how long until you felt better?

CJ21

My dad is entering his last week of treatment and he is feeling very discouraged- he feels like he can not go on. I need to be able to give him a mental "finish line"- when he will feel better. When did you feel better post treatment?

eihtak

CJ21.....

Hi,

I saw your other post wondering about this as well but will just respond here. Firstly, how he is feeling is pretty normal. It seems that just when you think you can't make it another day.....its done! By the end of my treatment (which now is 5 1/2 yrs ago) I was in such an awful state that I was admitted to a nursing home!! I had had some complications as well as a couple of UTI's and did not have much available help at home at the time.  If I remember correctly, healing came surprisingly quick after finishing the last radiation treatment. It seems that within just a couple of weeks the unbearable level of pain had subsided. That being said, these severe burns in such a tender area do require patience and time. Many people find relief from ointments such as aquafor. I did use this occasionally but found that for me the ease of Dermoplast (a spray available OTC) was easier to use. At this point for your dad, I would recommend waiting until done with radiation as it is essential to get all creams washed off between treatments so just easier to either do only on weekends or when done. Lots of fluids to help with hydration and foods high in protien are also suggested to speed with getting those skin cells to start generating again from the inside.

Try to give your dad something to look forward to later this month.....I was lucky as I had a new baby grandson for motivation. He is so close now and well into the final leg of this race....we are here to cheer him through the finish line!!

katheryn

mp327

CJ21

Please see my response on your other thread to this question. 

Martha

CJ21

eihtak said:

CJ21.....

Hi,

I saw your other post wondering about this as well but will just respond here. Firstly, how he is feeling is pretty normal. It seems that just when you think you can't make it another day.....its done! By the end of my treatment (which now is 5 1/2 yrs ago) I was in such an awful state that I was admitted to a nursing home!! I had had some complications as well as a couple of UTI's and did not have much available help at home at the time.  If I remember correctly, healing came surprisingly quick after finishing the last radiation treatment. It seems that within just a couple of weeks the unbearable level of pain had subsided. That being said, these severe burns in such a tender area do require patience and time. Many people find relief from ointments such as aquafor. I did use this occasionally but found that for me the ease of Dermoplast (a spray available OTC) was easier to use. At this point for your dad, I would recommend waiting until done with radiation as it is essential to get all creams washed off between treatments so just easier to either do only on weekends or when done. Lots of fluids to help with hydration and foods high in protien are also suggested to speed with getting those skin cells to start generating again from the inside.

Try to give your dad something to look forward to later this month.....I was lucky as I had a new baby grandson for motivation. He is so close now and well into the final leg of this race....we are here to cheer him through the finish line!!

katheryn

Thanks so much for taking the

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this, Katheryn. I do really think that even hearing that as bad as it is right now is normal and that others have gotten through it and are living good lives. Going through this alongside my dad makes me think that mental health care should be an integral part of cancer care. So much of this is a mental game and it makes a big difference in staying in the fight.

CJ21

mp327 said:

CJ21

Please see my response on your other thread to this question. 

Martha

I saw it, Martha. Thanks!

I saw it, Martha. Thanks!

eihtak

CJ21 said:

Thanks so much for taking the

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this, Katheryn. I do really think that even hearing that as bad as it is right now is normal and that others have gotten through it and are living good lives. Going through this alongside my dad makes me think that mental health care should be an integral part of cancer care. So much of this is a mental game and it makes a big difference in staying in the fight.

CJ21.....

Hi,

You read my mind, and I could not agree more! Mental health care should be discussed more as a part of cancer treatment and recovery. A year after my anal cancer treatment I was diagnosed with breast cancer! During my recovery process I was at a loss as to what to do on this emotional roller-coaster to help me from falling off! My son suggested that I go back to college (at the time 54yrs old) to help with finding my focus and an identity "more" than a cancer patient. I will graduate this December with a degree in Human Services. While I don't know that I will actually go back to work in any real capacity (I do a lot of volunteer work in my community, as well as spend much time with grandkids)...my focus in school was partially on the need for psychosocial oncology support. One of the oncology social workers with whom I did a brief internship was completely overbooked with the caseload of patients in need of services and admitted that she was only able to scratch the very surface with only a few. For some it is much a case of some level of PTSD, not only for the patient but the family and support people as well. A cancer diagnosis IS a traumatic event that while treated physically is not often addressed from an emotional perspective, or at least not enough. Eventually the body heals and everyone expects life to bounce back to as it was before, but for some people the emotional scars that remain, the fear of recurrance and the management of long term side effects, leave them in need of help. There are many many people that are resilient and ease back into their "new normal"......my guess is this awareness that you have will aid in that for your dad. He is lucky to have you.

