Bowel Obstruction

[Jules0501]

Hi All,

First time on here - my mum has peritoneal cancer and after chemo last year was sent home on Christmas Eve after 9 weeks in hospital with the doctors saying there is nothing further they can do for her. She’s still going strong at home but is suffering with another bowel obstruction - she’s been having daily TPN since November so hasn’t eaten anything since then. Currently she is sick about 5 times in 24 hours due to the obstruction but overall isn’t really in too much pain. We have been using some alternative treatments to help her and she has daily morphine and anti sickness meds in a syringe driver. I know most cases of bowel obstruction can be terminal but I guess I’ve always been an optimist so I just wanted to ask has anyone experienced or heard of someone whose obstruction has cleared after a fairly lengthy period of time? Mum had an obstruction last year and I know then the chemo did help to resolve this but I guess I’m hoping that some of the alternative treatments might help do the same. Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated - Thank you.

[Yoshbosh]

Hi Jules,

I've have two bowel obstructions in the past 6 months, but have been fortunate that with conservative management things have carried on working. My current obstruction has been in action since January, but I'm still able to eat and drink, and importantly, poo. For me, chemo has help relieved the symptoms, but I don't have any experience of how helpful alternatives are.

It sounds like your mum is doing remarkably well under the circumstances.

Lots of love to you both.

Vicki x

[Jules0501 in reply to Yoshbosh]

Thanks for such a lovely message Vicki and sorry to hear you have also suffered with bowel obstructions. Mum’s first bowel obstruction resolved with chemo but as the doctors have they said they can’t treat her anymore we just have to hope that some of the alternative treatments may help. I’ve tried to find instances of people living with a complete bowel obstruction for a few months but I’ve not really come across any examples - Mum does seem to be doing well under the circumstances. I do hope your bowel obstruction might also resolve very soon - wishing you all the best x x

[Yoshbosh in reply to Jules0501]

I did have a friend who lived with a complete obstruction for a while. She sadly passed away, but not because of the obstruction. She spent a lot of time in and out of hospital, but managed spa breaks with friends, went to weddings etc, and whilst she wasn’t ‘well’ she managed. She had TPN and an NG tube, and seemed to absorb the inconvenience into her life. I don’t know how she did it, but I know that if she could do it, then I damn well would give it my best shot if I find myself in the same situation in the future.

Vicki x

[Jules0501 in reply to Yoshbosh]

I’m so sorry to hear your friend passed away but that’s so incredible how she got on with everything - what an amazing lady! I’ll keep my fingers very tightly crossed that you never end up in the same situation x x

[Vicx1977]

Hi Jules,

Sorry to hear your mum is having such a tough time of it all, and you too! My mum had a bowel obstruction following her first surgery which resulted in further surgery 8 days later which sorted the issue out, fingers crossed.

I hope your mum feels comfortable and gets some relief soon. Take care and thinking of you all x

[Jules0501 in reply to Vicx1977]

Thanks for thinking of us all - my mum’s a tough cookie and miracles have to happen to someone so hoping with some of the alternative treatments we’ve been exploring she might just get through this.

Wishing your mum well for the future and hope she doesn’t suffer with any further bowel obstructions - sending you lots of positive thoughts x x