Bugaboo...where are you? - Cancer: Colon Message Board

Nassau one · 11-11-2003, 05:45 PM

I am wondering if you have had surgery as yet...I would think so. If you have a chance to get to the boards, we would all love to hear how you are doing.
We are now in the UK where my husband is having radiotherapy every day and chemo once a week, having recently finished his third cycle of five days straight. He is doing surprisingly well, considering he also has an in dwelling catheter due to a very large prostate preventing normal urination (his ureter was damaged during surgery) , as well as DVT, either due to surgery or the long flight to get here. It has been one thing after another and I am continually worrying about what will happen next! 4 months ago, he was working full time and playing tennis at the weekends, taking the occasional Panadol for a cold or headache. Now he takes so many pills a day for his ailments...it is amazing how life can change overnight!

ktee_uk · 11-12-2003, 09:04 AM

hi alison

I am pleased to hear your husband is bearing up. You may have read that mine is now back at home making the house look untidy and eating three square meals a day.
He is due to have another 3 months of chemo which he is well prepared for but also radiotherapy on his lower abdomen. I would welcome any usefull info on what to expect regarding the radiotherapy. I have heard that it can actually burn you, is that true? He is a bit anxious for his crown jewels !!!

Best of luck to you
Ktee

jaydees · 11-12-2003, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktee_uk

hi alison

I am pleased to hear your husband is bearing up. You may have read that mine is now back at home making the house look untidy and eating three square meals a day.
He is due to have another 3 months of chemo which he is well prepared for but also radiotherapy on his lower abdomen. I would welcome any usefull info on what to expect regarding the radiotherapy. I have heard that it can actually burn you, is that true? He is a bit anxious for his crown jewels !!!

Best of luck to you
Ktee

I understand your husband's concern about the nether regions. My tumour was as low as it can get and the radiation burned me in the space between the "boys"

and the rear but the "boys" themselves were OK though they lost some hair. The skin of my butt became as hairless as the day I came into the world which was an odd sensation but no burning there either. The burn will be very localized to the area directly outside of the tumour location. Keep that area dry before treatment, cornstarch is reccomended for that and polysporin or aloe vera cream on any burn. Burning will not be a problem until the last few treatments as well but will take time to heal afterward.

Nassau one · 11-12-2003, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktee_uk

hi alison

I am pleased to hear your husband is bearing up. You may have read that mine is now back at home making the house look untidy and eating three square meals a day.
He is due to have another 3 months of chemo which he is well prepared for but also radiotherapy on his lower abdomen. I would welcome any usefull info on what to expect regarding the radiotherapy. I have heard that it can actually burn you, is that true? He is a bit anxious for his crown jewels !!!

Best of luck to you
Ktee

Hi Ktee,
I am so glad your husband is home again after that ordeal. How are you bearing up? As to the radiotherapy, my husband is only in his second week and has not had any side effects as yet. I understand that diarrohea, fatigue and burns can occur...pretty much in that order. They will give you some cream for the burns and advise you as Jaydees does to treat the area gently from the beginning...not too hot water, not to rub the area too hard and keep it dry.
The people I see who are getting radiotherapy look pretty well and one said thwe other day as he completed his treatment that it was not as bad as he had expected.
I am just praying that we do not have any more complications...I am sure you feel the same! :
Love, Alison