#1 ·
Hello everyone. I won't take up much of your time...
My mother recently underwent a grueling surgery to remove a massive tumor that had spread through a large portion of her abdominal cavity. Because of the extent of the malignancy, surgeons had to perform a total colectomy and remove a significant section of her small intestine as well. She spent quite some time recovering in the hospital before starting an intense course of chemotherapy to target any remaining cancer cells. While she is finally back home after such a difficult recovery, she is currently unable to sustain herself without supplemental IV nutrition. Since she no longer has a large intestine, she struggles significantly with fluid absorption; almost nothing she drinks stays in her system. It is incredibly hard on her, especially managing the dehydration. Does anyone know if there are any medical supports or specialized treatments available for this specific issue? I realize nothing can truly replace the function of a large intestine, but I am desperate to find anything—be it a specific therapy or perhaps an alternative approach—that might help ease her struggle.
My mother recently underwent a grueling surgery to remove a massive tumor that had spread through a large portion of her abdominal cavity. Because of the extent of the malignancy, surgeons had to perform a total colectomy and remove a significant section of her small intestine as well. She spent quite some time recovering in the hospital before starting an intense course of chemotherapy to target any remaining cancer cells. While she is finally back home after such a difficult recovery, she is currently unable to sustain herself without supplemental IV nutrition. Since she no longer has a large intestine, she struggles significantly with fluid absorption; almost nothing she drinks stays in her system. It is incredibly hard on her, especially managing the dehydration. Does anyone know if there are any medical supports or specialized treatments available for this specific issue? I realize nothing can truly replace the function of a large intestine, but I am desperate to find anything—be it a specific therapy or perhaps an alternative approach—that might help ease her struggle.