End of Week Five

Ginkgo
Ginkgo Member Posts: 13 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

I did ok the first four weeks of one chemo and 20 radiation treatments, but last weekend, the burns just came on and this past week five, along with round two of chemo, it's been rough.  I have three radiation treatments left.  How long before things down there settle down a bit?  I've read the radiation continues to burn for two weeks after the end of treatment.  Is it possible I have two and 1/2 weeks of this torture remaining??  And getting worse, to boot?  

Comments

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #2
    Ginkgo...

    You can see the finish line now but may need to dig deep and give it all you got! As you know, we're all different in our reaction to this treatment. But, for me, the end was the toughest as far as burns go. I was hospitalized by this point (for complications with my ostomy) but still remember spending a lot of time standing and leaning on my bedside table watching tv or on my laptop. I'd stand with no pants on (just a gown) and my legs slightly apart so nothing was touching me there! At one time I had a UTI and they put in a catheter that I thought would kill me. I was however soon given oxycontin scheduled every 12 hours that did take the edge off. Consider this if you can.

    As far as radiation working for a couple weeks after the end of treatment, yes, on that too, but while painful, it seemed somehow a bit less I suppose, because in my head, I had made it through and each day was one more day closer to recovery.

    Big Congratulations on the two chemos and reaching the home stretch! You're doing super and almost there. Soon you'll be looking back and amazed at how strong you were when you had to be!

    katheryn

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #3
    Gingko

    I had a rough 10 days after treatment ended, but then things rapidly improved.  Hang in there--you will get through this!

  • Ohmy
    Ohmy Member Posts: 102 Member
    #4
    I also got the burns during

    I also got the burns during week five of chemo and radiation.  Week six was rough but I took the oxycodone and slept a lot.  When treatment ended I used Domeboro compresses, aloe, and Aquaphor on the burns.  I also went bottomless.  They healed in a couple of weeks.  The worst part was the BMs.  I told my husband it was like pooping battery acid.  Screaming into a towel helped and don't be afraid to take the pain medication.  My husband says I don't remember how sick I was.  You are on the home stretch now.  Once the healing begins, you will see improvemrnts every day.  

  • smc0057
    smc0057 Member Posts: 17
    #5
    My burns were the worse the

    My burns were the worse the last two weeks of treatment and the next week.  Then things began to quickly heal.  I'm almost 3 weeks post treatment and my outer skin is fine - still a bit touchy on the inside though.   I mixed Aquaphor and viscous lidocaine together on recommendation of my radiation doctor and that helped A LOT!   Hang in there.   Take your pain medication.  I waited too long to use it properly and didn't do myself any favors.   My husband also says I don't seem to remember how bad I was.    It's much improved now and fatigue is what is hardest for me now.

     

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