systems backing up

melbas2
melbas2 Member Posts: 108
edited March 2014 in Anal Cancer #1
The more i reae about healing, the more I realize that I am more hindering, than helping, my successful recovery. I cooked dnner the other nite and the dispoal backed up on me. I cleaned that out whch also took care of the stagnate water n my dshwasher. Then today after cleanng up after last's dinner, i made breakfast for the oln man. As I was draing the kithcen sink, I could hear the toilet bubblng. Not a big deal, the tolet flushed just fne. Than at about 6 pm I took a stool softener and ran my bath. Not only did the tub back up, the toilet s threatenng to overflow. Why couldn't it have done this while ws constipated? Now I'm trying to hold my loosening bowels...whch is very painful. Has anyone elso encountered this and what are my options? Melodie
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Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Sorry Melodie! I totally
    Sorry Melodie! I totally understand how big a problem this is for you! I guess if I were in your situation I would do 3 things. 1) Get some Depends (I know the thought of that sounds awful, but what choice do you have if you are in a house with backed up plumbing?), 2) See if you can go spend some time with a friend or relative, 3) Call a plumber!

    I'm not in any way making light of your situation. I do not have a toilet in my basement and I can't tell you how many times in the last 2+ years I have raced up those stairs, only to not make it to the bathroom in time. It's not funny. I hope you get this all straightened out real soon.
  • ranelle65
    ranelle65 Member Posts: 63
    #3
    holding it in
    I so remember having to run my butt off to get downstairs at work so that I could expel in a single person bathroom, in privacy. Because I didn't want to share the 2 stall/commode bathroom with clients, I raced down the stairs...when I'd get to the hallway where the bathroom was, everyone knew what I was rushing for and they were pleasant enough to get the heck outta my way. It does get better, but I still have a day or two once every other week or so that I have to make a run for it, and sometimes I almost don't make it. So, like Martha says, wear the Depends, or stage yourself close to the bathroom if that's possible during those loose days. Either way, call the plumber...backups are no fun...I've had them with our septic system and it's kinda gross to know all that yuck just backed up into the bathtub...I cannot clean the tub enough to think it's sanitary to bathe in knowing how easily contracted an infection can be. I clean the bathtub 3 times with Lysol foam cleaner each time I clean it just because I don't want to miss any nook or cranny in the tub. Ranelle
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #4
    OMG Melodie, I don't know
    OMG Melodie, I don't know what I would do. As it is I have a small nervous breakdown if I do not know where a toilet is when visiting friends or out in public. I don't venture out much or far yet because of this. I agree, best bet is to have depends on you 'just in case' and get a plumber out there if possible. I know for awhile I wore depends going back and forth to treatment because the ride was 45 minutes on good days, longer with traffic and I was always afraid I'd have an accident. It's Murphy's Law...this won't happen when you are constipated...only when you need to go and go NOW. Hope things clear up (both toilet issue and personal issue) by the time you get this post. Mariyne
  • melbas2
    melbas2 Member Posts: 108
    #5
    sissy310 said:

    OMG Melodie, I don't know
    OMG Melodie, I don't know what I would do. As it is I have a small nervous breakdown if I do not know where a toilet is when visiting friends or out in public. I don't venture out much or far yet because of this. I agree, best bet is to have depends on you 'just in case' and get a plumber out there if possible. I know for awhile I wore depends going back and forth to treatment because the ride was 45 minutes on good days, longer with traffic and I was always afraid I'd have an accident. It's Murphy's Law...this won't happen when you are constipated...only when you need to go and go NOW. Hope things clear up (both toilet issue and personal issue) by the time you get this post. Mariyne

    backing up
    I think I have everything under control finally as far as drainage (in my home, not so much in me, LOL). I go for my 1st post radiation check up tomorrow, am a little nervous, cuz I am still in pain down there, plus my weight has only picked up 4 pounds in 3 weeks. I was hoping to at least be up to 90, but I'm still at 85. Maybe he can give me something to help increase my weight. Wish me luck, will check in tomorrow pm with news. Melodie
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #6
    melbas2 said:

    backing up
    I think I have everything under control finally as far as drainage (in my home, not so much in me, LOL). I go for my 1st post radiation check up tomorrow, am a little nervous, cuz I am still in pain down there, plus my weight has only picked up 4 pounds in 3 weeks. I was hoping to at least be up to 90, but I'm still at 85. Maybe he can give me something to help increase my weight. Wish me luck, will check in tomorrow pm with news. Melodie

