Start of anal cancer treatment

Hi Positivepeople,

Thats great that you’ve relaxed into the routine, it’s strange how once you get started all of that pre-treatment stress seems to ebb away doesn’t it? I suppose it’s just partly fear of the unknown. Maybe the way you felt on day 3 was just a mixture of the treatment & the culmination of all the anxiety that surrounded starting? Once I got into treatment, maybe week 3, the fatigue was a biggy for me I couldn’t seem to get through the day without a nana nap & was usually in bed by 9pm at the very latest, I’m sure it’s some of the best quality sleep I’ve ever had!! But I just rested when I needed to & all was good. You sound as though you’ve got a great attitude towards this now & that really is half the battle. Keep marking off those sessions & you’ll be done before you know it. Well done.

Nicola

Hi, My treatment starts on the 15th June and I’ve been so scared about what it’s going to be like but reading your post has left me feeling more positive so thank you for that. Hope the rest of your treatment goes as well, please keep us posted with how you are, take care Marie 

Hi Mom of five. I'm a mum of 4 so we have some things in common. It's day 7 for me today, I'm just waiting to go into radiotherapy. I can honestly say that I'm feeling fine. I take a day at a time but so far all has gone really well. 15 June will soon come round. The waiting and uncertainty can make for an anxious time but once I had day 1 ticked off and I knew the ropes, I've just taken in in my stride. It's just a new daily routine with a bit of extra skin care and time for me. I'll keep posting progress reports if it helps. Try not to over worry. Bev

Hi Marie. 
Talk to your Radiographers. As I went into the room and asked me how I was I thought it was about being polite. Apart from that, they really DO want to know how you feel....if you’re sore...feel sick.....whatever. They then auctioned help for me. 
Following my first chemo I got travel sick, get anti sickness tablets, and I got Antisick sucky sweets too and took a bucket and wipes in the car with me. My mouth also hurt, tell the Radiographers....there’s mouth washes that work well. I had a 2 hour nap every afternoon after treatment. Encourage your children to have some quiet time so mumma can rest. Take care. 

Well said Lillian=) also staying  hydrated is very important, I know water will taste awful but there is things you can eat that will help you stay hydrated. Watermelon, cucumbers, celery, radishes etc also milk helps if your able to drink it. 

Thanks Bree.

I totally agree re the staying hydrated and always feel better and more able to cope when I’m not dehydrated, but still really struggle to keep drinking enough.

you suggestions re food are good and I’ll give that a try (I was rubbish at drinking enough pre diagnosis, so it’s even more of a challenge now that it feels like I’m peeing broken glass

Lil

I’ve come in on this conversation at the reply but I did feel like I was peeing glass. For a few days I put a square bowl in the bath and put in warm water and peed in the water. Sounds gross but it was way more comfortable to pee. 

Hi Marie, my treatment starts on 16 June and like you I'm dreading it. It is a great comfort to read the positive support and advice from all the lovely ladies though Most ladies seem to have discussed the radiotherapy side effects more than the chemo. Is that because they were the worst? What sort of side effects have you ladies had to deal with re the chemo?

Sending hugs to all

Hxx

Hi ,

Everyone is different I know but personally I had very few side effects from the Chemo. My hair went a little thinner & wasn’t in great condition after finishing treatment, I had a little tiny bit of nausea the first couple of days but was advised that was from the infusion on day 1 & I continued with the anti-sickness meds for the first couple of weeks but in hindsight I probably didn’t need them. My oncologist said you don’t generally get the severity of side effects from oral chemo that you do if it’s delivered via IV. The fatigue was a biggy for me but it’s difficult to say if that was from the chemo, the radiotherapy or just a mixture of both as both treatments are incredibly toxic to your system & therefore are bound to cause fatigue. My appetite was never affected & I continued to eat well throughout. I think you’re right in the fact that because the radiotherapy presents more physical symptoms that’s where the focus seems to be in discussions. 

Sending lots of good luck for the beginning of your treatment, I know nothing will stop your concern but try not to panic too much you will feel better once you’ve started & begin ticking off those sessions. 

Nicola 

Hi Nikki65

Thank you for your reply and sharing how it affected you. Im pleased you didn't suffer too much that's good to hear and I thought your comment was interesting from your oncologist re the oral chemo!

This is giving me some confidence which is what I definitely need so I am really grateful for your support. As for your kind words, I shall take those with me when I start. 

Thanks again and best wishes

Hxx