Im scared

Tracy figg
Tracy figg Member Posts: 36
in Anal Cancer #1

Im going to start treatment in a week. My health isnt good to start with how well radiation and chemo. Affect my other issues like i have ibm and cronic pain all the time. Whats the long term issues.

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Hi Tracy figg

    Welcome to this group, however, I'm sorry you have a reason to be here.  As you probably already know, treatment, while of short duration of 6 weeks or less, can be intense.  However, not everyone's experience is as bad as others, so perhaps you will have milder side effects than some of us.  Be prepared with pain medication and anti-diarrhea meds on hand, along with Aquaphor for your skin.  Stay well-hydrated--it's of utmost importance.  Eat protein with every meal or snack to promote healing. 

    As for long-term issues, there may be some, but you won't know that until you finish treatment and get into recovery mode.  These can vary from individual to individual.  My best advice is to not worry about that right now, but instead, concentrate on getting through treatment.  You can do this, just like so many of us have. 

    I wish you all the best and hope you'll keep us updated on how things are going.  Please ask any questions you might have along the way--we are here to help you.  You will get through this.

    Martha

  • Tracy figg
    Tracy figg Member Posts: 36
    #3
    mp327 said:

    Hi Tracy figg

    Welcome to this group, however, I'm sorry you have a reason to be here.  As you probably already know, treatment, while of short duration of 6 weeks or less, can be intense.  However, not everyone's experience is as bad as others, so perhaps you will have milder side effects than some of us.  Be prepared with pain medication and anti-diarrhea meds on hand, along with Aquaphor for your skin.  Stay well-hydrated--it's of utmost importance.  Eat protein with every meal or snack to promote healing. 

    As for long-term issues, there may be some, but you won't know that until you finish treatment and get into recovery mode.  These can vary from individual to individual.  My best advice is to not worry about that right now, but instead, concentrate on getting through treatment.  You can do this, just like so many of us have. 

    I wish you all the best and hope you'll keep us updated on how things are going.  Please ask any questions you might have along the way--we are here to help you.  You will get through this.

    Martha

    Thanks alot for your help

    Thanks alot for your help

  • Cazz
    Cazz Member Posts: 106
    #4
    Tracy figg said:

    Thanks alot for your help

    Thanks alot for your help

    Side Effects

    The thing that surprised me the most about the treatment was how tired I was.  For the first time in my life, I started taking daytime naps and had to drop my exercise routine almost entirely, so be prepared to carve out some rest time.  I marveled that the radiation was such a non-event for the first five weeks - you just go in, get in position, listen to music for eight minutes and that's it.  Of course the last week and the following couple were different when the burns set in, but you will find lots of advice on this forum about the different creams and the sitz baths and pain medications.  Its certainly not pleasant, but it generally only lasts a week or ten days before it eases up a bit.  You can do it.

    I found the chemo (mitomycin + 5-FU) to be the worst part as that gave me bad diarrhea and destroyed my appetite, but I tend to be sensitive to chemos and I have heard of other people who went in to work every day except for infusion day.  That was not me, I was destroyed for two or three days each time.

    I would say that if you have been dealing with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain, you will be okay with the treatment as most of the side effects are similar and usually short-lived.

    As for long term affects - nobody knows.  Martha has suffered horribly with them, as have others, however, in that regard, so far, I have been lucky.  16 months after radiation ended, the worst I tend to get is occasional diarrhea with the rare accident.  Still, it sounds like that would be nothing new to an IBS sufferer!

    Good luck.  You will feel so much better once the treatment has started and you are finally starting on the road to kicking cancer's butt!

    Carol

     

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #5
    Tracy figg

    Hi,

    I also want to welcome you although sorry you have had need to join us. It is normal to be scared of what we don't know and nearly impossible to just turn off....but if it helps know that we are all here with you. Some have been treated years ago, and some in treatment right now, so you are not alone.

