Husband Had His Surgery

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers the last couple of days. Husband had his surgery on Thursday around 4. He was out and in his room by 8 pm. He felt pretty good except for a real sore shoulder. Had a good night and Friday daytime was good he was out walking, but Friday night hit and he was miserble. He was so bloated that they took him down to x ray just to make sure everything was okay. It was ,they told us it was just part of the recovery for this type of surgery. Anways they gave him a shot to get things moving and he pretty much slept the rest of the night ( not me! boy are hospitals noisy!). But today he felt great. The bloaty feeling is leaving, he had a shower and we walked and walked. Left him tonight with my son so I could come home and take a bath and sleep in a bed! He only passed gas once so far but he's still on clear fluids, and jello. He is so hungry. Doctor said tumor was small, but we won't know till pathology comes back next week sometime. So once again we wait. But I think now that we have passed this stage I think he's ready for whatever God has in store. Thanks again everyone, just know you are all in our prayers also. Sandy

Hi Sandy ,

I am not certain if I replied you previously but I am in kind of in a similiar situation as you . My husband also has been diagnoised with colon cancer . CT scan done but no result yet as the surgeon will share the result with us when we meet her for the 1st consultaion next week . Meanwhile I just sit here and imagine the worst though he looks just fine like he is not sick at all . If you don't mind me asking , how do they stage the cancer ? Is it only after the surgery ? Or do they stage from the CT scan result ? How many days will your husband have to stay in hospital ? Do they give you a special diet to follow ? What and how can we assure that all the cancerous cells were removed during surgery ? Does he have to do chemo ? I am so so scared ... if you can share your experience and any info you have , I am enternally grateful . Lisa

Hi Lisa,

So sorry you have to go through this. I so know how you are feeling right now. I think the waiting and the fear of the unknown is the worst. Just hearing the word cancer when you haven't even thought about it just punches you in the gut and it doesn't help that they look and feel prefectly healthly. Can I ask why you are waiting for your appt. at the doctors office next week, you need to find out about the CT scan now,thats one fear of the unknown you need to get over, finding out the results now will relieve some of the tension you are feeling and give you time to digest the information, get used to it, and do some research before you go to meet the doctor, call the doctors office and ask for the results. Our doctor called us right away with the results because he wanted us to know what to be prepared for when it came time for the surgery. I know are doctor told us that the staging is done after surgery and the pathologist has looked it over. I know stage IV is when it has spread to other organs like the liver or lungs. The other stages are done by how far advance it has grown in to the colon wall,and if it spread to any lymph nodes which they take out also. But I think if you knew the results now it would take some pressure off you two, even if it has spread to another organ at least you would know now and be able to be prepared when you did meet the doctor. Sitting with the doctor is bad enough but hearing everything all at once is going to be so over whelming you may not remember everything he says.
At least if you know if it had spread, that would be in your brain already digested and you could focus on what the doctor is going to do. My husbands surgery was on Thursday and it took about 3 hours, he's coming home tomorrow. Thursday night and Friday daytime he was feeling fine up walking, but Friday night was rough for him. The intestines started working and he was really bloated and the pressure was intense but Saturday he was better. He was on clear liquids till last night and then today they started him off with oatmeal and wheat toast this morning, and regular meal for lunch and dinner tonight. The one thing you have to make him do is walk, walk, walk, it gets everything moving releives the pressure and gives you private time to talk by yourselves(my husband had a room mate) and the nurses are coming and going. We should hear from the doctor tomorrow or Tuesday on what stage it is and if my husband will need to do chemo, we are praying we caught it really early and that won't happen. I'll say a prayer for your husband and you that the lord will bless you and give you peace during this trying time. Just try to keep a positive attitude so you can support him and remember to take care of yourself also. I know it's scary, I am still scared but I am taking each day one at a time, doing alot of praying and know that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. Let me know how you are doing, and if I can help in any way. It does help when you know their is someone out there who is going through the same thing, it makes you realize you are not the only one even when you feel like you are. Sandy

The Doctor who did the sigmoidoscopy said it will take several days but if he knows anything before we meet the surgeon , he will call us . He has not . Perhaps this is how Kaiser works .
My husband is not giving up but he is not talking about it either because I think he is afraid . Who wouldn't be ? I just hope for the best Sandy .

