diahrrea after colon resection

I am a 59 yo female diagnosed with peritineal cancer last november.  I had abdominal surgery and the doctor removed the fatty lining of the stomach.  I was not doing well in surgery so she closed me up knowing that there was cancer on my ovaries, lower stomach, colon and spleen.  I had 6 chemo treatments and 3 weeks ago I had more abdominal surgery.  This time she removed ovaries, all other tumors and had a colon surgeon remove a large portion of my upper colon.  She feels that she got every cancer cell she could see.  I am doing more chemo  just to be sure.  Since the surgery I have diahrrea anywhere from 6 to 30 times a day. It is just like water and slimey and sometimes there is undigested food in it. what I eat doesn't seem to make any difference.  They did a c diff and culture on stool and it came back negative.  I am now taking 6 lomotil a day.  I am totally washed out and have little energy.  Could the stool culture be wrong?  Is there something else I could try or have tested?  Do I just need to give it more time?  I am doing great otherwise.

[jdwithhcv]

I'm glad to hear you are doing well.  After colon resection surgery I had similar diahrrea for a few weeks.  You are only 3 weeks post-op and the colon can really take its time adjusting.  I'd give it a little time.  I know how hard it is to live with that but for me it got a lot better with time.  I wish you the same.

jd

[Morecambe]

Hi - I underwent a total colectomy about five years ago for torrential diverticular bleeding and, in response to another Medhelp patient's question, I posted my own experiences on Medhelp - click on to:-

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/523166

Indeed severe diarrhoea is a consequence of this operation and you may like to try a few of the suggestions in the posting I mentioned above.  But the frequency of toilet visits does reduce over time.

Perhaps it may be worth trying a diet high in fibre (to include fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and plenty of preparations incorporating oats and bran).  I compare this to dealing with a liquid spill on the kitchen floor by dropping sawdust on the spillage.  It can make the liquid more "muddy/sludgy" and thereby reduce the frequency of your motions and the aggressive corosiveness of them.

regards
Morecambe

[farmergirl59]

Thanks for sharing the article with me.  Brings back memories of both of my surgeries.  Some helpful info there.  I thought high fiber would contribute to the problem.  I love fresh fruits and veggies but have been avoiding them somewhat.  I think I am just a little impatient for a normal life again.  thanks for your input.  Farmergirl59