Moms has cancer

FormerMember over 4 years ago

2 replies
173 subscribers
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Hello. My 60 year old mother who has been going back and forth to the doctorts since july 2020 with lose bowels and a a groin pain got diagnosed with a 8cm rectal tumour which has spread to her liver. Her bowels are still extremely lose. Infact she can tolerate no food and survives off fortisips and complan shakes. Her first of 5 radiotherapy sessions starts on 1st june. She is currebtly 7 stone (from 11 stone) weak, tearful, exhausted and emotionally drained from the lack of food and lack of energy from walking back and forth to the toilet every 3 /5 mins day and night. Colorectal specialists and GP are urging us to be patient for radiotherapy statted soon but the poor woman is a mess. Is there not something more than can happen? She poos herself a few times a day. Wind is awful its upsetting the whole house and is agonising to watch.

How sucsessful was radiotherapy at slowing down the lose stools?

How long did it take?

What stage would this be

FYI my mom is extremely weak as she also has a disease called huntingtons disease which makes me believe she will be too weaknl for chemo which no1 will giv me an answer to. Oncologisy explained stoma bag would not be beneficial as urge to go to the toilet wouldnt decrease. But its not about the urge. Its about the actual toiletting. I understand the 1st june is round the corner but she is pooing herself 3 - 5 times a day. Shes back and forth to the toilet every few mins day and night.

Were all exhausted. I have my own child whos being completely neglected.

Help please

Kareno62 over 4 years ago

Hi I’m very sorry to hear about your mum and a little surprised at the response from the oncologist. To be honest radiotherapy can cause diarrhoea and I was given loperamide and diarolyte in readiness before I even started. Yes a stoma bag wouldn’t decrease the urge to go but if her faecal output was being collected in a bag then it would relieve the physical effort of having to go to the toilet apart from emptying it?

Im going to tag court jn for her thoughts but perhaps you could also give the nurses on here a ring to see if they can help? The number is 0808 808 00 00 and they’re here to support family as well as patients.

Hope you are able to get something sorted and make life more bearable for your mum

Take care

Karen x

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

court over 4 years ago in reply to Kareno62

Welcome to the forum . I am so glad you popped on ! I am Familiar with Huntington’s as I was an occupational therapist for a period of time and know how difficult that can be on its own . Depending how her Huntington’s disease is affection her mobility I could see how difficult it could physically be for her to sustain that level of activity just getting too and from the toilet !

You mentioned the oncologist and GP ‘s opinions on the benefits of a stoma bag or not but I would have thought the colorectal surgeons might be best placed to make that decision. However you would need to weight that up now with a potential delay in treatment .

What is your mum taking just now to try and ease it ? I would definitely do as Karen suggested and phone the helpline as the nurses there might be able to assist . I do see your concern and need for intervention. Remember you can get a second opinion !

My mum had chemo at 7 1/2 stones having dropped three stones . I too was extremely concerned . However I think she needs more assistance from a few front s . To manage the frequency of toilet visits and to address her diet . Is a dietitian involved ? Has the GP or oncologist seen her in person ? If not you do need to insist that someone reviews her in my opinion .

There were times despite the medical training of my mum’s family ( she has quite a few in the field ) we needed help from the hospital to stabilise her . It was out with our ability to do that and they took her into hospital for short periods of time and it really helped her sustain her treatment . I don’t know if that’s the case with your mum but it sounds from what your saying she needs assessed or more guidance from her team . I know what it’s like to feel you are not meeting others needs and not sure if you can handle what’s being asked off you . Heartbroken in the mix too!

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/radiotherapy-for-rectal-cancer
I have included Macmillan’s leaflet for you to read on how it can impact the bowel function . You could ask her team for more support in advance on how to manage it and can they review her medication to see if it can be improved upon.
Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000