The Colon Club

So yesterday my husband's oncologist told us that he should head to the ER because he was not passing gas or stool . . . my husband also hasn't really been eating much over the past few days . . . of course they admitted him, and I can't visit at all . . . it's a real struggle for me, because I'm always at the hospital at least once or twice a day when he is in . . . so I spoke with him this morning and one of the bypass tubes from his (right) kidney wasn't working . . . they used contrast to view it, and it was out of place . . . that has been fixed, and my husband is wondering if that could be the issue (or part of the issue) . . . does this sound feasible?

I'm really worried about him . . . he seems to think that the docs want to "wait and see" if things start to pass . . . can anyone chime in here . . . I'm losing it being home and unable to help him . . .
Thanks!
jep

Geez your poor husband, it's been one thing after another, hasn't it? At least they found the problem - although I do not know enough to be able to tell if that's what the source of his latest troubles was, but it's something, and something that could be fixed easily it seems. Hopefully he's all good now! How long will he have to stay in the hospital?

I know Claudine . . . he keeps getting knocked down, but somehow pick himself up again . . . tonight will be his second night in the hospital . . . he has the NG tube, and still hasn't passed any gas or stool, but he told me that he's feeling better . . . praying that he passes SOMETHING tonight or tomorrow . . . not being there is making me completely insane, especially because our family and friends want to know what's going on and how he's doing, and sometimes I just don't have any answers or updates . . . hoping for some good news tomorrow . . . our youngest daughter's birthday is Saturday, so of course he's so worried about missing that . . .
Thanks . . .
jep

Just got off the phone with my husband . . . his surgeon thinks that he has another blockage . . . he wants to operate and create a new bypass . . . this is scary as hell because my husband is pretty weak right now . . . also, he had chemo recently (Folfiri + Avastin) so I guess that complicates things . . . this is not the news I was hoping for

Folfiri is not the problem, but Avastin is an anticoagulant so yes that could be a worry; they had DH stop taking it about 4 weeks prior to his adrenalectomy, but he’d been taking it for almost a year - your husband only had it once, correct? And the surgeon is aware of it, so I’m sure he’d be extra careful. I guess they have to weigh the risks of surgery against those of the blockage. How stressful for you though, not being able to be there, ask questions in person, etc.
I hope it goes well, let us know!

Yes, that's exactly what I'm worried about . . . the Avastin . . . he's only had it once but that was only 1 week ago . . . they are doing a CT scan today and the surgeon is going to call me after he reviews that and comes up with a definitive plan . . .

Hi Jep,

So sorry you and your family are going through this.

My dad had a major emergency surgery recently. The hospital didn’t allow visitors but they made an exception for 1 visit, daily, as long as the my mom followed all the strict rules such as temperature check, hand sanitising and wore a mask. Maybe you can talk to the team at the hospital to allow necessary visits?

I hope for the best for him and do take care.

Siti

UPDATE!! So my husband called me today with great news! He finally pooped!! I couldn't believe it, as I kind of figured it wasn't going to happen at this point . . . today's CT scan did show the partial blockage, but I think it's something that we might be able to manage with a change in his diet . . . maybe he can continue with the Folfiri + Avastin if he tries something like this:

http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/nutrition-sit ... ockage.pdf

Or maybe his oncologist will stop the Avastin just in case he ends up needing surgery? Either way I am so happy that he will be able to come home either tomorrow or the next day!! And he will be able to celebrate our daughter's birthday with us!! They also discovered a UTI at the hospital, so good thing he's being treated for that . . .

I'm so relieved right now . . . if anyone has other suggestions for a good diet for partial bowel obstruction, please let me know . . .

Thank you!
jep

jep wrote:UPDATE!! So my husband called me today with great news! He finally pooped!!

http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/nutrition-sit ... ockage.pdf

I'm so relieved right now . . . if anyone has other suggestions for a good diet for partial bowel obstruction, please let me know . . .

Thank you!
jep

Just excerpting your post here ... BUTT .... THAT IS GREAT NEWS !!!!!!!

ONLY on this forum can we all celebrate ... POOP

seriously I am VERY glad that hubby is doing better and totally impressed you found a link to my own cancer agency
BUTT hey ... they did do right by me so far

As far as good info and suggestions :
My B-I-L and I had the exact same CRC diagnosis, surgeon / hospital / surgery /initial chemo etc. etc. etc.

HE ... had multiple mega partial blockages / back into hospital / considering permanent stoma for about 4 years after resection
Since then (2004 resection) doing well, NO blockages.

ME ... never had a blockage BUT had two pretty close calls which eventually resolved with a MEGA .... poop

Don't know how and why he had hits and misses and I didn't ?
demographics, lifestyles, diets, activity etc. pretty much similar
AND we are neighbours so it cannot be something in the water !!!!

Sending MEGA posi+++++ VIBES to you and hubby
No More Blockages is your mantra !

Cheers and best wishes
CRguy

Thanks CRguy!! . . . that's funny about the resource . . . it just seems so comprehensive and user friendly, so that's for me! I think we (obviously) are going to have to be much more careful about my husband's diet moving forward . . . he is working with a nutritionist now, so that should really help, but we need to do everything we can to avoid another blockage, another trip to the ER/hospital, and SURGERY . . . plus, he can't afford any more interruptions to his treatment . . . hoping to pick my guy up today, or tomorrow at the very latest . . .
Thanks!!
jep

Jep, what fantastic news! And he’ll be home for your daughter’s birthday tomorrow! I’m sure a little piece of cake won’t aggrevate the blockage

jep wrote:Thanks CRguy!! . . . that's funny about the resource . . . it just seems so comprehensive and user friendly, so that's for me! I think we (obviously) are going to have to be much more careful about my husband's diet moving forward . . .

Damn !!!! I just read thru the whole thing ( 2019 update so WAY after my active treatment time )
BUTT ... I must have dodged a few bullets BECAUSE most of the AVOID stuff on the list is exactly the stuff I would choose as first choice ...

Oh Well
so far so good

Cheers and best wishes
CRguy

I'm sorry your husband is having such a hard time and I hope he feels better soon!*hugs* I hope fixing the kidney bypass helps.*hugs*

Hey everyone . . . just another quick update, as my husband is STILL in the hospital . . . they discovered a staph infection that entered his blood stream . . . they seem to have caught it early and got him on IV antibiotics . . . there was some concern about the infection spreading to his heart, so they did a test and all seems normal . . . they are removing his port today (in case the infection got in there), but he can still have his treatment Thursday (through the PICC) . . . his chemo will be irinotecan only (removing the Avastin in case he ends up needing surgery) . . . Avastin just doesn't seem to be in the cards

They will do one more test (TEE) on the heart today, and if all is well I think he will come home . . .

Thank you all for your advice and kind words <3

Any updates on your husband, jep? Is he back home now?