CancerCompass message board discussion started by gem34 on 7/13/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25988,0.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My husband had surgery May 22 and has an illeostomy which will be reversed on July 21.  He is still experiencing a lot of pain. Is this common? gem34 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I had abdominal surgery to have my rectal tumour removed in November, and I was in big discomfort with pain for at least two months. Its a hugely invasive operation and it takes a long time to heal. In such major surgery, the doctor cuts a mile long track down the abdomen, and during surgery he has to move the intestinal gut sack, and things get pushed and pulled around.  After that the patient is sewn back together, water and gas gather in the area and this puts a lot of internal pressure on healing muscles. Depending on his age and physical condition, its a big journey back.  The older he is the longer it takes  I can remember 6 weeks after my operation, walking about in the evening, with my hands cradled under my stomach, holding it up.  It hurt for a long, long time.  And, when you are living through it - it seems forever.  Journeyback Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT