Bowel obstruction

Hi all

Not been on here for a while. Was diagnosed 2016 3c hgs, had 3.5 yr remission, then very small recurrence with complete response to chemo.

I recently had an obstruction in my small bowel and was hospitalised. It was a dreadful experience and I feared my 2nd recurrence was upon me. Thankfully though it was adhesions/ scar tissue from the big surgery/ debulking I had in early 2017 as well as a paraumbilical hernia. CT was clear. It just goes to show that when we think the worst it’s not always the case. Olaparib must be doing it’s job (been on it 12 months now).

Much love to all - Marian xx

[lynn6156]

Marian! I'm so glad you're still doing ok. I have also just had a small bowel obstruction resulting in half the bowel being removed but nothing to do with cancer (praise be!). Good news on the olaparib xx

Lynn

[Hidden in reply to lynn6156]

Thanks Lynn, hope you are on the mend too? Xx

[lynn6156 in reply to Hidden]

I don't really know Marian - I've been left with digestive problems so I'm scared to eat much and no follow up appointment so I can't ask anyone. They keep promising someone will ring me but it's 18 weeks now and nothing. Ironically, the oncologist has phoned me twice and said she will get the gastro people to call me, but again nothing.

[Hidden in reply to lynn6156]

Aww no that’s not good is it. I would keep calling and get on their nerves until they respond! Did you end up with a stoma?I totally understand the being scared to eat bit. I’m living off ice cream, jelly, rice pudding, clear soup etc xx

[lynn6156 in reply to Hidden]

No stoma, but it is annoying when you can't eat. I'll message you - see if we have the same problems 😀

Lynn

x

[Artgreen]

I’m glad it’s all clear now. These obstructions worry me. Just having had incisional hernia repair surgery the digestion is all over the place. Knowing the difference between a bowel obstruction and constipation is an art form I guess. Stay well on the oliparib.

Alex xx

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Artgreen]

Hi Alex, Sorry to intervene in Lynns message but I noticed you’d had a hernia repair. I have an anterior hernia in my peritoneum and wondered if it’s absolutely necessary to have this op or can it just be left. I forgot to ask the doctor about itLove from

Angela x

[Artgreen in reply to Gemimablackvelvet]

Hi AngelaI think it depends on its anatomy. I had a ct scan snd mine were large snd causing problems with my digestion. As I did allotment work too they got bigger apparently (so the surgeon said).

If yours cause you no problem then I’d give your surgeon’s Secretary and ask the question. I think we’re all so different it’s hard to say there’s a firm rule. Sorry I can’t be more help.

Good luck with your decision

Alex x

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to Artgreen]

Your probably right Alex. The doctor didn’t seem overly concerned but I’m having so many problems at the moment I wouldn’t know if the hernia is causing a problem or not. Thank you for your reply

Love from Angela x

[Hidden in reply to Artgreen]

Hi AlexI know they are such a worry, I’m quite stoic but found it a challenging experience. I’m scared to eat much now xx

[Artgreen in reply to Hidden]

Hi there, that sounds difficult. Have you had it repaired ?

I knew mine needed it when I couldn’t drink water first thing in the morning unless I laid down for a while afterwards! I’m just trying to manage the post surgery constipation now! I don’t want to tear the internal stitches!

The joy eh?

Good luck with your eating

X

[Lyndy]

Thank goodness for that Marian! But not a nice experience for you…I had no idea that adhesions can cause blockage but I am quite obsessed with keeping things going as my gut can be quite lazy these days. Hope you are feeling better now xx

[Mumsie13]

I'm glad it's all sorted for you now. I can well imagine your fears that it's something more sinister. As you say the Olaparib must be working Every time my stoma has a lazy day (or two) I start panicking; thinking blockage. So far it's been fine though. 🤗 Jackie

[Cropcrop]

So nice to hear from you Marian and I’m so pleased your news isn’t sinister. Isn’t it funny how the slightest twinge or change makes us immediately consider the worse case scenario. I’m back at Christie’s next week just for bloods and already have jitters despite having no reason to think there’s anything amis. Hey ho, this disease has so many long term implications physically and mentally doesn’t it?

Stay safe and keep as well as you possibly can be lovely lady. Love and big hugs ❤️xx Jane

[organicinna]

Hello to you )) I was reading yrs and wanted to share mine similar experience 4 weeks ago. I am 4b non genetic, hgs. Had debulking surgery last March and 5 month 6 rounds chemo after. Responded well and been given clear. Started niraparib in mid October with some side effects like not sleeping . Was given 1 week break< restarted after . On 22 nd of November I was fine and energetic all day but at 1am suddenly without warning developed such pain in my stomach ! It was like giving birth contractions but non stop without rest. I thought the worst and started to think it was easier to die than like that . And CT scan scan showed some obstruction or blockage in my higher intestine. I was admitted to hospital . They put me for 7 days nil by mouth ( fluids by drips ), tube in my nose to the stomach and for 3 days drained lots of yucky horrible stuff from my stomach tested like fesses )) I. Doctors say they want to try to avoid operation and see if the blockage will dissolve itself. After a week i was put on clear soups, jelly and was aloud to drink tea. They said as well this is happened because of scars after big operation 10 month before. And some like hinges developed in intestine and started to wrap around hard digest fiber food. So from now on if I don't wont same happening again I have to stay on no fiber diet for some time, then low fiber no grains, no beans/ no raw fruits, no skins, soft, gentle diet. I was determent for a week after the hospital to follow that diet of course . But now finding its hard. And cant find what what to eat. Because low fiber diet is very narrow to my view. I research this stuff but still waiting for long promised dietitian form RM to guide me through...

[Cumbrianlass5 in reply to organicinna]

I am supposed to be on the same diet and also still waiting for long promised dietician appointment. (Am on 28 pills a day from my Macmillan nurse and GP to make my stomach and intestines work and they are helping hugely). I keep trying different foods and then stopping them if they make matters worse. I find I can eat slushy food like mince, tatties, carrots, swede etc if I mash everything and use loads of gravy or parsley sauce or whatever. I cannot cope with cabbage, leeks, onions, pasta, many raw fruit or vegetables or salads (which I love) but can manage to suck tangerines and oranges. It might be trying foods one at a time to see what suits you. For example I can eat white toast with lots of butter but not with jam which has any fruit pieces in it. Sending love and hopes you can find ease too x