Bowel obstruction as a result of debulking surgery

[lovemy3dogs]

Towards the end of my chemo, 08/19, I began experiencing really severe stomach pain accompanied by vomiting. I ended up in the hospital as a result. I've experienced reoccurrences of this ever since. It was diagnosed as a partial bowel obstruction as a result of my debulking surgery. My bouts have occurred as often as every two weeks to monthly. Mostly I deal with it at home but I have been hospitalized a few times. I was going to have surgery to try to remove the scar tissue in July but we (my surgeon and I) decided to cancel and I'm dealing with it by being on a low fiber diet and taking miralax and stool softeners daily. I recently found out this happens fairly frequently with OC patients after their debulking, although not as frequently. Just wanted to know if anyone else is dealing with this.

[27-359]

Yes. I had a full blockage so that I was admitted to hospital vomiting faeces! It required a further operation which took me longer to get over than the hysterectomy. If you can control things with diet I would do that, but stay aware of how things are "moving along" inside.

Jenny

[Candybonnylass in reply to 27-359]

Same thing happened to me was in intensive care for 11 days fighting for my life thankfully I got through tilt but now I have what they think is a hernia suffer every day and because of the coronavirus I can’t get to see anyone my own go tells me she can’t do anything about it because I have to see a consultant at hospital but there not even look into this it’s a horrible place to be at the moment I live in Scotland so I’m just left to suffer I would not let my dogs suffer the pain I’m in

Don’t know what else to do

[lovemy3dogs in reply to Candybonnylass]

I’m so sorry. I hope you can get treatment soon.

[Sashay2020]

I have not been diagnosed with blockage, but chemo has precipitated a near constant battle with constipation. I once went eight days with no activity and was pretty miserable. I happened across the MDAnderson patient education for “Bowel Management When Taking Pain or Other Constipating Medicine.” The protocol is very detailed. I followed it and It helped me immensely by getting me back on track. I’m not being treated at MD Anderson. I found the information online. Perhaps you will find it helpful, too.

Best wishes from Louisiana

Sashay

[Katiebairdie]

I haven’t suffered anything like you but I always get constipation after chemo. I now don’t wait for the discomfort, I go straight to movicol for 2 or 3 days.

Like your name, love my dogs too.

😀🐕

Kathy x

[Pianoplayer731021]

Hi, I got a bowel obstruction after my debulking surgery. It happened in the hospital, because they put me on a full diet instead of liquids first. I was in for 11 days, but I got better without surgery. I got so weak and thin that they gave me nourishment through my port for a few days. Hope you feel better, this is certainly a journey.

[Gemimablackvelvet]

Good Morning! I’m sorry to hear about your awful experiences with Bowel blockages. I had a really painful Bowel blockage 2 months before I was diagnosed with OC

I was hospitalised and was treated successfully by the name I can’t remember but it incurred a tube up your nose, down into your stomach etc etc. It was the most embarrassing experiences of my life but it was worth it as it worked. It was my second blockage. The first, I tried to clear myself but it came back. It was caused by adhesions from an op 20 years earlier.

I’ve just googled the procedure, its called Nasogatric tube. It’s better than having to go through more surgery IMO. I never eat anything with skins and chew everything 22 times like our mum’s taught us as children.

It’s a nasty uncomfortable and sometimes painful predicament but it can be cured. I wish you well

Angela xx

PS. mine was a total blockage btw.

I still take docusate twice daily as the adhesions will always be there

[lovemy3dogs in reply to Gemimablackvelvet]

I was in the hospital mother's day weekend with an NG tube. It was not the most comfortable experience and it did help but did not stop it completely. After the NG tube was removed, I was on a liquid diet for a few days and after on a low fiber diet. No skins, fresh fruit unless peeled, no raw vegetables, very few cooked ones, no nuts, seeds etc. Also take miralax daily and stool softener twice a day. It's helped but still get flair ups.

[Gemimablackvelvet in reply to lovemy3dogs]

It’s never really over is it! It’s something we’ll have to try to live with.

All the best

Angela X

[Toby2014]

In 2016 I had O.C.stage3.I had debulking surgery followed by chemo. I will have been cancer free for 5 yrs. in Jan.2021.

All was going well until 2018 when I developed a bowel obst.due to hernia and adhesions. I had routine surgery to repair the hernia and was discharged.

After two days at home l became unresponsive and was admitted to ICU in septic shock.My bowel had been nicked during this surgery. In the next few days I had a GI bleed and almost lost my life. I wound up with a fistula, bowel to skin ,drainage bags,NPO except for ice /water sips, and TPN(IV’s) .This lasted 4-5 months until another surgery to “put me back together”.Recovery was difficult but with excellent docs. and super family support I made it through.

I do not blame the surgeons because complications, even accidents, can happen.I was treated at a world renowned hosp .

But please make sure that you understand the risks of every surgery.I sometimes wonder if some things could have been tried medically before having more surgery . Maybe, maybe not . I wish I would have at least asked.

[lovemy3dogs in reply to Toby2014]

That was part of the reason we canceled my surgery. My surgeon was quite honest about it not being an easy surgery. I was hoping they would do it when I had my colostomy reversed but that surgeon didn't want to do it. It now comes down to quality of life and how often I can go in between flair ups. I'm sorry to hear you went through such an awful experience but good to hear you are 5 years cancer free. I too was stage 3B but cancer is the gift that keeps giving even if in other ways.

[Salavie]

Yes I had two bowel obstructions myself... They are really rough.. I control them with Linzess or MiraLAX and Colace laxative

[Apwulady]

I had a partial bowel obstruction because of a tumor reoccurring. I now have a colostomy bag because of it. I read you had a colostomy bag at one time too. How long did you have your bag before your reversal surgery ? It's a complicated surgery I've heard

[lovemy3dogs in reply to Apwulady]

The most important thing is to have a really good surgeon. I go to Mayo Clinic in FL and my gyn surgeon, who did my debulking, recommended a colorectal surgeon do the surgery. Before he did it he did a colonoscopy and other tests to make sure their was enough to do the reconnect. I had the colostomy for 10 month as I had to wait at least 3 months after I finished chemo for my body to recover. It was not as bad as the debulking and I only spent 3 days in the hospital. I was amazed at how they were able to close it up and it was like I never had it. Of course it took time to heal from the actual surgery and a limited diet for a few weeks. Good luck.

[Apwulady in reply to lovemy3dogs]

Thanks. All the best to you

[lovemy3dogs in reply to Apwulady]

I should say there is a scar but I'll take that. I was told the surgery to repair the bowel obstruction would be more complicated because of the number of small blood vessels involved.