surgery complications - or what?

Pam P · 12-24-2010, 02:57 PM

I'm still at rehab and am feeling stronger and more able to do the PT exercises well. Other than pain at surgery site and being tired I feel okay.

My hgb was 8.8 last week at the doctor's office. That's pretty normal for me. The day after surgery it was 7.9, then 7.8, today 7.3. The surgical doctor said wait one more day to see if it gets better. If not then he'll order a tranfusion. I didn't lose much blood during surgery.

I had big diarrhea on Sun or Mon and again today. They ordered stool samples so are 2 have come back with blood in the urine. The ortho doc said I'd have to talk with my primary about it & what they want to do, What could be going on here --- caused from? This has really got me worried.

Chelee · 12-24-2010, 03:39 PM

Hi Pam,
I'm glad your feeling a little better. I still think you made a good decision going to rehab. It would of been to rough for you at home. My Ortho Onc told me I lost alot of blood during surgery. They tried to hold off transfusions for me too but I ended up getting one for the first two days after surgery. So you will probably have one too if your HGB hasn't went up by now. It will make you feel better.

I wish I could help but I have no idea what would cause the diarrhea? But didn't you mention in your other thread you are still doing Tykerb? (I can't rememeber for sure?) But with the shock to your body from surgery and Tykerb that might be the cause of that. As to blood in your urine it might be caused from an infection due to the catheter they use during surgery. They like to get those removed ASAP just for that reason alone. This exact same thing happened to my MIL. So all you might need is some antibiotics to clear it up. Many things can cause blood in urine...but with all your body has been thru with chemo, surgery and all...infections is my 1st thought. I really believe that's all it is. (It's more common then you would think.) Sending lots of healing thoughts and prayers your way.

Chelee

Pam P · 12-24-2010, 04:07 PM

Thanks for your response, Chelee. I am not so worred about the hgb but would still like it to start coming up and not have a transfusion\\

The blood in the stool (Not the urine) has me more worried. They did a stool yesterday and again today - both positive. I'm supposed to do one again tomorrow, It could be other kind of cancer. I don't know what kinds of tests they'll be wanting to do for that. It's never easy it seems.

sassy · 12-24-2010, 09:45 PM

Pam,

Is it possible that you have a small fistula(tear) or perhaps hemorroids? I developed a perirectal abcess after chemo, along with an anal fissure that was showing blood in the stool. I eventually had to have a fistulatomy. There are a number of causes of blood in the stool.

I won't tell you not to worry, because I know it won't do any good! Just know that I have you in my thoughts and prayers.

Chelee · 12-25-2010, 02:59 AM

Pam,
I'm sorry I misunderstood what you meant. Your mentioned the diarrhea and then you said, >>>They ordered stool samples so are 2 have come back with blood in the urine.<<< So I thought you were concerned about blood in your urine?

I'm thinking the same thing Sassy just said...hemorroids or small tears can look alot worse then it is. The amount of blood will look much more serious then it really is. If it's really bright red I'll bet that's what it is. If the blood is a little on the browner side it usually is coming from up further. If your still on the Tykerb that might be adding to the problem especially after such a big surgery. Three days of diarrhea would make it hard for that area to heal up if that is what it is? I hope your doctors figure this out for you because I can imagine how stressful this is for you. I sure wish I could be more helpful. Let us know what you find out? Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers always.

Chelee

Pam P · 12-25-2010, 04:51 AM

Thanks Sasy U Chelee =l I sure hope it is something easily identified and eay to treatl I didn;t realize I'd typed 'urine' meaning 'stool'. Sorry to confuse. All these meds are wiping me out.

ElaineM · 12-25-2010, 01:35 PM

I am so glad you checked in Pam. I have been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing.
Loosing even a little blood affects the body more for a cancer patient than for people without serious health problems, but maybe your blood counts will come up.
Give it a few days before you decide on a transfusion.
Blood in a stool sample can mean other things besides cancer. There are a variety of diseases and problems that can cause that. Also our organs go through alot during cancer treatments. Any one of the drugs you have taken could have weakened your intestinal wall, especially if you have had a lot of diarrhea during your treatments. Even a lack of enough good friendly bacteria (probiotics) can cause stress on the intestines. Pathology might be able to check the stool sample for more information. You might just have a small polyp or a hemmrroid. You might want to ask about a PET/CT if a virtual or regular colonoscopy is not available in you area. That would at least identify cancer if it is present.
Blood in the urine can mean there is an infection somewhere in the kidneys or bladder. If so your doctor might prescribe antibiotics or you might want to consider cranberry juice if there is a bladder infection beginning. It is very effective and especially plentiful during this time of the year.
Right now you need to rest a little more and bring up those blood counts. Eat healthy, do your phyiscal therapy and celebrate the holidays whenever you can.
I wish you a peaceful, healthy and joyful 2011.
Take good care of yourself.

