My husband having surgery Colon Cancer

Marie5656

Marie5656

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Location
Batavia, NY

I just realized I accidently posted this info as a response to someone elses thread, so I will start a thread here.
Rick had a colonoscopy Monday and they had found a mass. We went back today and the biopsy showed cancer. So he will have to go in for surgery to have part of his colon removed. He will not need an ostomy bag, they will just remove the bad part and reattach pieces to each other. They will have to remove some lympth nodes too, which is standard.
They are going to call next week with a surgery date. He will have to meet with the anesthesiologist as due to his asthma he has had issues with general anestesia in the past.
Doctor seems nice, and very involved.
 

Sorry to hear this Marie. What's the prognosis, have they said if they've found the 'mass' early ? I hope all goes well for him and the Operation, and his recovery is swift.


What made him go and have the test initially, was he symptomatic?
 
Best wishes from me also. My husband was diagnosed in 1993 with stage 3 colon cancer....some lymph nodes were involved.

They did the surgery and removed everything but he did end up with a colostomy....his cancer was too near the rectum I think.

surgeon tried his best to reconnect but couldn't.

He had radiation and a year of chemotherapy and lived for another 11 years.

The chemo wasn't too bad either and this was many years ago...he didn't even lose his hair....and even went to work.
 
Marie5656 said:

I just realized I accidently posted this info as a response to someone elses thread, so I will start a thread here.
Rick had a colonoscopy Monday and they had found a mass. We went back today and the biopsy showed cancer. So he will have to go in for surgery to have part of his colon removed. He will not need an ostomy bag, they will just remove the bad part and reattach pieces to each other. They will have to remove some lympth nodes too, which is standard.
They are going to call next week with a surgery date. He will have to meet with the anesthesiologist as due to his asthma he has had issues with general anestesia in the past.
Doctor seems nice, and very involved.
Click to expand...
Glad the doctor is a good one. I will pray for him to have a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
 
Marie,

I wish you and your husband a great outcome!

I hate to bring up money at a time like this but please pay close attention to the billing to ensure that none of the expenses fall through the cracks as he transitions from his employer-sponsored insurance to Medicare.
 
Well, it is hard to say what stage it is until they do the biopsy on the piece they remove. I am a bit upset because he is 66, and his doctor has spent at least the past 15 years trying to get him to go in for one and he kept resisting, as he felt lying down for procedure would be hard on his back, he cannot lay flat too well. He sleeps in his chair.

Today at the doctor he was getting all wound up about having to stay in the hospital for 3-4 days because of his back. Doctor just looked at him, and said "So, which do you want, a few days of discomfort or more cancer?" Doctor did say he will do all he can to advocate for him and his limitations, but no guarentees.

Outlook does look OK, if it does turn out to be stage 2.
 
Marie, I'm sorry to hear about Rick. I hope his surgery goes well and is successful. This must be very upsetting for the both of you.....hugs, will be thinking of you and sending warm thoughts your way.
 
RadishRose said:
Marie, wishing for best. Tell hubby the hospital beds can be configured, just like a recliner.[/QUOT

Thanks, I will let him know. I would guess, also, that he will be a bit more medically out of it for at least the first day or two after surgery, so pain or discomfort in his back will not be as much of an issue. A friend of his (also a cancer survivor) is coming out today to visit with him. I am going to leave the house while his friend is here, so they can have some time to chat. I think my husband will need the opportunity to have an emotional response easier if I am not there.
Click to expand...
 
I agree. Hospital beds are the pits. The mattresses are like sleeping on a cement slab. I like a firm mattress, but those things are ridiculous.
 
Rick's surgery has been scheduled for June 12th. He goes in on the 5th for the pre-op check up. They are doing a resection of the right assending colon. They will remove the offending piece and the attached lymph nodes and then reattaching the pieces. They are doing it laproscopic. I guess I should learn to spell that word. It will take 3-4 hours. So some version of my computer will be with me. Either my laptop or my tablet. So you will be seeing my presence here that day.
 
The biggest issue I've heard from people with colon surgery is an incisional hernia in which the stomach wall is weakend by the procedure which makes a hernia a greater possibility in seniors especially.

But as far as function or cancer coming back that is minimal.

Best of luck and speedy recovery!
 
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