If you feel that you need to know call the doctor tommorrow and ask if the results are in yet, at least he will know you are anxious and will remember to call right away when he does hear. My husband didn't talk either. I think he was trying to be strong for me, when really I was trying to be strong for him ! These last few days we've talked alot while we were walking the halls at the hospital, learned alot about what he's been thinking these last few weeks and how he feels now that the surgery is over and the prospect of doing chemo. Just make sure you tell him you love him alot, because he's probabley thinking all the same things you are thinking like will he be okay, how will he take care of his family, what is work going to do, will they hold his job while he's off etc, those were the things my husband was thinking. He said he didn't care so much about himself as he was much more worried for his family. Just let him know you are there for him and the rest will fall into place. Sandy

Hi Sandy

We got the CT scan result . No cancerous cells in the lung nor the liver . What a relief ! However the surgeon suggested a colonscopy to be performed inorder to have a clearer picture of his entire colon . She wants to be sure that she gets all the tumour out not just the affected area which is at the sigmoid colon . Seems like the affected area has gone into the colon walls ..so hopefully the surgery will not be so challenging but safe and straight forward.The surgeon says Ct scan usually takes a few days to compile ...and still no written report yet from the radiologist , our surgeon is able to read the ct scan . Surgeon thinks it's either stage 2 or 3 but only can confirm once surgery is done . She says that the surgery will defintely take place before Christmas . About 7 days in hospital depends on my husband well being and same goes for recovery . Might take about 6 wks or so . I wish you a safe and warm Thanksgiving and the coming holiday ahead . It's alright to not be rushing out to the malls on friday ..family support comes first . We will all survive through this one way or another ok . Take care Sandy .
Lisa

That is great news, sounds like our husbands are on the same track. I didn't realize your husband had not had a colonoscopy, but the CT scan news was good. When they do surgery that is the real marker for stage and spread, so I 'll pray that you get great news like we did. Now that you've gotten positive news keep up the positive attitude, can the surgeon do the laprascopy surgery? I truly hope so, it's so much eaiser. Recovery is all about your husband, his attitude that is. Thanks for letting me know how things came out, it's truly is a "THANKSGIVING" Day for both of our familes. Keep in touch and let me know how things are going.I know right now you are breathing a sigh of relief, now just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving towards the day when you can just say that adventure is over! I'll keep you both in my prayers. God Bless Sandy

Now that your husband is home , how is he doing ? Does he lay down alot or how do you keep him circulating his blood ? What is his diet like now ? Is there a special diet to follow ? Is it true it's best to take sweet stuff before surgery ? Cancerous cells love sugar ? My husband has a sweet tooth , so he is disappointed when I tell him to eat only moderations on the 2 deserts we have tonite for Thanksgiving . I think it's the thinnest apple and pumpkin pie he has ever had . By the way , I am located in the bay area , where are you located ? Happy Thanksgiving . Stay in touch . Thank you for your prayers and your thoughts .
Lisa

Hi Lisa,

We are from Michigan! Beautiful today 45 and sunny. Husband doing great, sleeps alot but he's out walking alot too! No special diet as of yet but did tell him he has to lay off the sweets and eat more fiber. Have him on Vit. c, B6, B12, Calcium with Vit. D, he's drinking alot of CranApple Juice for some reason just sounds good to him. The doctor told my husband to eat 6 small meals each day so as not to get that bloated feeling and he is pretty much doing that. Yesterday was good for him. He ate a little dinner and then saved his pumpkin pie for later. But all and all he's doing great. Just waiting to see the surgeon to get his staples out and then off to the onocologist for his his opinion. My husband says he will do chemo just wants to know how many rounds. Oh well Iam working today (only one here, trying to make up the hours I missed last week! So wanted to go shopping!)Keep in touch and let me know when your husband's surgery is. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Sandy

Oh wow ! You are very faraway from us . We are here in the Bay Area . 45F ? Brrrr... guess you guys are used to the cold weather . It's also a sunny but chilly day here today . Went to the hospital to get a blood test and chest xray done. So your husband wound is stapled ..it is hard to clean the area ? Once removed .. how will the skin be closed back ? Is it one of those where the stitches will "melt" away ? Why must he see the onocologist ? Once again , very encouraging and happy news about how your husband is doing . I hope my husband will find the inspiration to hang in there and fight this disease from the messages I have been reading and relaying to him . Yes , stay in touch .