    Hope all goes okay tomorrow!
    Hi Melodie--

    I'm glad the plumbing problems in your home are fixed. Now if you could just get everything else fixed, eh? You will, so don't get discouraged. I hope your appt. tomorrow goes well. You definitely could use a few pounds if you are still at 85. I would recommend some Andes Mint cheesecake, which is what I ate for dessert when out with friends tonight. If that won't do it, nothing will! Seriously, I hope you are on the road to recovery now. Please let us know what you find out from your appt. Take care.
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #7
    melbas2 said:

    backing up
    I think I have everything under control finally as far as drainage (in my home, not so much in me, LOL). I go for my 1st post radiation check up tomorrow, am a little nervous, cuz I am still in pain down there, plus my weight has only picked up 4 pounds in 3 weeks. I was hoping to at least be up to 90, but I'm still at 85. Maybe he can give me something to help increase my weight. Wish me luck, will check in tomorrow pm with news. Melodie

    I too hope all is okay with
    I too hope all is okay with you. My first radiation appointment after radiation was uneventful, they did not do much but look to see how the healing was going. The last one I had though she did an exam and while it hurt a tiny bit it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I think we are so 'sensitized' to that area with all the issues and pain that we don't want anyone near it. Keep us posted on what they say. Good to hear the 'leakage' issues in your house has resolved...one down, one to go. lol. Be well, Marilyne
  • melbas2
    melbas2 Member Posts: 108
    #8
    sissy310 said:

    I too hope all is okay with
    I too hope all is okay with you. My first radiation appointment after radiation was uneventful, they did not do much but look to see how the healing was going. The last one I had though she did an exam and while it hurt a tiny bit it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I think we are so 'sensitized' to that area with all the issues and pain that we don't want anyone near it. Keep us posted on what they say. Good to hear the 'leakage' issues in your house has resolved...one down, one to go. lol. Be well, Marilyne

    1st checkup
    Well, my appointment was also pretty uneventful. He said my outside skin is healing nicely, without actually going inside to look, he said my sphinxter (sp?) is healing slower than he'd like. He says probably due to lifting and crap I'm not supposed to do. My inside exam with my oncologist s day after tomorrow, and though I'm not looking forward to the poking and probing, I know it has to be done. Dr. Chiu says another couple of weeks. Marilyne, I'm kinda tracking my progress against yours, so I'm not doing too badly. Fatigue is still kicking my ****, but now that the house is at least livable, I am taking it easier. And I actually ate an entire meal tonight. Thanks for all the well wishes. Melodie
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #9
    melbas2 said:

    1st checkup
    Well, my appointment was also pretty uneventful. He said my outside skin is healing nicely, without actually going inside to look, he said my sphinxter (sp?) is healing slower than he'd like. He says probably due to lifting and crap I'm not supposed to do. My inside exam with my oncologist s day after tomorrow, and though I'm not looking forward to the poking and probing, I know it has to be done. Dr. Chiu says another couple of weeks. Marilyne, I'm kinda tracking my progress against yours, so I'm not doing too badly. Fatigue is still kicking my ****, but now that the house is at least livable, I am taking it easier. And I actually ate an entire meal tonight. Thanks for all the well wishes. Melodie

    Hi Melodie!
    I'm glad to hear that your appt. went well and that your one on Friday does too. I feared the first rectal exam after treatment too, but it was not bad. Continue to take it easy and let yourself recover. Please let us know how Friday goes.
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #10
    melbas2 said:

    1st checkup
    Well, my appointment was also pretty uneventful. He said my outside skin is healing nicely, without actually going inside to look, he said my sphinxter (sp?) is healing slower than he'd like. He says probably due to lifting and crap I'm not supposed to do. My inside exam with my oncologist s day after tomorrow, and though I'm not looking forward to the poking and probing, I know it has to be done. Dr. Chiu says another couple of weeks. Marilyne, I'm kinda tracking my progress against yours, so I'm not doing too badly. Fatigue is still kicking my ****, but now that the house is at least livable, I am taking it easier. And I actually ate an entire meal tonight. Thanks for all the well wishes. Melodie

