Radiotherapy

Hi JDTb698a5 

Welcome to the club none of us want to be in. You have come to the right place, everyone one is either going through it or been through it and will have your back and support you however they can . Im just over 9 months post and cancer free so far. Everything you are feeling is totally normal a cancer diagnosis is a complete head f**k in my opinion. Ask questions, nothing is out of bounds or just unload  whatever you need. I personally never had a sitz bath but a lot of people do, my non negotiables were water wipes and men's baggy boxers. I also had a thing called a limbo sleeve for showering as all my chemo was intravenous via a pump weeks 1 and 5 and i could get my picc line in plus the pump when it was attached, but you may have oral chemo, most people on here seem to, so then you wouldn't need one. Keep your team posted on everything and ask for pain relief and creams if you need them don't wait for them as some hospitals are more forth coming than others. One thing I will say is any creams etc you are going to use get your team to ok them first as different hospitals seem to ok different things. Sending hugs

 Xx

Hi

Im sorry to hear about your diagnosis and understand that it's probably been a big shock 

I was diagnosed a few weeks ago and waiting for oncology on the 20th. It's all new to me and very daunting. I've also been reading up on this site to get tips on how to deal with symptoms etc and have been wondering about this shitz bath etc.

Take care for now xx

Hi Ian L c2e27 

Welcome to the forum. I won't repeat but I echo everything I said to JDTb698a5 . Sending hugs. Xx

Hello JDTb698a5

A warm welcome to the forum you would rather not visit, but you have come to the right place for support and tips - we have all been through it or are going through it so completely understand your feelings.  The first few weeks/months are terrifying, going through a state of fear, disbelief, apprehension and not knowing what the future holds.  Although you may not be capable of having positive thoughts right now, once treatment starts you will feel a lot more in control of what is happening to you and all of a sudden things don't look quite so bleak.  The treatment is tough but doable and has a very high success rate and there are lots of forum members who are here to tell the tale and support others.

I couyldn't have done without the Sitz bath, wonderful for soothing the nether regions once side effects kick in and even for using as a loo - it is much less painful going underwater.

Please come back and let us know when treatment is due to start, and the best of luck next week with the consultant.

Big hug

Irene xx

Hi Ian I just had to respond to your post and the Sitz bath spelling. Shitz bath could be a very appropriate way to spell it due to some finding this bath useful for exactly that. Ha ha

Hi there, thanks for all the advice, yes I have the baggy shorts lined up already, my colorectal nurses are really good, one even rang me at 7pm yesterday to answer a question I asked earlier o  the day, so hoping I'll get plenty support from them.

Glad you're doing ok. 

Good luck with your appointment.  I think the waiting is the hardest thing.

Are all the sitz baths about the same? Haven't had a proper look yet but seen some on Amazon.

Yes just want to get started now. Unfortunately I  have liver Mets as well so taking that in has been very hard. Hoping next week brings some structure then I can start processing.  I haven't told my 3 adult children yet as need to know more about my treatment, that's going to be very hard, we don't live close to them either, but normally travel to see them all every 3 weeks which will be hard not doing whilst I am having the radiotherapy. 

Need to get my positive head on still.