feeling pretty good today. I need to tell everyone about what I take for my bowels. My doctor told me to try KONSYL fiber. I get it at the drugstore. I mix a teaspoon of the powder in orange juice, shake it up, and drink it fast. I have to say this stuff is AMAZING!!! I have not had any issues with my bowels since the first day I took it. Im regular, no diarrhea, etc. I hope this helps someone. I tell everyone I meet about it, I even have my parents and husband taking it...
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I am new to this forum. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer in September, 2009. In October, 2009, I underwent my first surgery for a chemotherapy port. After that, I immediately began chemotherapy and radiation treatments which lasted for 6 weeks. I am a Special Education Teacher, and I somehow managed to continue teaching all throughout the first semester of 2009. I teach at a school approximately 90 miles, roundtrip, from where I live. This is due to the fact that I had to relocate to my hometown after I was diagnosed with cancer in order to obtain the best care possible, and my husband and I were blessed to receive the love and support of my parents to help us.
In January, 2010, I taught for two weeks before I underwent a radical removal of my entire rectum along with three cancerous lymph nodes. A temporary ostomy was surgically installed on my small intestine (ileostomy). My surgeon's original plan was to perform a colon resection after a short recovery from the rectum removal surgery. However, the discovery of the three cancerous lymph nodes necessitated 4 1/2 additional months of more intensive chemotherapy. My surgeon knew that intensive chemotherapy would likely induce chronic diarrhea that would be inconducive to a speedy colon resection, and he was right. The treatment was very difficult, and I was unable to work for the remainder of the second semester. With the love and support of my colleagues, I never missed a day of pay.
Throughout the time I spent undergoing chemotherapy treatments with the ostomy, I never experienced digestive problems with eating any particular foods. When I wasn't nauseous, I could eat just about any foods that I wished to enjoy. Wearing the ostomy bag was miserable, and I greatly looked forward to the end of my chemotherapy treatments and the ensuing colon resection surgery.
I underwent my colon resection on June, 25, 2010. At the time, I never realized just how miserable my recovery was going to be. It didn't help that I had to return to teaching on August 8, 2010. I have experienced all of the problems mentioned by the others. I have been unable to eat fresh fruits, fruit juices, fresh vegetables, and most cooked vegetables. I recently discovered that I am only able to tolerate milk products in very small doses. Only recently, in the last month, have I noticed significant improvement in my bowel function. My episodes of diarrhea have decreased. Constipation has never been a problem for me. I can definitely relate to bloggers with multiple bouts of bm's all day long. I went through the same thing, and it was absolutely miserable to the point that, occasionally, I would take a pain pill for relief. My chemo doctor had prescribed Lomotil for my diarrhea, and I don't know what I would have done without it during that time.
I am finally starting to get better. I agree with others who say that the key is finding what works for you. Sometimes, I am wrong. I think that I know that a food is okay, and I find that several days later, the food that I thought was safe is giving me extreme problems that can last for more than a day. Generally, my diet consists of lean meats (no lunch meat, hot dogs, or sausages), white potatoes without the skins, white rice, white noodles, white bread, butter crackers, graham crackers (in small amounts), margarine, mayonnaise, two glasses a day of sweet tea (no carbonated beverages), two cups of lowfat milk a day, and very small amounts of cooked fruits and vegetable per week. I don't eat cooked fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Apples, peeled and cooked, in a little bit of margarine are a very good choice for me. I can't tolerate beans of any kind. I can eat small amounts of cooked carrots, squash, canned English peas, and canned asparagus tips. For people who want to try squash or have tried squash without success, select yellow squash that is very young and tender. Very small, young squash will not contain seeds. I love okra, but I don't know if I will ever be able to eat it again. I don't tolerate broccoli very well. Corn and tomatoes are absolutely out of the question for me altogether. I also wonder if I will every be able to eat certain foods again. I miss seafood gumbo and red beans with rice. We grow vegetables in our back yard. This year, I just don't know if it will be worth the effort, considering how few vegetables I am able to eat.
