Rearend odd ?

• By Sheral58 (Inactive)
• Reply 3470311
• October 18, 2012 at 10:36 pm
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I went through the same thing 4 years ago. Hang in there it does get better. The oddest thing I had to deal with was the urge to have a bowel movement "the old fashioned way". That stopped to as my rectum was sewed shut too. How long ago was your surgery?

• By JRo12
• Reply 3470352
• October 18, 2012 at 10:55 pm
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Hello Sheral,

My surgery was June 19th, so not to long ago. This is one thing about the whole process that I do not understand. Why did they have to sow it shut like this? I am sure there is a good reason, but it is the oddest feeling that I do not like at all. Especially when it feels so tight.

Thank you for your response.

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3471002
• October 19, 2012 at 8:22 am
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JRo, trust me you should be happy your rearend is sewn shut. One less hole to worry about. This rectal cut takes time to heal. But when completely closed there should not be any blood. I had ileostomy with total rectal closing 10 years ago. I also found out there is something known as, "Phantom rectum." This is where you think you are going to the bathroom through the rectum, but obviously are not. Sometimes there are muscles inside that have "Memory." Yes closing this area does feel very very tight, because your skin has been stretched a bit to stitch it together. I had the same thing. Even after 10 years it sometimes is annoyingly tight. Use something called Calmoseptine ointment. Ot zinc oxide or just plain vaseline to keep area lubricated while it is still healing. I could not find the Calmoseptine in the drug stores, but ordered it from Amazon. Your pharmacist can probably order it. It is used for promoting healing. You will get used to the tightness and it will stretch a bit over time. The main thing is to make sure it heals properly. Like you I had the ileostomy and rectal cut in one operation. many people (who are too weak or it is an emergency) have it done in two surgeries. Although you are dealing with a lot, it will all heal up. My stomach cut healed much faster then the rectal cut. Now if someone calls you a tight ass, you can say, you betcha! have patience,!

• By Chriswife
• Reply 3471023
• October 19, 2012 at 8:29 am
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I had the same surgery when I had my colostomy. It is all normal! The thing about tightness for me is when I bend over sometimes, it feels like I am going to split open...lol I used desitin for a while because I had so much irritation. I still have discharge and a tiny bit of blood as well and my surgery was July 10th. My doc assured me that I am healing great and that area can take up to a year to fully heal.

Kerri

• By Chriswife
• Reply 3471025
• October 19, 2012 at 8:30 am
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Oh and one more thing...I dont think any question can weird us out....lol

• By alan41241
• Reply 3471057
• October 19, 2012 at 8:41 am
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You are so right, Kerri, about being weirded out. We have discussed so many subjects on this forum that nothing surprises us anymore.

JRo, as far as why did they sew up your rectum, there isn't any choice. The opening would lead directly to your insides since there is no rectum beyond the incision.

I never had a feeling of tightness but I did have phantom urges like I used to have when I needed to move my bowels. That didn't last very long. My surgery was March 12, 2012. I have had no complications of any sort. It took awhile for the mucus to stop forming but even that has stopped.

I hope this helps in some small way.

Blessings,
Alan

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3471082
• October 19, 2012 at 8:51 am
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Great responses.... I still have mine... so I guess, Cookie.. I have no excuse if someone calls me a tight ass!! lmao!!! I love your response!

I still get urges..even though I only have about 2" or less.. but it still wants to act like it has it all together and would like to serve it's purpose! Minimal mucous discharge.

If it's totally gone.. it's one last place something can go wrong! I'm fortunate that it has been behaving itself.

Janet, I wouldn't be pushing on it as you say you do... especially if it bleeds or hurts when you do. Let it totally heal.
Praying you have a good Friday!!
Mare

• By Idahoeagle
• Reply 3471377
• October 19, 2012 at 10:34 am
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It's kinda funny while you all are talking about tight asses. LOL! I have one as well.
I don't like it either. It's still tight after almost two years.
I had to have it removed, as that's where the cancer was. It was incorporating the sphincter muscle.
I would have been a candidate for sphincter reconstruction surgery, had the tumor not taken so much of the sphincter muscle. They said that the tumor had grown to big to save anything; which upsets me because we wathched this tumor grow, thinking it was a hemorroid. UGH!!!
Well, at any rate, to get back to what I intended to say in the first place.
My tightness back there, is still very evident after all this time. Sometimes it's uncomfortably tight.
I'm a year and 9 months out of surgery, so I am thinking it will always be tight back there, especially after reading some of you who are longer out of this than me.
Yea, the phantom urges to go to the bathroom the old way, still exist.
To touch on another reality, I might add, that if cancer is still lurking there, it might be a good idea to have the rectal stump removed when you can. I've talked with folks who developed rectal cancer in the stump some years out. So just because it's not being used, It's a good idea to keep up on the changes that the rectal stump goes through and maybe be concerned about that. Especially if cancer was the reason for your surgery.

