Radical hysterectomy and bowel problems

Hello, ladies. I had a radical hysterectomy with the removal of 2/3 of the parametrail tissue, uterus, fallopian tubes and some lymph nodes on September 29, 2005 for cervical cancer, stage 1B1. I posted on the New to Site section about it so you can read more there is you want.

My question to all of you is, are there any others who have had a radical hysterectomy? if so, did you have bowel problems afterwards? The usual, as I just found out through experience and then confirming with the nurse at the doctor's office, is constipation. What I want to know is if it will improve with time as my body heals more fully? Also, what percentage have long term issues? How have you coped with it?

I have not reached the 8 week post op mark and so I can not even get a commitment that this will be a long term problem yet. I can not get a referral to a GI doctor until that point, and I do not want to rely on over the counter medications anyway. I started with an herbal product, an Intestinal Cleansing Kit from Ejuva.com that I used to detox i nJuly. it is very mild and does not allow the body to rely on it as I stopped after the four wee ktime period and had no problems since then until after this surgery.

I am doing lots of good things for my body-walking each day it does not rain, resting and napping, some sewing for creative outlet, letting DH and Dear Children do the housework, laundry, shopping, cooking and cleaning as well as taking supplements, herbs and homeopathic remedies. I feel pretty good, tired and a little sore, but nothing like the first three weeks. I resume acupuncture treatments tomorrow.

Are there any other suggestions. Daily prayers (more frequently, usually) and some meditation help, too. I could not be where I am without the prayers and support of our friends, family and church.

So, please fill me in on what to expect-the good and the not so good. Already I feel better than the first three weeks, and I know a positive attitude helps so much. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to receive treatment. Even with all the alternatives, the cancer was not shrinking fast enough to suit me, and i felt god led me to these excellent surgeons to have this last step done to make sure the cancer is eradicated from me. I am so grateful for all the things I did, especially all the rpayers, as the lymph nodes and parametrial tissue are clean-no chemo and radiation needed. Hurray!!! The doctors are amazed!!

Looking forward to your helpful and encouraging feedback.

Suzy, first let me say I'm sending prayers your way. Glad you're feeling better. I had a total hysterectomy too. I wish they had taken samples of my lymph nodes. We didn't find out until the complete pathology report came out that I had a borderline ovarian cancer malignancy, a lymph node sample would've been beneficial. I, too, don't need chemo. The original report during surgery said I was completely clean..oh well. I have to be checked out every three months. Anyway, my bowels have been in an uproar since surgery...days of constipation, days of going several times. I find lots of water, lots of veggies and fruit make the difference..also if you don't eat binding things...you go more....less carbs..like bread..unless they're high in fiber. I hope that helps, if not, I was told to take some Milk of Magnesia per the doctor's office. We had our hysterectomies around the same time. I find I am feeling much better, just achey here and there and stomach problems. I take one day at a time. Wishing you the best.

Hugs,

Lilli

Hi-
I had the same surgery on Sept. 30th, so I can't give you any info about long term problems. I am also having constipation issues. My doctor has me take a stool softner twice a day. I have also been takein Senekot-S daily as well. My home nurse recommended the Senekot over Milk of Magnesia- she feels its more gentle. She suggested I take it twice a day and if my stool became loose to decrease the dose. Hopefully, I won't need it much longer. I've also been walking, eating lots of fiber, fruit and of course prunes. You could call your doctor's office to see what they would recommend.
My gyn/onc told me that I could have chronic constipation as a result of the surgery and may always need to take a stool softner. I hate the idea of always having to take something to be able to go, but I guess I don't have any choice. I wasn't really aware that this could be a problem before I had the surgery, but I would have been willing to accept the risk in order to get rid of the cancer.
Other than the constipation and having to make myself pee by the clock my recovery has gone well. I hope yours continues to go well, too.
Best wishes.

I had total, not radical hysterectomy and dealt with constipation for the first 5 weeks [thank God I am in week 6 and it seems to have improved.]

I have Crohns disease and that constipation about killed me. A lot of pain, a lot of blood. Here is what I would [and my GI has passed on to me] suggest.

Water, drink plenty of it. I drink over half gallon a day. Water keeps the stool soft and moist. Fiber - I chew two fiber choice tabs a day. Dietary fiber - I, who could never before eat this stuff, am eating a lot of fruits and raw veggies. Watermelon is a good 'mover'. Has fiber and water, good combo. Raspberries and strawberries are also good helps for this. Prunes, some people suggest, but make you gassy, so you may be helping one issue while bringing on others you don't want!

