Hi everyone,
I was hoping if someone in here could help me with a very serious
problem that my family and I have been going through. My dad was
diagnosed with rectal cancer over a year ago and a tumor was removed.
They also gave him a colostomy bag because they felt it was necessary to
do. He was given a great piece of news in the fact that they felt that
they got all the cancer. He was doing great until about 6 months ago.
He started getting severe cramps, bloating, pressure, burping, etc. all
the time. Shortly after, he was unable to pass stool into his bag. He
ended up in the hospital again and was given a drain in order to get
relief. Upon a series of CAT scans in the bowel area, he was told he
had adhesions that had developed. He now passes stool regularly, but
the doctors say he has a partial blockage from these adhesions. He is
almost constant pain from this terrible condition and we have brought
him to 3 doctors, all with the same result. Nobody seems to know what
can be done to provide some relief. He is in horrible sprits and has
dropped considerable weight, he says when he eats, it hurts even more.
We try to give him things that are easily digestable and full of
vitamins but we are very worried about him. He says that he does not
belive any of the doctors because he has never heard of adhesions and
said that it is something that is more severe. He said that adhesions
could never hurt like this, even though the doctors said they can be
very painful. He is very depressed and we are extremely worried about
him. He does not do much of anything anymore and spends most of his
time on the couch. He says that nobody can understand his pain but I
feel different. I know that he would feel better if he spoke with
someone who was experiencing the same thing and also had a better
understanding from someone who knows what they are talking about. Does
anyone know who I can call and let my Dad speak with them? There is not
a support group in our area that I know of, and I very much doubt he
would go anyway. I would really, really appreciate any help or advice
from anyone. This has been an awful time for our family and we do not
know where else to turn. I can be reached directly at a-plus@snet.net
...Thank you - Bob