Rectal Cancer Tumor Clothing Options (Strange Issue)

JMY75 12 days ago

2 replies
131 subscribers
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Hi I am new here,

My father is 82. 2 1/2 years ago he got a tumor right where the rectum begins. He went through radiation and oral chemo (pills), but they had such a devastating effect on him he said no to a colostomy and infusion chemo. So, the tumor grew back. It's about the size of a plum, and it bleeds.

It's an awful situation, and very messy and he also has fecal incontience.

The main problem dad is having now is that of sitting. He sits on cushions and such which provide relief. And he normally wears pajama bottoms at home. He lies down a lot to stay off of it.

However, when we go places he wears jeans and the heavy thick center seam over the crotch to the back rests right on the tumor when he sits. It's awful, as it causes pain and discomfort. He fidgets quite a bit.

I have told him maybe we should just have him wear sweat pants. Does anyone know of any kind of pants I could buy him besides sweat pants that would be easy on that area and not have crotch seam?

Has anyone gone through this before?

Thanks for your advice!

Ps. I have thought many times that maybe his tumor has grown. he won't let me look at it and he still can defecate. But he's always had discomfort in that area.

Kareno62 11 days ago

Hi JMY75 and a warm welcome to the board. I see from other posts that you’re in the USA so I’ll try and give you general ideas rather than links to uk shops?

Jean wearing in the elderly is less common in the UK. My father wears trousers like you’d get with a suit with a smart shirt/jumper when going out - I think you might call these slacks? Another possibility to consider might be cycling shorts with a padded bottom to wear under jeans/trousers?

There is the possibility that the tumour has or is growing and the bleeding is caused by stools passing over it. Does he follow a low residue diet? This is usually recommended here after say surgery as it is easier on the bowel so no high fibre things or nuts that can be uncomfortable to pass - I’ve attached a link to a few suggestions below

Low Residue Diet

Is your father having any ongoing check ups? The main concern would be that the tumour grows to such a size that it would block the bowel which can be dangerous so it might be worth getting some medical advice about how to deal with his issues going forward?

Take care

Karen x

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

Susan13 11 days ago

Hi JMY75.

i would try khaki pants or similar pants without the flat felled seams typically seen in jeans. A woman could wear yoga pants or leggings but that might be strange looking on a man.

Sweat pants with a hem rather than elastic at the ankle would work too.

If that's still too much, you might try wearing an adult diaper under the pants to pad the area. I realize he doesn't need it for it's intended purpose but it may increase comfort.