Hemicolectomy after-effects

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bking

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby bking » Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:07 am

I had a right side Hemi-colonectomy (because of large pre-cancerous polyps discovered with colonoscopy) and gall bladder removal on April 14, 2009. The path reports on the polyps came back benign and the gall bladder was unremarkable except for gall stones. After staying in the hospital for 5 days I went home for a week. I lost about 23 pounds. I developed a hematoma and had to return to the hospital where they placed a drain tube in me for three days (5 day stay). During this time I was taking a 28 day supply of Avelox as antibiotic. Since then I've had a mass on my right side and some pain, soreness and discomfort. I returned to the doctor for CT scans, etc. and have been told that it was slowly decreasing in size. I've been told to try and live with the condition and that it would eventually go away but that it might take several months, otherwise they'd have to go in surgically and remove it which could have complications. I returned to work full time three weeks ago and have managed to tolerate the discomfort by taking Tylenol from time to time and Loricet. I was given Zanax for anxiety. My bowels move consistantly as they did before the surgery, my kidneys function as they should, I have no fever and I eat whatever I want to. My incision has healed without problems but I am living with the irritation of a pain in my side 24/7. I am curious if anyone else has been in a similar position and/or does anyone disagree with my treatment?

staceyworlddiscos@yahoo.co.uk

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby staceyworlddiscos@yahoo.co.uk » Sat Jun 20, 2009 6:20 am

Hi there,

I had a right hemicolectomy in March 08 after my appendictomy showed a carciniod tumour. The operation itself took a couple of months to get over (prob because of having 2 major surgeries within 4 weeks of each other). The scar is long but has healed very well as is kinda faint and white which is good (im a 2 yr old female and sometimes worry bout people noticing this on me) however most say how impressed they are at how faint it is.

However I have experienced some problems since my op - tthey believe that it may have caused me to have an irritable bowel where it doesn't like certain foods (im yet to discover what foods these are), but the main problem has been stomach pains and back pains (all over), i was recentley admitted to the hospital due to the pains and have been told that the problem is down to bile. The side of the bowel ive had removed deals with the bile and makes sure its doing its job properly, however as this part is now removed this bile is causes problems and i have an excess of it - so have been put on sachets called Questran that soak up the bile - they are working and the pain is subsiding and im able to go back to work this week. At the moment im on 3 sachets a day but once its all been soaked up and the pain leaves, then i'll be on one sachet a day forever to ensure that the bile stays under control. this is a bit of a pain but if it keeps the actual pains away then its well worth it. Has anyone else experineced these bile problems ???

stacey x

Guest

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Guest » Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:20 am

staceyworlddiscos@yahoo.co.uk wrote:Hi there,

I had a right hemicolectomy in March 08 after my appendictomy showed a carciniod tumour. The operation itself took a couple of months to get over (prob because of having 2 major surgeries within 4 weeks of each other). The scar is long but has healed very well as is kinda faint and white which is good (im a 2 yr old female and sometimes worry bout people noticing this on me) however most say how impressed they are at how faint it is.

However I have experienced some problems since my op - tthey believe that it may have caused me to have an irritable bowel where it doesn't like certain foods (im yet to discover what foods these are), but the main problem has been stomach pains and back pains (all over), i was recentley admitted to the hospital due to the pains and have been told that the problem is down to bile. The side of the bowel ive had removed deals with the bile and makes sure its doing its job properly, however as this part is now removed this bile is causes problems and i have an excess of it - so have been put on sachets called Questran that soak up the bile - they are working and the pain is subsiding and im able to go back to work this week. At the moment im on 3 sachets a day but once its all been soaked up and the pain leaves, then i'll be on one sachet a day forever to ensure that the bile stays under control. this is a bit of a pain but if it keeps the actual pains away then its well worth it. Has anyone else experineced these bile problems ???

stacey x


meant a 24 year old girl lol x

gdpgdp

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby gdpgdp » Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:06 pm

53 year old female. I had a hemicolectomy and appendix removal following discovery of appendiceal carcinoid last October. Had the gall bladder out a month later because of some pain and gallstones. Felt really great after those two.

