Patient Education Colorectal Cancer: Your Care and Recovery

Day Four to Day of Discharge • Your discharge date will depend upon your condition and your surgeon’s assessment of your progress. • It is important to increase your walking distance and the amount of time you spend out of bed. This is vital in getting your stomach and intestines active again as well as for your overall recovery. • Throughout your hospital stay, you will be taught about your care and treatments. Ask any questions you have and tell us your concerns. • A case manager can help you with special needs you may have for going home. • You will receive discharge instructions from the healthcare team. • Ask any questions you have about your care and instructions for going home. Follow-up Appointments • You will be scheduled to see your surgeon 10 to 14 days after you go home. The staples in your incision will be taken out at this visit. Your surgeon will also talk to you about the surgery and about any further treatment you may need. • About a week after your discharge, the Oncology Nurse Navigator may call you to see how you are doing at home and remind you of future medical appointments. • Please call your surgeon’s office if you are having problems or concerns. 32

Patient Education Colorectal Cancer: Your Care and Recovery | Page 33