How did you feel after pelvic radiation was completed?

Posted by Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5, Jan 18, 2022

I finished up radiation (photon) for endometrial cancer last week at Mayo Clinic. I had 25 sessions of external beam radiation and 2 sessions of internal (brachytherapy) radiation. I had very few side effects during radiation other than frequent urination and occasional diarrhea. Now that I'm finished with radiation and back home I'm having the following: lots of fatigue during the day that comes and goes, pelvic aching ( 3 out of 10 on the pain scale), and urinary tract-like pain on urination (not burning, more pain).

Back to my original question. How did you feel after your pelvic radiation was done? What did you do to help yourself through it? And how long did these symptoms last (the medical staff at Mayo told me 1-2 weeks)?

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I do not remember feeling do bad. I did use the BRATT diet for a couple of weeks to quell the colon issues. Banana, Rice, Applesauce, Tea, and Toast. Allow yourself to rest. I had three weeks for that then back to the chemotherapy. You will start feeling better. Remember that your body is really being beat up big time and it will take time to get back to normal.

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@ejrdevries

I do not remember feeling do bad. I did use the BRATT diet for a couple of weeks to quell the colon issues. Banana, Rice, Applesauce, Tea, and Toast. Allow yourself to rest. I had three weeks for that then back to the chemotherapy. You will start feeling better. Remember that your body is really being beat up big time and it will take time to get back to normal.

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Thank you, @ejrdevries for responding to my questions. I'm not having too much problem with digestion or bowel problems. Fortunately. Yes, my body was beat up big time like you said so I've been trying to pay attention to what my body tells me. That has meant more time at home and rest and I've been feeling more energy with every day.

I decided I will call my radiation oncologist next week and ask a few questions. One of the questions is about the bumps I have developed on the top of my forearms and my lower legs. These bumps are itchy and not at all in the area where I had radiation which was the pelvis. I've read up on this bit and it could be something called radiation dermatitis. I've been using moisturizing lotion and Benadryl (at night) and that helps. I'm wondering if there is something else I can do and how long this will last. Did you have anything like this?

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I did not have the itching bumps as you have. Some years later I was diagnosed with Extra Mammary Paget's Disease, but so far the oncologist has not connected the two.

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@ejrdevries

I did not have the itching bumps as you have. Some years later I was diagnosed with Extra Mammary Paget's Disease, but so far the oncologist has not connected the two.

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The itchy bumps seem to be spreading. It's very puzzling. Does the Paget's Disease still affect you? Yes, I read a little about that and it doesn't appear connected.

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@naturegirl5

The itchy bumps seem to be spreading. It's very puzzling. Does the Paget's Disease still affect you? Yes, I read a little about that and it doesn't appear connected.

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I still have the Paget's. My margins were not clear after wide local excision in 2015 and a biopsy a couple of years ago indicated Paget;s was still present. I have a checkup every 6 months. So far it has not been a bother to me.

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@ejrdevries

I still have the Paget's. My margins were not clear after wide local excision in 2015 and a biopsy a couple of years ago indicated Paget;s was still present. I have a checkup every 6 months. So far it has not been a bother to me.

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That's good news that the Paget's hasn't bothered you and you return for 6 month checkups. You have such an optimistic outlook.

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Thank you. When I was diagnosed with cancer I was expecting it and the need for surgery. I was not expecting that I would need all the chemotherapy and radiation. However, I did trust my doctor's recommended protocol and his optimism that this treatment would be a "cure". Maybe I was naive, but I rather think that it was calmness and following my medical protocol exactly. Above all, it was my trust in God that whatever the outcome, I am/was in His care. He would never leave me or forsake me. I also knew that my faithful husband was with me all the way,n o matter what. I really think the whole time he was more stressed than I was. He is just a person who gets more easily stressed over things. We have been married now for 57 1/2 years.

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@ejrdevries

Thank you. When I was diagnosed with cancer I was expecting it and the need for surgery. I was not expecting that I would need all the chemotherapy and radiation. However, I did trust my doctor's recommended protocol and his optimism that this treatment would be a "cure". Maybe I was naive, but I rather think that it was calmness and following my medical protocol exactly. Above all, it was my trust in God that whatever the outcome, I am/was in His care. He would never leave me or forsake me. I also knew that my faithful husband was with me all the way,n o matter what. I really think the whole time he was more stressed than I was. He is just a person who gets more easily stressed over things. We have been married now for 57 1/2 years.

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@ejrdevries Your faith, your optimism and your husband of 571/2 years says it all. This spiritual and emotional support makes all the difference, doesn't it?

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Hello @naturegirl5 I am glad to hear your treatment is ending and sending love and light for fast healing. I finished chemo and radiation 25 +2 last May. The bowel and bladder symptoms I had like yours seemed to resolved in a few weeks or really maybe 2 months. I did not have pain. But the fatigue I am still recovering from. I just get very exhausted in the afternoons and sometimes random days are harder than others. I am working on getting rest and exercise and taking a nap if I have too! I am grateful to be back at work as a physical therapist in the mornings. Fortunately i work for myself so, will add more patients when my endurance improves. Glad you are taking good care of yourself and keep checking in with your doctor as needed. Eileen

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@ejohn

Hello @naturegirl5 I am glad to hear your treatment is ending and sending love and light for fast healing. I finished chemo and radiation 25 +2 last May. The bowel and bladder symptoms I had like yours seemed to resolved in a few weeks or really maybe 2 months. I did not have pain. But the fatigue I am still recovering from. I just get very exhausted in the afternoons and sometimes random days are harder than others. I am working on getting rest and exercise and taking a nap if I have too! I am grateful to be back at work as a physical therapist in the mornings. Fortunately i work for myself so, will add more patients when my endurance improves. Glad you are taking good care of yourself and keep checking in with your doctor as needed. Eileen

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Thank you, @ejohn , Elieen. I really appreciate the love and light you're sending. I got impatient and frustrated today when I was snowshoeing because I know my stamina and endurance isn't what it would have been a few months ago. It was pointed out to me that I was snowshoeing in two feet of snow and not on a prepared trail. I did go back to work for a few hours on Friday. I can pretty much pick my own hours even though I work for an agency and I like that flexibility. You are an inspiration to me. I'm glad you're taking care of yourself too.

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