The Colon Club

I need some words of encouragement. I had a first screening colonoscopy at 51. Doc found a small submucosal cecal mass by my appendix. Apparently he couldn’t really biopsy it since it’s in the intestinal wall. CT scan inconclusive. I saw a surgeon who said I needed a right hemicolectomy. I pray the mass is benign but I also don’t relish losing part of my colon for nothing. I’m depressed about how my quality of life will be post surgery. Will I be able to eat in restaurants, go on vacations, ... I’m sorry to be such a downer but I’m terrified.

I haven't had a right hemicolectomy, but I had a sigmoid resection. After a few weeks I was perfectly normal in the colon department. Nothing I couldn't do until chemo started, but even then - tolerable. I would suspect that the surgery should leave you just fine once you are healed.

Good luck,

I am hoping everything turns out to be benign. My primary is in the rectum, but I am definitely able to eat out (spicy Thai curry and ice cream today) and travel (uganda last summer, Brazil next month). The first few weeks are frightening, but it will get easier.

I had a right hemicolectomy in March, and I'm now on FOLFOX.

I love to cook and eat all kinds of authentic "ethnic" foods: Indian, Thai, Chinese, etc. I don't hold back on the spices.

Last night I fixed very spicy kofta meatballs, falafel with lots of spices, and tzatziki sauce with lots of garlic and fresh mint. Yum!

Yes, I have to say that my innards are somewhat likely to make more post-prandial noise than previously on occasion. But really, it is a very minor thing and you should have no trouble at all. Don't worry.

The only thing affecting travel would be your chemo schedule, IF you have chemo, and ONLY while you are actually being treated.

I have an illesotomy which is a tap on my right side off my small intestines so food doesn't even make it to my large intestine. I've had this since October 2017 and I've lived with it since then. There are some inconveniences but you get used to it. I've heard that a colostomy is a lot easier than an illeostomy.

I don't have problems with most food - I have to be careful with some things. I don't think that you'd have those problems with a colostomy.

You'll be fine. I have the rare distinction of first having a left hemicolectomy and then a few years later having a right hemicolectomy. So I'm currently functioning with only half of my original colon. Haven't had any dietary changes. Bowel habits are pretty normal but there are times I have to urgently find a restroom.