Key Hole Surgery

[bluerose76]

Colon Cancer Operation

Been out of hospital just a week after 6 hour operation to remove a growth from my colon. Assessment from a reading of the the initial scan was that it was a malignant tumour but subsequent tests, biopsies and colonoscopies have not confirmed malignancy. So I am holding thumbs. Surgeon did the operation with keyhole surgery.

Operation was done at Worcester Royal Hospital. I have nothing but admiration and gratitude for the way I was cared for. Want to hug them all but.....no hugging at present!

The most generally accepted cause of bowel cancers is consumption of processed foods. Not easy to avoid those.

I'm 84 and I feel that my life has been restarted!

Blue Rose 76.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Dear bluerose76 ,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected. What a positive attitude you have - very refreshing and a good reminder that hope is not lost.

Have they given you a time frame of when you can expect to get the results of the biopsies that they took?

Had you previously been screened for colorectal cancer (bowel cancer) in the past with no signs of cancer, or was this your first time getting screened?

I'm so glad to hear that you had a positive experience with the minimally invasive surgery. From what I understand, recovery times can be shortened, and your risk of infection is less when having the minimally invasive surgery.

Has your healthcare team spoken to you about nutrition and diet following colorectal cancer surgery? Many people report that their digestive system never returns to what was normal (for them), but also many do find ways to manage digestive issues that are a result of surgery, through diet changes and lots and lots of experimenting with what you can eat vs. what you need to avoid. A note of advice that we hear often: if you are testing to see which foods you tolerate best (or what you should be avoiding), don't change your entire diet all at once, because you won't know which food that you added or eliminated was what made your digestive system operate better (or worse).

Please keep us posted and we'll be thinking of you!

~Nicole, GCCA Staff Member & Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[bluerose76 in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

Dear Nicole,

I was phoned by the surgeon on Tuesday evening. He told me that the histology report is back from the lab. and that there is no sign of cancer having spread from the tumorous stricture that was removed on 26 March. Naturally I am overjoyed. Emailed all my friends to share in the great sense of excitement. And they have been most generous in their pleasure.

I will be monitored for the coming five years with regular blood tests and with some colonoscopies. I just feel that I have been given a wonderful gift, another 5 or 6 ( or who knows?) perhaps more years of life which I can live free of cancer worries. I feel immense gratitude to the surgeon and to the medical team who cared for me through the six hours of the operation and in the days after the operation.

Blue Rose 76.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to bluerose76]

bluerose76 That is such wonderful news, we are so glad to hear it. Thank you for sharing that with us.

Our annual Global Colorectal Cancer Congress is taking place Tuesday, April 27 and Wednesday, April 28 and there are several topic areas that may be of interest to you including nutrition, and "navigating survivorship". We have top speakers from all over the world and it is free to participate. If the time zone doesn't work for you or if you are otherwise busy, you can log on and watch the sessions at any time, on April 27 and April 28 many presenters will be participating in Twitter chats so it is a great opportunity to be able to ask questions to some top experts in the field.

If you are interested, visit gccacongress.org and we hope we will see you online!

Congratulations again. I'm so happy for you and your positive outlook is just so refreshing and it sounds like you are treating every day like a gift.

~Nicole, GCCA Staff Member & Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.