Just discovered your post, I have discussions on McMillan and bowelcancer uk sites.
I was diagnosed with recurred colorectal cancer last December and underwent a total pelvic exenteration in January. So my colon, rectum, prostate and bladder were all removed. My tackle is still intact, but shrivelled and useless! It's a big operation, mine was 11 hours. It takes time to recover from the anaesthesia and in my case it was over a week before I could walk. After 3 weeks in hospital I'm now at home and have been recovering for 3 months. I have now started chemo and that will finish early September, then I hope I can get on with living again.
To be honest, stoma management has been relatively straightforward and the biggest problem I have is that during surgery my sciatic nerve was damaged because the tumour was wrapped around it. So my right leg and foot are permanently numb and in pain. The damage is not permanent so I should recover, but I have to walk with a stick and still can't drive. Physio is helping.
Anyway, hope you're doing ok, remember this is a curative operation and you're in the hands of experts.
Sorry I got my wires crossed and replied to an older message. Have you had the op now? How was it?
Biggest issue for me since surgery has been sciatic pain in my right leg and foot, which makes it really hard to walk. My surgeon said it might be a year before I feel normal again. Going through chemo is not fun and gets worse each time, but I'm half way there at least. Constipation followed by the runs is not fun with a colostomy.
It was difficult yeah for sure. All sorts of weird sensations now.
I had been walking OK today and then somehow managed to putt all my weight and twisted on the leg they removed muscle from and there was a ping haha fingers crossed its not to serious. My wound along where my bottom is has opened an inch. Maybe a scab that fell off so hoping that's not going to be an issue. I see the nurse tommorrow.
My op was 6 maybe 7 weeks ago and last weekend I took my kids to the caravan park and my youngest has had me lifting her a lot so I think I may have overdone it as I'm knackered now.
I still find it uncomfortable sitting down.
My stoma is a double barreled stoma and it's OK I suppose. It's leaked a few times and that can be a pain getting on top of that.
My right leg is going to take some healing I reckon .
I had chemorqdiatiin at the start and then the surgery removed all the cancer according to pathology so that's good eh
It's a bit weird not being able to feel any sensation in your wee man other than a wee twitch now and again lol..
Yes, sitting down is really uncomfortable. I can just about do half an hour at the dinner table, then I'm back lying on my side. Apparently the nerves are still knitting together in the buttocks. I got clearance last week to swim and have a bath, I think swimming will be good therapy once I've sorted logistics. Just got to be patient and let ourselves heal I guess. keep in touch, we're pretty rare I reckon.
Yes, sitting down is really uncomfortable. I can just about do half an hour at the dinner table, then I'm back lying on my side. Apparently the nerves are still knitting together in the buttocks. I got clearance last week to swim and have a bath, I think swimming will be good therapy once I've sorted logistics. Just got to be patient and let ourselves heal I guess. keep in touch, we're pretty rare I reckon.