A little over a month ago, I started having significant bloating. I got increasingly uncomfortable. Ended up in the emergency room with some real nausea and discomfort. They decided the incision had herniated and went in for repair. Five days in the hospital. I feel really awful. The pain has been something fierce and I am more tired than I have ever been in my life. I am hoping this all goes away soon. I worry this could be the recurrence of the cancer. Anyone been through this kind of thing? Should I be worried or does it just take time to heal this kind of herniated tissue?

erin04

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby erin04 » Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:08 am

I just want to start off by saying how grateful I am that I found this site.

I'm a 24 year old female, I had my appendix removed in november last year, dr's found a carcinoid tumor in my appendix that was 2.2 cm in diameter and had shown signs of spreading according to the pathology report. I am due to have a right hemicolectomy soon, just waiting to hear dates etc, I also have to have some scan that searches for cancer in the lymph nodes?? (can never remember the name, i know it starts with a G) I am pretty anxious about it to be honest, and I'm glad I found this site, its good to be around people who have been through the same thing. Has anyone with carcinoid tumors here had to have chemo after their op? I was told if they find cancer cells that I will need chemo, I'm really not looking forward to the op, it took me 3 months to fully recover from my appendicectomy :(

Amy377

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Amy377 » Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 am

Erin 04,

I agree with you, this site is awesome. I found great information on the site and it's nice to be able to talk to others who are going through similar situations.

Sounds like your case is similar to mine (see my previous post in 5/2009). I too had a 1.9cm carcinoid tumor in my appendix which was found incidentally. I had a right hemicolectomy 3 months after my appendectomy. They removed 1/3 of my colon and surrounding lymph nodes (one had carcinoid). The doctors believe they got it all. It has been almost 2 1/2 years since my surgery. I'm still getting scans every 6 months to ensure the tumor doesn't come back, but so far they have been clean.

Hope your surgery went well!

baa24

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby baa24 » Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:56 am

I am 3 weeks post op (right hemi-colectomy for crohn's May 21/10) and feel amazingly well. Body lets me know when I've done enough and need to rest. Very active person and very difficult to not go full steam ahead but the scare of a possible hernia stopped me in my tracks. Hence, I will behave myself for the full 6 weeks. Incision has healed well but does not look very nice at all. I worked hard for years to keep a nice looking tummy (63 yrs. old) so I'm a little depressed at how ugly it looks. This is my first major surgery for Crohn's. I'm hoping it will improve in time. Very long incision from my stomach to lower abdomen. I had staples. Incision feels thick and I have a red looking scar, not a white one like someone mentioned. It has a thick feel to it as in depth. How does everyone elses scar look and feel? Does it get less thick feeling? Does it actually fade and look better? I also have dips and bumps (possible swelling still?) and I also have prickly pulling sensations. Would that be from suturing inside?
I agree as well, this is a great site to help each other through this and to get some feedback. Makes you feel not so alone.

Amy377

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Amy377 » Mon Jul 05, 2010 3:29 pm

I agree that you should definitely take it easy during your recovery period. Your scar should fade over time. My scar from 2 1/2 years ago is white and not very noticeable. I had another surgery in Feb 2010 and that scar was very red, puffy and had bumps on it for the longest time. The swelling has recently gone down and it's a pinkish color. I'm sure your scar will also fade over time.

Take care

Sparkie
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:41 am

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Sparkie » Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:47 pm

I sure wish I had found this site before my surgery!! I might not have had so many problems or been so scared!!

I am a 47 yr old female and I have had on going trouble with my stomach for the last few years but each visit to the ER the diagnosis was always “Unknown Abdominal Pain”. They would give me some meds and send me home!!! It was so frustrating!! I was vomiting (until nothing but yellow foam came out), had severe diarrhea (could not keep water in me) and unbelievable pain on my right side, but because the blood work and CT’s always came back normal no red lights or bells sounded off for the doctors!