    Melodie, you pushed yourself
    Melodie, you pushed yourself and did a lot more than I did after my treatment ended. I'm now about starting week 7 I think from radiation...and to be honest I have noticed a lot more energy in this last week than previous weeks. I still get tired and have to rest here and there but I can do more in between...you should start seeing some more energy soon if not already. Having some hip and leg aching (right) and I'm assuming that might be from radiation although I was bad and did some light lifting and cleaning up the basement area so maybe I strained myself a little bit. Have a little bit of pain when I go potty but not much anymore - I just go about 3x a day, mostly in the morning hours. I've learned to 'listen' to my body - when I am tired I rest, regardless of what has to be done or not. The house isn't going anywhere and neither are the dust bunnies, they can be taken care of tomorrow or the next day when you feel stronger. Be kind to yourself. Good that you ate an entire meal! Marilyne
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #11
    sissy310 said:

    Melodie, you pushed yourself
    Melodie, you pushed yourself and did a lot more than I did after my treatment ended. I'm now about starting week 7 I think from radiation...and to be honest I have noticed a lot more energy in this last week than previous weeks. I still get tired and have to rest here and there but I can do more in between...you should start seeing some more energy soon if not already. Having some hip and leg aching (right) and I'm assuming that might be from radiation although I was bad and did some light lifting and cleaning up the basement area so maybe I strained myself a little bit. Have a little bit of pain when I go potty but not much anymore - I just go about 3x a day, mostly in the morning hours. I've learned to 'listen' to my body - when I am tired I rest, regardless of what has to be done or not. The house isn't going anywhere and neither are the dust bunnies, they can be taken care of tomorrow or the next day when you feel stronger. Be kind to yourself. Good that you ate an entire meal! Marilyne

    Melodie (or anyone) - having
    Melodie (or anyone) - having accelerated heartbeat (up to 144 beats per minute) if I do a little bit like dust or do some dishes...nothing strenuous but heart beats quite fast. Anyone else notice that after treatment? I had two EKGs and they did not see anything but it still concerns me. I may call my oncologist next week and just mention it again to be on the safe side. Marilyne
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #12
    sissy310 said:

    Melodie (or anyone) - having
    Melodie (or anyone) - having accelerated heartbeat (up to 144 beats per minute) if I do a little bit like dust or do some dishes...nothing strenuous but heart beats quite fast. Anyone else notice that after treatment? I had two EKGs and they did not see anything but it still concerns me. I may call my oncologist next week and just mention it again to be on the safe side. Marilyne

    Hi Marilyne
    Are you anemic? I had that happen to me when my red blood count was very low prior to treatment.
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #13
    sissy310 said:

    Melodie (or anyone) - having
    Melodie (or anyone) - having accelerated heartbeat (up to 144 beats per minute) if I do a little bit like dust or do some dishes...nothing strenuous but heart beats quite fast. Anyone else notice that after treatment? I had two EKGs and they did not see anything but it still concerns me. I may call my oncologist next week and just mention it again to be on the safe side. Marilyne

    Sissy
    Hi, Marilyne,

    I was in the hospital for the vats procedure and my blood pressure was great, but my heart beats per minute, did get up to 144 when I walked. They prescribed low pressure, (blood pressure Med), because of my lung surgery my heart was stressed. I suggest taking your time in movement, but certainly let your dr know asap.

    I know after the anal cancer tx, I would get easily winded and have to rest after each task, so I would imagine my heart had been stressed at that time too.

    I wish you well, Lori.
  • melbas2
    melbas2 Member Posts: 108
    #14
    z said:

    Sissy
    Hi, Marilyne,

    I was in the hospital for the vats procedure and my blood pressure was great, but my heart beats per minute, did get up to 144 when I walked. They prescribed low pressure, (blood pressure Med), because of my lung surgery my heart was stressed. I suggest taking your time in movement, but certainly let your dr know asap.

    I know after the anal cancer tx, I would get easily winded and have to rest after each task, so I would imagine my heart had been stressed at that time too.

    I wish you well, Lori.

