CancerCompass message board discussion started by KellyBelle on 5/11/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23919,0.htm Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ 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     KellyBelle Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Was the surgery called a J-pouch reconstruction? myhubby Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hmmm... it was called some kind of reconstruction.  There's so much of last week that's a fuzzy memory.  I'll ask when I go back for my post-surgery check. KellyBelle Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Spoke with my surgeon on the phone this morning, and he stated I have a colo-anal reconstruction, which is different than a J-pouch.Thank God my bowels finally moved last night --I thought I was going to explode.  I'm now reading everybody's past posts about chemo, and I'm sure I'll have more questions then.  Lots of stuff to absorb out there.  I guess mine will start in the next few weeks --I don't even have an oncologist yet. KellyBelle Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi KellySorry you are going through this... since it is all new for you a bit of advice, get a notebook and write down all that is said and done with doctors.  Always ask for a copy of your bloodwork and any CT scan reports and keep for reference.  Keep track of the drugs you get etc.  Never be afraid to ask doctors questions and write some down before you go.  There is so much thrown at you all the time!  Take Care! Msmittens Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT