How did you feel after pelvic radiation was completed?

@terradean I had the same number of radiation treatments as your treatment plan. I did not have chemotherapy. I can tell you about my experience.

I have osteoarthritis that affects my lower back. I am often quite stiff when I get up the morning but once I move around the stiffness lessens. My stretching exercises help.

It's been 10 months since I completed radiation therapy and I have had no increase in lower back pain or anywhere else.

My radiation oncologist told me that there is a possibility of fractures in the pelvic and lower back area. I found this to be frightening, of course, but my bone density scan was good (bone density actually increased as a result of taking Fosomax and weight bearing exercise).

My advice is to be sure to bring this up with your radiation oncologist when you start radiation therapy. You will meet weekly with the radiation oncologist during radiation therapy and will be asked about any and all symptoms that could be related to the radiation so they can help you minimize any severe effects.

With what I knew before I started radiation therapy I did not hesitate to follow the treatment plan.

I hope this helps give you hope. Do you have other concerns?

Would really appreciate more thoughts from others, am on my 2nd of 3 chemo treatment today, and then to have 25 external and the 2 brachy and than to have 3 more chemo, I already have arthritis so this does not make me feel very hopefully of outcome.

It varies in degrees but is always lingering. It has been helpful to hear that other radiation patients have experienced something similar.

@sm22, I'm sorry to hear about this new lower back and hip pain. Has it changed at all in the past few days?

Hello, I finished pelvic radiation about 5weeks ago. It also included 2 session of brachy therapy. I started having lower back and hip pain about 3 weeks ago. I go back for a cat scan in a couple of weeks so hopefully I will be able to rule some things out with that. It is worrisome to have pain as a cancer patient but I am trying to keep the faith.

You might want to ask about testing for Extra MAmmary PAget's Disease. It usually is itchiness in the nether regions, often has a purplish color and velvety appearance. Mine was discovered by accident.

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.

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

@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?

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.