very unwell after treatment (chemoradiation)

Hi VickiA

Thanks for getting in touch with us. My name is  Tricia and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

I am sorry to hear about your dad’s diagnosis of rectal cancer  and  how much your dad is struggling since his treatment. Usually with  chemoradiotherapy the symptoms can get worse as you go through the treatment and this can continue for the first couple of weeks after the treatment ends. This does sound like the case with your dad’s side effects from chemoradiotherapy   and hopefully things will start improving soon.

Your dad should be having a follow up after his radiotherapy so hopefully that has been arranged. It is often about 6 weeks post treatment. If your dad’s symptoms don’t start improving soon or you have further concerns, then you could contact his Colorectal Cancer Nurse Specialist or the Consultant Oncologist secretary to see if he needs an earlier assessment.

The biggest concern now is that he is not drinking much. This can have an adverse effect on him leaving him dehydrated and affecting his kidney function. This can cause similar symptoms to the ones he is experiencing. He is at risk if the diarrhoea is persevering too. The bloods taken recently should have picked up any concerns regarding signs of dehydration on the day the bloods were taken. But going forward it is important that he drinks plenty of fluids. However, if your dad continues to drink very little, we advise he should contact his GP/111 for advice straight away as this is important for any new or worsening symptoms. I would try to encourage him to try and eat but he can just have little and often meals/snacks.

I hope the antibiotics have helped with the bladder infection. If there is any recurrence of these symptoms it is important that he is reviewed straight away to get any infection treated.

The  fatigue  can be due to various things including- the cancer itself, cancer treatments or low mood to name a few. It is reassuring he has had some bloods recently so that should have ruled out anaemia.  Managing fatigue  can be difficult but it is about making small steps which include gentle exercise such as going for a walk, resting when needed, and working out if there are better times in the day when you have a little more energy. There is a fatigue diary available that might help.

Your Dad may be struggling  with his  emotions also since the diagnosis and as you say going through a difficult treatment and I imagine likely surgery ahead. It can be  difficult knowing how to support someone with cancer. If your dad doesn’t want to talk about his cancer or how he is feeling, then you can help just by being there for him if he wants to chat. Please do look after yourself too and get support from others if you need it as it can be tough on family too. I see you have joined one of our cancer forums and I hope that has helped. There are other sites such as the Bowel Cancer forums that may also be helpful to yourself or your Dad.

I hope this has been of some help to you today. Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch at any time.

Sending best wishes,

Tricia
Macmillan Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

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