Thanks so much for listening to me. I hope that I had information that was useful to someone. I have learned much from your posts, and I am glad that I found this website. I also hope that I did this correctly.
In January, 2010, I taught for two weeks before I underwent a radical removal of my entire rectum along with three cancerous lymph nodes. A temporary ostomy was surgically installed on my small intestine (ileostomy). My surgeon's original plan was to perform a colon resection after a short recovery from the rectum removal surgery. However, the discovery of the three cancerous lymph nodes necessitated 4 1/2 additional months of more intensive chemotherapy. My surgeon knew that intensive chemotherapy would likely induce chronic diarrhea that would be inconducive to a speedy colon resection, and he was right. The treatment was very difficult, and I was unable to work for the remainder of the second semester. With the love and support of my colleagues, I never missed a day of pay.
Throughout the time I spent undergoing chemotherapy treatments with the ostomy, I never experienced digestive problems with eating any particular foods. When I wasn't nauseous, I could eat just about any foods that I wished to enjoy. Wearing the ostomy bag was miserable, and I greatly looked forward to the end of my chemotherapy treatments and the ensuing colon resection surgery.
I underwent my colon resection on June, 25, 2010. At the time, I never realized just how miserable my recovery was going to be. It didn't help that I had to return to teaching on August 8, 2010. I have experienced all of the problems mentioned by the others. I have been unable to eat fresh fruits, fruit juices, fresh vegetables, and most cooked vegetables. I recently discovered that I am only able to tolerate milk products in very small doses. Only recently, in the last month, have I noticed significant improvement in my bowel function. My episodes of diarrhea have decreased. Constipation has never been a problem for me. I can definitely relate to bloggers with multiple bouts of bm's all day long. I went through the same thing, and it was absolutely miserable to the point that, occasionally, I would take a pain pill for relief. My chemo doctor had prescribed Lomotil for my diarrhea, and I don't know what I would have done without it during that time.
I am finally starting to get better. I agree with others who say that the key is finding what works for you. Sometimes, I am wrong. I think that I know that a food is okay, and I find that several days later, the food that I thought was safe is giving me extreme problems that can last for more than a day. Generally, my diet consists of lean meats (no lunch meat, hot dogs, or sausages), white potatoes without the skins, white rice, white noodles, white bread, butter crackers, graham crackers (in small amounts), margarine, mayonnaise, two glasses a day of sweet tea (no carbonated beverages), two cups of lowfat milk a day, and very small amounts of cooked fruits and vegetable per week. I don't eat cooked fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Apples, peeled and cooked, in a little bit of margarine are a very good choice for me. I can't tolerate beans of any kind. I can eat small amounts of cooked carrots, squash, canned English peas, and canned asparagus tips. For people who want to try squash or have tried squash without success, select yellow squash that is very young and tender. Very small, young squash will not contain seeds. I love okra, but I don't know if I will ever be able to eat it again. I don't tolerate broccoli very well. Corn and tomatoes are absolutely out of the question for me altogether. I also wonder if I will every be able to eat certain foods again. I miss seafood gumbo and red beans with rice. We grow vegetables in our back yard. This year, I just don't know if it will be worth the effort, considering how few vegetables I am able to eat.
Thanks so much for listening to me. I hope that I had information that was useful to someone. I have learned much from your posts, and I am glad that I found this website. I also hope that I did this correctly.
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This was very helpful information. My mother is two months out of a resectioning and having a lot of isssues with gas-constipation and upset stomach. The only advice from the surgeon when asked about diet was "I would eat a whole can of nuts or anything." We did introduce my mother to a "new" orgainc whole food high fiber fresh vegs and etc, diet--which at first seeme to be okay. As i read these posts i see that infact we should do the opposite. Thank you for the advice.
