doing great but....?? - Cancer: Colon Message Board

0zzie · 08-09-2005, 08:06 PM

Today is the 8th day after my hubby had surgery to remove his rectal cancer, he'll be home tomorrow!! he has stage 4, he also has cancer in one kidney totaly separate from the rectal and liver cancer...( he has two primary and one secondary) his cancer went thru the sphincter muscle,so the whole muscle was removed as well as a foot of the sigmoid colon... he now has a colostomy bag, we are waiting for the results from pathology, but we are hopeful that they got the lot...the only down side to the surgery is that he still can't pee, although he did have problems peeing before he was diagnosed with rectal cancer...what a journey it has been since Good Friday 2005, we still have a long way to go, the next is chemo before the liver surgery/resection, because the cancer in the kidney is a slow growing one, that will be removed last..we are remaining confident that he will beat this, (well at least I am confident for both of us) I would like to thank everyone on this board as I came here often to read the threads which gave me great comfort in times of need...I would also like to say, if your doc says you need surgery, go for it....my hubby hated hospitals before this,his only dealings with hospitals was visiting me when we had the babies... was never sick, apart from the odd sniffle, (when he would play on that for some extra love and pampering) he kept telling me that he was afraid of leaving the hospital in a body bag... he said the other day, he'd do everything the same again if needed...his brain isn't fuzzy anymore... and already he's use to the colostomy bag...he was so proud that he was able to use it for the first time 3 days ago and that it all works well!! well apart from his not being able to pee.... it was just being afraid of the unknown that was the worse..
I'm sorry if I'm rambling on a bit here, just want to share my experiences with you...and to say a big thank you all and also to Cancer dad...my prayers go with you..my hubby is a young fella at 63 and we have our 34th wedding anniversary coming this September... this is just another experience we had to have to grow strong..although it's not something I would have wished for..
take care all ...

Mudlark · 08-09-2005, 09:28 PM

I sense and appluad your sense of relief. This is my first day home after two weeks 12 hours at the hospital. Knowing what you have faced and come to a new phase your 34th Anniversary will be all the sweeter. Wishing you both coninuted comfort and recovery
Mudlark Keep posting!

maria_z · 08-10-2005, 12:16 AM

Ozzie,

Yahhhhh for you and your hubby. Does your hubby have a district colostomy nurse calling to assist him with his bag? He sounds like he is doing great ........

Your situation sounds very similiar to ours....my hubby is stage iv also and he had never been in hospital before his cancer either.. and is also confident that he will beat this thing.

Keep positive .....it was great to read your post......as awful as this may sound it's nice to know that others know how you feel.

Maria_z

Nassau one · 08-10-2005, 05:50 AM

Hi Ozzie,

You and your husband are obviously dealing with all this very well. He is lucky to have you by his side....that will encourage him. As to not being able to pee, sounds like my husband. And you say he had problems before surgery. Does he have an enlarged prostate? Mine did and after surgery could not pee at all. The surgery often affects the nerves in the urinary system as well as digestive system so, particularly if there was already a problem, the urinary system can shut down. They tried a few things with my husband but, in the end, following his eight months of treatment, he had a TURP operation to reduce the size of the prostate. This solved the problem completely and went very well. In the case of your husband, the situation may well right itself and I hope it does but the main thing is to have him home and well on the way to recovery. The urinary problems can be dealt with if they do continue.

His attitude towards his bag is wonderful....being positive will go a long way.

All the best to you both!

West Coast Girl · 08-10-2005, 12:06 PM

I'm glad things are going well for you both! I find that the learning curve in getting used to having an ostomy is very steep in most people. I'm over 2 years with mine and most of the time I forget it's even there. I learned what to do mostly from internet support boards and my local ostomy association. My ET nurse was useless! In fact I never saw her after I left the hospital. Stay positive and live life to the fullest!