First week done

rds711
rds711 Member Posts: 113
in Anal Cancer #1
I have finished the first week of treatment and so far feeling fairly well. Was told by oncologist to expect mouth sores this next week and that my counts were likely to drop. The radiation folks say will start to feel the brunt of the radition end of next week or week after.

I have had no issues with appetite yet, been eating well. Ate lots of popsicles this week and ice cold drinks, hoping to decrease mouth sores. I am using the aquaphor cream liberally. Taking 1-2 stool softeners daily but have immodium ready in case the diarrhea hits. I have learned so much from everyone sharing their experiences and tips. Thank you.
I feel I have come into the treatment with eyes wide open, prepared as I can be and that is comforting.

I feel a bit tired but nothing major yet, I think all the appointments and such and the anxiety take their toll.

1 of 2 doses each of mitomycin/5FU and 5 rad treatments down. I am to have a total of 28 rad treatments. I am already marking days on the calendar.It does feel good to finally be doing something to fight this thing.

Thanks to all,

Randy

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Hi Randy!
    How good to hear from you! You sound in good spirits and in good shape for the end of week 1. I'm glad you've gotten lots of good info to help you prepare for any side effects that might come--there's nothing like tips from those who have been there, done that. I hope you'll get by with minimal side effects though and won't need a lot of those tips!

    I felt just like you once treatment started--like I had finally started fighting the beast. Keep fighting and you'll soon have this behind you! Have a restful weekend!
  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 493 Member
    #3
    Radiation Burns
    I did not have mouth sores. I also did not have any blistering, but the major effect of the radiation hit me the 5th week of radiation. It was like a major sunburn with no blistering. I found Advil worked best for me. The pain killers had little effect on the discomfort in the groin and anal areas. Of course as you have read each person is different. Also, I bought women's thin pad sanitary liners for my underwear. I wore briefs during this time. I normally wear boxers but the liners did not work in boxers because of loose fit. I had some discharge during and after treatments. Using these liners really helped.
    Mike
  • Tybtym
    Tybtym Member Posts: 41
    #4
    Hey randy
    You and I are on the same schedule it seems, I had small complication with dehydration and had to miss one rad appointment to get fluids, but i am now feeling a little better, hopefully going into the next reound of chemo it will be easier, If anyone out there knows any tricks not to getting dehydrated pass them on, I will be praying for you with each passing day, start my second week Monday keep in touch and we might can just cheer each other through. God bless!

    You know you look at things a little differently now uh? Life so simple but can be complicated and I vow from now on to make it simple with god in hand all things are possible.
  • rds711
    rds711 Member Posts: 113
    #5
    Tybtym said:

    Hey randy
    You and I are on the same schedule it seems, I had small complication with dehydration and had to miss one rad appointment to get fluids, but i am now feeling a little better, hopefully going into the next reound of chemo it will be easier, If anyone out there knows any tricks not to getting dehydrated pass them on, I will be praying for you with each passing day, start my second week Monday keep in touch and we might can just cheer each other through. God bless!

    You know you look at things a little differently now uh? Life so simple but can be complicated and I vow from now on to make it simple with god in hand all things are possible.

    Tybtym
    We are on the same schedule. I know you are as glad as I am to have gotten through 1 week. I am sorry to hear you had issue with dehydration. Is that due to nausea? My Oncologist gave me a script for phenergan and for the first few days I took them about every 4 hrs while awake. I never had overwhelming nausea but kind of felt like it was hanging around the perimeter. I think the phenergan spared me, I was able to eat pretty much what I wanted and kept a glass of ice water with me at all times. Popsicles tasted good and is just frozen water, plus the cold things are supposed to be really good while getting chemo to help ease mouth sores. I made myself drink, maybe not glasses at a time but I sipped throughout. I hope the second week goes well for you, I will be thinking of you and sending out my prayers. I, like you, know God is walking me through this and when I feel a little overwhelmed I hand it alll over to him. WE will get through this. Hang in there. I am here whenever you need to talk. God Bless you too!

    Mx, I have bought the liners too in preparation after reading through everyones experience. It is good to know they worked for you. I went to grocery to buy and had a young checkout girl and female bagger. When she got to the liners they both started laughing and the one said "OOO so you guys are wearing these now?!?!" I just looked at her and said " Well as a matter of fact I am" and just looked at them. They both were stunned to silence and I ended up smiling hehehe. I wanted to say "Well I have cancer in my **** and will be draining whale snot, what would you do?".

    SO I say bring on week 2!!! I aint any where near down on the mat yet!

    Randy
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #6
    rds711 said:

    Tybtym
    We are on the same schedule. I know you are as glad as I am to have gotten through 1 week. I am sorry to hear you had issue with dehydration. Is that due to nausea? My Oncologist gave me a script for phenergan and for the first few days I took them about every 4 hrs while awake. I never had overwhelming nausea but kind of felt like it was hanging around the perimeter. I think the phenergan spared me, I was able to eat pretty much what I wanted and kept a glass of ice water with me at all times. Popsicles tasted good and is just frozen water, plus the cold things are supposed to be really good while getting chemo to help ease mouth sores. I made myself drink, maybe not glasses at a time but I sipped throughout. I hope the second week goes well for you, I will be thinking of you and sending out my prayers. I, like you, know God is walking me through this and when I feel a little overwhelmed I hand it alll over to him. WE will get through this. Hang in there. I am here whenever you need to talk. God Bless you too!

    Mx, I have bought the liners too in preparation after reading through everyones experience. It is good to know they worked for you. I went to grocery to buy and had a young checkout girl and female bagger. When she got to the liners they both started laughing and the one said "OOO so you guys are wearing these now?!?!" I just looked at her and said " Well as a matter of fact I am" and just looked at them. They both were stunned to silence and I ended up smiling hehehe. I wanted to say "Well I have cancer in my **** and will be draining whale snot, what would you do?".

    SO I say bring on week 2!!! I aint any where near down on the mat yet!

    Randy

    Hi Randy!
    I'm laughing at what you really wanted to say to those gals at the checkout! I wish you would have said that! I can only imagine the looks on their faces if they heard "whale snot!" lol!

    I'm glad that so far, so good for you in this journey. Keep moving forward!

    Hugs and Prayers for you!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #7
    Tybtym said:

    Hey randy
    You and I are on the same schedule it seems, I had small complication with dehydration and had to miss one rad appointment to get fluids, but i am now feeling a little better, hopefully going into the next reound of chemo it will be easier, If anyone out there knows any tricks not to getting dehydrated pass them on, I will be praying for you with each passing day, start my second week Monday keep in touch and we might can just cheer each other through. God bless!

    You know you look at things a little differently now uh? Life so simple but can be complicated and I vow from now on to make it simple with god in hand all things are possible.

    Hi Tybtym!
    Sorry you had to miss a treatment due to dehydration. You asked for any tricks for staying well-hydrated. I seemed to be one of those people who got hit with diarrhea pretty early, which I knew would make me lose lots of fluids. So, I made it a point to drink a full 8oz. of water after each trip to the bathroom. I'm not much of a water drinker, so it was hard for me, but it kept me from having to get IV fluids. As already has been suggested, keeping water handy at all times and sipping throughout the day is probably the easiest thing to do. I hope this next week will go smoothly for you!

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