rectal cancer

Hi Tracey, I'm writing on behalf of my wife Evelyn - she finished chemo/radio 2 weeks ago. The burning from the radio was the worst, front and back, but healing quickly now. She is managing to reduce pain killers (morphine or codeine)now and getting back to normal, but finds sitting and normal body functions really difficult. Seeing Dr. on 23 Jan so hoping for reasonable Christmas, which we wish to you also and good recovery in 2008. Best wishes, Bill

Dear Tracey, By now you will had the mri scan? Hope you have firm news about surgery and that your pain is better. Thinking of you and wishing you strength. (I completed chemorad same date as you (30 Nov); seeing oncologist 23rd Jan. for first follow-up) Keep strong, Evelyn

Hi Tracy, I was diagnosed in June with anal cancer and finished my radiotherpay in August and chemo in September. My skin was very sore both front and back and I too needed to take co-codamol and morphine for a short while. Although I have not taken painkillers for some considerable time my skin does still get sore and can change on a day to day basis. I think this has been agravated because I now have atrophic vaginitis and I have now been prescribed an oestrogen cream to help with this. Because the radiotherapy affected my bowels even though I felt well enough in myself I was not confident enough to return to work for some time. However the urgent need to go to the toilet has now eased off and I went back to work 2 weeks ago. My nurse told me to be patient and she was right although it did take 5 months so don't be alarmed if this happens to you.
I saw my consultant 2 weeks ago after having had my CT scan just before Christmas and he is happy that there has been no recurrence of the cancer. I didn't need surgery but I hope this has been of some help to you.

Best wishes

Carol

Hi Tracey and Carol, Like you I was also very badly burnt front and back by the radiotherapy: my husband took a photo (I did not want to see my burnt flesh at the time) and it popped up amongst our photo's on our screensaver! I was aghast when I saw the damage, but now all better. For anyone else in this situation, I found Instillagel (from GP) helped for sensitive raw areas. Still worried about vagina, +- OK at the moment but urinating can really burn in spite of keeping up 8 glasses of fluid a day. I saw oncologist 23rd and was devastated to learn cancer had not gone - thought nothing could survive the onslaught of chemorad! Now seeing the colorectal surgeon on 14th March. So scared about the road ahead. Bill (husband) and I are getting away for a 3-week holiday in Italy b4 then. Tried to get to Florida for some sun & warmth but insurance impossible despite trying 25 insurance companies off this website, the internet and cross-referrals. 2 co's were more responsive than most: Medicover and Insurecancer. Actually got as far as dr's referrals but still refused in the end. USA the big problem - beware! Best of luck with what still lies ahead.

Hi there,
I was diagnosed with rectal cancer last october, I have had a course of 25 sessions of radiotherapy and finished just before christmas. It has taken quite some time to recover from the burns, I agree that no matter how much water you drink it still does not really help and even now some days it still burns when going for a wee. I have one more course of chemotherapy to take next week I have not been too bad with the chemotherapy, but I am quite upset that my hair is thinning so much it does make me feel less feminine, but my husband keeps telling me it doesn't show, it is really sweet of him. I have just had a CT scan last week and have an MRI scan next week. I have had a letter from the Hospital to tell me that I shall be having surgery at the beginning of April. It looks very likely that I shall have to have a Stoma and I am told that it will be permanant because the tumor is very low. I am 58 and have always been active riding my horse every day, sadly I have had to part with him, but I really hope I shall be able to ride again when I am fully recovered. Just wishing my life away until I have had surgery, the months have flown past since starting treatment, I am sure some of you will feel the same.
Lindy

Hello I have just found this site am just glad that I can share others experiences you tend to think you're all on your own.I was diagnosed last November with rectal cancer.Have just finished 5 weeks radiotherapy and chemo and now have to wait for things to settle down before more scans etc to decide when can have surgery.I've been ok skin wise as was advised to put an aqueus cream or E45 on area to be treated but missed the bit in the cleft of the bottom so that is the only sore bit. If you having this treatment don't forget that bit!.I'm really sore front and back but find that weeing into a jug helps so you not weeing on sore area. Would like to know if there is any cream you can put on this area of vagina?.
When you start treatment you think you're getting away with symptoms as they don't kick in for 2 weeks therfore when you finish it carries on for 2 weeks and maybe more, will keep you posted.
Although it never leaves your mind there are moments of humour, my first radiation treatment the radiographers had a cd playing, so I was serenaded by Johnny Cash singing 'Ring of Fire '.
On that note I'll finish good luck all of you out there to know you're not alone going through this is a comfort.

Hi Carol

I hope everything has gone OK for you. I'm new to this forum and want to say that your message (to Tracy)is very helpful to me. I finished my treatment at the start of May but still having soreness. Also since mid June always seem to be going to the loo so I'm dreading going back to work. Now I've read your message I'll just be patient!

Good luck
Val

hi lindy how you doing ? hope you are well and had your surgery i had my surgery at the end of april i ended up spending 4 weeks in hospital then when i got home my wound on my bottom ha split open so i have had the district nurse every day since to put dressings on ,my stoma is permanant because my tumor was so low down ,i see you had your own horse i to was a keen rider and owned my own horse when i was 16 i havent ridden for years but would love to take it up again ,it is really nice to hear from some one with similiar cicumstances if you get a chance i would really love to hear from you take care tracey xx

Hi Tracey, hope you dont mind me butting in ! i was diagnosed with bowel cancer in july 07 and my tumor was very low so i also have a permanent stoma ! i also have horses im hoping to get back in to riding very soon now my bottom wound has healed ! if i can be of any help reguarding stoma im by no means an expert but i would be happy to swap tips ! Jane xx

Jane,

From all accounts of people we know with colostomy/illeostomy it is trainable so that they cover it with a bandaid and only empty their bowels every couple of days. For the rest of you possibly facing this future I hope this is of some comfort, I know it was for my wife, she was originally horrified at the thought of wearing the bag all the time.