    Yes, I anemic, and I also haven't found out how to relax and take the docs orders yet. I cooked lasagna tonight for friends, they finally left at 11:45 pm. Tomorrow I have to watch Bug-a-boo while Marcel plays hs 2nd to the last soccer game. Bug-a-boo is 7 weeks old. My husband is no help whatsoever in the day to day upkeep of the house...I'm getting used to it, I'm just so tired. If I lay down to take a nap, or if I sleep in on the am'd, he's got to wake me up. I guess we take the good with the bad. Melodie
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #15
    mp327 said:

    Hi Marilyne
    Are you anemic? I had that happen to me when my red blood count was very low prior to treatment.

    Hi Martha - I don't think
    Hi Martha - I don't think so...probably should have another blood test done. I don't have an appt until Nov 8th and will have bloodwork done then. I always thought one who loses a lot of blood is anemic but can one be anemic without that? I noticed mine after the second round of chemo was done. Marilyne
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #16
    mp327 said:

    Hi Marilyne
    Are you anemic? I had that happen to me when my red blood count was very low prior to treatment.

    Hi Martha - I don't think
    Hi Martha - I don't think so...probably should have another blood test done. I don't have an appt until Nov 8th and will have bloodwork done then. I always thought one who loses a lot of blood is anemic but can one be anemic without that? I noticed mine after the second round of chemo was done. Marilyne
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #17
    z said:

    Sissy
    Hi, Marilyne,

    I was in the hospital for the vats procedure and my blood pressure was great, but my heart beats per minute, did get up to 144 when I walked. They prescribed low pressure, (blood pressure Med), because of my lung surgery my heart was stressed. I suggest taking your time in movement, but certainly let your dr know asap.

    I know after the anal cancer tx, I would get easily winded and have to rest after each task, so I would imagine my heart had been stressed at that time too.

    I wish you well, Lori.

    Lori - thanks for your
    Lori - thanks for your input. My blood pressure is always very low .. I know they did a couple EKG's and noticed nothing odd (tachacardia sp?) just that my heartbeat was fast. I've never had a low one (always 80-90 resting). I am easily winded and need to rest after each task so maybe this is par for the course but...I think I am going to call my oncologist tomorrow and just mention it again. It can't hurt. Be well, Marilyne
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #18
    z said:

    Sissy
    Hi, Marilyne,

    I was in the hospital for the vats procedure and my blood pressure was great, but my heart beats per minute, did get up to 144 when I walked. They prescribed low pressure, (blood pressure Med), because of my lung surgery my heart was stressed. I suggest taking your time in movement, but certainly let your dr know asap.

    I know after the anal cancer tx, I would get easily winded and have to rest after each task, so I would imagine my heart had been stressed at that time too.

    I wish you well, Lori.

    Lori - thanks for your
    Lori - thanks for your input. My blood pressure is always very low .. I know they did a couple EKG's and noticed nothing odd (tachacardia sp?) just that my heartbeat was fast. I've never had a low one (always 80-90 resting). I am easily winded and need to rest after each task so maybe this is par for the course but...I think I am going to call my oncologist tomorrow and just mention it again. It can't hurt. Be well, Marilyne
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #19
    sissy310 said:

    Hi Martha - I don't think
    Hi Martha - I don't think so...probably should have another blood test done. I don't have an appt until Nov 8th and will have bloodwork done then. I always thought one who loses a lot of blood is anemic but can one be anemic without that? I noticed mine after the second round of chemo was done. Marilyne

    Anemia
    Yes, Marilyne, a person can be anemic without having lost blood.
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #20
    melbas2 said:

    Yes, I anemic, and I also haven't found out how to relax and take the docs orders yet. I cooked lasagna tonight for friends, they finally left at 11:45 pm. Tomorrow I have to watch Bug-a-boo while Marcel plays hs 2nd to the last soccer game. Bug-a-boo is 7 weeks old. My husband is no help whatsoever in the day to day upkeep of the house...I'm getting used to it, I'm just so tired. If I lay down to take a nap, or if I sleep in on the am'd, he's got to wake me up. I guess we take the good with the bad. Melodie

    Hey Melodie - Ah, finding
    Hey Melodie - Ah, finding out how to relax...I'm still learning but getting better at it. Easier said than done but it can be done. The key is not to put yourself under stress or pressure, but it sounds like your hubby is somewhat similar to mine so that makes it a tad bit harder. I've learned to ignore some things (not everything) but enough to not feel overwhelmed by things that are supposed to get done that no one else but me does. I take it slow. If it gets done, it gets done, if not...it will get done tomorrow. Just because we are walking upright and seemingly 'well' does not mean that everything is healed. It takes me 3x as long to wash my kitchen floor and hallway as I rest in between sections. I put a sign on the door with all the chores that should be done and both my son and husband saw it and said "okay, we will help out" -- have they? Heck no.

