Back after 10 years... recovering from surgery for cecal bascule, with a question

[SoCalSaz]

Hi all,

Hello! I'm back after being gone for quite some time, and even though I don't have cancer this time around, I thought of no better place to check in!

I was around these parts a little over 10 years ago with Stage 2 rectal cancer. Successfully treated, though a lingering side effect was a chronic fissure, for which I had successful surgery in 2013. Things returned pretty much to normal (well, a new normal!) after that, until earlier this year, when I started having bouts of severe, unexplained stomach pain. Eventually diagnosed with a cecal bascule, a rare type of bowel obstruction. Had surgery (ileocolectomy) 2 weeks ago today (Oct. 14), followed by a second procedure two days later when there were concerns about leakage and unexplained surges in my blood pressure. Came home a week ago today (Oct. 21).

For most of the past week, have been dealing with increasing stools -- by two or three days ago, up to about 15x per day, accompanied by serious butt burn and severe rectal cramping/spasms. My doctor gave the go-ahead to start on Imodium; the first day I took 2, which did very little, then yesterday I took 4 over the course of the day, as well as started with a first dose of fiber after breakfast to try to slow/bulk things up. Last night was in so much pain that I took an oxycodone for the first time in several days. And all of it worked... too well! Because while I finally slept through the night for the first time in 2 weeks, I haven't had a bowel movement for about 18 hours (except for a very small amount passed maybe about four hours ago).

So it seems I flipped myself from diarrhea to constipation, which I now recall was often how things went for me. Because of my past history with a fissure, I'm very worried about staying constipated too long and then getting another fissure from straining.... but I'm also not sure of the best/gentlest way to get things going again. My doctor has been in surgery all day, so while I can leave a message for him, I don't know if it will rise to the level of him getting back to me right away (and then it's the weekend). Do any of you knowledgeable people have some thoughts? A full glass of Metamucil or Citrucel? A little Miralax? It's been awhile since I've dealt with this!

Thanks!

[stu]

I remember you !

Hope you got a call back from your surgeon.
It is a tricky one ! We had many problems this year with my mum and constipation from codeine. Too much pressing caused her blood vessels in her gullet to rupture . Four endoscopes later and she is making progress .
However she takes daily stool softeners now and has a supply of suppositories at home to prevent any constipation. We are having to go very easy on stepping up pain relief !
I have not updated the signature line yet as a recurrence at this stage has been such a nasty surprise .

It is always good to see a familiar name pop up .
Take care and it’s good you are being cautious.
Stu

[roadrunner]

Stu: I hope things are going ok with the challenges your family has been facing. I wish you all the best!

[stu]

Oh thank you roadrunner!
Dad passed peacefully last week . It’s been sad with mum so sick but we got her home and trying to build her back up .
Juggling pain killers and bowels is tricky indeed .

Missing dad so much. Caught up in the arrangements and endless notifications at the moment .
Grateful for the length of time we had with him and for having him in our lives .
Hope you are ok .
Stu

[roadrunner]

Very sorry to hear that, stu. It feels very unfair that all of this happened at once. My thoughts are with you and your family. I hope your mum is holding up ok and continues to improve. She remains an inspiration to me and (I’m sure) many others in the Stage 4 club, and I wish her a speedy recovery and many more years of defying those pesky odds.

[Luna18]

Oh thank you roadrunner!
Dad passed peacefully last week . It’s been sad with mum so sick but we got her home and trying to build her back up .
Juggling pain killers and bowels is tricky indeed .

Missing dad so much. Caught up in the arrangements and endless notifications at the moment .
Grateful for the length of time we had with him and for having him in our lives .
Hope you are ok .
Stu

Dear Stu,
I am really sorry to hear about your dad. I hope your mum gets better soon. As roadrunner said she has been always an inspiration to me.
You and your family are in my thoughts.

[stu]

Oh thank you . I am going to share these posts with her .

That will give her such a boost . I am a bit pained for her as they had stopped scanning over covid and I do wonder if this could have been nipped in the Bud .
However she is where she is and focusing on regaining her strength and independence. I did hear her say she is up for some form of treatment if offered but not Oxaliplatin!

We have however booked two local holidays for next year . Pushing those boundaries and living a good life in spite of a difficult diagnosis and circumstances.
Hope you are both doing well .
Stu

[SoCalSaz]

thanks for the good thoughts, prayingforccr and stu! I send my best to you, too.

The constipation wound up resolving itself within a day or so, and now I'm back to trying to balance imodium/fiber to slow things down. Hemorrhoids have flared up something awful, but I saw my surgeon yesterday and he doesn't think that I'm dealing with a fissure. He said I'm doing pretty well, all things considered. I've only been home from the hospital for about 10 days, so I am trying to remind myself to be patient... though I am a little sad that I've had to concede that a couple of concerts I was planning to go to in the next few weeks are just not in the cards for me after all (there's no way things will be predictable enough that I'll feel comfortable attending).

[claudine]

All my condolences, Stu... You've always been such a positive force here, now it's our turn to try and do our best to be present for you and your mom. She seems like a wonderful, strong person, I hope treatment goes well (my husband would agree on saying no to Oxaliplatin, that was a really rough one) and that you can enjoy your holidays together XXXXXX

[stu]

So sorry you can’t get to your concert . But I did get caught out once at a concert having not realised cough sweets are full of artificial sweeteners . Big mistake and never wanted home so much in all my life .

[stu]

Thank you Claudine .
He lived a full and very happy life . That gives me great comfort . He had such a tough few weeks but I keep reminding myself that his health was good for the majority of his life .

I am seeing such a difference in mum . Getting a bit stronger and forging ahead getting nutrition sorted .
Still needs a lot of support but she is starting to look better .
Hope your husband is doing ok .
Stu

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm very sorry for the loss of your Dad and that your Mom is having such a hard time. *hugs* I hope things get better for the both of you soon.

[stu]

Thank you .
We are holding up .
Mum is being incredibly strong .
Hope you are doing ok .
Stu