One year on…side effects

Hello Clarhedge 

It's lovely to hear from you again and I am so pleased that generally, everything is going well. 

Unfortunately some people (not all) are left with sensitive, fragile skin in the area, internally and externally, after treatment and although it can improve after time, it sometimes never goes back to how it was before.  You may have radiation proctitis - I have - and it can take some time to get used to the new normal.  

However, you are right to bring it up with the oncologist so she can check you out thoroughly.  And you might find that your GP will be helpful too.  I mentioned various issues to the oncologist and whilst I had really excellent cancer treatment they seemed to regard issues down the line as par for the course and weren't able to offer much in the way of treatment.

Please let us know how you get on when you see her, I and I guess quite a few others will be interested in what she has to say.

Irene xx

Hi Irene

I did wonder if it was proctitis. Do you have the feeling of inflammation inside? I have days of pain then it will go away for a week or two. 
My oncologist is very good I am lucky. I am not looking forward to having the safety net of seeing her and her team taken away. I have had an appointment recently with the surgeon at my local hospital who said he’ll follow me up for five years once oncology discharge me. I assume that must be standard follow up?

Xx

Hi Clarhedge , I suffered a lot of what I presumed was internal inflammation during & following my treatment. Straight after treatment, like with most people that go through this particular treatment regime, it was a permanent fixture but as time moved on, like you, it seemed to be after BM’s, I always mentioned this at my review appointments as I would also get a bit of bleeding if the BM was difficult, both my oncologist & colorectal surgeon agreed it was most likely a fissure. Things gradually settled over time. I hope things settle down for you soon. 

Nicola 

Hello Clarhedge 

Yes, I still have a sore back passage, and also piles (which came back with a vengeance during treatment).  I now have a stoma, so shouldn't really still have pain in the area, but I do, not agony but I do wince if I sit down with a bump!  I have cushions strategically placed round the house and in the car and they help.

My experience regarding follow-ups isn't quite the norm as I was stage IV at diagnosis so have had checks every three months apart from last September when it was extended to six months.  So in March, when I have my next check, it will be four years since any treatment.

I admit to feeling a little concerned when you said that your oncologist was discharging you after a year, but if another expert in the field is checking you thoroughly for the next five years then that sounds more the norm.  It wouldn't do any harm to ask your oncologist if the follow-ups with the surgeon includes scans, which is what most forum members have.

Best of luck at your appointment, please let us know how you get on.

Irene xx