Try eating something like yogurt with a bit of flax seed on it, that also helps.

My GI [who is a bowel specialist] mentioned something he prefers to colace, which he felt was silly for me to take, but I can't remember the name of it. If you don't find relief and would like me to ask, I will gladly do that for you.

I hope you find some relief.

I am a little further along than you. I can say that each week is better for me. Last week I had a bit of a melt down and feelings of "will this ever get better?" and then realized I just need to let this take the time it needs. Healig is a process and we need to relax and let this process not only go along, but help it by doing what we need to do for a successful outcome!

Feel better, and good luck

~Karen

Hi, Piper-creek and lilliann. Thank you for responding to my thread. I really appreciate it.

It sounds like piper creek and I had the same diagnosis and procedure. We have the same attitude-thank you, Lord, for the surgeon's ability to remove the cancer and yes, I can cope with the changes in my body. I just wonder how permanent they will be?

I want to tell you both that you can make changes in your diet and lifestyle to keep your body healthy, improve your immune system and probably prevent future cancer. i switched to a vegetarian diet, mostly raw fruits and vegetables, sprouts, seeds and nuts, when Irealized I had a problem. I detoxed and cleaned out the intestinal tract with a cleansing kit from Ejuva.com as well as a series of colonics. I also added in many supplements and some herbs. There was a definite change in the size and appearance of the cervical cancer in three months time, all for the positive. I feel more confident about the future with all these changes in place. And, of course, nothing can replace prayers and a faith in God and his goodness and care for us.

I would love to correspond with you to check on progress and how you are doing. Like you, I can cope with adding something in my day to help me move the bowels. I truly feel it is a nerve issue (lack of since the removal of so much parametrial tissue) and may improve if the nerves that exist branch out. However, I am prepared to accept that this is as good as it gets. I find diet alone with exercise is not enough to keep the bowels flowing. They will move, but they produce small, worm-like feces that seems to just come every hour, day and night, and still offer no relief. When I use the herbs, I get more normal sized movements and less frequently. Since my diet is high in fresh fruit and vegetables as well as cooked ones in vegetarian soups, cooked beans and some whole grains, i know it is not a diet issue. I do also make fresh carrot/apple juice daily to assist in elimation and drink water all day long.

Otherwise, life is good. I am adjusted to peeing on scheduel and it is no big deal so I am sure when I work through this bowel issue and find a balance of timing and amount, i will be OK. Right now I am not leaving the house as it is unpredicatable. I also believe it is important to move the bowels once or twice a day as I don't want to stuff rotting inside and contaminating my body. Many physicians and natural health practitioners believe cancer starts in the gut.

I will pray for both of you to have full recovery and return of normal body functions. It's important to pray for each other, to remember how lucky we are to catch the cancer and to move on in life. I just keep wishing I would know exactly how to do it without the trial and error period and the waiting game to see what happens. :-)

Have a beautiful day.

Thank you, Karen. I have altered the diet, and the fruits and veggies are mostly what I eat with beans and some whole grains. I do drink LOTS of water. I gave up sugar, white flour and caffeine, beef, pork, most dairy and eggs months ago. i know the diet is fine, so I guess I will just have to see what happens with the body. I amthinking of adding ground flax seed back in. the doctor's office told me to avoid high fiber for the first 4 weeks. i am past that point and started adding in some whole grains this week.

I had a meltdown last night as well. :-) I was crying as I was in bed, and my husband came closer to cuddle, and I just cried that I wish I was past this point, that I knew already what my body was going to do and that I had already figured out how to help it along. I went through this around the 2 week point during the training of the bladder. I had an abdominal foley that needed to be in for 2 weeks. The last few days i worked on timing and emptying it out followed by a few days or week of figuring it all out. I am sure once I get the hang of what to take and when and how my body responds, I will be ebtter able to plan my days.

I love watermelon and find it not only tastes good, but is so good for you. It is high in potasssium. Potassium is necessary for peristaltic action of the intestines. It's also a natural cleanser for the intestines. My husband brought me some home a couple days ago-such a good guy!

Good luck with your recovery. After reading why you had the hysterectomy, I can see that once you heal you will be feeling much better overall. Our bodies are amazing and can rebuild and flourish once again. I am looking forward to that point as well.

Clare