Complications 18 years after original diagnosis/treatment - Cancer: Uterine Message Board

starfsh · 07-03-2005, 04:16 PM

Sorry for such a long post but I am looking for anyone who may have had experiences similar to mine...

When I was 26 years old I was diagnosed and treated for endometrial cancer. About a year after finishing radiation, the only lingering complication was IBS symptoms that gradually improved over years. Fortunately, serial PAPs, blood tests, etc. all were relatively normal so no signs of recurrence.

2 years ago I started having symptoms that turned out to be related to a partial small bowel obstruction. In June 2004, after 3 obstructions in 3 weeks, I ended up having a resection of my terminal ileum (small intestine), including illeocecal valve, due to adhesions. I naively thought that my life would go back to normal.

However, after losing 30 pounds in 6 weeks from diarrhea I was referred to a GI MD. I am now on a pharmacopia of drugs to control my symptoms which he attributes to a combination of short gut syndrome and radiation enteritis. He assured me my symptoms would improve in time. I did gain back the weight I lost (darn it!) but am very dependent on the drugs I am on.

I have had abdominal pain since the surgery near where the anastomosis would be but 2 months ago I developed severe lower left abdominal pain and when trying to do a colonoscopy he found a colon stricture which he thinks is from adhesions (they are pretty sure it is not related to a recurrence). He is going to try a balloon dilation next month but if it doesn't work I may end up back in surgery. Unfortunately, I still have an open wound from last time -- radiation strikes again!

So, my questions is has anyone else had similar experiences? Will things ever go back to "normal" again? I am just having trouble getting my head around why my gut has reacted so badly to the surgery when I had very little residual symptoms from the radiation for years. Why has it taken so long for the adhesions to be a problem? I am not complaining, just trying to understand.

wmkcolors · 07-04-2005, 05:33 PM

I'm in a similar, but slightly reverse situation. In my early 30s, I was diagnosed with stage 1 colorectal cancer and had internal and external radiation. Over the past 4 years, I've had to come to grips with all the symptoms and side effects of the radiation, early menopause being a primary one. I've also developped IBS symptoms, urethritis and cystitis, which I control with meds and a growing anxiety that I might have more damage to come, in the pelvic area. My gyno. said I might need a hysterectomy later on, due to the radiation treatment. Since you've had such invasive gasto. surgery, I'm wondering if alot of your present symptoms are from these recent procedures. You might post in the Colon and Rectal part of the board, because alot of people have had similar surgeries and radiation and might be able to help you cope with the side effects. I never had surgery, as of yet...., but I do empathize with the toll radiation takes on your body. I have to constantly stay on top of my symptoms. Drinking lots of water seems to help me; it's at least one NON-MED treatment. Hope you feel better.