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Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 4:16 pm
by lakeswim
sinewaves wrote:Sorry to ask a new question, but how long after radiation ended with the diaherra (for those who got it) go away? I have 3 more days (the boosts) and I am ready for this particular side effect to end.


My diarrhea stopped as soon as I stopped Xeloda, which was early (day 22 of 28 days of chemorad) due to severe side effects - so I assume that's what gave me diarrhea. That Xeloda is nasty stuff. In some ways, Xeloda was worse than FOLFOX (which I did first). At least I had a rest week between infusion rounds. But Xeloda is daily. Ugh. I ate as little as I could and only binding foods for most of my chemorad to control output.

I felt great nearly immediately after radiation ended (I had migraine a few days after stopping Xeloda though). It's now - 10-12 weeks post chemorad - that things are hard again. I think the radiation is peaking and I now have my first UTI (probably from urethral stenosis), pelvic (hip/back) aches, bowel changes (more stenosis?) and staying on top of vaginal dilation.

I hope it gets better for you soon (the diarrhea is terrible - halts your life!).

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 11:12 pm
by Caat55
The joint pain I am blaming on radiation. I am doing a lot of walking lately. Uphill, which is my daily routine, my hips are sore. Walked 6 miles on trails without problem. I wonder what radiation does to bones in pelvis?
I am also trying to do yoga every day, build some core strength prior to my reversal on the 18 of April. Terrified. I have a colonoscopy scheduled before the reversal, no prep except a liquid diet.
Susan

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 5:38 am
by Eleda
Me too Susan,
struggling with the joints ATM, also manopause isint helping it.
Im completely post manopausal now,, ( thanks to radiation) , so should probably take a calcium and magnesium supplement,,,,,
I'm weigh training 3 times a week
But don't do much core /abs because I'm afraid I'll gather a hernia,,,,
I was also wondering about pre surgery, is it fasting or prep :twisted:
Is imagine we will be around the same time
My bloods all good yesterday
CEA 4.4
CA19/9 8
CHOLESTEROL 6.1
all others normal so that's a comfort ATM as I haven't had a scan or MRI since mid OCTOBER

ADELE X

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 7:21 pm
by Deep
sinewaves wrote:Sorry to ask a new question, but how long after radiation ended with the diaherra (for those who got it) go away? I have 3 more days (the boosts) and I am ready for this particular side effect to end.


I never experienced the diarhea too much, but do notice that you are doing 28 sessions. Just wondering how the Doctors determine how many radiation treatments to do? I only did 25 and my diagnosis is T3N1M0... I feel like I got cheated for my chances with the watch and wait, no surgery option.

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 8:49 pm
by lakeswim
Caat55 wrote:The joint pain I am blaming on radiation. I am doing a lot of walking lately. Uphill, which is my daily routine, my hips are sore. Walked 6 miles on trails without problem. I wonder what radiation does to bones in pelvis?
I am also trying to do yoga every day, build some core strength prior to my reversal on the 18 of April. Terrified. I have a colonoscopy scheduled before the reversal, no prep except a liquid diet.
Susan



I find uphill walking aggravates my hips and thighs as well.

As for the question of 28 sessions. I don’t know. I noticed that someone here did 33 sessions. My tumor was “bulky” - but not sure that mattered. I tried to google the protocol info but can’t find it at this moment.

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:39 pm
by MissMolly
Lake swim:
You are commenting about newfound hip/pelvis pain following chemo radiation and wondering “What’s up?”

I was a physical therapist before chronic ill-health found me and treated many individuals following radiation therapy. Radiation has known effects on the connective tissue that comprises ligaments (anchor soft tissue to bone) and tendons (anchor one bone to another bone). Ligaments and tendons become hardened, less elastic, less pliable, sticky and tacky, and sometimes “frozen.”

Think of a normal elastic rubber band that is dynamic and easily elongates (pre-radiation) that becomes a aged remnant of parched, dry elastic pocketed with surface cracks, with little ability to elongate and that actually breaks as tension is applied.

The hip joint capsule and sacro-iliac joints are particularly vulnerable to radiation. The hip joint capsule thickens and constricts and becomes tacky, manifested as restricted joint movement for external rotation and abduction (movement away from body midline). Crossing one leg over the other will feel tightened or restricted as will sitting cross-legged. Putting on a pair of shoes can be difficult. Assuming a lunge position will feel acutely tight or restricted in the buttocks muscle.

Small micro-movements of the sacro-Iliac joints allow for ease of cloning up and down stairs, as an example. Going up an incline or climbing a series of stairs will be more discomfiting due to radiation effects on the SI joints. SI joint pain is not well localized and is oft felt as referred pain to the hip.

Gentle stretching for the hip, hip joint capsule, and SI joints can be helpful. Slow, slow and gentle stretching. You want to avoid further trauma and micro-years to the ligaments and tendons. Avoid quick, bouncy or ballistic nor movements/stretching. Consult with a personal trainer or physical therapist to help devise a home program of gentle stretches tailored to you. It can be time well invested.
Karen

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 12:31 pm
by Annie50
Deep wrote:
sinewaves wrote:Sorry to ask a new question, but how long after radiation ended with the diaherra (for those who got it) go away? I have 3 more days (the boosts) and I am ready for this particular side effect to end.


