Question for anyone who has had bowel surgery

[Bruno28]

Pam -

I'm really sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I will be thinking of you and sending you good thoughts.

I echo your message to others about getting things checked out especially for over 50s. In Scotland we are just introducing national screening for everyone over 50 because of the prevalence of bowel cancer here.

[uk elephant]

Hi Pam!
I have had bowel surgery in the US unfortunately and am now doing pretty well so I thought I'd share my experience. Luckily I was covered by the Norwegian National Health insurance so insurance coverage wasn't an issue.

I had the last bit of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine removed due to Chron's. They basically cut out about 6 inches and patched it back together again. The incision for the surgery was from my navel down to my panty line so not quite keyhole. I was in the hospital for 4 days I think. The doctor had estimated 6, but I was up and about quickly. Being otherwise healthy before going in I think helped. And being stubborn perhaps. I hate being sick. I used the morphine pump once when I first woke up. It made me so woozy I never used it again. And generally the pain wasn't bad at all. I didn't need anything more than the occasional tylenol. As soon as I could, I got up. At first just walking to the edge of the bed and back. Then later that day a lap around the ward. The next day I was doing several laps and they figured I was ready to head home. Recovery at home was a lot quicker. Basically walking every day. To the bus stop, then to the shop, then to campus. I was back at work two weeks after the surgery. The main limitation was, I was not supposed to lift anything heavy or otherwise engage my stomach muscles too much for the first month or so. After that, I was back to normal except that my stomach muscles (and general core strenght) was gone. A couple of months after the surgery I started swiming to gently start getting back into shape and I was cycling to work every day. The surgery was at the end of January and by the beginning of June I was out in the field doing fieldwork involving carrying heavy loads up big mountains every day. I realize I may have been lucky recovering so quickly, but I'm sure a positive attitude helps. I had a lot of support from friends, and moral support over the phone from BF and family (who were both in Europe at the time while I was still in Illinois).

I hope your surgery goes well and that you recover quickly too. Sending you all the best of luck and virtual hugs!!!

[winddance]

I just saw this post, Pam, and am sending you my best wishes for a successful procedure and a speedy recovery. We're all here for you!

[HipGnosis6]

Best of luck to you in this, Pam. If there's anything we can do to help you beyond offering our experiences or well wishes, please let us know. And please keep us posted on how you're dong.