    When my brother came out to see me (as a surprise my son and DIL put together) my husband suddenly was cleaning the guest bathroom, vacuuming the stairs and main floor and I thought hmmmm, never did this in 30 years, why is he doing this now? He was really cranky about it too! I think my son told him he would NEVER speak to him again if he told me my brother was coming but he also knew if the house was a mess, HE would be blamed as my brother and sister in law knew I could not clean...lol. I think I enjoyed that fact more than I enjoyed my sibling out visiting me and I loved that! I think, like me, Melodie, you are going to have to relax your expectation of your house and what should or shouldn't be done, at least for now. And if hubby is pressuring, he will also need to relax his expectations. Hopefully hubby is like mine where he doesn't really care how clean the house is and does not pressure me that way but I pressure myself. Do you do that to yourself? Breaking that habit is hard but...if you learn to relax with that, the rest can follow. I listen to music (not necessarily soothing either, love some alternative music and even rap (Ice Cube) and find that relaxes me. There has to be something that relaxes you. I'm not an easy one to relax either but I found ways to do so here and there. I firmly believe as part of our healing, relaxing and being not stressed is very important.
  • melbas2
    melbas2 Member Posts: 108
    #21
    sissy310 said:

    Hey Melodie - Ah, finding
    Hey Melodie - Ah, finding out how to relax...I'm still learning but getting better at it. Easier said than done but it can be done. The key is not to put yourself under stress or pressure, but it sounds like your hubby is somewhat similar to mine so that makes it a tad bit harder. I've learned to ignore some things (not everything) but enough to not feel overwhelmed by things that are supposed to get done that no one else but me does. I take it slow. If it gets done, it gets done, if not...it will get done tomorrow. Just because we are walking upright and seemingly 'well' does not mean that everything is healed. It takes me 3x as long to wash my kitchen floor and hallway as I rest in between sections. I put a sign on the door with all the chores that should be done and both my son and husband saw it and said "okay, we will help out" -- have they? Heck no.

    When my brother came out to see me (as a surprise my son and DIL put together) my husband suddenly was cleaning the guest bathroom, vacuuming the stairs and main floor and I thought hmmmm, never did this in 30 years, why is he doing this now? He was really cranky about it too! I think my son told him he would NEVER speak to him again if he told me my brother was coming but he also knew if the house was a mess, HE would be blamed as my brother and sister in law knew I could not clean...lol. I think I enjoyed that fact more than I enjoyed my sibling out visiting me and I loved that! I think, like me, Melodie, you are going to have to relax your expectation of your house and what should or shouldn't be done, at least for now. And if hubby is pressuring, he will also need to relax his expectations. Hopefully hubby is like mine where he doesn't really care how clean the house is and does not pressure me that way but I pressure myself. Do you do that to yourself? Breaking that habit is hard but...if you learn to relax with that, the rest can follow. I listen to music (not necessarily soothing either, love some alternative music and even rap (Ice Cube) and find that relaxes me. There has to be something that relaxes you. I'm not an easy one to relax either but I found ways to do so here and there. I firmly believe as part of our healing, relaxing and being not stressed is very important.

    healing
    Hey Sissy, Yes, your story is so close to mine it's almost eerie. My thing about keeping the house clean comes from the past 11 years that I was on the road, and my house would be filthy after 3 weeks of me being gone. Now that we've moved and it's a clean start, I don't want to see it happen again. But again, Trace is no help. He doesn't let me nap when I'm tired, he asks me at 10:30 pm to make cupcakes or brownies or cookies, and since I'm not working outside the home at this point, I feel obligated. But I am sooooo tired. He's going to New York on Monday to finish up a job and I can't wait. I'll have at least a week of quiet time. I went like 4 days with no pain when I when to the bathroom, now it's back. Not near as bad, but enough to irritate me. This too, shall end...no. Good night to all. Melodie

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