After effects of colon resection and waiting on endocrinologist
I've been told that it will take a year from surgery before my bowels normalize more and that they won't be the same as before. That there will be a "new normal". For a while I was struggling with constipation, bloating and pain. I had a horrendous sigmoidoscopy in order to stretch the narrowing where the two ends of colon are attached. Never again will I have a sigmoidoscopy without sedation and pain control! At first it didn't seem like the stretching had worked. As of yesterday I am no longer constipated but now I have bowel movements 6 to 8 times a day like I did the first weeks after surgery. Nothing seems to slow down my bowel movements. I'm glad that I'm having bowel movements but they are making my abdomen sore. I'm also sore from going out yesterday and briefly trying to lay on my side in bed. Some people keep pestering me to become more active, to do more. I tell them that I still can overdo it, wear myself out and pay for it the next day! It's very frustrating not being able to do the things that I used to be able to do. I never feel well. Eating is a chore only causing more pain so I don't eat much anymore. I still eat just small amounts. I'm scared to add new foods because I know that they might make me feel worse. I was told that the pain from surgery could last up to six months or longer. All of this is better than having a cancerous tumor but it's hard.
As for my endocrinologist office, the referral letter has been put in my endocrinologist's hospital mailbox but she hasn't picked up her mail. I called one day to ask about the referral and was told nothing was received. Yesterday, I found out from my family doctor about the letter being in the endocrinologist's mailbox. My endocrinologist's receptionist rudely told me that she couldn't do anything until my endocrinologist triages the referrals then she practically hung up on me by rushing me off the phone! I haven't seen my endocrinologist since 2009, finally get the referral and have to put up with more waiting! :( I just want to get in to see my endocrinologist, get more testing and get treated! I'm tired of having hyperparathyroidism symptoms on top of my symptom from surgery!
Just needed to vent about this!
As for my endocrinologist office, the referral letter has been put in my endocrinologist's hospital mailbox but she hasn't picked up her mail. I called one day to ask about the referral and was told nothing was received. Yesterday, I found out from my family doctor about the letter being in the endocrinologist's mailbox. My endocrinologist's receptionist rudely told me that she couldn't do anything until my endocrinologist triages the referrals then she practically hung up on me by rushing me off the phone! I haven't seen my endocrinologist since 2009, finally get the referral and have to put up with more waiting! :( I just want to get in to see my endocrinologist, get more testing and get treated! I'm tired of having hyperparathyroidism symptoms on top of my symptom from surgery!
Just needed to vent about this!
Replies
vent away! Shame how the drs don\'t really tell you before the surgey how things are going to be different and how long recovery really is...guess they\'re afraid we won\'t go thru with the procedure
Yes...vent away!! I always feel better when I get it out. And it seems to make room for other things to come in. :) I\'m sorry your recovery is so very hard. What helps me is to remember that I\'ve gone through so many things that at the time, felt like it would never end but they DID get better. I totally understand your frustration of not being able to do the things you used to. These illnesses have effected every aspect of my life but they are also causing me to grow incredibly strong. It\'s like when they say our hearing gets better when we lose our sight. Our mind, body and spirit seem to have an amazing ability to adapt. Yours has been put through the ringer. It\'s probably gonna need time to \"adapt\". Hang in there. I know it\'s rough. Keep venting. And when you feel up to it, send lots of appreciation and love to your body. I always have to remind myself that my body doesn\'t want to be sick or in pain any more than my mind does. And it\'s trying hella hard to get better.
Sending light, love and hugs to you my friend...
Thanks annette and lightandlovetoyou. I wish I hadn\'t required the surgery but that cancer had to come out. I know what you mean about that not telling you about the long recovery just the risks of surgery. If I have had laparoscopic surgery the recovery would have been a little quicker. Yes, lightandlovetoyou these illnesses affect every aspect of our lives. Yes, it will take awhile to adapt. I appreciate all the support.
I hope you feel better. I am still having a lot of grief issues and physical pain as well. I hope your colonoscopy goes well on Wednesday. They aren\'t sure what\'s wrong with me. No ultrasound or tests ordered. I don\'t have a fever and they say the issue is non emergent even though I\'m in pain like this. I may have to wait on getting a new ob gynecological doctor or the reproductive endocrinologist which will take many weeks. I did take docolax and cola so because I thought I may be backed up. That\'s a mistake. Now I have to go to work with bad cramps, very gassy (which is very embarrassing and I\'ll be fighting that the whole time), and have had diarrhea. I hope there is nothing further wrong with your colon and it\'s just am effect of your surgery or something. I\'ve heard my uncle say that after his colon resection he has major problems eating certain things. Hopefully that\'s all it is.hugs and prayers
I\'m sorry you\'re in so much physical and emotional pain!*hugs* I wish you didn\'t have to wait so long to see a new ob/gyn or reproductive endocrinologist. I\'ve had problems for a while no matter what I eat. I will be glad when the prep is over as well as the colonoscopy. i can only have liquids all day today.