Hi ladies, I'd just like to apologise to anyone that I should have answered and didn't. The reason is I've been in hospital for a week. I'm going to cut the story short. It involved 2 visits to A&E in agony the second visit I was kept in.
I don't know if any of you know this, I certainly didn't, but scar tissue from an operation can cause a blockage in the bowel. I had major surgery on my bowel during the removal of my tumour and the twisting the bowel does during everyday life can cause the scar tissue to move and in my case block the bowel. Absolutely nothing can get out that end and it's painful. Starvation for a week ended in the blockage clearing itself luckily but it can return at any time.
I had my operation 4 years ago. The doctor said it could come 40 years after an operation. I've had to adjust my travel insurance to make sure I'm covered as we're off to America first thing Monday morning. I was worried I wouldn't be able to go but looks like I'll make it.
All the best to everyone and I'll be back on the site in December. Zena J xx
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Sounds really nasty. Didn't know that at all. Very lucky it righted itself even though starvation doesn't sound too pleasant. So glad you're now well enough to jet off to the US. Have a grand time.
Thanks. The starvation wasn't bad at all as I was so bloated I felt full all the time. It's all the wondering what will happen bit. I wouldn't have minded so much if it wasn't for the holiday. We're cruising across and I've been told they have excellent doctors on board so all should be well. I won't need one in any case. xx
Sorry you've been through this. I've had hospital stays a number of times through blockages. It's the pits and, as you say, it can take at least a week with 'nil by mouth' and an IV drip.
I didn’t know that about bowel/scar tissue. I have to be very careful what I eat now. My bowels are very sluggish. I have to drink loads water. Something to watch out for.
Thanks Sarah. I was also told not to eat fibre for 2 weeks. I thought fibre helped you go to the loo but apparently it can have the opposite effect. I didn't know that either. xx
Your post is well timed, I was in hospital last week due to a blockage, although it wasn't confirmed the cause was adhesions it was mooted as a possibility. I still don't know for sure if it was the cancer seeded in the peritoneum/wall of the colon or adhesions but I'm also off on holiday soon (to Iceland) so I'll keep my fingers crossed for us both to have a great time.
I will admit I'm apprehensive about it happening again.
Hi Zena, I think we are all puzzled about the working of the bowels in conjunction with the scar tissue. So far, I have been lucky in that regard and I need to learn more about the scar tissue implications but my doc is always warning me about hernias. I think I will ask him for some more education on the matter.
Enjoy your time cruising the Atlantic and in the US!
Thanks Lisa, I do hope it doesn't come back. I'll be worried every time I go away now. I was better off in ignorance. xx
I can understand you feeling like that but now that you know it can happen and what the pain feels like it could save your life.
When it happened to me in January we didn't get to the bottom of the issue, I was on holiday in Austria, I was told it was a winter vomiting bug. When it happened in June I ended up in A&E they thought it was a bug again so sent me home, three days later after vomiting non-stop I was back at A&E with Sepsis and my kidneys not functioning. Another day and I'm not sure I would have made it. I was in the hospital for three weeks.
We know what to look out for, if I ever get that pain again I'll be straight to a hospital and they will have to remove me by force!
I agree that it is scary thinking it will come back but at least we are prepared! I think you are right to warn others as I had heard it could happen but didn't really think that is what it would be.xx
I have to say I just about sweat blood to relieve constipation this past few days. I believe this is what has been going on since Jan 3 surgery. I'm consistent at 5-8 days of retention. It's a degree of misery that is hard to tolerate. I still haven't found help with that yet. Tomorrow see onc. I believe my pain med gives me laryngitis. I did that with tylanol for 38 years which lead to debilitating cough. What's a girl supposed to do?????????????????????
Hi Dearg, I don't know what my CA125 was with my diagnosis but after chemo it went down to 7 or 8 and has remained at that for 4 years. I've been so lucky. Because I didn't know how high it could get I asked, at my first check up, what would happen if it rose to 12 and was told they'd look into it. Little did I know then that some ladies have very high CA125 results. I feel a bit of a fool now. That's where this site is good. You get more information.
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