I am a Colon Cancer survivor and still have problems with my digestive system. I am looking for people with the same problem. I had a resection done. Did not need a colostomy but I have to use an enema every day before I leave the house for work. If I don't I leak and have uncontrollable gas, this prevents me from working quite frequently. It has been 2 years since my surgery. I suffer from obstructions which sends me on a liquid diet till I feel better or the pain goes away. My doctors says things will get better. Can someone tell me if this is normal :confused:

This does not sound normal to me. I had obstructions before the surgery because of where my tumor was. I have had none after. Did go through a bout of constipation because I was not eating enough. Now I tend to go the other way and have to use Immodiam from time to time. I just had my surgery July 20 and I am feeling much better. Go back for chemo stating this Monday. I would ask my doctor what is causing the obstrution. And if you are having problems with a lot of gas try taking some GasX. It is over the counter and what they tell me to take. Hope things get better for you. Keep us posted. God Bless. DJ

I am a Colon Cancer survivor and still have problems with my digestive system. I am looking for people with the same problem. I had a resection done. Did not need a colostomy but I have to use an enema every day before I leave the house for work. If I don't I leak and have uncontrollable gas, this prevents me from working quite frequently. It has been 2 years since my surgery. I suffer from obstructions which sends me on a liquid diet till I feel better or the pain goes away. My doctors says things will get better. Can someone tell me if this is normal :confused:

Hi:
Don't feel alone. :wave: I had a rectal resection in Jan 04 and had and ileostomy until may 04. Since they rehooked me, I've had nothing but problems. I leak, have to use an enema and dilate my anus daily, but still find that if I eat, I leak, no matter the consistency. So, I remain on disability... because the leaking and the chronic pain. My doctors also tell me it should get better, otherwise the colorectal surgeon said I should consider a colostomy/ileostomy in a years time. Which I will gladly do if I still suffer the way I do. Have you asked about a bag? Where was your resection?

BE STRONG! :angel:
Regards,
CancerDad

thank you I thought I was alone. I have talked to my doctor and his reply is "you do not have cancer anymore". I walk out grateful till I realize I have to eat and I still have to work. I am currently recovering from an obstruction, I feel pain and am trying to remain on liquids. I did not go to the doctor because I am trying to schedule a colnoscopy for this month. I am considering disabilty but do not know how it works. I am so tired of the torture I put on my body to try to function in public. I have been doing this for 2 years with no relief insight from my perspective. I have asked for a bag and doctors responded with "what a great job he had done with the resection" why would i want a bag. Can you tell me about your routine or disabilty.

The resection may well have been great but if you have no control then there is still a problem. Next time ask the doctor to poo his pants right then and there and ask him to describe how he feels. Obviously he won't so ask him why not if it is really not such a bad thing to live with.

There is a time when getting firm with a doctor is required, they are the authority on medical terms, you are the authority on your quality of life!

thank you I thought I was alone. I have talked to my doctor and his reply is "you do not have cancer anymore". I walk out grateful till I realize I have to eat and I still have to work. I am currently recovering from an obstruction, I feel pain and am trying to remain on liquids. I did not go to the doctor because I am trying to schedule a colnoscopy for this month. I am considering disabilty but do not know how it works. I am so tired of the torture I put on my body to try to function in public. I have been doing this for 2 years with no relief insight from my perspective. I have asked for a bag and doctors responded with "what a great job he had done with the resection" why would i want a bag. Can you tell me about your routine or disabilty.

Hi:

You have to talk with your Human Resources department regarding disability. Get a letter from your Doctor and your out-- that's it. They don't need a reason as to why unless you want to provide it. I don't know if you are in the US, but Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects you from having to tell. Your policy will vary depending on what percentage of pay you get for disability. I can tell you there is NO WAY that I would be able to work full time. I commend you!

I agree with JD-- you need to be forceful and tell it like it is. (By the way,I know exactly how it is-- what goes in must come out!!-- you live your life in fear-- fear that the cancer will come back on top of obstruction,etc.) Don't ask for a bag... tell them you can't live your life anymore without one. I had an ileostomy bag for a temporary period and can tell you it's a heck of a lot easier than having to wear diapers, leak, and worry about enemas daily (by the way... using a regular enema everyday is NOT healthy. My colorectal surgeon told me to just clean the bottle thoroughly and use water, it does the same job.) You didn't mention... where did they resect?? Rectal or Colon resection? I don't have much of a schedule no matter how hard I try.

Keep the faith.
Regards,
CancerDad

As a sigmoid colostomate I can second CancerDad's no schedule comment. I usually get output sometime in the midmorning but that's only a rule of thumb there is something happening at any time of the day.

I had cancer in my rectum or 8cm from bottom. My resection was lower bottom, which left very little rectum. I lost 24 inches of colon and rectum. I am 44 years old and was 41 when I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Thank you so much for your advise and JD's advise. I will demand a bag. I had asked the doctor about daily enemas and he said it was "ok". My doctor suggested an enema kit, to help save money.
The pain associated with my obstruction seems to linger longer than usual this time around. So I might just need to go see my doctor early. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for oct 26. This pain seems to worry me. My job can wait, I have talked to my employer about my condition and will continue with the Human Resources dept. I live in the US. I have been so caught up in just trying to get through the day that I forgot about the FMLA. Thanks for that bit of advise. I am concerned because I have felt very tired lately and that brings back memories of ....

Again thank you CancerDad and Jaydees, god bless you both. We ;) will keep fighting!

Elma, my tumour was in almost the exact location (5 cm) and my surgeon told me that even if they had left slim margins that it would be very likely I would not have had any anal control thus the colostomy.

Jaydees, thank you so much for all the information I have received from you. Do you work? And if you do, how do you manage with the Colostomy. I will do research and I plan on asking the doctor to make that adjustment on my bottom. This has been very difficult for me. My co-workers just don't understand. They are constantly asking that I eat. Public life is so stressful. Will the colostomy make it better?

My husband was told that he would definitely have to have a colostomy as his tumour was too near the anus to be able to save it. However, the surgeon was able to resect without the need for a colostomy. He obviously did a great job....my husband has good control of his bowels, though he does have more bowel movements per day than he used to. He just does not eat too much if he has to go to a meeting and has a huge meal in the afternoon when he knows he does not have to go out any more for the day. During his colonscopy done a year after surgery, I saw the pictures of his rectum and resection...lucky me! Seriously, it was so neat and clean in there. Having said all that, I know of people who have colostomies who lead normal lives...working etc. from what I understand, it is just a matter of getting used to it and knowing what you can and cannot eat to give you more control over the output.

My husband had similar experience as Alisons. The surgeon told him he would probably need a bag and the stoma nurse came and did her little presentation. They also marked where the bag position would be just prior to surgery. In the event he did not need one. He also needs more regular trips to bathroom but seems to manage ok.

Good luck
Ktee