Hemicolectomy after-effects

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Bethany50

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Bethany50 » Thu Jun 28, 2012 2:22 pm

I had a right hemicolectomy 11 months ago after appendicitis revealed an 8 cm carcinoma (filled the entire appendix and was on the verge of metastasizing). I did acupuncture and other things to help the healing, and other than pain when I did abdominal exercises, I healed well. No diarrhea (I've always leaned towards constipation anyway, and still do sometimes).

My question: Starting about 2-3 months after the surgery (with removal of the attached lymph nodes), I experience what we think is lymph node pain under my left breast mostly (it can be under the right breast and down along the edge of the ribs). My oncologist didn't seem worried, but it's getting worse again and I'm starting to become more concerned.

Has anyone experienced this? I don't even know what kind of doctor to see about it.

Thanks.

CW

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby CW » Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:10 am

Age and numerous other factors—general health, etc., may result in more frequent instances of irregular bowel function following a right hemicolectomy. (I was 74 when I had the operation in 2006.) My layman's guess is that the second half of the colon (the section we're left with), wasn't "trained" to function effectively early on, and that the half we lost did most of the work. So unformed and/or diarreha-like movements can be common and may alternate with successive days of "normal" function.

Like a number of the respondents, I've never recovered a normal elimination pattern and in cases like mine, all one can do is attempt to "predict" whether a single, one-and a half, a half or no Immodium AD (or equivalent) will be required following a movement and be glad for the days of relatively normal function. (Oh yes—and remember that one's situation is better than the alternative.)

kiki78

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby kiki78 » Sat Nov 17, 2012 8:48 am

My daughter had a right semi hemicolectomy in September 2010. (14 at the time) because she had a carcenoid tumour on her appendix. Since her operation she has has constant bloating, and every single thing she eats (and we eat very heathy) goes straight through the poor girl. No one else seems to have that issue here. We regularly see a colon specialist and has numerous blood tests to make sure no cancer is anywhere else. She is booked in for a colonoscopy very shorty (again poor girl). Good luck to the rest of you though xx

Ewilliams11gb

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Ewilliams11gb » Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:30 pm

This site is brilliant I had emergency surgery after months of being in and out of A&E and after 4 months a surgeon felt my tummy and knew something wasn't right, I had to have a foot of my intestines taken out as they had been perforating and where black and ulcered , this caused peritonitis also which was 2 weeks away from doing serious damage , it's been 3 years since my op but I have just been diagnosed with it again and have to go on azathiaprin next week which I'm really dreading , if anyone else is on it some tips would be great as I haven't got much knowledge about the meds. Didn't realise it was so common, no one in my family has this just IBS so my cause is entirely unknown. Also has anyone had problems with getting pregnant since being diagnosed I suffered a misscarrage last year after a car crash but its not known weather the stress of the crash caused it or weather my fertility is lower than a normal female. Any advice would be greatly appreciated x thanks

Annie California

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Annie California » Sat May 25, 2013 7:27 pm

Hello (and thank you in advance for any response :))

I am 34. I had appendicitis 7 weeks ago and my appendix was removed.

The pathology report came back that a carcinoid was found on the tip. It was tiny (.6 cm) but it had invaded the subserosa, or outside layer of the appendix.

My oncologist is now recommending I get a right hemicolectomy.

am scared of the effects and, as well, my husband and I would like to try for a baby next year. I'm worried about what the impact of a right hemicolectomy on pregnancy would be.

So I've done some research and I've read many studies saying that at the size of .6 cm, even with invasion of the subserosa, a right hemicolectomy is not required.

Has anyone else been in a similar position or have any advice to share?

Thank you again,

All the Best,
Annie

Colon Joe

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Colon Joe » Fri Jun 07, 2013 2:22 pm

Annie California wrote:Hello (and thank you in advance for any response :))

I am 34. I had appendicitis 7 weeks ago and my appendix was removed.

The pathology report came back that a carcinoid was found on the tip. It was tiny (.6 cm) but it had invaded the subserosa, or outside layer of the appendix.

My oncologist is now recommending I get a right hemicolectomy.

am scared of the effects and, as well, my husband and I would like to try for a baby next year. I'm worried about what the impact of a right hemicolectomy on pregnancy would be.

