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High Lymphocytes, Low neutrophils and swollen lymph nodes for a year
Cancer | Last Active: Oct 18, 2025 | Replies (37)Comment receiving replies
Thank you so much for your encouragement and honest answer. Today I go back to the oncologist. And tomorrow morning a colposcopy at Gyno.
The Oncologist and cancer team are waiting for my answer as to whether I will go ahead with chemo and radiotherapy. It is the anal cancer chemo and radio that scares me more than the groin. I wonder how I will survive going to the loo, (the pain, constipation or totally loose stools,) the cleanliness of handling the eruptions and skin blistering around the Anus from the radiotherapy, petrifies me. I know others have survived this but I have no nursing care at home to assist. And in all honesty my house and bedroom are cluttered from being bed ridden, not being able to do much in the last two years, because of the back injury and inability to walk or lift things. In saying all this I want to add that I have taken some encouragement from your experience, and I really wish you well for the next phase of your treatment.
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@susan38 A couple of thoughts: In Britain, the oncologists routinely offer colostomies prior to treatment so that the feces are routed through the bag rather than through the rectum and anus. I would imagine that this would reduce the pain in that area and would allow for more regular emptying of the colostomy bag rather than dashing to the loo when diarrhea hits.
Have you discussed your home situation with your oncology team? Might there be a nursing home where you could stay while being treated?
If you need to stay home, can you clear a path from the bed to the loo? Do you have friends who can help you get to your treatments, pick up groceries and meds? Get their commitment ahead of time, and if possible get someone to be "point man or woman", organizing things like ride schedules so you don't have to do that.
A nurse at the cancer center should be able to give you advice on how to stay clean, what items to buy in advance like a sitz bath, what kind of wipes, creams and ointments that will be gentle on your skin, etc.
Wishing you a gentle journey through this. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You'd be surprised who will step up.