I had surgery then radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks, also chemo. That was in 2016, and I am so happy to still be here! Best of luck with your treatments, Hang in there.

I was diagnosed July 2024 with anal rectal cancer. Went through 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. During treatment, I had to pause the chemo and radiation for 2 weeks. Then continued and finished both. I had lost a tremendous amount of weight and found it difficult to eat. I will be as blunt as I can on this forum it is extremely difficult to get through. I had burns from the radiation in the most private areas and while, yes, they will give you pain medication, you may still be in pain or extreme discomfort in those private areas. While most may feel better 2 or 3 months after treatment and the worst may be over, unfortunately, I also have Lupus SLE and it delayed healing process. Finally, now at the second week of April 2024, I am starting to feel better and am able to be walk outside, stand longer than I have been able to stand for a long time. I am still trying to regulate bowel movements and the excessive watery stools stopped in February/March 2025. I had my first sigmoidoscopy last week and there was no visual evidence of the tumor. My PET Scan is scheduled for May. The Sigmoidoscopy was very emotional for me as most likely the PET Scan may also be. Keep water at your bedside and drink 10-13 8 oz. Bottles a day but, do not forget to eat and back off the water if you are taking in fluids with your food so there will be room in your stomach for food. Food was an issue because I really was not given direction. Once I started eating Old Fashioned Oatmeal with blueberries that seemed to help my system. I tried to stick with protein, fruits… apples but, no peels, bananas and blueberries, potatoes, vegetable soup, etc.
I wish you well and it is intense what you will go through, you will cry and think you won’t get through it but, you will. My prayers are with you. By the way, I was diagnosed at the age of 64 and turned 65 in February. Wishing the best for you.