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Daughters Concern - bowel cancer

Emmsybob
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GOOD evening. My dad had an op for bowel cancer in December and as a result has a permanent stoma bag. He has been getting on well with it and his recovery has been marvellous.  However, the stomach surrounding his stoma has become swollen and somewhat harder than the other side of his belly. I have looked on Google but cannot see if this sort of thing is normal 5 months after surgery or what it could mean.

Mum is going to get him an appt with GP and stoma nurse but just wanted a bit of reassurance in the meantime. Has anyone experienced anything like this? I should add he is in no pain but he thinks the swelling is getting bigger.

Many thanks 

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    Hi Emmsybob,

    I've got a colostomy and a mucous fistula, two bags. I've got swelling on both sides/sites. Stoma nurse reckons that I could have one or two parastomal hernias and possibly an incisional hernia but is not definite about it. I'm not sure either, none of them feel like hernias.

    Not that I'd necessarily know. I've got a definite, small inguinal hernia that I've had for ages. It gives me no problems but excess straining and I'd feel it. I've also got a hiatus hernia that I've only found out about recently. I can't feel that.

    So I'm awaiting a scan on 22nd May, next Tuesday, to see what's what. It will be looking for reasons for my anaemia but I'll get the low-down on whether these other swellings are hernias or not.

    One thing I've noted is that the swellings appear to be roughly the size of the bag wafer, so I think it's also possible that the weight of a bag, over time, pulls the skin away from the muscles a bit and is the cause of the swellings.

    I'll post  the scan results as soon as I know them.

     

    Best Regards

    Taff

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    Hi again,

    What happens if your dad coughs? I think if it's a hernia, there should be a feeling or a look of it popping out more. Not really something that happens with mine.

    Remembering of course that I'm not a doctor and the only expertise I have is having bags.

  • Offline
    Hi.. My husband is in the exact position.. A hernia was diagnosed by the stoma nurse.. A hernia belt was measured for him last week at the hospital and the belt is due to arrive anytime soon.. You are allowed 3 a year on your prescription..
  • Offline in reply to basilbasil

    Hi BasilBasil,

    I had one of the belts but the first time I wore it coincided with a blow-out, for which I wrongly blamed the belt. Then I tried to modify it by cutting a hole in it and ruined it.

    My stoma nurse then recommended I try a vest by 'Vanilla Blush', which supposedly have been getting rave reviews. Started by a stoma nurse.

    Tried it and I'm impressed. Much more comfortable to wear than the belt and doesn't suffer the same 'ride up' problem. Again, they're also available on prescription. I've already ordered two more.

     

    Best Regards

    Taff

  • Offline in reply to Taff
    Hi Taff Thank you so much for your reply. I hope the scan went well for you and you get to the bottom of what is happening. If you say that you don't feel your hernias then perhaps Dad is experiencing the same thing as he is not in any pain either. I think I would feel better knowing that Dad's was a hernia and not anything linked to his cancer. Unfortunately his stoma nurse is off work sick at the moment so hasn't managed to get out to see him. Good luck once again with your scan. Regards Emma
  • Offline in reply to Taff

    Dad also has COPD so coughs a lot. He hasn't mentioned that he gets any feeling or pain when he does. I will mention it to him though so that he can look our for anything. 

    Thank you.

  • Offline in reply to basilbasil

    Thank you for reply. I hope the belt helps for your husband. 

    It' reassuring to know that it could possibly be a hernia with Dad..I was fearing the worst! 

     

    Regards

    Emma

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