Hi folks

Hi and a warm welcome to the board from me. Yes it’s a hell of a shock isn’t it especially when you feel so well in yourself? The good news is that bowel Cancer is very treatable nowadays so being fit and healthy will help in your recovery.

Chemoradiotherapy is usually used to shrink the tumour before surgery to give the surgeon the best chance to remove it with clear margins. The actual ‘zapping’ takes about 10 minutes and you may or may not need a full bladder but all this will be discussed at your planning meeting. The chemo is in tablet form and should be taken with food 12 hours apart. 

I don’t remember being given a specific diet to follow so I just carried on as normal. I was given a carrier bag of medication including immodium, diarolyte, and various creams. I was told to wash the area being treated with the shower cream they gave me and also use the moisturising cream in the same area to prevent soreness. It’s important not to use any cream that contains zinc oxide so stay away from things like sudocream in the area being treated.The radiographers keep a close eye on you and I think a nurse checked part way though to make sure my skin wasnt getting sore. 

Some people get diarrhoea during the treatment so it’s important to stay hydrated. Make sure your hands and feet are kept well moisturised too as the capecitabine tablets can cause palmar plantar where the skin becomes sore and tingly. My nurses recommended Aveeno with Shea butter which you can get at the supermarket, Superdrug etc. As with most treatments some people suffer with the side effects more than others but I found it ok. You then usually have a good few weeks wait for follow up scans.

Ive attached a link that the site has for radiotherapy but if there’s anything specifically that you want to ask then fire away - there’s a few people starting treatment on here and everyone will be happy to support you through this

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

Take care

Karen x

Hi Karen, thanks for that. I appreciate all the advice I can get from people.

Thanks again.

John 

Hi jmc67  

I was recently diagnosed with bowel cancer, I'm 72 and very fit and (well I was) healthy.  I have an appointment with the oncologist this coming Tuesday and I am very anxious about things.  I wish you good luck and hope all goes well.

Angela

Hi Angela

Sorry about the late reply. I hope everything went well at your oncologist appointment. I've seen mine twice now, start my course of chemoradiation on Monday. Oncologists are pretty matter of fact and I've always came away with the wind taken out of my sails, they don't sugar coat stuff. Which as much as I'd personally love them to tell me everything is great, I'm glad they tell us straight. I won't be letting my diagnosis get the better of me and hopefully you'll be the same. Hopefully your feeling good.

John

Hi John

My oncologist has recommended chemo - drip in arm and tablets for a three month cycle. Daunting when one reads side effects. I live on my own so even more daunting but have daughters but they can't be with me all the time.

Hope all goes well for you John. 

Take care.

Angela