r/colorectalcancer

hi everyone.

before i had my ileostomy reversal my surgeon said the recovery would be a lot easier than the ileostomy. that has not been my experience at all so looking for some other perspectives.

i am now five weeks post op. after week 2 my doctor said i could “eat normally” and since i tried a couple additions (avocado or miralax for fiber minimally and separately) for a few days, i started to get really sick: seemingly randomly, a couple hours after eating i get horrible cramping in my lower left abdomen, sit on and off the toilet for hours, and vomit.

now five weeks post op, i still randomly have these episodes no matter how soft and non-fibrous my meals are. we thought it was a partial blockage so i did clear liquids for a day, was fine for a few days, then episodes of excruciating pain recurred. it feels like my digestive system is spasming for hours and wants to fully evacuate whatever is in my system.

i had a ct scan and everything was fine. i’m eating very minimally and all soft and low fiber, passing gas, having solid soft stools, but these episodes still keep happening. i had two yesterday. the surgeon is a bit at a loss. we had an ultrasound today—i think just to appease me. i don’t think hospitalization would help beyond temporary relief with some iv meds.

i cannot keep having these episodes though. besides the fact that i have to go back to work soon, the episodes are that painful and i’ve developed quite a high pain tolerance throughout my treatment. i’m also weak from not eating enough.

anyone have a similar experience, any insight about what this could be, what i can do to relieve it or knowledge that it may pass?

another note is my doctor is world class at colorectal cancer surgeries and i’m at apparently the best hospital in the state. i have had a second opinion and they said the ct shows everything is fine—but this cannot possibly be my new reality.

Hi. erm, male 33 being sent for colonoscapy xray ct and MRI within 2 weeks due to dark stool and a fit test result of 99. Think it's a missed diagnosis i had some bloods donre in October last year and they suspected blood cancerbut that test came back inconclusive. Shitting it is putting it politely.

Hey all.

Just as the title suggests, my wife is having a hard time. Her port is in, she was finally able to take a real shower today because the bandage came off. Her first chemo treatment starts this Wednesday. She's so scared. I am trying to reassure her as often as I can without annoying her. We both know it's a scary diagnosis. I am doing my best to make sure I am not crying all the time, even though I want to. My hope is that if I am being strong, then she can be strong. We have two kids, ages 9 and 12. We are trying to keep it light for them. They know she has cancer. They know chemo is going to be rough. Both of the kids are autistic, but both are high functioning. I just...I don't know what I can do to help her. She knows how much I love her and that we are going to fight this together.

My 60 year old mum has just been diagnosed with stage 2 rectal adenocarcinoma, with a cancerous polyp measuring about 5-7cm. She’s been a longtime sufferer of Ulcerative Colitis (left side, about 40cm) and has type 2 diabetes which is managed with diet and metformin. She also has high blood pressure. We’ll hear on 22 May whether she’ll need chemo/radiography or if she will only need surgery.

With all these conditions (especially where the UC and diabetes diets can often be contradictory) my family and I are a bit overwhelmed and confused about how to support her and help her recovery. She has been bleeding non-stop for a few months now and is very weak.

We siblings are putting money together to help her - get her a weekly cleaner and buy her organic food (or whatever is best for her). Three siblings live with her so will be doing the cooking, appointments etc. and try to take the pressure off her. Does anyone have a similar experience with this combination of illnesses and how did you plan your diet/lifestyle? Has anyone tried fasting to kill the cancer with these conditions (especially with the concern of blood glucose dropping). Any advice would be appreciated!!