Beginning radiation for rectal tumor

MeAndMine said:

Thank you Anne. What did you

Thank you Anne. What did you use on your blisters? My insides are like sticking together and burn so badly that I can't even stand for water to touch me. The back end was bad enough without now having this thrown into the mix. It's brutal.

I used Witch Hazel on my sores.  I purchased a good quality, organic. My sores were weeping terribly, and this really helped. 

Tru

MeAndMine said:

Thanks Tru! I bought witch

Thanks Tru! I bought witch hazel and made up a spray with that and high quality aloe but didn't pay attention to the quality of the witch hazel. It has alcohol as an inactive ingredient so I feel like I wasted my aloe on that. I will use it for something else but don't want to spray alcohol in that area!

Also, my biggest problem right now is the inner labia area. I'm not sure what lotions or concoctions can go there. I asked if I could use the radia gel and at first my oncologist said yes then after looking at the ingredients, said probably better not to because it has something like sugar that could cause yeast. 

stings like crazy. 

I buy the alcohol free Witch Halel. 

Sometimes its a matter of trying several different thigns to see what works for you. 

I spent a vast amount of time sitting around (on a special, soft blanket) with no underware, just letting the air get to those places. Curtains closed, doors locked, you would find me in whatever position it took for to allow the air to flow - if you get my drift. 

It is a wicked thing, and telling you it will be over soon doesn't help. Soon is just not soon enough. 

Tru

but the pain will continue for a while.  I reemember thinking, while knowing I was wrong, that it would all be better once radiation stopped, but of course it doesn't.  I won't tell you how long it took me, because we are all different. 

And you won't break, you have already proved that you are strong. 

Tru

I'll be thinking about you all day.. Congrats on making it to your last treatment. Remind yourself that you will not have to go through this part in that area again.  If they give you the option, ring the damn bell. It will give you such a sense of accomplishment. 

Just know that you have people rooting for you, and I'll be mentally holding your hand all day.

Congrats on making it through! I'm so happy for you and proud of you! Rest rest rest. Then get your butt in gear when you feel better. What's next on your treatment schedule?

MeAndMine said:

Surgery

I’m so very miserable. I need a break but i know there’s nothing to be done but get through it. So much pain. Next up is surgery with probable colostomy as the tumor is very low. 

It’s still early morning on the first day after radiation was completed and I don’t know how to make it through the day much less the week. 

One foot in front of the other is the way many of us have made it through.  Meditation helped me, and sometimes a good stiff drink.  And even on the worse days, exercise was always a retreat for me.  You might want to consult with your doctors about help making it through.  Good luck with all of this.

If radiation tends to burn your bun,consider Radia Gel frome Walmart.  It's very soothing and quite cheap!  Good luck to you!

What about Nystatin cream? Can you call your oncologist and ask about that? They tried treating me with that first, didn't make the blisters go away, but it did relieve some of the burning.