Hello Sam,
Sharing my experiences with recent ChemoRadiation for rectal cancer (T2N0M0, a Signet Ring cell adenocarcinoma, localized in the rectum).
I completed a 25 session treatment of ChemoRadiation on Oct 4, 2023 (3 weeks ago), aiming to shrink the tumor to an operable size. My treatment was with Capecitabine (aka Xeloda), the dose was 1300x2 on the days of the treatments (combination of the 500 and 100 pills), 5 days a week, and rest on the weekends . I am not sure if this is a low dose, or a clinical trial, this was the combined suggestion of my chemotherapy and radiology lead doctors for my type of cancer, aiming to shrink the tumor, so it could be surgically removed. I am currently in the ChemoRadiation recovering period, with a chemotherapy to follow, treatment plan to be finalized in November. I did not have any side effects during my ChemoRadiation treatment, no change of appetite, no nausea, no fatigue, no diarrhea, only the continued constipation, and the urge to pee and poop (both painful during the post radiation burns flare). A week after the end of my treatment I started feeling tired, and the full blast of the radiation burns hit me: the pain, the itchiness, the burning in the genital and anal area, the lack of sleep- it was hell 😣... I am really glad it is over now, 3 weeks later! One thing that it is still a mistery to me: a week after I finished my treatment I started getting itchy pimples, first on my back, then on my chest, mostly on my arms and legs, including around my anal area. They felt like mosquitoes ' bites, and continued to pop up until recently. The radiology doctor did not think they are related to the Radiation, as they started appearing post treatment, and prescribed hydrocortisone cream. My family doctor prescribed antihistamines (both Reactine and Benadryl) which seem to help with the pimples on my body, at least not itchy anymore, and no new ones appearing recently... I haven't been seen by my chemotherapy doctor for that. Although this past weekend (2 weeks after the end of treatment) I noticed that I have a rash on my face, which is very different than the one on my body. The rash is more like tiny pimples with a red base, more like a single pore with a tiny puss cap, and they are not itchy. I just not feel right using the corticosteroid cream on my face, so I clean it with rose water a few times a day. I also made a honey mask yesterday on my face (spread some natural honey on a facial tissue and left it 10 minutes), which reduced the rash and the redness on my face. It looks like my body reacts later than usual to the ChemoRadiation treatment. My own research brought me to the Canadian Cancer Society page, where skin issues as the one I am experiencing is mentioned: cancer. ca/en/treatments/side-effects/skin-problems
I hope the above (longwinded) experiences help shed some light on what is expected from ChemoRadiation treatment, and are helpful to anyone who might have to go through this as well. Wishing you a ALL the BEST,
Eva G (aka BadAssEva ;))