I am recovering from rectal cancer, 33 rad treatments and 2 weeks of chemo. My lower lymph nodes were affected and treated. The worst part was the breakdown of skin front to back, inevitable with this radiation. I know that in the US there is now Proton radiation which targets only the cancer cells. It's not available in Canada yet and apparently expensive in the US.
My treatments ended in December and I am now returning to some kind of normalcy. BMs are no longer painful, although still hard to predict my mornings. I can now sit down after months of laying or standing. I take psylium every night and a teaspoon of olive oil to make things easier. I am meeting my radiologist in June to get a scan and an update. 81% success rate so am optimistic, and the care I have received has been superb.