Anal cancer diagnosis

Hi Jule14 I am really sorry that you are having to go through cancer treatment again! Once treatment starts we kind of get into a routine. Looking at your list and only having a shower that’s where the sitz bath will become your best friend. I know many on here did fine on the hospital creams and gels but I did purchase a protective gel called StrataXRT and used that from the very first day of treatment. It is applied very thinly and stays on continuously changing every 12 hours. You don’t have to remove it for the actual radiotherapy treatment like the other creams. This helped keep my skin intact externally and around the four and a half weeks into treatment it just started to feel a bit red. The cons are it’s expensive and can only be bought online but they do a fast delivery. Leeds hospital did a trial on this with great success but the NHS did not continue to use due to costs. I bought the largest tube which took me right through and a few weeks after although I will admit I went and bought a small tube towards the end as I worried I would run out and when you go to the toilet you need to reapply just to make sure you are covered. It’s transparent and should not feel sticky unless you apply too much. Also I bought some ladies soft cotton boxer type knickers a size up as I didn’t want them to rub. I also bought a couple of pairs of harem trousers which drooped at the crotch which looked rather cool actually! I also bought some cranberry juice as the early days treatment can affect your bladder. When I went on my first visit to see the oncologist she said about every single side effect that could possibly happen and I’m glad to say most of us don’t get them all and not all at once. As you experience the side effects you deal with them and get plenty of ideas on how other lovely members here coped with them as we are all different. You will get members here come and give some ideas I have not thought of. Take care

Julie

Dear Julie,

thank you for your response. I popped out and got some soft boxers and some cranberry juice.  I am going to order the cream so thanks for that recommendation.  Hope all is well with you.

Julia 

Can I ask where you got the cream online as I’m looking at a link which is is Switzerland? 
thanks 

Hi Jule14 

the company I bought from I can not seem to find but it was five years ago. I found a company called PHARMEDEN which a tube of 20g is on offer at £47 which covers 30 days at twice a day. They post from Sweden and FedEx for £7.50 but takes up to 12 days. It might we worth searching other sites

Julie

Thanks Julie,

I have ordered it and was the last tube on the website whilst I try to find it elsewhere.

one other thing how did you find food whilst on treatment?

Was really happy to hear you are 5 years on from your treatment.  

Morning Jule12,

whilst having treatment my diet was very plain. As the days go on I found my bowel frequency increased and the urgency. Radiotherapy can irritate the bowel lining. My tumour was virtually on the internal sphincter muscle and admittedly I had some problems and was recommended to try the FODMAP diet which helped enormously but is quite restrictive. I do still have some problems but it is down to the two surgeries and treatment that has weakened the internal sphincter which you cannot do much about. Some members tumours are in different areas so maybe not so affected. I also have some stenosis but going to see a gastroenterologist in December. I live a good life but do have to make sure I eat the right fibre as constipation can cause problems. When you start treatment you must ensure you do not get constipated and drink plenty of water. Going to the toilet can be quite uncomfortable but I would fill the sitz bath with warm water and sit on it which helps the muscles relax and even had to pass stools in water at times. Before this cancer I never talked about pooing etc but now it’s what we all do and should not get embarrassed. But again when you wash that area always replace the strata gel which is a sterile healing balm to protect your skin. My oncologist had never heard of the stuff but I downloaded the literature and she agreed I could use it and the nurses were amazed at how my skin was doing. I did get some internal swelling around the sixth week and quite sore and bought some powders from Amazon that use add to water and soak a flannel wring it out and place it on the area. I will look up the name and let you know. Something else I thought of. Exercising the pelvic area every day involving laying down and bringing each knee to the chest then feet together to the chest then stretching outwards. Lots on YouTube to help and I have no back or hip issues and go to strength training. I’m 71 and feel fit apart from having to plan my days especially if I have treated myself to curry! Life is good but a bit different and well worth it. 

Julie

Domeboro powders help soak overwet skin and help stop the itching 

Hi Julie,

thanks for taking the time to give me all your tips. I will look up the Fodmap as I’ve not heard of it. My partner has been nagging me to do these exercises so he smiled when I shared this with him. He says it’s very informative and you have a calming way of giving the information that we are both grateful to have. I’m 62 this month so feeling optimistic from what you have gone through. Thanks again and happy to hear you are living a good life with some adjustments.

Thanks again 

Julia 

Hello Jule14 

A warm welcome to the forum although I am so sorry that you have to be here at all, and having treatment for the second time for cancer.  The shock of the diagnosis isn't helped by all the appointments, scans and and biopsies you have to go through before treatment starts.  But you really sound really well prepared and Jaycee12 has given excellent advice.

So tomorrow it all starts, the first day can be long but after that, if the radiotherapy department runs smoothly you should be in and out in less than half an hour.  Don't worry about not having a bath, I only showered all during treatment and always had the Sitzbath ready.

I bought were incontinence pants as treatment gave me diarrhoea.  I never actually needed them but I felt a bit safer.  And stick on disposable waterproof squares for the bed as I did have very slight fluid leakage and I wasn't going to change the bed in the middle of the night.  But not everyone has that.

And it is a good idea to have very easy to prepare food; as treatment progresses you may not feel up to full meal preparation and indeed your tastes may well change, I survived on cheese, mustard and chopped onion on toast every day!  It was the only thing that tempted my taste buds.

Wishing you all the best for tomorrow

Big hug

Irene xx

Hi Irene,

thanks for the welcome and advise. 4 days completed and I have to say I’m looking forward to Saturday/Sunday off. Had my first review today and bloods taken which were ok. Radiotherapy appointments are running more or less on time and staff have been lovely. Getting used to the routine and what meds to take when. I don’t have much of an appetite but trying different things of small portions more often to try and tempt myself. 
Hope you are well and thanks for your advise too. 
Julia