Know that I will be thiking of him as he moves forward in health......

Be well,

katheryn

Stephaniee

Hey I have struggled with

Hey I have struggled with what to tell people about anal cancer. I have been in this situation and shared about it with my family. After all they are our support system and they will always be with you no matter what. One of my friend had suggested me to start having hemp oil in my daily diet. When I googled about it, they say it is powerhouse of nutrition and even studies and documentaries too where cannabis oil have proven to be effective for cancer patients. It helped me to recover fast without any side effect and it actually reduce pain and headaches after surgery. I found Charlotte's web hemp oil effective for me and I suggest you to try some reputed brand and start having it your daily meal and juices. Again, always follow prescribed routine.

God bless you. 

Bella_G

Milestones

As best as I can remember given it has been almost 5 years since my diagnosis.

Within 1 month I felt so much better because my burns had healed. Had to taper off medications to manage withdrawl symptoms. I was still tired and my digestion was very sensitive, especailly to any fiber.

Within 4-6 months I had much more energy and was feeling high on life after surviving treatments. Still had issues with diarrhea if I didn't carefully watch what I ate. Also struggled with hot flashes and other menopause symptoms -which shouldn't be a problem for your father!

After 12 months I was feeling almost back to my pre-diagnosis state, but my hip flexibility has remained tight and yoga is a challenge. Can hike for hours without problems. Mood more stable.

4.75 years post treatment: Life is good, mostly ordinary. I try to practice active gratitude each day.

BanjoBob

How long until you felt better.

During my treatments and for some time (Months) after, I felt tired.

I was advised to get lots of exercise, but for some Months all I wanted to do was lay on the couch with a heating pad on my feet.

So that's what I did! Now a year after the treatments ended, I feel just fine, but my endurance is poor.

I run a business on-line selling on eBay and I have  to spend long hours on the computer every day.

I'm up and about many times a day but still don't get enough exercise.

My feet are still experiencing some numbness, when I go to bed I take my socks off and when my feet touch  each other they feel like I still  have socks on, but by morning they feel normal. When I finished treatments they said I'd be back to normal in around 6 months, but now they're telling me  it could take 3 to 5 years. Next Spring I will be starting a more rigerous exercise regimen, my house will be paid off and I won't need the extra income from my business and I can work on me. In the meantime, I feel great, I just can't do anything very strenuous for very  long.

technicolor

fast heart rate and breathless

I went through the usual treatments for anal cancer and finished about 3 months ago, but now I am having trouble with breathlessness and a fast heart rate.  My oncologist suggested that I am just out of shape but I went to another physician and he did a series of tests, EKG, chest xray and several blood tests.  All appear to be normal but he said if things get worse to call him.  Things are getting worse and I'm worried so I am going to see him today.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had these side effects and if so, what helped?

7243

End of treatment

what a good and supportive daughter you are!  Take care of yourself too as being a caregiver and support person is hard on you as well.

I felt the same at the end of treatment ... if I had one more radiation treatment, I felt I couldn't do it.  This is a short but intense and damaging treatment.  Others here have made good suggestions ... I will share this;  I healed physically rather quickly once the radiation was complete.  I had to take narcotics  a week or so and having a bowel movement was excruciating for a time.  But, mucus membrane heals quickly.  I bought a fluid irrigation system that looks like a large refillable IV bag that I filled with warm water to rinse my bottom after a BM.  So soothing.   

I suffered emotionally ... just as many on this site have; worry, anxiety, fears etc.  I took antianxiety meds and ambien for a month or more after treatment Which were helpful for me.   I saw an onco-psychiatrist and a psychologist at the cancer center Initially and over the 6 years since the end of my treatment.  Perhaps ask your care team for a referral to an expert in grieving, cancer care, and post traumatic stress ... every cancer patient should have the chance to hook up with a psychologist, especially one with experience with trauma; physical and emotional.   I also took an 8 week meditation course and used positive imagery to manage my mind and stress.

I wish you well ... love your dad, love yourself! 

 

 

 

7243

technicolor said:

fast heart rate and breathless

I went through the usual treatments for anal cancer and finished about 3 months ago, but now I am having trouble with breathlessness and a fast heart rate.  My oncologist suggested that I am just out of shape but I went to another physician and he did a series of tests, EKG, chest xray and several blood tests.  All appear to be normal but he said if things get worse to call him.  Things are getting worse and I'm worried so I am going to see him today.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had these side effects and if so, what helped?

