Patient Education Colorectal Cancer: Your Care and Recovery

At Home At-Home Guidelines These guidelines help you to know what you may expect as part of your care after you leave the hospital. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s discharge instructions if they are different from what is listed here. When and Whom to Call Contact your surgeon _______________________________________________ at __________________________________if you have any of these symptoms: • Temperature over 100.5 degrees F • Abdomen is swollen • No bowel movement within 4 days after discharge • Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days • Bowel movements stop abruptly • Wound edges separate or there is green or yellow drainage from the wound • Increasing redness, swelling, warmth, or pain of the incision • Nausea and vomiting that won’t go away • Pain in your abdomen that gets worse or is not relieved by pain medication • Swelling in your legs Call 911 if you have chest pain or shortness of breath. 33

Patient Education Colorectal Cancer: Your Care and Recovery | Page 34