Diverticulitis Support Group

Hi...I'm new to this board and I'm scheduled for the removal of the right side of my large intestine on the 15th of April due to a large flat polyop just above my appendix. The surgeon has examined me and said that he's 98% sure that it's cancerous.
I'm pretty frightned by all this. He's said that he suspects that it may be in other areas. The left side of my large intestines have closed to the point that they had to use a baby's scope on me.
I'm not sure what's going to happen once he's in there. But it has me pretty scared.

Susie

My mom had this done. It WAS pretty scary... anything unknown is! All I can tell you is that she came through with flying colors. I stayed with her through the surgery and afterwards for a couple of weeks.

Like any surgery, you are going to be tired after and they will likely tell you it will be a 6 - 8 week recovery time. Use it! Rest! Don't push yourself.

Before your hospital stay, make sure you've built yourself a little "nest" at home. Pre-cook meals for the family and freeze them. Make sure you have books, a radio and a television in your bedroom. Get a "body pillow" which is a really long pillow, so you can lean on it and rest against it. If you share your bed, ask your loved one to use the spare room for a couple of nights. You don't want to be bumped or jostled.

While the thought of surgery is scary, you have to know that you'll be so much better when it's over. My mom has not had a diverticulitis attack since she had the surgery! Really!

Don't worry. Prepare your home and put things around you that will make you rest easily and be comfortable. You don't need to be superwoman, you need to heal.

*HUGS* to you.

Hi SuzyJD,

I understand your fear. I had another kind of surgery where the doctor was pretty sure it was cancerous. Even after the surgery he told me to prepare for it and talk to my family about getting me to chemo and radiation appointments. It turned out I was totally clear of cancer. I am not saying this will happen for you, but it *could* so there's reason to have faith.

All you can do is take it one step at a time. Face each challenge as they arise and don't forget to be kind to yourself. Try to watch movies or read books that make you laugh. I sure hope it turns out well for you. Please keep us posted.

Thanks for all the encourgement and support here. Being DS, I looked forward to it.

Lots of pain in my right side this morning and diarrea (4th day in a row!) I'm so tired of this! I have to hang around the house for several hours before I can go outdoors to be sure that I'm finished with the bathroom. I also so tired of being woken up in the middle of the night for a BM. I'm also so sleepy.

I pray that the surgery eases all of this.

Susie

I had to have the surgery in 2006. I had a large abcess and needed to have it done. Illiostomy (spelling?)and all. After being out of life for 3 months I'm doing really good. I'm glad I had it done and take plenty of fiber to make sure I don't have to have it again. Good luck and I pray all goes well.

I had the colon resection (Sigmoid removal) in November 2007. They took 8 inches due to the advanced diver causing chronic infections.

The most important thing, to me, was finding an experienced surgeon. I did it "electively" rather than waiting for it to be done on an emergency basis in hopes of avoiding the colostomy bag and such. My surgery was complicated by some adhesions once the surgeon was in, and took almost twice as long as expected, but I was still able to have it done laproscopically with a hand port as I found one of the most experienced surgeons in town (Phoenix). I'm very happy with the outcome. I was in the hospital for 6 days and was on soft foods when I went home; within 2 weeks I was released to 5 grams of fiber per day and functioning seemed quite normal. I was off work a total of 8 weeks, followed by 2 weeks part time.

Now, 4 1/2 months out, I very rarely have any discomfort; I never have diarrhea or constipation; I eat 25-30 grams of fiber each day (and from any food I choose); I'm back to exercising and life is great!

If you have questions, please drop me an email at skinnywellfed1@aol.com (I'm not on here much anymore).

Be well!

My surgery is less than a week away now and I still have so many questions. I was told the other day that they will be placing a cathator into me to protect my bladder. This is concidered a seperate surgery. Also, besides the flat polyup, the doctor that gave me my "pre-opt" said that I was loaded with diverticulitis.

I kept asking her if the surgery was absolutly necessay and she said that It was.

Gotta tell you, I'm pretty worried.

Susie

Hi susie:

I had a resection on Feb 28 and was really nervous about the whole thing - I hate to be in the hospital and expected all kinds of things to go wrong - well, don't over worry. I'm doing fine now as today is my six week anniversary and while I'm not 100 % I'm 90%. Just keep faith and I'll pray for you

Hi everyone! I'm back. Wish that I could say the surgery went well, but it didn't.
I was supposed to be in the hospital for 3 to 4 days and ended up being there for 8 days due to complications. I was told by my surgeron that my insides had gone to sleep 3 days after my surgery. I was taken off all food, had a tube placed up my noise to drain the bile from my stomach for 3 days. I was throwing up all the time. Finally, my stomach settled down and they put me on liquids only. I was released after I could have a BM and pass gas (again). They have me on a "soft food" only diet for the next 3 weeks.
I'm in a bit of pain and am on painkillers. I find myself running low on energy after about 2 hours of being out of bed.
But it is getting better.

Susie