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I am a 45 yr. old female.I had my Sigmoid colon removed Lapriscopically on Jan.18 2011. I am still a bit gassy and sore. I have been taking 2 Garden of Life ProBiotics that my GI Dr. suggested everyday and seem to be doing much better than any of the posts I've read. My Doctor told me I could have cashews. I am not having any diareha or constipation. I have had grapes, beef and chicken enchiladas and a little of a lot of other things. I have lost 15lbs since the beginning of November with Diverticulitis so I am enjoying eating. I can only eat small amounts still. Please look into Garden of Life Digestive enzymes and Probiotics.
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I am a 52 yr old woman , I too had my Sigmoid colon (18") removed on August 28 2010 after a cancerous polyp was discovered. I am still recovering and becoming so darn impatient. My diet has changed dramatically as well as my bathroom habits. I am no longer able to eat vegetables like I once did and miss them terribly. I miss apples, and bananas, which my surgeon told me to stay clear of. I am more regular than before but have found whatever I eat can make a huge difference from day to day, and not in a good way. I don't appear to be having any consistency in how I feel. I am bloated and gassy most days, very few days I feel good.
My 7" incision is so tender and very sore mostly around my belly button. I was a very active person before surgery and am finding I get sore and tired far to easily now. Some days I want to scream because I miss being me: going to the gym, running, long walks in the neighborhood and everyday chores around the house. If I over do and strain by lifting or just doing too much I pay for it the next day.
Does anyone still have the bloating/swelling? Soreness and tender incision? It has been 6 months at the end of February and all I can say is enough! I agree that my surgeon didn't offer much support, guidance or follow up after my calls.
I sit a great deal with my feet up after I exert myself, does anyone have sore hips after sitting and recovering? I can't sleep on my sides because the pain is awful. I end up on my back which isn't very comfortable.
I really have enjoyed reading what everyone has written and find some comfort knowing I am not alone.
When will I start to feel better? ?
My 7" incision is so tender and very sore mostly around my belly button. I was a very active person before surgery and am finding I get sore and tired far to easily now. Some days I want to scream because I miss being me: going to the gym, running, long walks in the neighborhood and everyday chores around the house. If I over do and strain by lifting or just doing too much I pay for it the next day.
Does anyone still have the bloating/swelling? Soreness and tender incision? It has been 6 months at the end of February and all I can say is enough! I agree that my surgeon didn't offer much support, guidance or follow up after my calls.
I sit a great deal with my feet up after I exert myself, does anyone have sore hips after sitting and recovering? I can't sleep on my sides because the pain is awful. I end up on my back which isn't very comfortable.
I really have enjoyed reading what everyone has written and find some comfort knowing I am not alone.
When will I start to feel better? ?
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Colon Cancer op 2005,reversal 2006.Agreed tomatoes are a complete no no.
My experience to try to live normally is as follows and I still have accidents when pants and trousers have to go in the washer.
I eat twice a day,get my shopping done,appointments etc then have first meal.I usually find an hour or two before I go out again prevents accidents or if I can urinate that signals its ok.
I eat for the last time about 3 to 4 hours before I go to bed.In the early days I might have a late supper and I found that absolute madness.
I still also try to establish toilets/restrooms if I go anywhere.
It still appals me in the UK how large shops,national names do not have public toilets.
Again for people in the UK Pubs and betting shops are godsends.
My experience to try to live normally is as follows and I still have accidents when pants and trousers have to go in the washer.
I eat twice a day,get my shopping done,appointments etc then have first meal.I usually find an hour or two before I go out again prevents accidents or if I can urinate that signals its ok.
I eat for the last time about 3 to 4 hours before I go to bed.In the early days I might have a late supper and I found that absolute madness.
I still also try to establish toilets/restrooms if I go anywhere.
It still appals me in the UK how large shops,national names do not have public toilets.
Again for people in the UK Pubs and betting shops are godsends.
