Side effects of treatment

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Hi Everyone,

I am new to this group and I have joined for my grandad to get more of an idea what he is in for. He was diagnosed with bowel cancer 3 weeks ago and has his first appointment with the consultant next week. They want him to have radiotherapy and oral chemo for 5 weeks then an operation to remove the rest. I was wondering what he would expect from the treatment and what things could we get to make it more comfortable for him. I am looking into some sort of haemorrhoids ring to ease any pain the radiotherapy may give him, would it help?

Any advice would be great thank you.

Kareno62 over 3 years ago

Hi noje and welcome to the board. I’ve attached a link to a post that we started about chemoradiotherapy which may give you a heads up? It’s hard to predict what side effects your grandad may have - he may get a sore bottom or may be absolutely fine. The radiographers and nurses will keep a close eye on him and will give him creams to use on the area being treated.
https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/new-here-say-hello/227598/radiotherapy-care-top-tips

Wil66 Is there anything that you wish you’d had during your treatment?

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

crankshaft over 3 years ago

Hi Noje,

How old is your grandfather? I was 73 when I had the same five weeks of chemo radiotherapy before my operation. The side effects differ from one person to another but I didn't get any worth mentioning. I was a bit tired and the capecitabine affected my hands and feet a bit. I was reviewed regularly during treatment and if any problems had occurred help would have been given.

I hope he finds it as easy, it certainly worked for me in reducing the tumour. All the best to him, John

noje over 3 years ago in reply to crankshaft

He is 68. He is more worried of the side effects then anything else so just wanted to prepare for whats to come. Thank you for your advice and i wish you the best in your treatment and recovery.

crankshaft over 3 years ago in reply to noje

Thanks noje. The combined treatment worked for me and I am now clear for two years, so I hope that grandad has the same success. John

Wil66 over 3 years ago in reply to Kareno62

Hi noje, i had 5 weeks of chemoradiotherapy and 2 weeks in after the last session. The side effect ive experienced is diarrhea in the 4th week(twice in one day) but is corrected with loperamide. I also had a bit of sore bottom which was relieved with hydrogel cream. Hope this help you

Catdad over 3 years ago

Hi,

I'm currently having the same treatment, combined radiotherapy and oral chemo (capecitabine) & am now on my 5th week.

I was exactly the same, more worried about the side effects than actually having cancer!

As others have said, side effects are different for everyone. I've so far been very lucky, the only real side effects being extreme tiredness and a touch of diarrhoea.

The best advice I was given? Listen to your body-if you're tired, have a nap. I was also advised to buy a digital thermometer and check my temperature regularly as this helps spot possible infections.

The most important thing to tell him is to speak to his Colorectal or Oncology teams if he has any concerns, no matter how small they may seem.

I hope his treatment goes well and as smoothly as possible.