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Bowel movements.

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TheToad
TheToad

Hi. I've written before, but still wondering. Briefly, an extended right hemicolectomy 40 months ago. No worrying test results since, BUT... Bowel movements have not returned to normal. A reasonable one in the morning, another much looser one about two hours later and sometimes a gassy loose one during the afternoon. I know a shorter bowel can't absorb as much water so that might explain a bit. I take a heaped teaspoon of Konsyl D every day and don't follow any special diet but eat quite sensibly. I think. Possibly too much sweet stuff but no alcohol of any sort. 

Is this just the way it is now? Dr doesn't seem concerned but I am a little. If it's 'normal' for me, then I'll just be happy that the cancer was removed, (T3N0M0) and no signs of recurrence so far. 

Best wishes. 

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • jenny92923
    jenny92923 TheToad

    Posted

    Hello John, My husbands bowel movements have changed from once a day to two or three times a day so I think this must be normal following surgery.

    As you already know Martin was also T3NOMO following his high anterior resection.

    We now have his hisology results in writing which is a bit concerning.It says that there was microvascular invasion.I have spoken to his specialist nurse who assures me that it wasn't in any of the 17 lymph nodes and there were clear margins but can't help thinking that maybe he should have opted for chemo.

    Will be worried now until the 1st scan due in May.

    Best wishes

    • TheToad
      TheToad jenny92923

      Posted

      Hello again Jenny. Yes, waiting is quite stressful and all people say is that it's 'normal.' Which doesn't actually help! They don't seem too concerned about your husband, which is reassuring. 

      Hoping to read about a clear scan in May.

      Regards,

      John. 

    • jenny92923
      jenny92923 TheToad

      Posted

      Hello again John, I am relieved to tell you that Martins recent follow up scan was all clear!!!! We have now been told that he will have a blood test in November and another scan next May.Not sure how we feel about that as it is a long time to wait, but they told us the blood test is a marker for any activity.

      Hope you are doing well................Regards Jenny.

    • TheToad
      TheToad jenny92923

      Posted

      That's great news! I suppose the longer waiting is a positve sign. My CEA is now 6 monthly and my appts yearly. I must admit to asking my Dr for a sneaky test as I was getting anxious again. My nurse said that was ok and to leave the next one for a further 6 months. Relief! I've just got home from open surgery to remove my gall bladder! In on Tuesday and out the next Wednesday. The longer than usual stay was because they couldn't operate for four days, but I still had to fast from 2 am each of those days until about 9 pm when they realised it couldn't be done that day. I lost about 4 kg! Dinner time now, all the best to you both. 

    • jenny92923
      jenny92923 TheToad

      Posted

      Sorry to hear you have had more surgery.Hope you have a speedy recovery.
    • TheToad
      TheToad jenny92923

      Posted

      Thanks. Yes, alternate staples out ?in 3 hours. I just hope the bump along the incision goes down and there is no infection. Both previous ops had infections in the scar which was a nuisance to say the least. All the best.  

  • anthony10484
    anthony10484 TheToad

    Posted

    I'm very much the same 28 months after the operation so it looks as though this is fairly normal - at least as far as a sample of three goes!.  My cancer was also T3N0M0.

    • TheToad
      TheToad anthony10484

      Posted

      Hi Anthony,

      Thanks for your reply. Did you have chemo? I wasn't offered any. Also, I'm curious to know the follow up tests, i.e CEA, CT scans and colonoscopy in your country, which I'm assuming is the UK. (I might well be wrong.) And are your tests all normal? It seems as if we are similar. 

    • anthony10484
      anthony10484 TheToad

      Posted

      Yes John, I'm in the UK.  I opted to take part in a medical trial in which the options were to have 9 chemo cycles after the op or 3 cycles before and 6 after - the choice of which was randomised via a computer.  I was selected for the 3 before and 6 after option.  Post treatment I am monitored at 6 month intervals which initially included CT scans and colonoscopy but I am now just having blood tests, this will continue to 5 years after the treatment.  All is normal so far.  There are times, though, when I feel a bit like the chap who fell off the top of a high building, as he passed each floor he looked in at all the horrified people watching him and called out 'Don't worry, everything is going well so far!'  One just has to hope for a thick mattress at the bottom.

    • anthony10484
      anthony10484

      Posted

      Perhaps I should have added that post treatment I was also monitored by the surgeon at 6 month intervals but he has now decided that this is no longer necessary.
    • TheToad
      TheToad anthony10484

      Posted

      Yes, much the same here. A colonoscopy after 1 year then another 3 years later, (end of this year.) CT scan 18 months after surgery and no more scheduled. Consultant and CEA rests 3 monthly, then 6 monthly for blood and appts. A 9 month wait until my last visit 3 weeks ago and now she doesn't want to see me for another year! So, she's not bothered it seems. The only problem is in my head. I'm seeing a councellor next week, as my hopefully unfounded anxiety is spoiling my recovery a little. 

      Cheers...confused

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