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@heavyphil My RO seems to be of the mind of dealing with problems as they arise, rather than giving upfront information, as Sloan did for you (good on Sloan!). I spoke to her yesterday about the “gas in the rectum” issue, specifically saying that the only thing I was told was that I should try to have a bowel movement every day. No discussion of gas. I showed her the document from the VA too, that covered nutrition during RT in great detail. Her response was ‘we have something like that too, if you want it’. When I again emphasized that a heads up about gas in the rectum would have been helpful a couple weeks before initiating RT, her response was ‘I don’t like to overwhelm patients with information while they are coping with a cancer diagnosis’. On one hand, I sort of see her point, but I’m not that kind of patient and for me, withholding info just shows mistrust. Furthermore, how is a one sentence mention of “empty rectum means both empty of both stool and gas” so overwhelming? Well, I had may say, and I’m moving forward armed with better knowledge now, with much credit to you and this support group.

The good news is that yesterday. after a few tweaks to my high-fiber diet, the treatment went off without a hitch, and the radiation therapist gave me a double thumbs up. I’m sure it won’t be perfect every day, but at least I know now what I should have known at least two weeks ago and am getting my prep dialed in.

Btw, I’ve been taking a Senna-S tab every evening, starting over a month ago, and that seems to be doing the trick for staying regular. But I have the Healthy Fiber in my shopping cart if I need it. Thanks for the tip.

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Replies to "@heavyphil My RO seems to be of the mind of dealing with problems as they arise,..."

@melvinw Your RO’s answers sound dubious - especially the one about overwhelming you with too much information. Really? I think you caught her in one of those situations where she knew she didn’t have a proper answer for you but only an apology. I think an apology would’ve been much better than BS…
Instead, she made herself look like the all-knowing, all seeing person in control of your poor little destiny….well at least you confronted her and now maybe she’ll be more forthcoming in the future.
Glad your next treatments went better, but just exercise a bit of caution with those Senna tabs. I got kicked off the table for having too much gas at one session and I told them I took Smooth Move herbal tea, which contained Senna. Both the RO and his PA both shouted NOOO!!! in unison. They explained that Senna root causes a lot of gas and that’s how it did its magic. But if it worked for you, keep doing it until you’re told otherwise…Best,
Phil