hi, and thanks for the reply. i believe my rectum and anus were
completely removed.
i had a pelvic cavity with fluid collection that was 10+ cm. the
cancer seems to be in
the linings of the pelvic wall--there has been no mass/tumor that
could be removed.
the cavity last measured ca. 4 cm. from what you say, and given the
radiation and
chemo it sounds like i have a long wait ahead of me, if the cavity
ever closes and heals
entirely. a complicating factor was a perforation in the bladder,
apparently caused by
infection/abscess rather than cancer, along with a fistula from the
bladder to the
pelvic cavity. i have had a super-pubic catheter since last december--
the urologist
wants to wait until the chemo is completed. well, one more chemo
treatment to go
and then we'll see what happens.
thanks again. it looks like there may be some hope--ralph p.
On Nov 21, 4:06 pm, Fake <1...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On Wed, 21 Nov 2007 06:43:09 -0800, ralph p. wrote:
> > now, to get to my question, there still is discharge from the
opening--
> > usually
> > a pinkish fluid with some mucous (the amount of mucous has diminished
> > significantly over the year)--presumably by eliminating the cancer in
the
> > pelvis, the anal wound should be healing. what are the features of
"normal
> > healing" after a colostomy? is the pinkish discharge normal? mucous?
and
> > how long does it take "normally" for the anal wound to heal.
>
> Though I was lucky enough to keep most of my rectum, I have had the same
> issue. It took about 6 months for the pink fluid to dissipate. My
> radiation treatment did the most damage and though it's been almost two
> years, things are just starting to feel "normal" down there. Another
issue
> I had after radiation was low platelet level. My old butt always itches
as
> it heals.
>
> The secret to feeling better was to start walking and being active. I
> started out with a mile a day of walking and am now up to 5. Things
really
> improved! I also changed my diet away from the "American" diet.
>
> I understand that people who loose all of the anus and rectum have it
> really bad. I hope that is not what your going through!
>
> Hope this helps!
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