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Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 1:56 pm
by susie0915
The chemo is hard on the bottom. I had a blockage 4 weeks after resection and had to have surgery to remove scar tissue. My surgeon decided to reverse my ileo while he was in there. I was happy for the reversal but it made it much harder during chemo. Had alot of diarrhea.
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 3:43 pm
by justin case
susie0915 wrote:The chemo is hard on the bottom. I had a blockage 4 weeks after resection and had to have surgery to remove scar tissue. My surgeon decided to reverse my ileo while he was in there. I was happy for the reversal but it made it much harder during chemo. Had alot of diarrhea.
Same happened to me 3 weeks out,I was so relieved not to have a bag to live with ! I guess we could have waited 6 months, and had the diarrhea to deal with then !
Michael
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 4:13 pm
by Caat55
Eleda wrote:Hi Anne, as Mlike Mike said 2weeks later, nearly back to normal,,, only problem I was left with was ( self DX radiation induced stenosis)
Just before surgery in the theater I asked the nurse to use a small cathater during surgery due to the stenosis, and she said fine!!!!!!!!!,,, but in fact they called in the urologists after I was put to sleep, and they put in a larger one Which infact, worked a treat, and now I only have a sting if I hope my pee too long,,, but no other problems with that.... perfect flow " no pressure like before.....
So something to think about if Ur suffering with that , I also took cranberry capsules ( juice had too much sugar) and magnesium citrate to dilute the acid in the pee and ascorbic acid,
I know Ur thinking about chemo before surgery but I'd imagine it will b rough on Ur bum as I'm in the middle of chemo now and can see from the output in the bag if I had to actually dispell that myself ( I'd b crying in pain ) like being on radiation....m
I have all the products at the ready because I'm following mike's thread so expecting a rough ride after reversal
Hope this helps
ADELE X
Even with the bag the chemo caused issues with my skin. According to what I read and nurse explained, chemo goes after fast growing cells, ie. cancer and skin cells. So the fragile skin damaged by radiation which is trying to heal is attacked again during chemo. By the end of my 5 runs with infusion and xeloda my bum, actually all my skin in area of radiation was sore. The bum was raw and actually bled. It has been 7 weeks and finely almost painfree. I can wear wants briefly, one day, than back to a skirt. I am holding off on reversals for a little while longer to be sure I am completely healed after reading Mike's experience. I am very fair and that maybe a contributor to the problem according to surgeon. Take care.
Susan
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 5:22 pm
by Eleda
Sharon I wonder if different radiation machines cause more side effects than others
I remember trying to googled the machine
Mine was made by siemans??? Was LAR
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:55 am
by Annie50
Hi
I've just finished my 5 weeks radio chemo. Was everyone totally back to normal and original symptoms gone .. did you know whether it had worked ! ? Answers very much appreciated.
Annie xx
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 8:03 am
by susie0915
My surgeon did a sigmoidoscopy about a month after finishing chemo/radiation. He said all that was left was scar tissue and I may not need chemo after surgery depending on the pathology report. I also had a pet scan that showed no sign of cancer especially in the distal rectal area. After surgery, the pathology did show clean margins, no lymph nodes 0/24 but minimal residual cancer cells. So I did do 6 rounds of chemo at the recommendation of my oncologist. My original tumor was approx 2cm. and 4-5 cm from the anal verge.
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:49 am
by Caat55
The radiation treatment continues to work in and on your body for four to six weeks after last treatment. My skin damage, discomfort was intense and continued to be. I had a complete response to treatment, after surgery though I did five rounds of chemo to catch any strays that might have migrated to different organs, parts of body.
Susan
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:21 pm
by Annie50
Would you do watch and wait ? If complete response ? Did all your original symptoms go and bowels return to normal ? Or not ? Thanks you guys xxx annie
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 10:49 pm
by Caat55
Annie50 wrote:Would you do watch and wait ? If complete response ? Did all your original symptoms go and bowels return to normal ? Or not ? Thanks you guys xxx annie
My bowels were fine after radiation, then came the ileostomy. My doctor's advised against waiting, why take any chances. In Europe they do it differently though from what I read here.
S
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 4:57 am
by Eleda
I went back to pretty normal also straight away after radiation
As for female parts( slightly effected,)" vaginal and utheral stenosis" NOT BAD NOW THO!!!!!
Watch and wait wouldn't be for me ( my nerves wouldn't take it) my oncologist told me yesterday I've only one Chemo left,( new protocol 6 session) 1 lymph left in pathology after radiation, and I'm panicking already about haveing no treatment,,
As for reversal,,, I'm nearly 6 months post op and in no hurry to reverse this side of X mas
My surgeon Says there's is no contraindications to waiting, so January it is for me ( I'm not Ireland)
Can't deal with that and 3 kids pre X mas
ADELE
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:42 am
by Annie50
Hi there thanks for responding ., Were your bowels misbehaving with symptoms before at diagnosis ? Sounds like you are on track and my scan is in November and don't relish op before Xmas with 3 kids too? I don't know what response I've had yet I just feel very well and nornsl after radio ?! Xxx
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:44 am
by Annie50
Caat55 wrote:Annie50 wrote:Would you do watch and wait ? If complete response ? Did all your original symptoms go and bowels return to normal ? Or not ? Thanks you guys xxx annie
My bowels were fine after radiation, then came the ileostomy. My doctor's advised against waiting, why take any chances. In Europe they do it differently though from what I read here.
S
I suppose it's because it is a chance of permanent stoma as mine is low in rect so that terrifies me ! How have you heard it is different in Europe ? Xxxx annie
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2018 11:13 am
by Eleda
I'm living in EUROPE,, and mine was2/3 cm from anal verge,I am now waiting for takedown after X mas so it is possible with a good surgon,,,, just finished 6 rounds of folfox
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2018 12:06 pm
by Annie50
Gosh that's interesting.. where was the surgeon based and was he a particular low rectal specialist ? Do you have an actual stoma at the moment before your takedown ? Xxxx
Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2018 3:53 pm
by Eleda
Yes Ann,
a specialised colorectal surgon in Ireland
Yes I have an illeostomy ATM,, working quite well , without a bother but will be glad to have the plumbing back up and running
