Few options left for Dad's colon Cancer?

Question

Okay so my dad was diagnosed with Colon cancer a year and a half ago. He immedietly had 95% of his large intestine taken out. After the surgery we were all waiting for him to pass gas. This means that the stomach is working. It took two weeks for this to happen. His stomach almost didn't start working and we almost had to put him on a feeding tube.

He has to go in for another surgery to get a colonoscopy bag because he had to stop radiation due to it was making his lining too thin. His wbc's are too low for chemo.

He is almost refusing surgery because he refuses to live a life on a feeding tube. The doctor said that there is a 80 % chance his stomach won't start up.My dad is only 50 and I need him around.

Is there other treatments besides radiation or chemo? What are the chances of his stomach starting back up after surgery..
How does a feeding tube work? can you drink?

I am running out of options and know very little about this.
Any information is helpful.

Answer 1

He has to go in for another surgery to get a colonoscopy bag

The above IS NOT a feeding tube.
Nowhere do I see that you mention a feeding tube being inserted.

A colonoscopy bag is one which collects waste directly from the small intestine, after digestion. It replaces the bowel and normal BM's are no longer possible.

I had an uncle who ate normally and lived for many years with a colonoscopy.
I have a Urostomy bag and it is not so terrible to live with. I realize that his situation is different, but he would be surprised the thousands who live with one. One is able to proceed with normal activities when fully recovered.

As to a feeding tube, that may be done while he is recovering in the hospital, temporarily.

He should be able to eat and drink normally.
There many new products for this and they are very satisfactory to use. He will receive ample instructions.

It does take a while for the stomach to perform normal digestion after being cleaned out and idle for a few days, but I see no reason why it would not. I experienced that with recent surgery and removal of two feet of my blocked small intestine. My stomach was pumped for several days in the hospital while the intestine healed.

He's too young to give up.

Good luck and God bless.