Rough week

Tybtym
Tybtym Member Posts: 41
in Anal Cancer #1
This week has been tough, I lay in bed most of the day. It takes a few hours to get myself together to go to rad. Treatment. I am trying to keep positive, I just am having a hard time on the meds one time I need imodium and the next time a stool softener. It's hard to keep up with this body. I see the doctor today so maybe she can clue me into what's going on. I don't feel like eating ice pops seem to agree with me and toast helps with the nausea, I just don't know why I'm still feeling nauseated. I just needed to vent. Thank goodness for this site. I try to be proactive with meds but it's hard. I pray all the time for all you guys out there with your healing. God bless you, love ya.

Comments

  • Dog Girl
    Dog Girl Member Posts: 100
    #2
    Rough week
    I am sorry you are having such a hard time this week, but I certainly relate. Towards the end of my treatment I didn't do much on a daily basis but take a shower (mainly to take off the creams before rad tx), brush my teeth, and go to tx. While I drove myself to my txs most of the time, I did have someone take me the last 1.5 weeks and believe it or not, even that little bit helped. Don't be hesitant to ask for help.

    I laid around and/or slept most of the day. Don't worry about that; just listen to your body. Are you on any pain meds yet? That can cause constipation. Do you have meds for your naseau? As far as eating, can you tolerate Greek yogurt? I found that I only wanted cold white diary products. I didn't know about Greek yogurt back in 2009, but it has a lot of protein, so see if that works for you. Best of luck and you'll get through this soon. Remember days for years.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #3
    Rough week
    Hi Tybtym--

    I'm so sorry that things are pretty rough right now for you. However, I'm not surprised. I don't remember how far into treatment you are, but for me, the last two weeks were pretty bad. I agree that getting protein is very important. I can't tolerate the taste of Greek yogurt, but if you can, that would be a very good source. I had to drink a lot of Boost. Do you have nausea meds? I found those to be quite effective and took both Phenergan and Ativan. It is a struggle to deal with the bowel issues, especially if you seem to be going back and forth between diarrhea and constipation. I suffered with diarrhea and only had constipation during the short time I was on a prescribed iron supplement, which I discontinued on my own, due to the constipation. I know this is rough, but hang in there. Just keep visualizing yourself crossing that finish line. I promise, you can get there!
  • Bella_G
    Bella_G Member Posts: 30 Member
    #4
    YOU CAN DO IT!
    Hang in there and please know that you will get through this!

    I was frustrated with going back and forth between constipation & diarrhea too. I wished they could scan my abdomen and give me a magic potion for each day.

    I found pain medications helped with diarrhea and Ativan suppressed nausea. I added Miralax to avoid bad constipation.

    I finished 4 weeks ago and can hardly remember the suffering.

    YOU CAN DO IT and we all send our support.
  • Tybtym
    Tybtym Member Posts: 41
    #5
    Bella_G said:

    YOU CAN DO IT!
    Hang in there and please know that you will get through this!

    I was frustrated with going back and forth between constipation & diarrhea too. I wished they could scan my abdomen and give me a magic potion for each day.

    I found pain medications helped with diarrhea and Ativan suppressed nausea. I added Miralax to avoid bad constipation.

    I finished 4 weeks ago and can hardly remember the suffering.

    YOU CAN DO IT and we all send our support.

    Thanks for support
    Thanks for all you words of encouragement, I saw the doctor today she gave me some lidocaine hopefully this will help with the pain. I know I can do this with all the support from family and friends. I have to keep looking at the end of that rainbow. Finished treatment and healing. Getting some Greek yogurt hope I like it, the ensure is getting old. Did any of you out there use a pain patch? My doctor said it might be what I should use. Might help keep the pain at bay.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #6
    Tybtym said:

    Thanks for support
    Thanks for all you words of encouragement, I saw the doctor today she gave me some lidocaine hopefully this will help with the pain. I know I can do this with all the support from family and friends. I have to keep looking at the end of that rainbow. Finished treatment and healing. Getting some Greek yogurt hope I like it, the ensure is getting old. Did any of you out there use a pain patch? My doctor said it might be what I should use. Might help keep the pain at bay.

    Pain med
    My doctor prescribed oxycodone for me. I never tried the pain patch. It might be very effective since you are getting a continuous dose of it. I hope it will work for you if your doc prescribes it.
  • tmpage1273
    tmpage1273 Member Posts: 92 Member
    #7
    Tybtym said:

    Thanks for support
    Thanks for all you words of encouragement, I saw the doctor today she gave me some lidocaine hopefully this will help with the pain. I know I can do this with all the support from family and friends. I have to keep looking at the end of that rainbow. Finished treatment and healing. Getting some Greek yogurt hope I like it, the ensure is getting old. Did any of you out there use a pain patch? My doctor said it might be what I should use. Might help keep the pain at bay.

