Hello everyone,
I haven't been on here for a while as things have been going pretty well since I finished my last cycle of xelox, then came Easter and I got "sized up" for radiotherapy. Started treatment (with slightly reduced dose of Capecitabine compared to xelox). I completed 2 weeks with no issues - maybe the odd bit of diarrhea and my bum was a bit sore but nothing bad...
Apologies in advance for my detailed descriptions 
Well, started week 3 last week and the side effects exploded... doing a poo feels like doing a marathon... it literally feels like my insides are turning inside out, I'm not even sure what the pain is, whether it's my piles (they are back with avengance) whether it's just irritated skin or the muscles have been overworked?! I mentioned this to my radio doctor and she prescribed me a special bidet wash (one awesome thing about Italy is bidets - I couldn't live without it!) and a cream for the skin. She has also said I can use my pile creams so I switch between an Italian cream I have and germoloids which have always helped me in the past.
Then the last couple of days I have been feeling very irritated ummmm... "up front"... they told me the treatment will probably bring on the menopause, totally ok with that - my priorities are getting rid of the alien - anyhoo, I think the "irritation" could be related to these changes or as a direct effect of the radio? Yesterday I was in agony and I went to the pharmacy who gave me a very gentle herbal cream which has definitely improved the situation...
OK I'm ranting I know, I wonder whether anyone has any words of advice or similar stories? I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself today, I keep telling myself that the pains and irritation are side effects from the treatment and nothing to do with the alien, I keep telling myself they will go away but I'm worrying they will get worse / take ages to go away.
I'm also gutted I have been told not to do exercise - so no running - booo... when I have the chance I've been doing a bit of yoga which I do enjoy and it does feel like I have done something but I'm feeling a bit frustrated in general. I know I've nearly finished, only 9 more sessions to go, I just need some support to help me dig deep again (I've been pretty good until now).
OK, rant over, really appreciate any advice or encouragement!
Love to all,
S xox 
Bless you court you always say the best things and your replies always help me so much 
so the bladder seems ok for now but basically my lady bits are quite itchy (yesterday it was unbearable and it came on really fast) luckily that herbal cream has helped lots...
i emailed my radio doctor so hopefully I’ll see her tomorrow after my session. She mentioned cortisone the last time we spoke.
I think I’m just feeling low because the whole area feels a bit “battered”. The skin above the errr “bumholio” is cracked and raw as well... so basically I’m using a cream for that, a cream for the internal piles, anusol suppository for inside and another cream for my lady bits 
Good question about the ice, I will ask tomorrow.
On the plus side, the radio team are lovely, they even treat me differently like not making me wear the gown and they’ve been very complimentary. I think they think I’m the nutter from England as I ttalk to the machine 
Gosh your mum really went through the mill didn’t she and yet what a trooper, so so inspiring 
thank you SO much
lots of love to you and your mum
xxx
Hello all,
So updates (7 days to go :) )
So I saw my radio doctor and told her everything. She has told me (and I thought I should mention this for people who might find it useful in the future) to STOP using ANusol and Germoloids as they contain zinc oxide. She said I can use them as much as I want after the treatment but not during... She has told me to continue using the Italian pile cream which is based on Lidocaine. She has also given me a cream as the skin between my "cheeks" (not the face ones :) ) has become very dry and cracked... the cream is based on Hyaluronic Acid. She told me I can also use aloe gel (which I have read on the boards).
She has also put me on cortisone drops to help the inflammation issues from the radiotherapy, she also gave me Lansoprazole to protect my stomach.
Phew! I feel like I'm rattling when I walk lol, so many creams and potions and lotions?!
Another thing she told me (and again, I thought this might be useful for some people in the future) So I should start by saying that my "alien" is in my sigmoid colon (also gone through the walls into the fat cells, and a couple of random lymph nodes). The radiotherapy Im doing is specifically called TOMOTHERAPY. It's based on the same idea as how a CAT scan works so I'm on a bed and I move through a tunnel with the beam that circulates around me and treats me in slices - I'm not scientific at all but I found the whole thing fascinating!
Anyhoo, my doctor told me that my side effects would continue for 7-10 days after the treatment finishes, this really encouraged me because that feels really doable and set my mind at rest for the trip to London I've planned in about a month's time. PHEW!
Fingers crossed this treatment obliterates the alien as much as possible!
Rocky Balboa strength is back! 
Thanks again for everyone for "listening"
Sxxx
Hi Sami, you have been going through it, glad you're getting things sorted out, best of luck with the rest of your treatment and defeating 
take care. John. XXX.
Thank you court I DO feel different, I think maybe the cortisone is kicking in???
I think I had my first “hot flush” yesterday... possibly the radio-induced menopause kicking in already??
I am so looking forward to my London trip - it’s a good milestone marker after finishing the radio-chemo, a good excuse to see my parents and my old friend as well :)
so today... 6 more sessions!
Lots of love xxx
