Lee wrote:What was your stage following surgery? Am I correct to assume you have not had chemo?
So very sorry for your news, butt the fact that they got the nodes out is good. Hang in there.
Lee
Caat55 wrote:Wow Jenn.. what a disappointment for you. Better out then in, that's my hope as I go into surgery. Wonder what I wake up with after all all this planning. Hope you get some relief and some answers.
S
MissMolly wrote:Jenn:
With a loop ileostomy it is normal and expected to pass fecal material (in all ways similar to an actual bowel movement) and mucus (ranging in color from white/pasty to light-brown/honey tinged as a “mucus poop”). It is also normal and expected to have rectal pressure and fullness that is similar to that signaling to you that you need to have a bowel movement via your backpassage/anus. Rarely do surgeons’s explain these expected post-surgery poops and rectal/low pelvis sensations which can leave people rightfully concerned and worried.
With a loop ileostomy, you have two stomas.
The “working” stoma is the orifice that connects to the upper functioning and active digestive tract. Liquid fecal material from digested food stuffs exit the working stoma into the ostomy pouch.
The “non-working or mucus” stoma connects to the lower diverted and resting digestive tract that ends/exits as your anus. Because the working stoma and mucus stoma are in close proximity to one another, invariably a small amount of overflow fecal material will flow into the mucus stoma (rather than flow into the ostomy pouch). The liquid ileostomy output migrates into the mucus stoma and “goes down the hatch” so to speak. It is this migrated fecal material that gives rise to the feelings of needed to have a bowel movement and to the actual passage of fecal material from your anus.
Sitting on the toilet is the best means to deal with the very real sensations. Sit on the toilet and allow the lower pelvic floor to relax. Do not force or strain. The mind-gut connection will signal to your nervous system that you have had a bowel movement and the rectal musculature will relax.
Be aware, too, that the diverted and resting length of large intestine will continue to secrete short-chain fatty acids, fatty polymers, mucus, and serous fluids. Your diverted section of large intestine is not aware that it has been disconnected, and will continue to secrete lubricating substances. These substances will migrate downward and form “mucus poops” that will exit from your backside/anus in much the same manner and process as having a normal bowel movement.
Having a loop ileostomy is a surreal experience and can take some time to become acquainted with. What feels unusual or unseemly today will become less perplexing and second nature in the days and weeks ahead.
Sending you gentle wishes for a smooth recovery,
Karen
JennPixie wrote:Doc said stage 4, I think. She said that that used to be 'time to tidy up your affairs' but that's not so much the case these days. At 44, she said There's a decent chance for a "home run" (all clear and NED) or at least a very good life with some maintenance. Like living with diabetes. Just something to monitor.
.
Lee wrote:JennPixie wrote:Doc said stage 4, I think. She said that that used to be 'time to tidy up your affairs' but that's not so much the case these days. At 44, she said There's a decent chance for a "home run" (all clear and NED) or at least a very good life with some maintenance. Like living with diabetes. Just something to monitor.
.
That is a very true statement from you Doc regarding people are beating this cancer today. When you say stage IV, where was your mets? Can I assume they got that out too?
It would help if you could provide some info below your signature that lets us know where you are on this journey. That way we can provide answers to your questions. I was assuming you were a stage I or II based on the fact it didn't look like you had chemo.
If the cancer is gone (tumor and met), this 6 months should just be mop up chemo to kill off stray cells. Yes, know in your heart you can beat this.
I am not a diabetic yet, butt we know it's comingl
Lee
Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”
Users browsing this forum: roadrunner and 77 guests