I never experienced the diarhea too much, but do notice that you are doing 28 sessions. Just wondering how the Doctors determine how many radiation treatments to do? I only did 25 and my diagnosis is T3N1M0... I feel like I got cheated for my chances with the watch and wait, no surgery option.


Yes I don't know either I had 28 but the onco changed it half way through to add the 3 extra boosts but never explained why !

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2019 4:06 am
by Annie50
Eleda wrote:Me too Susan,
struggling with the joints ATM, also manopause isint helping it.
Im completely post manopausal now,, ( thanks to radiation) , so should probably take a calcium and magnesium supplement,,,,,
I'm weigh training 3 times a week
But don't do much core /abs because I'm afraid I'll gather a hernia,,,,
I was also wondering about pre surgery, is it fasting or prep :twisted:
Is imagine we will be around the same time
My bloods all good yesterday
CEA 4.4
CA19/9 8
CHOLESTEROL 6.1
all others normal so that's a comfort ATM as I haven't had a scan or MRI since mid OCTOBER

ADELE X


Hey Adele that's great isn't it !! All good ? Xxx Annie xxx

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2019 11:03 am
by sinewaves
Deep wrote:
sinewaves wrote:Sorry to ask a new question, but how long after radiation ended with the diaherra (for those who got it) go away? I have 3 more days (the boosts) and I am ready for this particular side effect to end.


I never experienced the diarhea too much, but do notice that you are doing 28 sessions. Just wondering how the Doctors determine how many radiation treatments to do? I only did 25 and my diagnosis is T3N1M0... I feel like I got cheated for my chances with the watch and wait, no surgery option.


I asked how many they chose and they just said it was the same for everyone - 25 normal sessions and then 3 boosts (where they did 30 seconds on each side and nothing from the top.) They did explain that the boosts were focused exclusively on the tumor area, and the other were wider.

Both my radiation oncologist and my medical oncologist dismissed W&W and said they're both certain I'll have surgery because that's the standard of care and best chance for a younger person. My surgeon is a little more inclined to W&W but he also said the best course is likely to be surgery and permanent colostomy due to margins of the tumor. While I'd love to avoid surgery, I'm at peace with having it since it means I get more time to pursue life.

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:31 pm
by Caat55
MissMolly wrote:Lake swim:
You are commenting about newfound hip/pelvis pain following chemo radiation and wondering “What’s up?”

Gentle stretching for the hip, hip joint capsule, and SI joints can be helpful. Slow, slow and gentle stretching. You want to avoid further trauma and micro-years to the ligaments and tendons. Avoid quick, bouncy or ballistic nor movements/stretching. Consult with a personal trainer or physical therapist to help devise a home program of gentle stretches tailored to you. It can be time well invested.
Karen


Once again Miss Molly thank you. That makes complete sense, speaks to the importance of a careful recovery regime. I will stick with my yoga and walking program, let my husband and the dog do the running. Just happy to be alive and moving.
Susan

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:33 pm
by Caat55
Eleda wrote:Me too Susan,
struggling with the joints ATM, also manopause isint helping it.
Im completely post manopausal now,, ( thanks to radiation) , so should probably take a calcium and magnesium supplement,,,,,
I'm weigh training 3 times a week
But don't do much core /abs because I'm afraid I'll gather a hernia,,,,
I was also wondering about pre surgery, is it fasting or prep :twisted:
Is imagine we will be around the same time
My bloods all good yesterday
CEA 4.4
CA19/9 8
CHOLESTEROL 6.1
all others normal so that's a comfort ATM as I haven't had a scan or MRI since mid OCTOBER

ADELE X


Do you have a surgery date? Were you ever anemic? Apparently my levels are still low, creeping up but not what my oncologist likes. Not looking forward to the colonoscopy but loving having no prep!
Susan

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2019 5:36 pm
by Eleda
Hi Susan,
Only a date to see my surgeon on march 4th to check all is ok to go ahead with reversal, I'd imagine end march beginning of April.
No......bloods only hit below safe leavel on second last chemo but skipped chemo for 2 weeks and bounced back again,,
Sigmoid colo is easy,
And yes especially without the prep :D
ADELE X

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 9:27 am
by sinewaves
So another noob question -

When do the razor/lava poops go away? It's been 6 days since my last radiation and it's still quite painful to pass, even though the diarrhea is gone. I guess its always be careful what you wish for - trade one inconvenience for another more painful one.

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 9:29 am
by NHMike
sinewaves wrote:So another noob question -

When do the razor/lava poops go away? It's been 6 days since my last radiation and it's still quite painful to pass, even though the diarrhea is gone. I guess its always be careful what you wish for - trade one inconvenience for another more painful one.


It was two weeks from last chemo/rad for me.

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2019 5:51 am
by Eleda
Same here every day got a bit better, but I know when Ur in the throws of it a day to day evaluation is what u want,,,, I'm sure ull find it on mike's thread..... He documented everything firm day one,,,,practly by the hour


viewtopic.php?f=1&t=58447#p460012
ADELE X