Treatment Finished Side Effects After

Hi Mac1710 When they tell you at beginning of treatment “ it’s going to be brutal” I think that’s an understatement!  Like your mum I had a very sore butt and walked as though I’d got off a horse!!! I think it was Bungle1 who described doing a poo very aptly as passing a razor blade dipped in acid. For me it was probably 4 weeks after end of treatment everything started to ease. Your mum will get there and I know the feeling of ..is this ever going to end, is just awful!!!  but it will!! She is doing better than me I ate very little. You are not waffling at all, just like that all will be okay. Keep in touch with the nurses they will help you as well. I do hope everything eases for your mum soon, and for you. 
Hugs xx

Hi Mac1710 I'm sorry your mum is suffering but well done to her for getting through the treatment. It will get better. I think we all heal at different speeds. If your mum is comfortable with it get her to go commando as much as possible let the air get to everything. I didn't have dressings but I know Irene75359 did so hopefully she will see your post and give you some advice on them. Sending hugs to you and your mum. Xx

Hi Flowerpot26 you are correct, that is my description  xx

Hello Mac1710 

I feel so sorry for your Mum; even thinking and remembering about this is making me shudder.  I also had severe burns and was under the specialist tissue nurse.  I had Flaminal Forte and used that in conjunction with Polymem dressings.  The Polymem is a sheet of what looks like thin foam rubber and can be cut to size.  Put on a dollop of Flaminal Forte so the sore is well covered and stick a foam pad on top.  My buttocks kept the foam in place, I used to lose bits down the loo but would reapply the gel after every visit and put more foam squares on top.  I had so many sores I wore pants to keep the others in place.  So your Mum should always have gel and a dressing on.  These Polymem dressings are very expensive and I do hope your Mum can get her treating team to prescribe them, they really made a huge difference to me.

At the time I couldn't see beyond each day but probably around the end of week three after treatment ended, I felt just that little bit better and my sores began to heal.  The fatigue carried on for some time but this is the body fighting to repair itself, the best thing she can do is rest, but at the same time to move as much as she feels capable of when she does get up.  I would agree that going home next week may be too soon.  But you have her eating, that is a huge plus.  

And finally, you didn't waffle in the least, please don't apologise.  And please let us know how she (and you) are getting on.  I'm touched that you are caring for your Mum so well, my daughters took great care of me and I admit that I distinctly feel that our roles have reversed somewhat!

They gave me a little plaque 'this too will pass' and it did.

Big hug to you both

Irene xx

Hi Mac1710 , firstly I’m so very sorry that your mum is having to go through this right now & that you’re experiencing seeing her go through so much. 

Those couple of weeks following that last radiotherapy session really can be awful. As you’ve described the burns get worse the fatigue seems relentless, I slept A LOT during that time literally moving from bed to bath to sofa back to the bath & back to bed again. Then one morning I woke up feeling a little better & over the next couple of weeks I found I could sit a little longer, do a little more although I’d still have days where I did absolutely nothing due to fatigue so please don’t lose hope. 

Irene has given some great advice about the dressings she used & other members have commented about using the polymem dressings also so maybe they’d be worth a try. 

I'm praying that your mum turns a corner soon. Once the skin healing process begins it can happen quite quickly & I’m sure her spirits will lift once she can feel some improvement.

Sending lots of healing thoughts your mums way & a gentle hug to you & please never feel like you need to apologise for  ‘waffling’ it’s not viewed as that I can assure you & it’s exactly why we’re here. 

Nicola