Scar tissue?

Congratulations on 3 months into recovery mode! In my opinion, this stage comes with a host of unexpected and often barely discussed (by our doctors) challenges. I suppose their focus is to treat and then move on. It sounds like you are being followed responsibly and keeping the right attitude. I have always felt like while the physical test results may read NED, the emotional effects and anxiety over recurrance is impossible to completely remove. It does however lessen and in time takes a more comfortable place on a back shelf in our head as we move forward.

Yes, scar tissue is not just fairly common but would be quite rare to not be there. In time it will likely decrease, but the remaining stenosis or residual scarring often becomes a sort of "new normal" for many. Much healing happens over the course of a year, so be patient, and in a few months you'll look back and see how far you've come I'm sure! I also agree with "better safe than sorry" ... know that you'll be in my thoughts that there is nothing to be sorry about!

katheryn

Hi Joe, I am 9-10 weeks out from end of treatment. My biggest concern is scar tissue so I was drawn to your post. I feel like this site provides more information than any doctors I am seeing.  I had a DRE at 5 1/2 weeks and the dr. scheduled me for a biopsy, which I had Thursday @ 8 wks. I am still waiting for the results. She did say, after the procedure, I had the most extensive tearing and scarring she had ever seen. (She was young:). She prescribed stool softner and a laxative for 4 days. My stool is very narrow, and I feel pressure "down there" which is bothersome. It would be nice to know if the scarring will get worse, or is this as bad as it gets. Does any of it go away on it's own? Is there anything I can do, like diet or excercise that will help. I wonder with all the scarring, how they get a clear result. Anyway, thanks for sharing, it helps being reminded there are other people out there on the same journey.

I wish I had your energy!  good for you...you are the exception I believe.

I saw my radiologist oncologist today for my one year anniversary PET scan results.  He says I am NED....BUT....one of my treated lymph nodes is slightly larger than last time.  No metabolic activity.  It didn't light up....But he wants me to have a sonogram to be sure.  He thinks it's just fluid in the lymph nodes.  I drink Metamucil everyday and that really helps my bowel movements.  This is the new normal.  I told my husband I am living under a microscope but it's better than not living. Joe, I was told the radiation keeps working for six months after treatment so hang in there.  Katheryn, thank you as always for your word of wisdom.