March 24, 2010 all that changed – I had yet another round of this misery and this time I was blessed with an angel of an ER doctor. He was concerned I had been in and out of the ER so many times; perhaps I might be in the beginning stages of appendicitis and wanted to consult with a surgeon and keep me over night (thank God).

A very smug surgeon said nothing was showing up on the CT so if my pain wasn’t better by morning they would take out my appendix and if that wasn’t the problem they would do some exploratory. I thought, ok – my bother just had his appendix removed, maybe this had been some weird ongoing issue with that organ…um…NOPE! They took me into surgery and pulled out a completely healthy appendix and proceeded to ‘explore’! What they found was a birth defect I had – a Malrotaion of the Large intestine – basically the little fibers that hold your intestines in place never grew for me.

They removed all of my ascending and part of my transverse large intestine (a lot due to the lesions and scaring from my intestines flipping back and forth over time). Seems this mess had balled up UNDER my appendix. The surgeon smugly said the problem wasn’t showing up on the CT’s due to its location, not his inability. I spent two weeks in the hospital on a cocktail of Duladin, Librax, Tramadol, Darvcet, and potassium. And to add insult to injury, my brilliant surgeon glued my incisions closed after I told him that stuff doesn’t work on me!! But he was the surgeon and knew better I guess. Apparently an open weeping hole in my belly wasn’t something he felt would be a problem – well it is when you develop a staph infection – In the hospital!!!!!!

I went for my follow-up with the surgeon two weeks after I was released and he said to go back to a normal diet – no warning about foods to avoid, just eat. I am part rabbit; I live on salads – BIG mistake. I ended up right back in the hospital. My GI completely tore my surgeons head off for not warning me of problems caused by raw veggies! (I LOVE MY GI)
I was out of work 2 months and have now developed IBS. I eat enough fiber to scare a cardboard box. I have had to continue taking Librax to control intestinal spasms and when my monthly comes around – DEAR GOD the pain is insane!!

If ANYONE has dealt with something like this PLEASE tell me what I can do other then let ‘nature run it’s course’. The stress is making everything worse. My OB wants me to have a hysterectomy to resolve the pain issues and my Primary just keeps sending me to specialist who can’t explain why I am still in pain!
Help~?

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Nadia32
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Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Nadia32 » Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:38 pm

Thanks a bunch Flamelady for your post. Your post has been the best in giving me a little insight on what to expect. As I was reading your post..... I'm saying ..wow...that sound like me !!!!! My surgery is schudle for July 21 @ 12:00. And I had no idea on what to expect but from reading online. But I just happen to find this site and it was like a bible for those who suffer from bowel disease. Again I say thank you Flamelady and all the other that have shared their stories. And a big thank you to The Colon Culb for creating this site.



God bless,
Nadia32

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Nadia32
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Facebook Username: Nadia Ameeche
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby Nadia32 » Sun Jul 18, 2010 9:58 pm

I agree this is an amazing site !!!! Thanks God I found others who can relate with what I'm going thru. I thank you all for your stories. Because I am scheduled for a right Hemicolectomy on July 21.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease back in 2004. I've been admitted in the hospital over a dozen time since I was diagnosed. Have had numerous blood transfusion due to a low hemoglobin level. I’ve went thru all stages of treatment that’s out there for crohn’s. The 5-ASAS, Corticostseroids, and lastly the Immunomodulators which my doctor recommended Remicade transfusion which controlled my crohn’s for a while. But this last year, has been the worst for me. I've had constant abdominal pain, diarrhea , constipation, fatigue, lost of appetite. And here lately....the bloating and feeling that my bowel is always full. My gastro tired different med to try to help or regulate everything. But nothing seems to work. So he scheduled a 2nd colonoscopy this year. And that's when he told me a right Hemicolectomy is what's needed at this point. My intestine was so....diseased that this is my only option to getting better. He then referred me to a rectal and colon surgeon who will perform my surgery on this Wednesday.