    I was in extreme pain at the time I was diagnosed and began a regular pain management routine at the start of treatment. I was prescribed daily oxycontin every 12 hrs to stay ahead of the pain and continued throughout and for about a month or so after treatment and then weaned off. I'm not sure how that may fit into your current issues but I will pray you and your doctors find a plan that makes you as comfortable as possible.

    Like said by someone else, everyone is different and some have more side effects than others. The advice on staying hydrated and eating protien is important though, I think I ate greek yogurt and scrambled eggs every day! (Well I tried anyhow, my appetite took a dive)

    Please keep us posted as you move forward, and don't hesitate to ask anything as someone here will have some good advice.

    katheryn

  • Tracy figg
    Tracy figg Member Posts: 36
    #6
    eihtak said:

    Tracy figg

    Hi,

    I also want to welcome you although sorry you have had need to join us. It is normal to be scared of what we don't know and nearly impossible to just turn off....but if it helps know that we are all here with you. Some have been treated years ago, and some in treatment right now, so you are not alone.

    I was in extreme pain at the time I was diagnosed and began a regular pain management routine at the start of treatment. I was prescribed daily oxycontin every 12 hrs to stay ahead of the pain and continued throughout and for about a month or so after treatment and then weaned off. I'm not sure how that may fit into your current issues but I will pray you and your doctors find a plan that makes you as comfortable as possible.

    Like said by someone else, everyone is different and some have more side effects than others. The advice on staying hydrated and eating protien is important though, I think I ate greek yogurt and scrambled eggs every day! (Well I tried anyhow, my appetite took a dive)

    Please keep us posted as you move forward, and don't hesitate to ask anything as someone here will have some good advice.

    katheryn

    Thanks for all of you guys

    Thanks for all of you guys advise it help me. During treatment i well be alone most of the time so knowing that there is people i can talk to helps.

  • Tracy figg
    Tracy figg Member Posts: 36
    #7
    Cazz said:

    Side Effects

    The thing that surprised me the most about the treatment was how tired I was.  For the first time in my life, I started taking daytime naps and had to drop my exercise routine almost entirely, so be prepared to carve out some rest time.  I marveled that the radiation was such a non-event for the first five weeks - you just go in, get in position, listen to music for eight minutes and that's it.  Of course the last week and the following couple were different when the burns set in, but you will find lots of advice on this forum about the different creams and the sitz baths and pain medications.  Its certainly not pleasant, but it generally only lasts a week or ten days before it eases up a bit.  You can do it.

    I found the chemo (mitomycin + 5-FU) to be the worst part as that gave me bad diarrhea and destroyed my appetite, but I tend to be sensitive to chemos and I have heard of other people who went in to work every day except for infusion day.  That was not me, I was destroyed for two or three days each time.

    I would say that if you have been dealing with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain, you will be okay with the treatment as most of the side effects are similar and usually short-lived.

    As for long term affects - nobody knows.  Martha has suffered horribly with them, as have others, however, in that regard, so far, I have been lucky.  16 months after radiation ended, the worst I tend to get is occasional diarrhea with the rare accident.  Still, it sounds like that would be nothing new to an IBS sufferer!

    Good luck.  You will feel so much better once the treatment has started and you are finally starting on the road to kicking cancer's butt!

    Carol

     

    Thanks alot it helps to have

    Thanks alot it helps to have people to talk to

  • csalek
    csalek Member Posts: 23 Member
    #8
    Tracy figg said:

    Thanks for all of you guys

    Thanks for all of you guys advise it help me. During treatment i well be alone most of the time so knowing that there is people i can talk to helps.

    This has been a God send . I

    This has been a God send . I just finished treatment (started the week of Christmas)...I will be glad when I can say that I am 2 or 3 years out NED...until then I can just try to get through the effects of the chemo and radiation. I was really pretty good after I got over the first round of chemo....had several good weeks. The second round of chemo thru me off-got dehydrated and the last week of radiation was tough. Enjoy the days you feel good and rest the days you do not. Have things to eat and drink and I found the "she-pee" to be invaluable...when peeing was (and is )so painful at the end. Got mine from Amazon-someone on this board wrote about it. Good luck and God Bless.

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