Hi, this is my first time here, I hope you can help with any tips to help my mum who was diagnosed in December and stated radiotherapy this week. Her main issues are with discomfort on her bottom area. I have bought her a sitz bath. Should she be applying anything to the area whilst she is having the treatment? She has a rectal tumor. She is 79 and being very brave but cannot really access any support online. Any advice will be gratefully received and apologies if you have to repeat earlier messages. I am not au fair with how these forums work.
Hi Hereformum ,
Firstly welcome to the MacMillan Online Community although I’m so sorry to hear of your dear mum's recent diagnosis.
Personally I was provided with cream by my radiotherapy team from day 1 although this was only a simple aqueous type cream. I was told no cream was to be used prior to radiotherapy sessions but I could use it afterwards & whilst at home. I would probably ask tomorrow at your mums appointment if there’s anything they can prescribe to help ease her discomfort, they may know of things that we don’t & will be best to advise. Also it’s worth mentioning if it’s the tumour causing the discomfort opposed to her skin some of our lovely members have noticed shrinkage once they’ve got into a couple of weeks of treatment especially those that have had tumours on the larger side.
Please don’t feel the need to apologise we’re here to support you however we can. I know your focus will be on your mum right now but please remember to take care of yourself too. Should you feel the need we also have Family and friends forum for those supporting a loved one who’s had a cancer diagnosis, if you fancy popping over just click the link & join the group the way you have here.
I hope your mum begins to feel a little relief soon. Let us know how she’s getting on.
Nicola
Hello Hereformum
I am sorry to hear about your Mum but relieved that she has you by her side - having that sort of support is so important as this treatment can be tough although has a very high success rate. I am presuming (please correct me if I am wrong) that her discomfort at this stage is due to the cancer and not the treatment. Hopefully the pain from the tumour will lessen as treatment progresses although she will probably have more pain later from the effects of radiotherapy. But you sound as though you are getting her well-prepared, lots of moisturising, gentle dips in the Sitzbath and lots of rest.
And please don't worry at all about asking any sort of questions - anything at all is discussed on here as the forum. Members here are either going through the same treatment or have been through it and have stayed around to help people just like your Mum (and you).
It is important that your Mum keeps in touch with her treating team as it could be that she needs some stronger painkillers right now than can be bought over the counter. So now, and all through treatment, keep the team involved. They have a range of painkillers, lotions and potions that can be prescribed that day and now is not the time for your Mum to be stoical about any pain she is going through.
We are always here to support you (and her), so please don't hesitate to come back.
Big hug to your Mum (and you)
Irene xx
Hi Hereformum,
I use to bathe every morning in Epsom salts, when I went for a wee I used E45 to wipe myself, then apply Cavilon or soberderm cream which I was given by my team. When I got to the point where you can get similar to thrush itching etc I used antihistamines which worked well and I found a Canastan cream that was a relief.
My skin stayed intact it just went brown and peeled, I truly believe that doing all the above help keep me skin in good condition while going through the treatment.
I had a stoma due to the size of my tumour so I didn’t really have any problems when pooing, iv read it can be quite painful.
To help with pain I had Oramorph which was a god send.
hope your mum sails through with no problem
Laura x x
Hi Hereformum
I'm sorry about your mum. Like others have said I would speak to her team at the next session they will be able to advise and give her some creams to help. I wore mens baggy boxers and used water wipes. I used E45 to start with and then the hospital gave me flamigel, flaminal hydro, flaminal forte and instillagel. Different hospitals seem to ok different things so it's best to go with what your mums hospital advise or check with them that somethings ok. Sending hugs. Xx
Thank you for responding, we will check with the hospital
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