Deteriorating Dad

[billysboy]

My Dad has been as fit as a fiddle until this year he is now 80 and very active with a couple of gardening jobs
2 months ago he started to get constipated a lot so he has been to the GP and had various tests and scans which have resulted in a polypectomy a couple of days ago
However there is a stricture at the recto-sigmoid junction which I understand is a narrowing which is causing his constant constipation despite meds etc
He was 12 stone and is now under 10 as he is limited to eating soup etc I called the consultants secretary today to try and find out what their plan is going forward and she told me that they would not get the results of the polypectomy and sigmoidoscopy carried out yesterday
he has had a tough year this year as his partner of 20 years went into care with Alzheimers in the Autumn and now this
Has anyone had any experience of this stricture /narrowing?

Hi billysboy,

Sorry you've had no replies from people with the same experiences.

When are the results ready? Are his bowels moving from eating soups? Is he drinking plenty? I wouldn't worry too much, he should get plenty of goodness from the soups. And the weight loss should level out, as long as he continues with the soups.

loveyoutothemoon

Thanks for that and dont worry its not your fault so no need to apologise

His bowels are not functioning properly because of the stricture and although I am on at him to eat and drink more he still continues to lose weight

I have spoken to the consultants secretary yesterday who said the results would take two weeks and would then be discussed at mdt meeting She would not commit to any timescale

I am trying to find out what I can about the stricture condition which is why I threw it out there

Could you book an appointment with your Dad's GP to discuss the condition?

I had two sigmoid strictures a few inches apart, among several complications of severe diverticular disease. Do you know if diverticulitis has been a factor for your Dad? A stricture, as you say, just means a narrowing, which in my case was due to scarring (fibrosis) from repeated inflammatory attacks.

I am surprised nothing has been said as to what the sigmoidoscopy showed. I was talked through mine - live commentary - leaving no mysteries as to what had been found.

I lost a lot of weight and was significantly obstructed. I was listed for elective laparoscopic resection but ended up having emergency open surgery (left hemicolectomy) a couple of months ago.

I hope you and your Dad get some answers soon. Waiting for results is awful.

I have just come off the phone from him and feel really upset , he is no better and running up the stairs to go to the loo every 20 mins
He is eating only occasionally and trying to drink as much as he can If he goes for a pee he cannot quite hold onto his bowel causing him more frustration
I have tried to get hold of his regular gp and have requested a duty gp to call in on him
I also called the consultants secretary who said the consultant has the results from the sigmoidoscopy which showed a stricture but the consultant does not come in until tomorrow
His two sisters also have Diverticulitus

Sorry to hear that things are so difficult. Have you heard anything further from his consultant?

bit of an update

we went to see the consultant who had us booked in for an operation last week on Wednesday however events overtook us when he collapsed on the Sunday night and was rushed to a and e
He was operated on the Monday and they removed a stage 4 cancer which had perforated the sigmoid bowel and around his Ureter between the bladder and the kidney

The surgical team did not hold a lot of hope for him making it as the bowel had ruptured into his abdomen and their main concern was infection and kidney function
A week after the operation he is sitting up in bed bit confused and not a great prognosis 6 months to 2 years but reasonably comfortable

Nursing staff have been awesome

What a traumatic time, Alzheimer's is concerning enough, without added complications. I hope your Dad is comfortable, and your peace of mind is restored.💐

I'm so sorry about your Dad.

He's so lucky to have you around to make his life more comfortable.