← Return to Anyone have Surgery success with tumor at the internal sphincter ?
DiscussionAnyone have Surgery success with tumor at the internal sphincter ?
Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Oct 12, 2023 | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "I actually just started the chemo and radiation yesterday. I am working on putting together an..."
I started both chemo and radiation in October. The burns were at their worst in early December. There was a solid week when I lived in my bath robe. I could not have anything touch my skin. I found the best cream was Acquaphor. I went through several jars. There are prescription creams with lidocaine in them. I also recommend getting a bidet. It helped immensely. They have ones that fit over your toilet. Worth every penny. It’s almost 6 months since I completed my treatment. My skin is still very fragile. The radiation damaged my sphincter and now I have fecal incontinence and anal stenosis. My next scan is in a few weeks. I’m hoping that the tiny bit of cancer that was left is finally gone. It’s a roller coaster ride for sure. We have to remain positive even though at times it isn’t easy.
Definitely get a cyst bath. Amazon has one that sits on your toilet and pumps water. I filled it with warm water and that was my haven. It is so soothing!!
Greetings, salynn -
I had anal cancer stage 3C in the past and suffered through chemotherapy (5FU & Mitomycin) in addition to radiation. And I do mean "suffered". Radiation made my whole bikini area a dead-black color with pain, cracking, bleeding, and interior pain.
If it's not too late to make suggestions, completely forget toilet paper. Even the White Cloud super-pricy soft toilet paper will feel like sandpaper. I also say forget baby wipes as they, too, are far too harsh.
The thing that got me through was a product by the Sage company - "Comfort Shield Barrier Cream Cloths". They are silicone-coated and are cool and soothing when you wipe with them. I still use them when diarrhea becomes too much to bear (I have microscopic colitis that the radiation really exacerbated).
If you get the bigger sized ones, 8.5 x 9, you could cut them in half, even in quarters, and still get great benefit from them.
All the best.
Here is the list I used.
Aveeno baby wipes
Purist form of aloe Vera
High protein with fiber shakes. I used Atkins version!
Ionized/Alkaline filter with water bottle. Drink lots of water!
Anti gas pills
Keep your skin well moisturized with a good lotion!
I have 8 more treatments of chemo/radiation left out of 30 treatments days! Yeah me. I have had minimal side affects so far! Hope this helps