Hi Everyone
I've been away for a while trying to get on with life after radiotherapy finished in April but it's as though my body is never going to heal. Since finishing treatment I have had the usual stomach issues, tested for lymphedema, had a colonoscopy and pre-cancerous polyps removed, still suffering from fatigue and to cap it all off I now have the most horrendous pain. It started during treatment in my hips and got worse over the months so that now it is running all the way down my leg and I can't walk. Painkillers help but not much. I'm confined to indoors and I'm going to start work in two days.
They don't know what the pain is but they are going to give me an MRI to rule out fractures.
All I keep wondering is what's next?
I am desperately unhappy and just want my life back. Has anybody else been through this?
Jackie x
Hi Jackie
I am sorry to hear that you have been having some issues following your treatment and understand that you just want to feel well and get your life back. What I would say is that although it is frustrating you are still only 5 months post treatment and I was told that was still early days. Particularly with radiotherapy- although it can deal really well with cancer cells, it also damages some healthy cells and these can take a few months to go through the normal cell growth cycle and to recover. During my check up appointments I was told that tummy issues post radiotherapy are common and whilst some people will find things get back to normal within a couple of months- for others they can linger. It does not mean they will not improve but just takes longer.
Fatigue is common post cancer and I found that it did improve at around a year post treatment but I still have the odd day now when it can hit. Pacing yourself can help. Also consider asking for routine bloods (if you haven't already) as mine picked up that I had very low haemoglobin and a blood transfusion was needed. It made a big difference within a couple of days.
Pelvic insufficiency fractures can happen post radiotherapy and can be really painful. It seems sensible that they have offered an MRI to check for these.
Your body will start to heal but it can take time. You have been through all the emotions of a cancer diagnosis, had major surgery and then intensive radiotherapy. Its no wonder that we can take time to start to feel normal again.
I hope that you get answers from the MRI and do not have to wait too long.
If talking things through would help, please do give the Support Line a call.
Jane
