I Made It!

Congrats!
Congrats, Louise on making it through treatment!!! Gee, I just got a certificate, but not a graduation bear. I think I had a couple of spells of nausea. The bowel issues do get better as you heal. There were bowel issues after treatment for awhile and actually I still have some. I hope you get to go to England!
Best wishes and continued healing!

Ann

Not for me
I finished my last radiation treatment on June 11th. We left on the 22nd for a trip to Florida so I told my body that I only had 11 days to recover. I had diarrhea for a few days after treatment ended but on about the 17th that ended and everything just started to be normal. I never did have the nausea but nausea is pretty rare for me under any conditions. While on vacation I had fried oysters, steamed oysters, chili spaghetti and just about anything else I wanted without any difficulties. My biggest problem has been the itching and it seems to only want to present itself at night when I'm trying to go to sleep. I got some Lanacane spray and it helps a lot! I also had a little stiffness in my hips and legs during the drive (actually ride, my husband does all the driving) home yesterday. It was about 13 hours with stops added in. I did some stretching as I was able in the car which helped. If you are going to be on a long flight, you might want to see about stretching exercises to do religiously before you go on your trip.

I'm so glad that you got through it all and are on the other side!

Hi Louise!
Congratulations on being finished with treatment! It sounds like you did pretty well and it's great to hear that you are now going to take that trip! Nausea wasn't much of a problem for me--only during the chemo. As for painful BM's, if you have or can get any Lidocaine cream to apply before BM's, that might help, as it will numb things up a little. I had bowel issues for several months after treatment ended, but I think they were mostly self-induced, as I was eating lots of fiber-rich foods, mainly fruits and veggies. I don't think my system was able to handle them very well. It's different for everyone and hopefully you won't have that same experience. Have a wonderful trip and let us know how it goes!

sandysp said:

food
Some of my problems were definitely food related. I am learning as time goes on by paying attention. Last week, for example, I was having a terrible time with diarrhea. My anus was sore and bleeding but for the life of me, I could not make the connection for quite a few days of trouble. Then I remembered I was taking Airborne to get rid of a cold - citric acid mostly - as prescribed to normal people - four big pills at a time. It worked staying off the cold but at what a cost and just before a five hour flight too. Note to self for future: "do not take heavy concentrations of vitamin C."

All the best,
Sandy

Citric Acid
Sandy, I think you're on to something because whenever I eat a lot of citrus, such as tomatoes or oranges, I notice a lot more sensitivity.

sandysp said:

Acid is not my friend
I am trying to get more alkaline and less acidic. It seems that is key to being stable down there. i also gave up my beloved coleslaw and now have on my note to self: no more black eyed peas - a sad day for a Southern girl. lol.

Live and Learn:-)
Fondly,
Sandy

Sandy--
You are right in that some of us are finding adjustments need to be made in our diets if our bottoms are going to remain happy! Sorry you'll be missing the black eyed peas. Perhaps you can go out on a limb on New Year's Eve and have a few for good luck--I'm a southern girl too, transplanted here 13 years ago.