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I had colectomy surgery in Oct 10. It was no picnic. Stayed in hospital for 7 days went down to122lbs. I am back to 130. Baby wipes help soft. Foods are still a problem what to eat and not. Trial and error. MY labs have been so much better I keeped an inf. in the bladder and my liver was so off. I understand it takes time. I did alot of crying when I came home. Went on lexapro it has helped me alot. Off pain meds. The drs. say from 7mo to a year to come together. You may e mail me hope all do fine. Just takes so much time. Yes, I get tired often :-D
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Hi,
I had my resection done 5 1/2 weeks ago, and everything you described was almost exactly what happened to me. I was in severe pain about 3 weeks after the surgery, and ALMOST went to the emergency room. I was out of Percocet and for some strange reason my surgeon would not prescribe anymore. I don't think any of them understand the pain you might have with this surgery. I hate pain meds. I had never asked for pain meds before. At most times I refuse them. I am a 28yr old male, and I've always had a high tolerance for pain. But this was unbearable, I had never felt anything like it before in my life.
I thought to myself about how painful the ride to the ER would be, because no matter how I positioned myself, any and all types of movement caused excruciating pain...so I decided to not go. I laid in bed for 5 days, only going to the bathroom once in the morning and once at night, and ate one meal a day (but I made sure it was high in protein, needed the muscles to heal). I finally started being able to move a little more on the 6th, so I was extremely happy when I could finally take a shower the next day. It was the most difficult and most painful shower I've ever taken, but I finally felt clean again, lol.
After that week, things finally started to slowly get better. I can eat a little bit more every week, and the pain is there but it isn't anywhere near as bad anymore. Like you said, my abdomen feels heavy at all times now. Especially while trying to find a way to sleep comfortably (which I still haven't accomplished yet). But it does seem like each week is not as bad as the last one.
I had my resection done 5 1/2 weeks ago, and everything you described was almost exactly what happened to me. I was in severe pain about 3 weeks after the surgery, and ALMOST went to the emergency room. I was out of Percocet and for some strange reason my surgeon would not prescribe anymore. I don't think any of them understand the pain you might have with this surgery. I hate pain meds. I had never asked for pain meds before. At most times I refuse them. I am a 28yr old male, and I've always had a high tolerance for pain. But this was unbearable, I had never felt anything like it before in my life.
I thought to myself about how painful the ride to the ER would be, because no matter how I positioned myself, any and all types of movement caused excruciating pain...so I decided to not go. I laid in bed for 5 days, only going to the bathroom once in the morning and once at night, and ate one meal a day (but I made sure it was high in protein, needed the muscles to heal). I finally started being able to move a little more on the 6th, so I was extremely happy when I could finally take a shower the next day. It was the most difficult and most painful shower I've ever taken, but I finally felt clean again, lol.
After that week, things finally started to slowly get better. I can eat a little bit more every week, and the pain is there but it isn't anywhere near as bad anymore. Like you said, my abdomen feels heavy at all times now. Especially while trying to find a way to sleep comfortably (which I still haven't accomplished yet). But it does seem like each week is not as bad as the last one.
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i had a colon resection on feb. 2, 2010 i,m still having a lot of pain. i,m finding out i can,t eat a lot of veg,s and fruits lots of gas, can someone tell me whats out there that i can eat and not have the gas or feel so uncomfortable. no matter what i eat i feel sick please help/////.
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At the end of February it will have been 6 months since my resection. I am still watching what I eat very carefully.
What I have found not to eat, so far is: broccoli, cauliflower, squash, asparagus, raw apples, bananas, cheese and nuts. I'm sure there are more but for now those are real no no's
What I can eat: a dessert:cooked apples in butter with cinnamon/sugar, Veggies: peeled and cook carrots, celery, snap peas. mushrooms (cooked), apricots, prunes, milk, yogurt (plain) Noodles (not wheat) white bread, Hot and cold rice cereal, Special K, chicken, fish and turkey all of these plus a few more but in small amounts and often. Low fiber is the best solution even though we are told to go ahead and eat normal. I have found it simply doesn't work and isn't worth it. I pray this isn't forever. I don't eat pork or red meat so the searching for nutritious foods has become a job. I take supplements which I haven't done in the past but realize it is wise now under the circumstances.
My incision has just started to feel "okay" and can wear jeans again for a longer period of time.