Chelee · 12-25-2010, 01:44 PM

Pam,
I remember when I was layed up with my femur surgery, I was blaming my spelling errors and everything on the small netbook my DH brought to me. But Shelia busted me and asked If I was sure it really wasn't the pain meds they had me on? lol (Naww..couldn't of been that.)

I hope they have given you something to control the diarrhea? Are you going to be able to avoid a transfusion? (I tried to avoid it...but they insisted.) I'm going to assume you have gotten no answers yet as to why the blood in your stool? With the holidays I'm sure things are running slower then normal. I still can't help but wonder how hard the Tykerb is on you right now after such a serious surgery? It would hinder your healing I would think? (It's always something in cancerland.) Hang in there Pam..continued prayers for a speedy recovery.

Chelee

Pam P · 12-25-2010, 03:21 PM

My hemoglobin was downto 7.3 yesterday. today 7.7, so a good sign. I suppose they'll watch to if it continues tocome up.

I still don't know anything about blood in the stool. I bet it will be Monday before they recommend anything next to do about that. It's making me scared. I just want to regain strength from this surgery (& it's been a week today and much better moving already) and go home and have some calm normal routines.

The diarrhea is still going on - not as frequent. I'm back on the tykerb and who knows how that's affecting the diarrhea although it usually doesn't bother me.

Is some kind of cancer usually the reason for blood in stool? I can't see blood ; they just took some sample tests and said it was in there.

MaryAn · 12-25-2010, 03:32 PM

It is good if you can't see blood, I would think. I got doagnosed with internal hemerroids last month. My toilet water was actually colored red by the amount of blood that I had there and when I wiped all I had was blood to clean up...sorry for the ugly visual, but that might help you think of a more benign alternative for the blood in the stool. I had to have a colonoscopy to determine that diagnosis. I don't want to do that again any time soon. Hope you feel better. I'm sure your tying errors are also coming from your blood counts too. Take good care of yourself. Wishing that 2011 brings us a better year.

ElaineM · 12-26-2010, 11:21 AM

I hope you are resting and continuing some physical therapy Pam. I am glad your blood counts seem to be coming up a little too.
Please try not to worry about your other symptoms. I know it is easy to say, but hard to do, but when I am worried over a weekend or a holiday I tell myself there is nothing I can do until a regular weekday when some kind of test can be done to find out whether or not there really is a major problem. I go about my normal business and try not to let whatever I am worried about interfere with whatever it is I am doing that weekend or on that holiday.
Take care. I have my fingers crossed for you that everything will work out and things will be back to normal soon.

Jane · 12-27-2010, 08:55 AM

Pam,
I've been following your posts and I'm so sorry that you are having such an incredibly tough time. You are such a fighter, I can just tell from your posts -

I just wanted to write to let you know that you are in my prayers and thoughts. I am rooting for you and praying that 2011 brings you relief from sickness and pain -

With love and prayers,
Jane
(Your fellow weird-autoimmune-disease-'sufferer')

Mary L · 12-27-2010, 10:35 AM

Pam, you are going through so much yourself and you took time to comfort me. Than you so much. I have to get my bloodwork done this week and I will be seeing my onc on Jan 3rd. Hope all goes well for you. When they tried to switch my Herceptin with Tykerb I had a very hard time and I had very bad diarrhea. I couldn't take it. Best wishes! Mary L

Chelee · 12-29-2010, 01:11 AM

Pam,
I've been wondering how your doing now? Is your hemoglobin still going up? Have the doctors figured out what was causing the blood in your stool? Hopefully some just benign reason. I read just having a bad case of diarrhea can cause blood in your stool. So maybe that's all it is? I hope they have found out for you don't have to wait and worry any longer.

Are you still at the Re-hab, or have you managed to get home yet? I hope your feeling better and starting to get around a bit without too much pain. When you feel up to it I'd love to hear how your doing? Sending you warm healing thoughts and prayers. Hope your at home now where your more comfortable. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.
Chelee

Pam P · 12-29-2010, 06:09 AM

Thank you Chelee, for your message. I was so comforted to read your post this morning. It's 6:45 now and I've been awake for a few hours. Anxious, scared. ANXIOUS, SCARED.

