Anal cancer treatment etc

Tested in July, treatment start 22 Oct, end 26 Nov. Today is 10 Dec. I expect my 6 week review mid Jan.

I started moisturising (full pelvic area and undercarriage) after my planning scan appointment and after going through all the side effects I decided I was going to get everything and was really dreading it all so in preparation for the side effects I bought a sitz bath, salt, bicarb, face cloths, doughnut cushion, paracetamol, ibuprofen, Piriton, E45, Aveeno.

Day one of treatment, the chemo infusion left me feeling like I had drunk 15 pints of strong beer then been hit by a bus but this started to ease after 48 hours. Thereafter with chemo tabs and radiotherapy left meI felt a bit ropey and tired but good enough to cart on as normal for the first 3 weeks of radio. 

Appetite was affected so I ate what I wanted when I wanted. Don't go out and buy stuff you think you might want to eat/drink.  I did and it is all still sat there as my taste has completely changed. Took anti nausea drugs every day religiously.

Skin side effects started probably week 4 then intensified overnight coming into week 5 when I started taking pain relief.  The best drugs for me were paracetamol and ibuprofen every 4 hrs and then added morphine in the last week or so of treatment when the changes intensified after each treatment.  I continued with full pain relief until 5 Dec when I dropped the morphine. Today I am totally analgesic free and the pain is minimal.

Best friends during treatment right from the start was Flamigel and Dermol. Probably used a tube of flamigel every 3 days from the start of radio.  Once side effects were i full swing, the itching was intense so I took piriton as well which was a God send.  I also washed the area 3 times a day with the Dermol as a soap replacement.

Go commando! Literally, I would sit (lay) down, fully moisturised etc (pillow case under me), legs akimbo (sheet covering for discretion!). Did this from week 5 of treatment and I swear it really helped.

Talk to and listen to your review team. Everything they told me would happen, did happen, the severity depends on the person. If you need something on repeat prescription when you finish treatment, they will arrange this with your GP. Mine was intrasite (expensive to buy) and vaginal lubricant in preparation for the much anticipated (not) vaginal dilation routine we have to undertake as well!!!!

Sleep!  Rest!  Listen to your body, if you need to sleep then do so. Probably from week 4 I stopped any gentle exercise as I was too tired so basically did nothing but rest. 

I hope this helps someone. We are all different. Good luck to you all whatever stage you are at.  I look forward to my 6 week review and then hopefully my scan to confirm all clear, fingers crossed.