    Bless your heart
    I hate to hear you're having a rough time. I will say an extra prayer for you.

    Take care of yourself. If your body tells you to rest, then that's what you need to do.

    Again, sending up prayers for you.
  • Rej0328
    Rej0328 Member Posts: 21
    #8
    Pain
    My doctor put me on the Fentanyl Pain patch for my last two weeks and it helped a lot, especially with the radation burns. My nausea was so bad when I had the chemo I ended up in er 3 times. I couldn't swallow water, I just vomited everything up, couldn't hold anything down. When I went into er they were able to give me nausea med through IV and that helped a lot. This was 6 months ago and I feel great now. So hang in there, do what you can to feel better to get through this.

    God bless
  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    #9
    Rej0328 said:

    Pain
    My doctor put me on the Fentanyl Pain patch for my last two weeks and it helped a lot, especially with the radation burns. My nausea was so bad when I had the chemo I ended up in er 3 times. I couldn't swallow water, I just vomited everything up, couldn't hold anything down. When I went into er they were able to give me nausea med through IV and that helped a lot. This was 6 months ago and I feel great now. So hang in there, do what you can to feel better to get through this.

    God bless

    U r strong
    U will get thru this. Everyday u will learn how strong u really are. If you could get some help for at least those last treatments, it will make it easier for u. Hang in there, it will be over before u know it.
  • rds711
    rds711 Member Posts: 113
    #10
    Tybtym
    Sorry it has been so rough for you. We have just a couple weeks left. Hang in there.

    I too have had issues now with diarrhea and I find taking 1 immodium then waiting a few hours. If I have another loose stool I take a second. That seems to work for me so far. It doesnt make me constipated but does make a softer stool. It is like walking a tightrope, so I know exactly what you mean. I use the nonscented, alcohol free baby wipes as regular paper seems to aggravate the soreness.

    I have phenergan for nausea but for the most part have only had to use the week I was getting chemo. I am drinking some gatorade for electrolyte replacement.

    Listen to your body and rest when you need to, I know its boring laying around but I think of it as time my body can concentrate on healing.

    I find it hard to believe that this is almost the end of week 4. I have 8 radiation treatments left and start my last round of chemo this Monday.

    I am keeping you in my prayers.

    Randy
  • Tybtym
    Tybtym Member Posts: 41
    #11
    rds711 said:

    Tybtym
    Sorry it has been so rough for you. We have just a couple weeks left. Hang in there.

    I too have had issues now with diarrhea and I find taking 1 immodium then waiting a few hours. If I have another loose stool I take a second. That seems to work for me so far. It doesnt make me constipated but does make a softer stool. It is like walking a tightrope, so I know exactly what you mean. I use the nonscented, alcohol free baby wipes as regular paper seems to aggravate the soreness.

    I have phenergan for nausea but for the most part have only had to use the week I was getting chemo. I am drinking some gatorade for electrolyte replacement.

    Listen to your body and rest when you need to, I know its boring laying around but I think of it as time my body can concentrate on healing.

    I find it hard to believe that this is almost the end of week 4. I have 8 radiation treatments left and start my last round of chemo this Monday.

    I am keeping you in my prayers.

    Randy

    Chemo on Monday too
    I go for my chemo Monday too I get to carry my baby around until Friday. I have a good bit more of radiation left total is 31 days and I have done 15' I missed a few, my rad was 20 days in pelvic area and 11 days on site I didn't think it was that many until my dr. Told me different. You are doing great and getting close I too will be praying for you. I found I like the the red Gatorade and Greek yogurt is pretty good too, I pretty much have to force myself to eat.I say let's get er done and back to life.
  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #12
    Tybtym said:

    Chemo on Monday too
    I go for my chemo Monday too I get to carry my baby around until Friday. I have a good bit more of radiation left total is 31 days and I have done 15' I missed a few, my rad was 20 days in pelvic area and 11 days on site I didn't think it was that many until my dr. Told me different. You are doing great and getting close I too will be praying for you. I found I like the the red Gatorade and Greek yogurt is pretty good too, I pretty much have to force myself to eat.I say let's get er done and back to life.

    Tybtym and Randy
    My thoughts are with you both. I remember going through the treatments - it's all there, stuck in the back of my brain. Soon this will be only memories for you too. I wish you both peace and health.
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #13
    Rough week
    I so relate with what you're going through! This too shall pass... The last couple of weeks were tough for me. I dragged myself to radiation. Thank goodness for my Mom who drove me to radiation treatments. I lived on cream of wheat and ramen noodles. Also ate jello even though that wasn't any nutritional value, but at least it was something. You'll get through this. Sending positive thoughts your way!


    Ann

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