Hi everybody --I'm new to this site. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in mid-March and had surgery this past Tuesday, where they took the tumor, 31 lymph nodes and re-structured my colon so that I have no rectum. I just came home from the hospital yesterday.
Got the news on Friday evening that the cancer had spread to a few lymph nodes and is in the fatty portion of my colon, so they diagnosed me with Stage 3B colon cancer. After I recover from surgery, I'll start chemo.
I have an embarassing question, though. I was on a liquid diet for days after my surgery, with one day on a soft food diet. I have had no bowel movement in over a week. With no rectum, I'm concerned with how my bowels will move. Can anybody let me know their experiences with this? Also, how long should I wait before I get really concerned with the lack of bowel movement? (no rumblings, no gas, nada). Right now, I'm uncomfortable in my abdomen not just because of the surgery, but because I really need to poop.
Any shared experiences will help. Also, how long after surgery should I expect to be able to go back to work? I thought I'd be back working tomorrow, but I don't see how that's going to happen.
Any replies are appreciated!
Kelly