Diagnosed

Hi  -yes and yes! This is the usual treatment for rectal tumours and can have good effect - mine shrank from 4cm to 1cm and it allows the surgeon the best chance of removing the tumour with clear margins and rejoining the bowel.

The chemo will be capecitabine tablets which is given in a mild form to enhance the effect of the radiotherapy. The tablets are in 2 sizes and the large ones are quite big - I pretended they were vitamin tablets! My only real side effect was tingly feet so keep them well moisturised with a cream like Aveeno with Shea butter or udder cream which you get online. I’ve attached a link to the Macmillan page about it - there might look to be a lot of side effects but people rarely get all of them!

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/chemoradiation-for-rectal-cancer

You may find that fatigue kicks in towards the end so listen to your body and rest up if you need to. You may be given loperamide to combat any loose bowels and a cream to apply to the area being treated to prevent any soreness.

The radiographers will keep a close eye on you so you can mention any issues to them when you go. I found the treatment stopped my rectal bleeding and my stools were less thin. By the time it came round to my scan 8 weeks later I’d almost forgotten I was ill.

The worst bit for me was the waiting about with a full bladder so I used to ask for early morning appointments when there was no backlog then go into work after

Take care

Karen x

I will need to have a full bladder for radiotherapy? My bladder isn't the strongest and probably will end up wetting myself.

they are arranging further scans too as they not sure if it has got to my prostate. 

I have an appointment with the Consultant on Thursday Morning at 10am. 

Hi Bolero, I had the same as you at Guys before having a LAR. It was very effective and reduced the tumour to the point where the surgeon almost didn't operate, though he did in the end.

You will be marked with small dots so that they can line you up each time in the correct position on the table and the actual procedure takes only minutes. As it came to my turn I was told to prepare and this meant emptying my bladder then drinking 300ml of water. Some people had more or less but they need to have the same and correct amount each time. Then I sat for 30 minutes or so before being called through and, yes, I was having to hold on tight. Quick trip to the loo afterwards!

I didn't have any terrible or lasting side effects from either the radiotherapy or the capecitabine and I had a regular blood test and review during the treatment.

All the best for your treatment

John

Hi Bolero,

I'm about to start something very similar to you (Five days of Radiotherapy followed by six rounds of oral Chemo) so i'm following this thread with interest! I was marked up last week and the staff were really nice and friendly - the whole set-up was very re-assuring so I'm fairly relaxed about it all now.

I hope it goes well for you 

Cheers

Rivs

Hi . I had to lie on my front with a full bladder but my friend had to lie on her back with an empty bladder so maybe it depends on the actual position of the tumour? I had some IV chemo before my radio as part of a clinical trial. After being pumped full of liquid chemo followed by 3 cups of water I was seriously eyeing up the waste bin in the changing room afterwards.   
Hope Thursdays meeting goes ok x

Lol.. the waste bin. 

At the end of the day, it is what it is I guess. I will get on with as I want this intruder out on body. 

I have an appointment to see the Consultant on Thursday 14th. So hopefully the treatment will start asap after that. I'm eager to get it started. Although I'm not looking forward to the possibility of feeling ill with the treatment.  

I will keep you informed. 

Xx

Excuse my ignorance.. what is a round. Is a round per session?

Thank you, I truly wish you all the best with your treatment too. 

This helps me feel a little more relaxed about it all. Daunting all the same. I'm trying to take it one day at a time. 

Bolero

Hey, thank you so much for this. It gives me hope. I have a large ulcerated Tumour. They need to shrink it within margins to operate. Fingers crossed.

I hope continues to go well with your treatment to get that intruder out of your body. 

Bolero

Thanks Bolero, in fact my intruder left two years ago and, following mop up chemo, a stoma and a reversal last year, I have just had a two year blood test that is clear, so I hope that your treatment is as effective.  John

PS, love the idea of the waste basket Karen!