So I've done some research and I've read many studies saying that at the size of .6 cm, even with invasion of the subserosa, a right hemicolectomy is not required.

Has anyone else been in a similar position or have any advice to share?

Thank you again,

All the Best,
Annie


Hi Annie,
I can't address the pregnancy part but can tell you about the R hemicolectomy I had. I'm a 51y/o male and had surgery in January of this year. Doc found precancerous polyps during my first colonoscopy and recommended removal of partial colon. There's too many blood vessels to attempt a resection in that area.
I had surgery on a Thursday and left hospital the following Monday. (Laparoscopic surgery is best if the surgeon can do it and leaves less of a scar and promotes faster recovery.) First couple of days were a blur due to painkillers. Morphine shots and self administered dilaudid pump. The made me sit up in a chair the first day for a couple of hours (I was asleep), then I started walking around the unit a few times a day until I left. They'll let you go home after you start passing gas and have a BM. They didn't let me eat until day four. I had a BM after eating and they discharged me that afternoon. There have been no problems other than loose stools that you have to guess about imodium doses. There may not be a need for them after a while. The surgery isn't near as bad as it used to be, recovery time is relatively quick (took a 3 mile hike 1 week post op), and you guarantee you won't get colon cancer in that area becasue it's gone. :-)

Burgundy

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Burgundy » Mon Jul 01, 2013 5:34 pm

Dear Annie

Exactly 2 years ago I was in the same place as you. A tumour found in my appendix. I had a right Hemi and recovered v quickly (it was key hole surgery). I also have a 16month old daughter, so fell pregnant easily after the op (and with only one ovary too)! Good luck, go with the doctor's recommendation, they know best. Nx


Colon Joe wrote:
Annie California wrote:Hello (and thank you in advance for any response :))

I am 34. I had appendicitis 7 weeks ago and my appendix was removed.

The pathology report came back that a carcinoid was found on the tip. It was tiny (.6 cm) but it had invaded the subserosa, or outside layer of the appendix.

My oncologist is now recommending I get a right hemicolectomy.

am scared of the effects and, as well, my husband and I would like to try for a baby next year. I'm worried about what the impact of a right hemicolectomy on pregnancy would be.

So I've done some research and I've read many studies saying that at the size of .6 cm, even with invasion of the subserosa, a right hemicolectomy is not required.

Has anyone else been in a similar position or have any advice to share?

Thank you again,

All the Best,
Annie


Hi Annie,
I can't address the pregnancy part but can tell you about the R hemicolectomy I had. I'm a 51y/o male and had surgery in January of this year. Doc found precancerous polyps during my first colonoscopy and recommended removal of partial colon. There's too many blood vessels to attempt a resection in that area.
I had surgery on a Thursday and left hospital the following Monday. (Laparoscopic surgery is best if the surgeon can do it and leaves less of a scar and promotes faster recovery.) First couple of days were a blur due to painkillers. Morphine shots and self administered dilaudid pump. The made me sit up in a chair the first day for a couple of hours (I was asleep), then I started walking around the unit a few times a day until I left. They'll let you go home after you start passing gas and have a BM. They didn't let me eat until day four. I had a BM after eating and they discharged me that afternoon. There have been no problems other than loose stools that you have to guess about imodium doses. There may not be a need for them after a while. The surgery isn't near as bad as it used to be, recovery time is relatively quick (took a 3 mile hike 1 week post op), and you guarantee you won't get colon cancer in that area becasue it's gone. :-)

CharlieD

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby CharlieD » Mon Jul 08, 2013 2:36 pm

