Tybtym

rds711
rds711 Member Posts: 113
edited March 2012 in Anal Cancer #1
You have been on my mind and I am wondering how you are? I know its been a rough road for you.

I now have pretty significant anal pain and itching due to some open areas. Doc gave me silvadene cream which helps with some but not all. She also told me to start using domeboro for sitz baths and to saturate a gauze and place there for 15-30 minutes, It seems very soothing. Having a bowel movement is pretty intense. I am also taking 50mg benadryl at night and zantac during day for the itching. 1-2 percocets every 4 hours for the pain. I find find myself watching my bowels closely, if it seems I may be getting constipated I take over the counter stool softeners and if diarrhea taking immodium. I have been fortunate that my appetite has not been effected. It is almost impossible to sit for any longer than 15-20 minutes without the pain taking over, so spending alot of time in bed.

I was hooked up to my last 5FU course yesterday and was told this is going to make radiation more intense, I just laughed, what else can you do hehe?

I hope you are keeping your spirits up, I know its so rough. You are always in my prayers, God is holding our hands Tybtym. And for me, knowing that gets me through the rough spots when all I want to do is cry or scream. I am rooting for you and I care! Remember to drink lots of fluids, I find the fruit punch gatorade pretty good.

Randy

Comments

  • Tybtym
    Tybtym Member Posts: 41
    #2
    Randy
    It was so good to hear from you, I started my chemo on monday too I am right there with you on the pain level. I stay in bed most of the time, I pray only to have soft bowel movements. I don't eat as much as I should but I am keeping my fluids up this time. I am taking percocet also . My 20 day rad treatments will be finished Thursday, I go back on Friday to get my pack off, then on Monday they start my last 11 days of rad treatments.

    I do try and keep my spirits up but would rather sleep. I pray for you daily and just know there is someone going through this with you, family, friends, and me we will be cancer survivors, I pray for you a restful night. God is good he is with us.

    Denise
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #3
    Tybtym said:

    Randy
    It was so good to hear from you, I started my chemo on monday too I am right there with you on the pain level. I stay in bed most of the time, I pray only to have soft bowel movements. I don't eat as much as I should but I am keeping my fluids up this time. I am taking percocet also . My 20 day rad treatments will be finished Thursday, I go back on Friday to get my pack off, then on Monday they start my last 11 days of rad treatments.

    I do try and keep my spirits up but would rather sleep. I pray for you daily and just know there is someone going through this with you, family, friends, and me we will be cancer survivors, I pray for you a restful night. God is good he is with us.

    Denise

    Hi Denise--
    I wanted to say hello and let you know that you're in my thoughts and prayers. I know this is the toughest part of the journey, but hang in there--you can do it!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #4
    Hi Randy!
    I am sorry you are in so much pain. I hope the domeboro will give you some relief. The bowel issues are hard to figure out when you are having both bouts of diarrhea and constipation. Just hang in there, I know you'll get through this!
  • torrance
    torrance Member Posts: 118
    #5
    I remember...
    Randy and Denise,

    You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Oh how each of us can remember this time in our treatments and that we can now be here to help support you. Hopefully, by you seeing us here and feeling our support will help you make it through these TOUGH times and that both of you will VERY soon be doing the same for others.

    Joanne
  • rds711
    rds711 Member Posts: 113
    #6
    Thanks for the support
    Denise, was glad to hear from you as well. We're almost there! You rest as much as you need to. I know what you mean about not wanting to eat because you know it has to come out. Good job on the fluids! Are you drinking instant breakfast? Excellent source of vitamins and protien. I hope the percocets are helping you as they are me. The domeboro soaks sting a little bit at first but really do seem to help alot. Hope you have a better day today. Youre in my thoughts and prayers.

    MP and Joann, to get support from those who have gone through this is such a gift, thank you! When I am having a rough day I think of all of you that are on the other end and it gives me strength.

    Randy
  • Tybtym
    Tybtym Member Posts: 41
    #7
    rds711 said:

    Thanks for the support
    Denise, was glad to hear from you as well. We're almost there! You rest as much as you need to. I know what you mean about not wanting to eat because you know it has to come out. Good job on the fluids! Are you drinking instant breakfast? Excellent source of vitamins and protien. I hope the percocets are helping you as they are me. The domeboro soaks sting a little bit at first but really do seem to help alot. Hope you have a better day today. Youre in my thoughts and prayers.

    MP and Joann, to get support from those who have gone through this is such a gift, thank you! When I am having a rough day I think of all of you that are on the other end and it gives me strength.

    Randy

    Randy
    Today has been pretty awful can't stay out of restroom, I am drinking ensure eating pops and drinking gatoraid, food of choice right now is mashed potatoes, I have lost 12 pounds so my doctor is starting to push me to eat more. I am trying to keep my spirits up, my sister is coming up from florida for a few days so her just being here will be a comfort. She is a cancer survivor too. I hope your day is going as pleasant as it can. Extra prayers are going up today for you and all of our friends in need. We can do this each day is another day behind us.
  • rds711
    rds711 Member Posts: 113
    #8
    Tybtym said:

    Randy
    Today has been pretty awful can't stay out of restroom, I am drinking ensure eating pops and drinking gatoraid, food of choice right now is mashed potatoes, I have lost 12 pounds so my doctor is starting to push me to eat more. I am trying to keep my spirits up, my sister is coming up from florida for a few days so her just being here will be a comfort. She is a cancer survivor too. I hope your day is going as pleasant as it can. Extra prayers are going up today for you and all of our friends in need. We can do this each day is another day behind us.

    Denise
    I am sorry youre having a bad day. If the diarrhea is getting to be too much and youre worried about taking immodium you might think about citrucel or metamucil. I know they usually are taken to prevent constipation but they can also help with diarrhea as it bulks the stool to soft consistency, ask your MD about it. I got a script today for lidocaine cream, plan to put that on anal area when I know a bowel movement is coming in hopes it will numb the area outside enough to make it more tolerable.

    You are sounding more determined! My grandpa used to say "when you get knocked down you have to get right back up and fight!". :) I am glad your sister is coming it helps to have supportive people around you. And I know myself that right now I am moving slow and feel at half power, so having someone to help you out is important.

    Ask your MD about Domeboro soaks, its over the counter. You mix a packet in 16 ounces of water and can either sit in sitz bath with it or I just soak a few 4x4 gauze and place it in the beginning of my tailbone, against my anal area for about 15-30 minutes. It stings just a little at first not much then it soothes and I found this morning my anal area was not quite as raw feeling. You can do the soaks 3x/day.

    Thank goodness I love mashed potatoes and mac and cheese hehe but also eating pound cake with milk. I also eat a Macdonalds plain hamburger every couple days, seem to crave them., lol. Drinking gatorade, instant breakfast, apple juice and lots of water. I am very proud of you for getting in your fluids!!!!

    We are getting through it and I thank you for being there for me. God is with us Denise.

    I hope it eases up for you and the weekend break does you good.

    Randy

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