Take it easy, don't over do. If you do it could cause a hernia which would mean another surgery to repair the split. I was scolded several time. I'm a very active person. I have missed the daily visits to the gym working out. I do a lot of walking and stretching to stay active. I started to go back to the gym about 3 months ago, 20 minutes max on the elliptical and that has felt wonderful and the tread mill.
I had my 6 month CT Scan, CEA blood work up and next week my colonoscopy. Yippee.
Luck to all, stay in touch with each other. This site has been a God's send for me. I truly thought I was lone and abnormal in what I was experiencing and feeling. Dr's don't appear to really know how to explain what is to come for those of us in this situation.
What I have found not to eat, so far is: broccoli, cauliflower, squash, asparagus, raw apples, bananas, cheese and nuts. I'm sure there are more but for now those are real no no's
What I can eat: a dessert:cooked apples in butter with cinnamon/sugar, Veggies: peeled and cook carrots, celery, snap peas. mushrooms (cooked), apricots, prunes, milk, yogurt (plain) Noodles (not wheat) white bread, Hot and cold rice cereal, Special K, chicken, fish and turkey all of these plus a few more but in small amounts and often. Low fiber is the best solution even though we are told to go ahead and eat normal. I have found it simply doesn't work and isn't worth it. I pray this isn't forever. I don't eat pork or red meat so the searching for nutritious foods has become a job. I take supplements which I haven't done in the past but realize it is wise now under the circumstances.
My incision has just started to feel "okay" and can wear jeans again for a longer period of time.
Take it easy, don't over do. If you do it could cause a hernia which would mean another surgery to repair the split. I was scolded several time. I'm a very active person. I have missed the daily visits to the gym working out. I do a lot of walking and stretching to stay active. I started to go back to the gym about 3 months ago, 20 minutes max on the elliptical and that has felt wonderful and the tread mill.
I had my 6 month CT Scan, CEA blood work up and next week my colonoscopy. Yippee.
Luck to all, stay in touch with each other. This site has been a God's send for me. I truly thought I was lone and abnormal in what I was experiencing and feeling. Dr's don't appear to really know how to explain what is to come for those of us in this situation.
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Ame here it takes time to find out what you can and can not eat I had my colectomy in Oct2010. Still have not gained any wt back. I get along good with carrots and mashed or baked potatoes. Fish , chicken are ok for me. Still can not sleep on my sides. Do not like the pm everything seems to hurt more, Am learning were all the bathrooms when I do go out. Glad for this site.
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I had sigmoid colon resection about 3 weeks ago, and have read the above posts with awe and sorrow for those that are suffering still after months. I expect to have to live at home for the next 4 weeks. I would hope I'd find more positive solutions and remedies as I cruise the internet. I am still tired, but I walk 1.5 miles 4 days to 5 a week. I don't want to stop my lifestyle of fun adventure!
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Hi
I am new to this site but desperate to get help. As I sit here typing this I am in terrible discomfort due to the same surgery some of you have had. Why do the doctor just do this surgery and then send us home with no after care and follow ups with dietary information. All I was told was not to eat red meat but to eat lots of fiber and stick to fish,chicken and rice. I had my surgery in May of 2010 and still suffer from terrible bouts of very loose stools or extreme constipation. Right now I have a lot of mucus passing and feel terrible pressure from the bowel. Can anyone make some helpful suggestions as my oncoligist tells me this will be an ongoing issue for the future! I am not open to accepting this but need to know where to get help.
Anne %-)
I am new to this site but desperate to get help. As I sit here typing this I am in terrible discomfort due to the same surgery some of you have had. Why do the doctor just do this surgery and then send us home with no after care and follow ups with dietary information. All I was told was not to eat red meat but to eat lots of fiber and stick to fish,chicken and rice. I had my surgery in May of 2010 and still suffer from terrible bouts of very loose stools or extreme constipation. Right now I have a lot of mucus passing and feel terrible pressure from the bowel. Can anyone make some helpful suggestions as my oncoligist tells me this will be an ongoing issue for the future! I am not open to accepting this but need to know where to get help.
Anne %-)
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