Beginning radiation for rectal tumor

Day one is about done. I'm drinking an Ensure Enlive, trying to get some calories in. I got in lots of water earlier in the day but have been sleepy and trying to nap this afternoon and haven't had as much. I was measuring before I went but drank some glasses of water in the waiting room for radiation and lost count. I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to be drinking. Just "a lot". I've had at least 64 oz. but I used to drink more than that when active.

I didn't have any reaction from the Xeloda that I can tell but I think it accumulates and I've only had one dose. I will take the second this evening then of course daily until the end of treatment.

Radiation went well. It was a double appointment because they had to do one more set up type appointment before doing the actual radiation. It was hard to lay still for that long and my arms were falling asleep. It will be shorter after today, though.

I have the nausea meds but haven't had to take them yet. I don't have anything to put on my radiated skin. I really want to be proactive about that but they say they will cross that bridge when we come to it. I don't know what I can use that won't cause a problem. I'm afraid anything I put on will be hard to wash off when you're supposed to be delicate with your skin.

I asked for a peri-bottle and/or sitz bath information. I had asked at the last appointment and they acted like they hadn't heard such a request before. I figured I'd try today with different people. Again, they look like that is a question they've never heard before. They said I could get a bottle at Walmart probably. 

Maybe they really don't have issues at this facility. Maybe they use less radiation and no one has a problem or maybe they just let you figure it out on your own. 

Everyone was very nice and I like the people there though. I just wish they were more proactive in their treatments. 

Thanks again for everyone's help and ideas.

feckcancer said:

Cream for your skin

I was told by my oncologists to use fatty emulsion cream on my skin but to make sure if was not on it before radiation. i used to smother my skin with it the rest of the time and my burns weren't to bad. only for use on your skin. when my lady bits and anus got sore i was given wound gels & lignocaine 2% gel (local numbing cream) . if it is painful to go to the bathroom use the lignocaine gel before you go ,use sopping wet (with water) cotton wool to wipe , then apply the wound gel and/or lignocaine. salt baths can help relieve pain. keep the area dry using a hair dryer on cool heat can help stop infections. i was told to try to avoid baby wipes, even fragrence free because of the chemicals in them. I was given loperamide for diarrhea. first sign of it take them. don't take vitimin C or smoke cigarettes because there is a theory that they may stop the radiation from working properly. if you have side effects they come on over time & can't be predicited so at the first sign of any side effects tell your doctors. Good luck. Hope it goes well & this is helpful for you.

I'm using a cream on my feet and hands but so far have put nothing on the radiated area. They haven't said anything that I could use and I'm afraid to try things. 

I am not wanting to eat this morning. I don't feel nauseas so much except when I try to eat something. I know if I eat I will probably feel better but it's making me queasy to try. I tried toast. Now I'm drinking a protein drink. I need to eat to take the morning medicine. Hopefully the drink is enough food so my stomach can handle the pills okay. 

Thank you for the tips, I appreciate everything!

Annabelle41415 said:

Radiation

Mine was rectal cancer also and what was recommended to me was calmoseptine (behind the pharmacy counter), but not a prescription.  It worked wonders for a barrier when you get the runs.  You might not feel any radiation burn right away, but as it progresses it will get worse.  A sitz bath works wonders, even if you were told no, my doctor gave me one to use.  Make sure you get a soft, but sturdy, toilet paper as it might hurt even to wipe.  Wishing you the best going forward.  I've been there and isn't always easy to get through, but it is doable.  We are always here to help you get through this.

Kim

Thank you for your kind words. I'm already worried about what is to come. It's only been a few days and I'm already starting to feel a burn.

cinda said:

Cinda

I noticed you we're getting the side effects other got.. I had 24 treatments and didn't get burns.. Now I wonder about my treatment. The machine was constantly under repair which is scary. On my follow up petscan my tumor was the same but did have radition damage.I had a urtrasound on it 3 weeks ago and haven't heard anything. I hope things go well for you. my thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

Thank you Cinda. Everything about this is hard, right? We never know what to expect. 

Today they couldn't seem to get me in the right position. They kept moving me then when they went out and things got started, I noticed it was still for a long time then the table started bumping me up a little, back a little, then they came back in and moved me again. It seemed like a long time laying there before it could begin. 

I was super emotional today after treatment. I have no idea why but I started to tear up as I walked out the door. I had to stop at the bathroom. Then went I left I didn't want to talk to anyone and just went to the car. My husband asked if anything was different about today but it was just my mood I guess. Just a very down day. I was super tired and wanted to sleep but never did. I couldn't rest. 

Have you tried calling about your ultrasound? I had that problem with my MRI. I didn't hear anything for the longest and the hospital never put it online for me. The doctor who ordered it took his time in getting the report himself and never gave me any real information. Finally my surgeon called and got it himself and gave me the printout and explained it to me. 

I hope you get some information soon and things are going well. My thoughts and prayers are with you, also. I appreciate everyone here so very much!

It's not an easy process and I have so much more that has to be done. I've had 7 radiation treatments and 9 days of chemo pills. The bowels are starting to be loose and my bottom is stinging. But what can you do but keep on keeping on. I hate this so much. 

Hugs to you all.

I don’t know how I’m going to make it. I bought a sitz bath and ordered radiagel. Nothing seems to be enough at this point. 

I think I’ll have to work up to time on the sitz bath. It helps but sitting like that seems to make pressure where I can’t stand it after a few minutes. I may need to work on that, but I do believe it helped the burning after going to the bathroom to ease quicker.