With concern,
Michael

• By alan41241
• Reply 3471445
• October 19, 2012 at 11:01 am
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Michael, you are so right. My mother had colon cancer and her surgeon left a rectal stump. Three years later, she had cancer again. You guessed it......the stump. That time, it killed her.
Blessings,
Alan

• By stevelaymanaa
• Reply 3471534
• October 19, 2012 at 11:27 am
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Wanna hear something funny? PHANTOM FARTS. much like an amputee dreams of a phantom leg or arm, i've had dreams where i just let one rip. i wake up and laugh and laugh. hope this lightens things up for you today. xo

• By jofie
• Reply 3471557
• October 19, 2012 at 11:33 am
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I also had my rectum sowen and had phanton pains. It does go away with time. I had colon rectum cancer and now wear a permant ostomy bag. I have never talked about it except with my family but I feel they don't really understand what I am going through. Its been five years and I think the shock is barely wearing off. Im very glad to be alive but feel uncomfortable when I am around strangers. Im sorry I dont think I have your same problem but It feels good to finally talk to someone who shares the same problem I have.

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3471627
• October 19, 2012 at 11:52 am
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Steve.. I love it!! That's too funny.. and yes.. you lightened my day!! I've often thought that also.. when everyone around you will cut one right next to you and walk away..and you have no retaliation!!! lmao!! Although.. I think this is more of a "man" thing than woman.. but hey.. I've had those urges as well!!

Michael... Sorry you are still having pain there, after the time that has passed.. What about cocoa butter to soften the skin some.. might give it a bit more elasticity? You have me thinking though.. about the cancer in the stump... How would one know if something were going on? They never look at it anymore.. and never any tests.. so how would one know.... before it got "out of hand"... hummmm...

I'm so sorry Alan that this is what took your mother. What a shame.. ((((Alan)))))

Jofie.. glad you are here with us now!!! I'm sure there will be many post that you can empathize with and many that will help you in your days of dealing with your ostomy! Just remember... the ostomy did not change who you were or are.. you are still the same person... just rerouted a little bit! Hold your head up high... be proud of who you are.. and enjoy the life you were given back!!

• By alan41241
• Reply 3471909
• October 19, 2012 at 1:16 pm
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I have to agree with everything Mare wrote. Especially, comments to Jofie. I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable with having an ostomy. After five years, I'm surprised you are not further along in your acceptance. It's all in the attitude. I know that's true for me. My attitude is everything. Also, I learned from my daughter that happiness is an inside job.

Mare, thanks so much for your concern about me and my mother. I wrote about her but she's been dead now for 11 years last April 25. I still miss her but it's not like it was in the beginning. Grief really does have a time limit.

Blessings,
Alan

• By Sheral58 (Inactive)
• Reply 3471984 · In reply to 3470352 by JRo12
• October 19, 2012 at 1:38 pm
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I had all my colon, rectum, anus, ovaries, fallopian tubes removed. After that they have to sew the anus area shut. Yes it's tight and after 4 years there are day's I still have tightness in my backside. It get's better with time. I'm glad I had it done, I know some who had the rectal stump left and the anus, but later had to have a second operation to close it due to problems. It has to be closed there is nothing left in that area.

• By Sheral58 (Inactive)
• Reply 3472013 · In reply to 3471377 by Idahoeagle
• October 19, 2012 at 1:46 pm
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Michael, For years my doctor(I don't have that one anymore), was treating me hemorroids. I did not know it was cancer until I had my 1st colonoscopy and I had a 8 cm tumor, and andemonas clear to my anus. I wonder how many of us on here were treated for or had hemorroids then cancer. My onocolgist said I had colon cancer for years before and I didn't know it.

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3472140
• October 19, 2012 at 2:32 pm
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Yes.. Alan.. I knew your mom had passed a while ago.. My dad passed in 2000.. and my mom in 2006.... Not a day goes by that I don't think of them..miss them.. or would like to pick up the phone and call them!
Some days I wish there were a direct phone to Heaven...
Their spirits do visit me though.. often..

I guess I am truly fortunate.. as my surgery was 26 years ago.. and my stump behaves itself.. On the rare occassion I had to use a steroid cream because the skin around the anus was weepy.. but other than that.. no difficulties..

• By alan41241
• Reply 3472142
• October 19, 2012 at 2:32 pm
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I can't imagine a doctor who couldn't tell the difference between a hemorroid and a tumor. And even if it was a hemorroid, didn't he ever suggest having it removed?
Blessings.
Alan

• By Shell-loves-bear
• Reply 3472409
• October 19, 2012 at 4:20 pm
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See, opinion's are not like @ss holes. Everyone does not have one ;) It really will get better. And just think, you will never get rectal cancer. Woo hoo

• By alan41241
• Reply 3472718
• October 19, 2012 at 7:19 pm
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My laugh for the day, Shell!
Blessings,
Alan

• By lilymyiley
• Reply 3472738
• October 19, 2012 at 7:29 pm
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My surgeon said that he would have to remove my rectum 5 years after my initial colectomy even if everything was going well. Apparently the incidence of cancer forming in the rectum is higher if it is not used. He also said that the normal symptoms of pain, bleeding etc would not be noticed. I have my fingers crossed for a reversal next year so that might not be an issue for me.