Hello, new here for supporting my mum x

Hello Nan

I am really sorry to hear about your Mum and so pleased that she has you beside her to support.  Her treatment isn't quite the usual Nigro Protocol but this may be because of her age they are checking to see what she can cope with.  But if she is getting the same dose as we all get, she will miss most of the extreme side effects which don't normally start until around the third week.  But the fatigue can start immediately and she just needs to give in to this and take lots and lots of rest.  And eat what she fancies too, appetite can be affected.

She might have an upset stomach and diarrhoea too and I found wearing Tena briefs was an additional safeguard.  In the event I never needed them but I felt that little bit safer.

There is a forum on here for family and friends but if you want information specifically about anal cancer this is probably the best place to be.

Please come back and let us know how she is.  And take good care of yourself too, carers need nurturing too.

Big hug

Irene xx

Thank you so much Irene, I really appreciate your reply. She has COPD too so that’s has had an impact on her treatment. 
good to know when the fatigue will start, so I can help manage that with her 

I will look at the family section? Thank you. Am I ok to ask here about her treatment please? 
I will get some Tenas for her, she’s been using maternity pads for her bleeding so far. 
thanks again, so grateful for your insight. Take care xx 

Hi Nan25

I'm sorry about your mum. Like Irene said your mums treatment isn't the usual that most of us have had, but hopefully that means she won't get the issues that come with it. Make sure she keeps well moisturised in the area being treated her treatment team will advise which creams she can use (different hospitals seem to ok different things ). Personally I didn't get tired until treatment finished. I did suffer with wind pain from the start and had to cut veg from my diet to sort it. I also found having a poo took ages right from the beginning aswell. The side affects come on over time, my essentials were water wipes and wearing mens baggy boxers. I also found letting as much air as possible to the the treatment site helped. You can ask about anything on here everyone is either going through it or been through it and they will be here to support you and your mum however you need doesn't have to be cancer related. Sending hugs. Xx

Hi Nan,

 I am sorry to hear about your mum’s diagnosis. This is an anxious time for both of you and it’s good that you have found this forum. It’s a great source of sound and practical advice as well as support.

You are clearly very supportive and it’s lovely that you are checking out tips to help prepare your mum. 
It’s not the standard treatment but hopefully will give less potential side effects.

 I think the others have given great advice- loose soft clothes, keeping the area moisturised, stocking up on simple easy foods, water wipes, a sitz bath from Amazon. Your mums team will monitor closely and prescribe creams, laxatives and pain relief if needed.

You are welcome to ask absolutely anything on here and there is always someone who can help.

A big hug and a warm welcome to you x

Hello Nan25

The link is

 https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/family-and-friends-forum/ 

You can ask anything at all here, there is a wealth of experience and this is a very caring community that offers lots of tips and help.

Irene xx 

Hi Nan25 ,

I see you’ve already had warm welcomes from a few of our lovely members already & id like to offer you another although I’m so very sorry to hear of your mums very recent diagnosis. 

I see you’ve already been given some ideas of what to expect from your mums radiotherapy, just to add another side effect can be radiation cystitis, I developed this in week 2 of my treatment, unlike bacterial cystitis it can’t be treated with antibiotics so getting your mum to stay well hydrated is a must, I drank no added sugar cranberry juice & lots of water & it soon passed.

I agree with what’s been said already in the fact that you need to look after yourself also, it will be your first response to take care of your mum & thats natural but sometimes supporting someone who’s received a cancer diagnosis can be as difficult as dealing with the diagnosis yourself. I see Irene has already offered you the link to the Family and friends forum there you can speak with others in a similar situation to yourself who are supporting a loved one through their journey.

Please continue coming back here though as there’s lots of advice & tips from those of us that have been through treatment for anal cancer. We’re here to support you & your mum however we can. 

Nicola