Heading into the home stretch - I need encouragement to keep going!

Hi Lululeo,

I remember going into the last few days thinking, I just can't do this anymore. I was pretty burnt already (the radiation technologists mentioned it), and the idea of subjecting myself to more of the treatment that was turning my skin red and raw seemed beyond tolerable. But just hang in there. The treatment for this type of cancer is pretty tough, but it will get better. Unfortunately, the two weeks after treatment are probably amongst the toughest, as the radiation really takes effect, so fortify yourself and stay strong. You will get through it.

I said, in a different thread, to keep posting, and I am glad to see you are doing that and reaching out for support. The people on this forum are lovely and will share their experience. For now, know that I am rooting for you and wishing you all the best as you get through the rest of treatment and through that tough period afterward. Keep posting and keep going. Xo

Hi Lululeo , you really are at the business end of this now & to coin a phrase at this stage it really is a case of mind over matter I think. You’re exhausted & sore but know your best chance of beating this is in completion of this treatment. You’ve got this! 

I wasn’t too bad until my final day of treatment, that’s when things really kicked off for me & I’ll be honest for the next 11 days I retreated! I’d suffered from fatigue from around halfway through my treatment but when I finished it stepped up a notch so I slept a lot, I went from bed to Epsom salt bath, to laying on the sofa, back to bath & back to bed again & that’s what got me through. I forgot about mealtimes & just ate little & often, I snacked my way through those 11 days, luckily I didn’t have diarrhoea, the opposite in fact which I suspect was more internal inflammation than true constipation but if diarrhoea has been a problem try & stick to a white diet, chicken, white fish, white bread, white rice, white potatoes etc., I know it’s bland & pretty unexciting but the less fibre the better right now! 

There is light at the end of this tunnel though, hopefully like many, me included, you’ll find that once you side effects peak healing begins & it’s amazing what your body does to repair itself in a short period of time, I felt improvements by the day, I would get a day every so often where I felt completely exhausted but the days in between I’d find I could do a bit more each day, taking my dog on a short walk felt incredible. 

Before your last treatment make sure you’ve plenty of whatever creams you’ve been advised to use as well as adequate pain relief, I survived on alternating paracetamol & ibuprofen 2 hourly as I can’t take any opiate based painkillers & remember don’t be afraid to give your treating team or GP a call if you feel you need something more. 

Lastly remember we’re always here to support you however we can. 

Nicola 

Hello Lululeo 

I hear you!  Every time I read a post such as yours it all comes flooding back with the utmost clarity.  For some of us this treatment can be really tough, there are a few that don't have extreme side effects but sadly I think they are in the minority. 

The positives; two more days and it will be over; no more daily trek to the hospital, no more shuffling to the trolley and counting the rotations of the machine.   Although things may well get worse before they get better you will be in your own surroundings and in your own little nest.  I seem to remember that a few other forum members from the US didn't get much in the way of pain relief (which is quite barbaric, given the pain levels that some go through) so please ask for enough to see you through.  And I had diarrhoea all during treatment too, I don't know if it was the radiotherapy or chemo but when that stopped and I was taking opioids - Oramorph and morphine capsules - I wasn't warned about the constipating effect (much to my cost).  So you must take a stool softener alongside.

You need to be very kind to yourself in the next few weeks, do just what you can and lots of rest and recuperation.  I lay on bed, legs akimbo, no underwear and watched lots of videos, anything to distract me from the next loo visit.  I used my Sitzbath three or four times daily for everything - bathing as well as for loo visits as it hurt less going under luke-warm water.  And then, things started getting better on a daily basis, so much so that three weeks after the end of treatment I completely stopped the pain relief.

This treatment has a very high success rate, yes we pay for it but please just keep telling yourself that to get you through the next couple of weeks.  You did it.  You will never have to go through that particular treatment again.

Gentle hug

Irene xx

Well done for managing this far! You’re doing so well. As Poppydays mentioned, the two weeks after treatment are probably the worst. Your treatment team should be giving you potions and lotions that will ease the pain. 
I am 16 months post treatment and (I’ll be perfectly honest) my bum is probably never going to be the same but it is manageable now. It was a long journey for me (mentally more so than physically) but with the right support I am getting there. There definitely is light at the end of the tunnel. 
Keep going, you CAN get through this, you’re almost there. 

Sending positive vibes and a big hug 

Sarah ️

 Lululeo Woohoo!!! You are SO brave and amazing and strong. You are nailing it and it WILL suddenly get better....you turn that corner JUST as you think you cannot take it any more...it lifts. That's a promise. Yes, some bits and bobs are different after treatment (that can wait!) but that relief when you pack away the polymem dressings and flaminal hydro.....and all the drugs....Then true healing starts xx get airing everything, doing very little and Netflix on xxx You got this!!!! 

Willow xxx