My dad went in to the dr. on Wednesday with severe abdominal pain. They did and xray and ct scan and the scan showed a blockage and a tumor. The dr. decided to not perform the colonoscopy as he felt it may cause more damage.

He had surgery on Thursday and removed 12 inches of his intestine and a "golf ball" size tumor which the dr. said was cancer but did not know what stage. Due to the holiday the results will not be back until Tuesday. He suspected somewhere between stage 2-3.

My dad has a ileostomy (sp?) and I would like to help him in any way I can. Can someone give me advice? Looks like he will be in the hospital for a couple more days and I just want to know what to expect when he gets out. I am concerned because he lives alone and I don't want him to overdo it.

Also, when he can start eating again, does anyone have any suggestions about things that he can tolerate right away. I know nothing about this and I want to make him things that he will be able to eat and not get sick-if that is possible.

For those of you who have had this surgery, how long of a recovery did you have. The dr. said at least six weeks. My dad is retired so he can relax, but I don't want him to get restless either.

Thanks in advance for your input!!

Hi Mander.
I have had 18" of bowel cut out in Jan this year, ileostomy, followed by 6 months of chemo (then a reversal which didnt work and put my life in question, but thats anotehr story) I again now have anotehr ileostomy.
Your dad will need help for the first few weeks changing the bag, and getting comfortable with which one will suit him best. In Australia, we have district nurses that come to your house and help you change the bag until your confident enough to do it yourself. He might (more than likely) get a few leaks, which at first can be very disheartening, and embarrassing, but in time, this too will come easier to deal with.
I wasnt put on any special diet, but common sense and trial and experience will help also. No nuts, string beans, corn which can become blocked coming out of the ileostomy (or painful).
You can help by being there for your dad, and he will feel weak for a few weeks for sure. Here too they say not to lift anything heavy for 5-6 weeks after the op. Handling washing baskets and va****** will be off his duties for that time.
Goodluck to your dad and yourself. Keep us updated here on the progress and feel free to ask any questions at all that you might have. One of us here should be able to help you. Its like a big family here and the best thing to happen to me. You will get support, friendship, knowledge and alot of hugs here.
Take care !
Maz

Is your Dad's ileo permanent or temporary? He should have been given dietary guidelines to follow for the first 6-8 weeks. Basically any cut into the intestines can cause disruption of peristalsis for a few weeks so the diet should avoid too much fiber. Food should be chewed very well and taken with lots of fluids. I pretty much stuck to soups, yogurt, applesauce, mashed cooked vegies and still had 4 blockages in the first 3 months - one from pertistalis stopping after 10 days and the others from food ( hamburger and salad greens). You can gradually add back foods a small amount at time - I was told about 2 tablespoons - to see how the gut accepts them. Believe me blockages are no fun!