Post Treatment - piles/blood

Hi Baby_sister

Welcome to the forum. Always best to check with your team but I would imagine its the damage caused by the radiotherapy being aggravated when you go to the toilet. I only had blood once when wiping post treatment but it was after passing a lot of very almost liquid poos. Sending hugs. Xx

Thank you Bungle1.  I will definitely check; hoping it will settle down. Hugs back xx

Hi Baby_sister ,

Firstly welcome to our little corner of the MacMillan Online Community, I’m so sorry to learn of your diagnosis but huge congratulations on completing your treatment. 

I didn’t suffer from piles pre or post treatment but a few people have posted on the forum that this has been an issue for them. I did suffer however with intermittent bleeding when having bowel movements, this would sometimes present as blood in the toilet, which was always scary as it looked like a lot in the water other times it was just a smear on the toilet paper when I wiped. I always mentioned it at my check up appointments & my oncologist suspected a fissure, this happened less & less over time & did resolved. I would advise always keeping your treating team informed of anything you’re concerned about. Hopefully you’ll be told it’s nothing to be concerned about at your review this week. Wishing you lots of luck. 

Nicola 

Hello Baby_sister

A huge cheer that you have finished treatment and in about a week or so you really should start to feel a bit better.  And isn't it wonderful not having to go to the hospital every day?  I know that the two or so weeks after treatment ends are the hardest, but bear in mind it is a tough but effective treatment and your body will be in overdrive trying to repair itself.  So be very kind to yourself, at this point it is all about rest and recuperation.  I am relieved that your oncologist is keeping on top of your pain relief, and if it is too much, ask for more - I had everything that was going!

The skin internally and externally is super sensitive and fragile following treatment (and generally remains that way) and even a hard stool can make you bleed.  Your bleeding could also be your tumour breaking down, but I am not medically qualified and in these early days I would run everything past your treating team, they will check everything out and reassure you.

And a big welcome to the forum - you can talk about anything on here!

Irene xx

Bless you, Irene. It's been a very tough time as my husband is in a Care home with a rare form of dementia coming on in his 60s, now in his 70s but I'm only 60 this year. So this was all a bit of a shocker at Christmas and I can't currently visit him.  I'm Blessed with huge family and friends support and that's the key. Thank you for your kindness in reaching out. I'll take everything to my medical team tomorrow. I know it'll get better and what a good time of year to be looking forward ️. Thank you. Baby Sister x

Oh Baby-sister

You really do have a lot on your plate and I am sorry to hear that.  I am so pleased that you have family and friends supporting you, you are absolutely right, that is the key and my heart goes out to some forum members who go through this alone.

I will be thinking of your tomorrow, please let us know how you get on.

Irene xx

Hi Baby_sister,

A warm welcome to the forum. It’s a wonderful place to find advice, guidance and support from people who have been through or are going through this ac journey.

Brilliant that you’ve completed treatment and must be a huge relief not to make the daily trips.

I definitely had some bleeding but it stopped after 2 weeks. Always a bit alarming to see blood. The radiation continues to work for some time after treatment and the tumour continues to break down, not to mention the inflammation which is internal and external. Always best to check though.

It sounds like a hugely challenging time for you given the circumstances with your husband. So good that you have good friends around you as I absolutely know how that helped me.

You sound very positive which is great, given what you’ve been through. We are lucky that there is effective treatment for ac and outcomes are pretty good.

Sending hugs x

Hello Peb24.
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words and hugs :) x

Thank you, everyone, for your kind replies. I had Radiotherapy review yesterday. She was pleased with my skin 'as expected for a week after end of treatment'. Bleeding has slowed down, not every time now. Oncologist rang today to see how I am. She explained I am still in the worst of it and another week or so before I start to experience the improvement; she's being real and encouraging me not to reduce pain relief just yet. Also, I find I have some energy each day but at some point I just hit a wall and have to rest. Radiotherapy still working and morphine; not surprised! Typing from the settee :) hanging in there. thanks for reading x

Hi Babysister,

It’s great to know that you have had some support and reassurance from your team.

Just try to keep ahead of the pain at the moment and rest as much as you need to. The fatigue is really normal and your body’s resources and energy are going into healing right now. Hopefully it won’t be too long now before you turn the corner. 
Sending hugs x