I had a hemicolectomy June 5, 2013 R side to remove a growth discovered during a routine, every 10 year colonoscopy - I'm age 65... This was the first major surgery of my life, so the fear factor was pretty high, but I am also a very positive person anyway, and ready to do whatever to be ok.
1) Surgery at 1:30 pm, removed the full ascending colon which had a 2-3 cm stage 2 cancer, no sign of cancer in the lymph nodes
2) In room by 5:30 and walking the hallway with guidance from a tech by 9:30 that night. Had the pain pump and pumped it frequently while it was still thru the IV in my arm.
3) I asked to walk to hallways several times the following day (Thurs) until they took out the IV about noon.. once off IV and on pain pills, I got a little more pain and for whatever reason I tried to last as long between pills as possible.. DON'T DO THAT.. Take the pills.. they will NOT give you an overdose.. What it caused me to do was to stop walking and start sitting around more.. BAD MOVE... In the early evening my tech from the night before convinced me to take the pain pills and get walking again which I did
4) Friday mid day the surgeon had to hunt me down, walking the hallways and by then, I was sitting up in bed without assistance, I had passed a bit of gas, and I was actually feeling okay for a guy who had been operated on 2 days before... He released me that afternoon with no dietary restrictions other than to pay attention to what I am eating and don't overwork my digestive tract -- No lifting over 5 lbs for 6 weeks (and singing doesn't work well either - at least not in the 2nd or 3rd week.. trying again this week), no golf, and no snow skiing (just kidding - I live in Nashville - not much of that here in the winter, let alone summer)..
5) Once home I went for a walk Friday afternoon (about 1/2 city block) mid afternoon and again early evening..
6) Over the next 4 days I increased the walking distance from 1/2 city block to 2 miles on the Wednesday following the surgery..

I would have to attribute much of my rapid recovery to 1) being in pretty good condition before surgery - I knew 2 months in advance the date it would happen, so I upped my workouts at the Y to a very ambitious level - plus for the last several years my wife and I have been walking 2.5 miles a day at least 5 days a week -- 2) Eating healthily - I do eat a little red meat, but not much, minimal fried foods and enough food to keep me going and that's it (5'10 - 178 lbs going in - 168 today) and 3) having an upbeat, positive attitude toward the whole thing.. I've never been know to lay down and throw in the towel on anything...

My surgeon, who happens to be excellent, suggested three things for my future to help avoid this again.. 1) Eat healthily and minimize red meat 2) Keep in good condition and 3) Maintain a positive attitude (he included not smoking, but since I quit that 23 years ago, that was not applicable to me)...

I hope this might help at least one person know that is does not have to be catastrophic and that it might just work out as well as it has for me.. I'm writing this 1 month and a couple days later and feeling super...

Choijk
Posts: 109
Joined: Sun May 19, 2013 4:52 am
Facebook Username: June choi lee
Location: Glendale, ca

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Choijk » Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:23 pm

Thanks Charlie for sharing your story. I see that you are stage 2. Did your doctor recommend chemotherapy ? Are you having chemo? I'm asking because my mother just had a right hemi as well and she was also staged at stage 2. She is 73, turning 74 in August. First oncologist said no chemo, that the benefit is too small, if any. And now we have a second opinion tomorrow regarding chemo or not. Just wanted to touch base with you since you're 2 as well.
Daughter to 73 yr mom at dx 5/16/13
6/5/13 rt hemi
T3n0mx (no prognostic factors)
No txmt, observation only
2/14- MRI: potential new primary. Biliary adenoma
5/1/14 liver resection (7th sector) and gallbladder also taken out

CharlieD
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 2:38 pm

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby CharlieD » Mon Jul 08, 2013 4:03 pm

So far, no chemo nor does it appear to be needed (nor radiation), however, just to be sure, on my follow-up (2 week) visit it was agreed that further, deeper testing of the removed tissues would be completed... in essence a double check.. that was nearly 3 weeks ago, and I feel confident that if there was a problem with very aggressive cells being found, I would have been notified by now.. then again, ya never know.. my next follow up is 2 weeks from now...

