I am 10 days post-treatment (6 weeks chemo/radiation) for anal squamous cell cancer

Hello One of many

You really are at the sharp end of the treatment and fatigue figures prominently when your body is working very hard to heal itself after the onslaught of treatment.  I was extremely lucky not to have itching but many other forum users have and found it difficult.  Some (not all) found anti-histamines helped.  And don't forget to ring your treating team if you are finding things really hard, care from them goes on beyond the end of treatment and they may be able to give you some medication to help.

Please don't be discouraged.  Things will get better, and probably quite rapidly, any day now.

Gentle healing hug

Irene xx

Hi One of many

I didn't really get any itching and can't really remember the exact timescale, but it was roughly by 2/2.5 weeks post and I had no pain or issues that bothered me. Hopefully you will be there soon. Sending hugs. Xx

I found I felt much worse after treatment had finished but that's what I was told to expect by other lovely members on here (& by treatment team) the treatment continues to work for some considerable time after last chemoradiotherapy session.  Not sure if you have invested in a Sitz bath but I found it a godsend for peeing & pooping during & after treatment for a number of weeks. 

You have managed to get through treatment which is AMAZING!! 

I sometimes felt like I should be feeling better/doing more etc because I didn't 'look' sick eg no hairloss & the like. Don't' be like me, be kind to yourself, take all the time you need to recover. Some people recover much quicker than others but that's ok. 

I think because our treatment plan is short in timescale we forget how much our bodies have been through.

Hoping & praying you feel much better soon.

Andrea

I’m 12 days post treatment and absolutely exhausted!! You feel like you shouldn’t be so fatigued but I think that this is the hardest part, in terms of tiredness. I’m slowly healing down below although still have some pain and soreness. In another couple of weeks we should feel a little better. 

Thank you all for your responses! Very helpful to understand that what I am going through is "normal". I live in the United States but I have found this forum to be the best of all of the cancer forums I have checked out. The participants are not only supportive and responsive, but I love the openness with which people describe their experiences!

I am 14 days post treatment and whilst my under carriage has healed a lot it’s still very sore and uncomfortable with blisters. I feel similar to you so happy to have finished treatment but very disappointed to still feel so tired and sore that I am not really able to do anything. But reading everyone’s very helpful posts I realise a little more patience is required, still more sleep and by Monday I might be in a different position. Stay strong we are nearly there. 

xx

Hi one of many , I’m only 2 days post treatment  . I’ve had a lot of itching , taking Brufen has helped . Don’t know how I’ll get through all this , I’m so sore especially if any urine touches my vagina . 
Reading the comments  on here and advise has helped . 
Wishing you well and a speedy recovery x

Hi,

To give you some encouragement I am now 16 days post treatment and everything has literally changed overnight. still slightly sore, not itching, no fatigue, I really do feel virtually normal again.

Stay strong and be patient your reborn day will come ..xxx

That is so encouraging! I am now free of any pain when peeing- such a game changer. The fatigue and itching are still there but getting a little better each day. The key is patience and being kind to your body! Thanks for all the responses.

Thank you! I do feel encouraged