My Anal Cancer Experience

I'm coming up on 3 months post chemo/radiation treatment from stage 3C. Had an exam from the surgeon last week It wasn't a scope he used but just his finger - pinky, thank you! He said everything felt good and basically how it would feel for someone who has had radiation.

I have my PET scan next week and praying that comes back good, too. Most days I feel pretty good but I work at home so I'm not exerting myself much all day. I can still get a bit tired if I go out and some of that is probably because I'm too sedentary in general. Hard to work in exercise to my day.

I'm also meeting with a therapist for some pelvic floor therapy next week. I'm curious what they can teach me other than kegels. I feel stiffness in my hips so want to also work in some kind of exercises to keep them loose. Maybe get a hula hoop or recently saw hot hula as an exercise that looked interesting but not sure I can do that even pre-treatment! But it looks like fun!

I too have a hard time holding in a bowel movement. It is like an alarm clock and gets me up every morning at 6:30 and no stopping it. I don't go out too much but do try to know how my body is doing that day to know if it is a good idea or if I should stay home. Hard to know if a restroom will be available or close by. I'm hoping this gets better with time and maybe some of the pelvic floor therapy will help - I am hoping! It makes some things in life a little more complicated and hard to explain to those who are not close why you can't go somewhere.

Crossing my fingers for next week! Treatment seems like a bad dream now. I did relatively well with it but the last two weeks were the hardest with mostly being tired and the burning when urinating or pain with bowel movements. The first two weeks after treatment were also hard but everything got better day by day and week by week. I'm so glad that part is over! I kept telling myself that this time next week I'll be feeling better and it helped me deal with each day.

I finished my treatment January 15, 2022. I keep telling myself it was a bad dream. Most times I feel great and then I am out in public and the urgency to go comes. I take Metamucil 2x a day and that helps but the unknowing of when those urgent bowel movements are going to come is really unsettling. I used to walk with friends outside, but now have to walk on the track at the gym, just to be close to a bathroom. I go to a spin class 3x a week, but most classes have to get off bike to go to the bathroom at least once. (classes are at 6:30 am). I get up at 5a.m., and usually go 2x before I leave for gym. My biggest fear is one of these days I am going to be out and not make it to the bathroom on time. Do you guys feel that way? How humiliating!

That's so discouraging. It seems like the BM issue doesn't really go away and I hate it!! I do take Metamucil. It does help but I still have BM emergencies even in the afternoon. But, I guess it beats the alternative, which the surgeon did tell me about. I don't think I would have surgery to remove everything and have to go in a bag. Have to stay positive.😄

I have found that the psyllium product I use has helped to "slow things down" when I remember to drink it about 30 minutes prior to dinner. I can usually take care of all my stuff in the morning when waking on days following that proper dose. I had to start very slowly at about 1/6th the amount on the directions. I've worked my way up to about 2/3 of the directions amount now. Must take with plenty of water!!!

The taste and texture took some getting used to, had to try a few versions, but I have one brand I can tolerate and a few flavors to choose from. I use a shaker bottle and room temp water and chug it on the way home from work so it has time to work with that evening meal fibrin me a much better morning most days. I'm still avoiding raw leafy greens, but most other foods are manageable with the use of the psyllium supplement.

Give it try, but start small and work your way up to an amount that works for your body. Good luck!

Yes, that is always a fear. At least for now but I hope it gets better.

I do very little dairy, I switched to dark choc almond milk mixed with nondairy muscle milk during treatment when all I craved was choc milk. It's easier to have dairy again now, but I limit it. I am terrified to eat a while salad still. I have a bite here and there.

The product I use is called Fiberwise I have to buy it online with my other wellness products, it's not sold retail to preserve the freshness of it's ingredients.

I can't stand the idea of being a homebody so I keep trying to plan things after 10am as much as possible, I keep a back up outfit with me at all times. And when I feel the urge...I do NOT DELAY!

3 months post treatment petscan and scope next week on Thursday! Once that's over, I'm going to celebrate with my hubby and eat Mexican food AT a restaurant on Friday night AND I'll have a raspberry margarita! The rest of my weekend calendar is cleared...just in case!!

Good luck with your scans. I have mine on January 23.

Praying that your scans were all good and you can enjoy the holidays!

I too take Metamucil 2x a day. Occasionally I will take the Lomitol if my stomach is queasy and I need to go out. After reading the first post here, I may give the Lglutamine a try as well.

I am a 56 year old male and have the same problem. It has been 14 months since my last treatment. I take Metamucil as well. I started taking the Metamucil only once a day and this helped. While I believe I need the Metamucil (constipation is my problem), I think the gel it turns into in your body makes it more likely for accidents to happen. Up until recently, I would occasionally have some mucus come out when accidently passing gas, I noticed this dramatically reduced when I started taken less Metamucil. I have been growing more brave as time passes when I need to go out and don't worry as much. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and that it does get better even if ever so slowly.