Question for anyone who has had bowel surgery

[salsabike]

Hang in there, bcipam. My dad had colon cancer, a quarter of his colon removed, and went right on trucking---so just know that it can happen and work out OK...

[Tiffanie]

Pam, I'm really sorry you're having such trouble with your insurance. That should be the last thing you have to deal with.

Keeping you in my thoughts...

[DeniseGoldberg]

Pam -
I hope that you can quickly find a doc who can do your surgery in your hospital of choice and who is covered by your health plan. If you continue to have problems finding that person - do you think it might be worth a call to your health plan to see if they can give you some names. (Oh, I know that you probably already thought of that, but just in case...)

In the meantime I'm sending good thoughts and wishes your way. Best luck, and please keep us posted.

--- Denise

[Duck on Wheels]

Oh Good Grief! The US needs to get a national health system! Everybody's insured. It costs LESS than what you folks are paying now. And that nonsense about "choice"? Don't make me, well, I'd say laugh, but it ain't funny. Not in this situation, it ain't.

But as for recovering from surgery ... The big issue is the incision. As somebody up above said, if they can do the surgery laparoscopically (so-called "keyhole" surgery) then that doesn't take long. If it's an incision from breast bone to pubic bone, then it takes some weeks, even months of training to get back to where you can stand up straight, walk as fast as before, and then a bit more to build up the core strength for a long bike ride. But that said ... I no longer remember how long it took. I only intellectually recall the pain involved. The sensory memories are now long gone. Of course, your recovery time may also be affected by additional treatments. After the surgery they may want you to do some radiation or chemo therapy to catch any stray cells. But you'll cross that bridge if it gets erected in front of you.

Keeping fingers crossed for you. Remission rates (i.e. cure rates) are good for bowel cancer. Let's hope you're with the majority on this one and do just fine once you've found your surgeon.

[tprevost]

Pam,

I've been off the boards lately and Tiffanie brought this to my attention. I am so bummed to hear about what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you ... and please, you have all my numbers, if you need anything at all, please let me know.

Tracy

[caligurl]

GAWD how i HATE insurance companies!

[Trekhawk]

Pam - that is terrible news. I hope you find a Doctor soon and get on the way to recovery.

Sending positive vibes your way.

[bcipam]

Something more positive - and thanks all for "talking" with me and directing me through this... I have found 3 doctors in my area that are Board certified and work through good hospitals (so I figure they must be OK or the hosptial would provoke privileges). Will be calling the attending physician today to see if their office will help me contact and select a doctor. How scary not knowing the doctor before having the surgery. Talk about an act of faith!!! I'm also going to make an appointment with the Attending and ask him to provide more details about my diagnosis and pronosis. Hopefully after the CT Scan today he will have a complete picture of my disease and how it can be treated.

A good friend called last night who happens to do cancer research of all things, and talked to me for some time about the disease, how its treated, etc. The prognosis looks very good and I'm much more positive today than yesterday.

BTW a note to all those out there who take having a life partner for granted... it's times like this it would be so much easier to get through the down times if someone I loved could just give me a big hug and say "I'll be with you through this..." You can't imagine how alone at times I feel even though I am very blessed to have loving and caring friends and family. My Faith is also a pillar for me right now. But it would sure be nice to have that love one close by.

Take good care of those DH's and BF's and of yourselfs. My best friend's mom just had a stroke. She is 5 years older than me. Turns out she hadn't been to a doctor since the birth of her last child (38 years ago!!!). She has uncontrol diabetes and the stroke was related. If she went to a doctor on a regular basis this never would have happened. AND if I had the screening test when my GP doctor first started bullying me to do it, I wouldn't be in this situation. Get those Mammograms and colon screenings when you are supposed to. Don't be stupid like me!!!!

[Trekhawk]

Pam - glad to hear you are getting the Doctor situation sorted. Thank you for reminding us not to take our partners for granted. Im so pleased to hear you have close friends and family that can be there for you.

Please keep us updated on how things are going.

Sending Hugs

Leslie

[KnottedYet]

(((((((big hug))))))))

We'll be with you through this!

[KnottedYet]

These gals are great, and are great sources of support and info. I can't speak highly enough of the value I place on the women I've met and the support and comraderie I've felt with Team Survivor.

www.teamsurvivor.org

If you have 5 minutes, just find your local Team Survivor (there are at least 4 in California) and drop them a quick line. Tell them what is up with you and ask for info and help. Many Teams also have message boards.

KnottedYet (Not Dead Yet.... get it?)

[Aggie_Ama]

(((Hugs))) Hang in there. It is okay to be angry, depressed, cranky. My dad is about to have his last bought of chemo for colon cancer. It has been pretty minor, more like a big stinking inconvenience. Hopefully, yours will be the same way. Actually, I hope you don't even have to go the chemo road.

And kudos to you for preaching about preventative screening. My dad put of his colonoscopy for nearly 3 years. DUMB DAD! I have to have my first at 40 thanks to having a family history and I will not put it off.

Keep your faith and we are all here to listen.

[Dogmama]

How scary not knowing the doctor before having the surgery.

My husband was dx'd with colon cancer on Dec. 30, 2003 and had emergency surgery Dec 31 with the first available surgeon. Yes, very scarey. This guy turned out to be top notch and highly respected. So, we never know what will be put in our paths.

[bcipam]

Can I ask how your husband is now doing? Was the overall experience for him OK? What was his disability period like?

I do have an appointment next week to meet again with the attending physician to ask all my questions. The following week with the surgeon. I guess my surgery will be by the first week in October. Doesn't appear to be any hurry on the doctor's parts. Next day surgery - now that's scary! I pray everything was and is now OK.

[emily_in_nc]

Pam,

You will be in my thoughts. My husband's best friend is battling colorectal cancer (in his 40s - so young!!) that wasn't found until it was stage four (he put off screening due to insurance issues, which is very maddening!!), and yes, it has metastasized. It is the worst possible type of this cancer, and we are all very scared for him, but he has an amazing spirit and goes into each round of chemo, radiation, etc. with the most positive attitude. If anyone can beat it, he can. And you will too! Lean on us here - we can be a virtual support group.

Glad you've found some possible doctors and hope you can get the surgery behind you soon and start recovering and living again. Your bike will wait patiently until you are able to ride again - and you will. We hiked with our friend this spring, and he was amazing - never tired at all!

Sending you lots of hope,

Emily