I will be sure to keep you all updated on my progress. And thanks again for all the people who shared their stories and The Colon Club !!!!!!!

God Bless,
Nadia32

bking

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby bking » Tue Sep 21, 2010 2:09 pm

Update September 2010. My mass has slowly receded and I am back to a normal life. I get occaisional twinges but nothing I can't live with. I do have more bloating that I did before surgery but other than that I have fully recovered. I've had CT scans, x-rays, etc. since and so far everything is normal. This has not been an experience I ever want to repeat but I assume it has prolonged my life. Since my father died with colon cancer at my current age I am thankful that mine didn't progress to the same stage as his.

Good luck and I wish everyone a safe, speedy recovery..and a long life. Thanks for all the comments.

bking wrote:I had a right side Hemi-colonectomy (because of large pre-cancerous polyps discovered with colonoscopy) and gall bladder removal on April 14, 2009. The path reports on the polyps came back benign and the gall bladder was unremarkable except for gall stones. After staying in the hospital for 5 days I went home for a week. I lost about 23 pounds. I developed a hematoma and had to return to the hospital where they placed a drain tube in me for three days (5 day stay). During this time I was taking a 28 day supply of Avelox as antibiotic. Since then I've had a mass on my right side and some pain, soreness and discomfort. I returned to the doctor for CT scans, etc. and have been told that it was slowly decreasing in size. I've been told to try and live with the condition and that it would eventually go away but that it might take several months, otherwise they'd have to go in surgically and remove it which could have complications. I returned to work full time three weeks ago and have managed to tolerate the discomfort by taking Tylenol from time to time and Loricet. I was given Zanax for anxiety. My bowels move consistantly as they did before the surgery, my kidneys function as they should, I have no fever and I eat whatever I want to. My incision has healed without problems but I am living with the irritation of a pain in my side 24/7. I am curious if anyone else has been in a similar position and/or does anyone disagree with my treatment?

wendi-sue

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby wendi-sue » Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:16 am

Hi all. Im 39 and am off to have a left sided hemicolectomy in 2 weeks time and Im petrified. I have no symptoms or pain what so ever but I do have a large 'mass' growing quite rapidly which is embedded in my tissue as well as attatched to my bowel - apparently. This was found quite accidently whilst I was having a CT scan done for a sore right hip. Initially I was told it was ovarian so Ive already been poked, prodded and operated on just to be told that they got it wrong and I need a hemicolectomy done. :shock:

ht05

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby ht05 » Wed May 11, 2011 12:59 pm

lorjoe wrote:my husband had a hemicolectomy 12 yrs ago and is still having diarrhea. they said it would subside within 3wks it never
did. he had a carcoid tumor they found it after appendicitis


I went through the same thing. Had carcinoid actually in the appendix at 17. They wanted to do right hemicolectomy to be sure the enlarged lymph nodes werent cancerous. Of course they weren't and of course the couldn't do it laproscopically(sp?). Its been 6 years now and no changes but they told me it would get better with the right diet. Still haven't found one. Hoping for a miracle!

jcoberly
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 12:52 pm

Re: Hemicolectomy after-effects

Postby jcoberly » Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:06 pm

I had a right hemicolectomy on May 19, 2010, after an emergency appendectomy one month before found a carcinoid tumor in my appendix. I was in the hospital for 5 days and was off work for another 2 weeks. I haven't had many after-effects from the surgery that have been difficult to deal with. I have learned that there are quite a few foods that I have to avoid, or at least eat less of. Corn, lettuce, and onions that are not chopped don't digest very well. Foods go through the body faster now, since there is less digestive tract to go through.

I did have one side-effect that I am struggling with. My iron and B12 levels dropped significantly after the surgery and I have to take supplements to keep them up. You should have your doctor check these levels on a regular basis since they are primarily absorbed in the intestines. I have mine checked every 3 months and so far have only had to have 1 iron infusion.


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