Charlie

jess77
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:23 pm

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby jess77 » Tue Oct 29, 2013 9:16 pm

Hello,
I am new to this post. I found all of your stories very helpful. I read that people state there is not a lot of data out there and that is correct! I think that is because the docs still don't have all the info on it.
I was having symptoms of what felt like flushing along with diaherra . I am not sure if you all had the same situation but I "felt" something was not right. Especially since this has been going on for years.
Well finally addressed these problems and doc sent me for an endoscopy and colonoscopy. I was found to have Barretts Esog/GERD. along with a finding of a carcinoid tumor. I was pretty shocked since after the tests the doc was like your good, didn't find anything, everything looks good. Then to get these results after the pathology came back.
I was off to see the oncologist. After many CT's and Octreoscan, not much was seen. My Chromogranin A test was elevated along with wbc. I was told that it's was probably in the early stage which is why they did not pick up a full size mass. I was recommended that I have a right hemicolectomy to remove the ileum and part of colon, along with appendix since it was not showing up on the scans (was showing small appendicoliths within an apparently atrophied appendix) =This was alarming to me since I still had my appendix and the word atrophied means "waste away, shriveled".
So I had my right hemicolectomy a year ago and I I did get the pathology report. Also confused by the fact that it says Appendix with fibrous obliteration but says clinical diagnosis was not given?? more findings: Tumor was present in terminal ileum-present in the submucosa. It did not invade any lymph nodes they tested 11.
Reason for my post, I am not sure if anyone else has daily thoughts about will it come back? Also, I have had other findings from a recent endoscopy that I wonder if they are related. Also STILL having issues with diaherra
I feel that after all I have gone through, I feel like I still do not know enough! Has anyone read chances of re-occurrence? Or how ofter should I be going for tests whether it be blood tests, etc..

templeton3393
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2015 12:09 am
Facebook Username: Alexis

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby templeton3393 » Thu Aug 13, 2015 12:14 am

Hello. I'm 22 and had an appendectomy and an upper hemacolectomy due to a carcinoid tumor in my appendix that ruptured, in January. It took me about two months to fully recover and I'm still feeling the aftermath of missing half my large intestine. Sometimes if I work too much I will get stomach pains that are painful, but still not painful enough to visit the er. Though I didn't visit the hospital for appendix pain until it had already ruptured. Is this something that needs to be addressed? Or does everyone else have this problem..?

Nik Colon

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Nik Colon » Thu Aug 13, 2015 12:38 am

I'm slightly confused, are you asking if a ruptured appendix needs to be addressed?
http://www.everydayhealth.com/appendici ... /ruptured/

If you mean current pain or issues, YES! Go get checked asap!

KatyK
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2016 5:06 pm
Location: PA

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby KatyK » Mon Mar 07, 2016 10:24 pm

Hi,

I am in The hospital 3rd day post op from right hemicolectomy and my bowel movements are quite watery and dark tinged with blood. Did anyone else experience this? It has been going on for days. My guts feel rumbly. I am mostly worried about this dark blood mixed with my watery stool. The doctors don't seem worried,but I can't find anyone else who had this post op. Is this normal to anyone?
July 21, 2015 carcinoid tumor on appendix 2.2 cm removed and bowel resection of small intestines while 16 weeks pregnant
12-27-2015 - birth of healthy daughter
Scheduled for rt hemicolectomy on March 4, 2016

midlifemom
Posts: 1358
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:58 am
Location: NJ

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby midlifemom » Tue Mar 08, 2016 7:14 am

KatyK wrote:Hi,

I am in The hospital 3rd day post op from right hemicolectomy and my bowel movements are quite watery and dark tinged with blood. Did anyone else experience this? It has been going on for days. My guts feel rumbly. I am mostly worried about this dark blood mixed with my watery stool. The doctors don't seem worried,but I can't find anyone else who had this post op. Is this normal to anyone?


Katy,
I do recall some dark blood in stools after colectomy.
Made sense to me due to the surgery and it did go away - I don't recall after how long.
Stage 3 cc - dx Jan '14 age 53, cea 2.9
t2n2m0, KRAS mutant, MSS
Folfox Feb - Aug '14
Nov '14 cea 27.7 -2 liver masses
Dec '14 left lobectomy and HAI
Jan '15 FUDR and FOLFIRI
Aug '15 fudr done, liver clear, add avastin for lungs. Cea 4.3
Feb '16 CEA rising
May '16 2 wk break then drop Iri for 6 weeks.
Jul '16 cancer grew, constricted main bile duct. Stent inserted. On break till jaundice clears. CEA climbing. Doing reduced Folfox. Allergic to Oxali.
Sep'16 chemo failed. Trial or hospice?


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