Heart rate

are you taking an anti depressant?  I took Celexa and it caused this ... had to stop it! anxiety and stress can cause these symptoms ... are you managing your emotional needs?  Meditation, prayer, counseling, group meetings.  These are just thoughts ... if you've ruled out physical heart issues, perhaps it's your emotional heart needing tender loving care?  You've been through a very tough struggle ... Bellruth Naperstek has great guided imagery for cancer recovery, mindfulness stress reduction classes at a local "center for life", or your church ... depending on your beliefs?  These are just thoughts ... best to you as you heal!!

technicolor

7243 said:

Heart rate

are you taking an anti depressant?  I took Celexa and it caused this ... had to stop it! anxiety and stress can cause these symptoms ... are you managing your emotional needs?  Meditation, prayer, counseling, group meetings.  These are just thoughts ... if you've ruled out physical heart issues, perhaps it's your emotional heart needing tender loving care?  You've been through a very tough struggle ... Bellruth Naperstek has great guided imagery for cancer recovery, mindfulness stress reduction classes at a local "center for life", or your church ... depending on your beliefs?  These are just thoughts ... best to you as you heal!!

heart rate

Thank you for taking time to post an answer for me and I think you gave me some very good advice.  

The doctor today decided to send me to a cardiologist to have my heart checked first.  That will be next Tuesday.   I don't take an anti depressant but I might have anxiety as I find myself thinking negative thoughts now and then.  I will try meditation and I do pray but not always for myself, there are so many who need our prayers.  We recently had a lot of company and it was more difficult than usual.

I will try more of your suggestions and I appreciate your caring and sharing so much!  I pray you are doing well.

mp327

technicolor

I have had some heart rate issues in the past.  The first time I noticed it was when I was going through treatment, when I noticed my heart racing and shortness of breath.  My doctor felt it was due to my low red blood count.  He put me on an iron supplement.  However, that constipated me, which became impossible for me to tolerate because of the painful BM's resulting from the radiation burns. 

A few years later, my internist was concerned about an irregular heart rate and some abnormal findings on an EKG.  I had to wear a 24-hour Holter monitor, which showed my heart going back and forth from tachycardia (fast) to bradycardia (slow).  Since that time, no abnormalities have been found and nothing further was done.

I would ask about how your red blood count may be causing this issue for you.  I wish you all the very best as you and your doctors try to find out the cause. 

technicolor

mp327 said:

technicolor

I have had some heart rate issues in the past.  The first time I noticed it was when I was going through treatment, when I noticed my heart racing and shortness of breath.  My doctor felt it was due to my low red blood count.  He put me on an iron supplement.  However, that constipated me, which became impossible for me to tolerate because of the painful BM's resulting from the radiation burns. 

A few years later, my internist was concerned about an irregular heart rate and some abnormal findings on an EKG.  I had to wear a 24-hour Holter monitor, which showed my heart going back and forth from tachycardia (fast) to bradycardia (slow).  Since that time, no abnormalities have been found and nothing further was done.

I would ask about how your red blood count may be causing this issue for you.  I wish you all the very best as you and your doctors try to find out the cause. 

mp327

Yes my doctor and I talked about my red blood count but he said mine was not that low so he thought it wouldn't be the cause.

I hope to know more after I see the heart specialist.  It sounds like you did have the same thing as I.  

I did research Fluorouracil and mitomycin C and found that breathlessness can be an occasional side effect and damage to the heart muscle can be a rare side effect.  I printed this up and will take it with me when I see a physician.  

Thank you for sharing and please be well.

mp327

technicolor said:

mp327

Yes my doctor and I talked about my red blood count but he said mine was not that low so he thought it wouldn't be the cause.

I hope to know more after I see the heart specialist.  It sounds like you did have the same thing as I.  

I did research Fluorouracil and mitomycin C and found that breathlessness can be an occasional side effect and damage to the heart muscle can be a rare side effect.  I printed this up and will take it with me when I see a physician.  

Thank you for sharing and please be well.

technicolor

I hope the heart specialist can find the cause of your issues and that it's nothing serious.  Please keep us posted.  Best wishes to you!

Missgrace

For me, it took several years

For me, it took several years and I am still tired a lot but I think maybe it's just old age.

Phoebesnow

Missgrace said:

For me, it took several years

For me, it took several years and I am still tired a lot but I think maybe it's just old age.

Missgrace

Same here still napping six years out.  But I am able to string a series of good days together now since the five year mark.

rlr000dc

Missgrace

once they got my blood count back up the fatigue eased, which was about a week. But i couldnt walk and had bowel issues for approx 2 months because i burned so badly, very much resembled exit wounds from electric shock! He will need pillows for under his legs, a fan, and i would get some witch hazel. Soak towels in the witch hazel and lay them AROUND the areas, keep them continually wet this makes a very relieving cool sensation. Best of luck hope you have a tag team partner so you can rest this is so hard to go through but can be harder for the catetaker. p.s. a towel in the bathroom to scream in helps alot too!