Malignant bowel obstruction. Is it always bad?

[barkley]

We lost our brother to colon cancer so I’m sure that is weighing heavily on my sister. And their life isn’t the best. They are living in a hotel and doing their best to get by. They were getting into a groove where they were able to be self sufficient and pay their bills. BIL didn’t choose short or long term disability at open enrollment and he has not been at his job for more than a year so he can’t use FMLA. But, none of that matters. He is optimistic, based on what the doctors have said.

they need to connect with a social worker at the hospital who can get them fast-tracked for any and all supportive services and advocacy they have available to them.

 

[floridafam]

He is out of surgery. It took 4 1/2 hours. They got the cancer and blockage and also had to do something with the kidney/ureter. He has a bag and will have that for at least six months. They do not know about chemo yet. He was still in recovery. My sister took a video of the Dr explaining everything and she will send that to me tomorrow. Overall, it sounds positive.

 

[floridafam]

He was up and walking today and they are going to remove the tube from his nose later tonight. Someone casually mentioned him possibly going home Friday. He also spoke with a social worker.

 

[fla4fun]

My mom had a bag for a while after colon surgery. She was able to order a pack of sample bags to see which brand worked best for her. I don’t know if that is still an option, but the doctor or hospital may know. It took us a few days to get the hang of it so that it would stay on, but once we mastered that, it was fine.

I am glad the surgery went well and that the outlook sounds positive. I hope his recovery goes well also.

 

[floridafam]

He is still in the hospital. He has high output stoma syndrome, I think, so they have to get that under control. Thank you again for all of your well wishes.

 

[floridafam]

Update. He was discharged from the hospital two days after my last post. He met with an Oncologist two days ago, and he does have to have chemo for six months. The Oncologist was concerned about two lymph nodes. He saw the Urologist today to have the stent removed that was placed during surgery because they had to remove part of his ureter.

And, he was let go from his job yesterday. They cannot accommodate his lifting restriction of 25 pounds. He’s devastated. He was looking forward to returning to work. He has health insurance until June 1. He is going to let his doctors know and see how that will impact his care.

 

[ronandannette]

Update. He was discharged from the hospital two days after my last post. He met with an Oncologist two days ago, and he does have to have chemo for six months. The Oncologist was concerned about two lymph nodes. He saw the Urologist today to have the stent removed that was placed during surgery because they had to remove part of his ureter.

And, he was let go from his job yesterday. They cannot accommodate his lifting restriction of 25 pounds. He’s devastated. He was looking forward to returning to work. He has health insurance until June 1. He is going to let his doctors know and see how that will impact his care.

Oh my...is that even legal? I realize labour laws vary by jurisdiction but here (Canada) companies absolutely cannot terminate somebody while they're on medical leave and must accommodate legitimate medical limitations to duty. I'm so, so sorry for him. Does his insurance not cover short-or-long term medical leave? That's what a cancer patient should be on.

 

[leebee]

Is he really done-done at work? If I am remembering correctly (it's been a few years) he should have been able to take leave under FMLA. It would be unpaid, so he'd have to use sick leave and vacation time if he wanted to collect a paycheck, but FMLA requires they hold his job for him for 12 weeks. After that, he can return to his job or another in the company- and I believe it's required to be at a similar rate of pay. About the only thing FMLA really does for you is guarantee that your company cannot fire you within the first 12 weeks of an illness. He'll probably have the lifting restrictions removed by then, won't he? SO he would be able to return to his job in a while?

 

[floridafam]

He had not been at his job for at least a year, so he did not qualify to take FMLA. He did not elect short or long term disability at open enrollment. It’s a very unfortunate situation.

 

[leebee]

He had not been at his job for at least a year, so he did not qualify to take FMLA. He did not elect short or long term disability at open enrollment. It’s a very unfortunate situation.

That's awful, I am so sorry. As they say... "Only in America..."
My sister had colorectal cancer, with mets to a whole bunch of nodes. She ended up with extensive surgery, loss of her rectum and colon, a colostomy bag, had radiation and chemo. This was 30 years ago... So I hope things work out as well for you guys!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

He should talk to the social worker assigned to his medical team asap so he can get on state sponsored insurance. (Medicaid.) He may also qualify for disability.

Keeping him in my prayers.

 

[floridafam]

He should talk to the social worker assigned to his medical team asap so he can get on state sponsored insurance. (Medicaid.) He may also qualify for disability.

Keeping him in my prayers.

Thank you. He is going to do that. He had a case worker at the hospital and my sister was going to connect with her again. His employer did tell him to apply for unemployment.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you. He is going to do that. He had a case worker at the hospital and my sister was going to connect with her again. His employer did tell him to apply for unemployment.

It may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. It’s very difficult to undergo chemo and feel well enough to continue to work. I’ve done it in the past, and right now I’m undergoing treatment again but took a leave. There’s no way I could work right now, have been very sick from the chemo. And six months is a long time. Perhaps as he connects with social services where he is they can maximize the help he can get. And karma will no doubt take care of the person who let him go under these circumstances.

I do agree with previous posters that hopefully some day in the future he’ll be able to look back on this as a bump in the road while continuing to live a healthy and fruitful life.