I am still in rehab. As far as the hip/leg healing its going really well. Very little pain (although I do still take some oxicodon) and the therapy has been so good I can move around pretty well. Still need a walker but think I can graduate to a cane soon. So that's the good news. I think I'm going home on Thurs - tomorrow.

As far as the rest - not so good. My last hemoglobin test on Mon. was down lower again to 7.2. They are going to repeat it today. They don't know why it's of a sudden staying so low. Normal for me up until the surgery was around 8.8-9.1. Still low, but average for me these days. If my count goes lower this time they might make me stay here longer, and of course if it goes under 7 I'll get a transfusion.

The blood in my stool is really worrying me. I've had lots of diarrhea, which could be all the meds. There's intestinal bleeding somewhere apparently and that's maybe why my hemoglobin is so low. I don't know what they are going to do about finding out what is causing it. I just know its going to be really bad news - more cancer or some kind somewhere. I'm scared to death. I can't see the blood in my stool but it does have that black and tarry look. I only know there's blood there because they've done those tests to detect it's presence.

I have a PET scan this a.m. This was scheduled as a routine before the surgery. Good timing to see what shows up there. I dont think pet scans can show much specific on intestinal bleeding. It would be wonderful it it at least doesn't light up with cancer present in those areas. I wonder how the pet will show the state of my surgery site - probably not an accurate read there right now with all the swelling, scarring, while it's healing.

It's so not fair that I have to have this bleeding problem now and couldn't just deal with the hip surgery alone. But of course none of this is fair, it's how life happens. I'm feeling like maybe I'm losing ground and more and more things are happening to my body to make it hard to stay strong and stay ahead of this disease.

Mary L · 12-29-2010, 10:38 AM

Pam, I am so sorry you are having all of these added problems to deal with. You had enough on your plate as it was. I read on one of the sites that you were home but now I know that you are still in the rehab. You need to be there until they figure out what is causing the blood. I had that with Tykerb and I couldn't take it. I am praying for you and sending you some you some healing thoughts. Mary L

mmoons · 12-29-2010, 01:15 PM

Pam-

I am so so very sorry you are having to deal with this additional issue. You are so AMAZING...and so strong. Look at you ... recovering beautifully, kicking butt in rehab, going home tomorrow! You should be so proud!!!

I had Grade 3 diarrhea for nearly 4 months from the Tykerb. I feel so terrible for you that you have that while you are trying to heal from surgery. Crazy as this may sound, I hope that is what is causing the bleeding.

Pam, you are in my thought every single day. I think you are amazing and strong and such an inspiration! Please feel all the love and prayers I am sending you.

Maureen

adelay · 12-29-2010, 03:41 PM

More prayers heading your way...

Pam P · 12-29-2010, 06:14 PM

My onc. ordered a blood transfusion. I just learned that before I left for my PET scan this a.m. So it was a long depressing day with no answers. First the PET and then across the street to the hospital for the transfusion. They couldn't get my port to work so had to do it by vein in arm. My poor one arm is so beat up with all the pokes these last two weeks. The nurses put in 2 doses of that stuff to 'unclog' ports but it still didn't work. I hope when I go to onc. office next week it will magically work.... otherwise more testing about that I suppose. I got 2 units of blood, but I don't feel anymore energy yet. I sure hope this works to bring my hemoglobin up and keep it stable around 9 at least again. I'm back at the rehab now, and still hope to go home tomorrow. THis has been a great place but it's starting to get depressing. I think I'll feel better in my own place and a more regular routine in my day. I'm also a little nervous about going home. I'm sure it will be more tiring at first but that's okay as long as I can manage getting what I need. Now I guess I just wait until I see the onc. Jan 6 to find out the next steps from here. Wait is a 4 letter word.

BonnieR · 12-29-2010, 07:25 PM

Oh, Pam, as the others have said, I am so sorry you are being dealt all of this at one time. It certainly is unfair and you are most entitled to feel anxious and scared. I had never thought of "wait" being a 4-letter word before but you are right about that!
And the holidays must be slowing things down in the treatment world. And adding to your feeling depressed. Who wants to be going through all this stuff at the holidays. Or EVER!
You are loved and supported here and we hope you are home soon (2 good 4-letter words!). So is "hope"
Keep the faith.