Comments on: Radiation Before Surgery Can Increase Bowel and Sexual Problems

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:08:43 +0000

I’ so happy to hear that I am not the only one experiencing these problems. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer ( almost stage 3) in Dec 2009. My team was very aggressive and started chemo (port a cath 24/7) and radiation 5 days a week, for 29 treatments. I had very little problems during this treatment. I had surgery where 12-13 inches of colon and most of the rectum plus 13 lymph nodes were removed. All came back cancer free. Then I started 6 months of chemo follow up, an IV at the drs then 48 hrs with a portable pump then 11 days off then the process began again. By about the 9th or 10th day I was starting to feel normal, other had to start over. Now 17 months after las Chemo I still have terrible days. I can seldom leave home without a pad on to protect from leakage, seem to spend hours in the bathroom at home, go days with eating white rice, bananas and Imodium like it is going out of style. It’s very hard to work, but I do and even harder to plan an event because I never know if it’s will be a good day (or week) or a bad one. My husband doesn’t understand what I am going through. My drs have said to tell him, and others, that we are asking a colon that has performed colon functions for 50 years+ to suddenly start performing like a rectum. Well mine is fighting me all the way. I can only hope that it does straighten out and this will not be something to be dealt with for the rest of my life. I know this is long but I am thankful to hear from the rest of you that I am not alone. Thanks and hope all works out for everyone.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:38:11 +0000

I had anal cancer and had chemo and radiation. It took me 3 years to get over the effects of the chemo and the radiation. Then the cancer came back. I had a complete rectum removal and I now have a ostomy bag. I don’t have to worry about the leakage or any orders, etc. I wish I had let the doctors do the surgery the first time around. After my surgery, I was back to work in 1 month and was riding my horses after 4 months. I can do just about anything I want to do. I am not as strong physicaly as I was before the chemo and the surgery but I am working on that. I am female, and 52 years old. I too am lonely sometimes because I am afraid to date because I will have to tell them i wear a ostomy bag. Most people that haven’t had any recent experience with them still think thay are like the old days when they were big smelly bags, but it is not like that any more. I can wear whatever I want (except a bikini) and you can not tell I am wearing a bag.

By: Kate Murphy

Kate Murphy — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:37:58 +0000

You have good questions to ask your radiation oncologist and surgeon.

The pre-operative chemotherapy sensitizes radiation and has been found to reduce risk of cancer returning in and around the rectum over radiation itself. There is currently no way to deliver chemotherapy to the rectal tumor other than systemically.

Pre-operative chemoradiation can also reduce risk of needing an ostomy.

Whether an ostomy is a better choice than bowel problems after radiation and rectal surgery is a good question to ask. Many people live very well with ostomies. It is also possible to have an ostomy created later on if you find rectal problems intolerable.

However, many folks live very well with few or no bowel problems after radiation and surgery for rectal cancer. It may take a while before the bowel activity returns to normal.

By: Mauraid

Mauraid — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:39:20 +0000

I have just been diagnosed with either Stage II or III Rectal Cancer and the surgeon has been pushing me to have 3 months of pre-op chemo and radiation. I have absolutely nothing else wrong with me except the single rectal tumor. I worry that generalized lower abdominal radiation will create other problems in the long run. I do not understand why the chemo must be systemic and not targeted at the single tumor. Any replies to these questions would be appreciated.
Also, regarding leakage, etc, would an ostomy that you can control be better than the leakage and incontinence?

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:53:36 +0000

My husband just finished pre-surgical radiation 28 rounds w/low-dose chemo and he is only 47 yrs old. He’ll have the procedure with colostomy mid-december, and they wont reverse until 2nd round of chemo is done 4 to 6 months post-surgery. Even though I’m just the wife-caregiver, and its not me its happening to, I’d so much rather have him here than the alternative. Leaky bowels, sexual dysfunction, we’ll deal with it all. Yes it does suck, but his life is still worth living. I love him for his mind, his heart, his kindness etc. If his butt is broken, I just dont care.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:14:27 +0000

I am a 48 yr old woman, but I understand the negative feelings. I had the same, rectal cancer, preop chemo-rad., temp.ileostomy, reversal 4 months ago. It does feel cruel sometimes to be told we should be glad to be alive. I am struggling with being overwhelmed by the debt and need to earn money when I am limited and tired (though I have a husband who works at a pretty decent job). The answer to me is in Jesus Christ my Savior. He gives eternal life, real life and says He came to give us life and life more abundant. “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:6 There really is hope and joy and lack of problems beyond this life, and help through each moment here. Please consider turning to the Lord and His Word, the Bible, for Light in your darkness. It’s still hard, but you will be okay.

By: Anthony M

Anthony M — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:02:48 +0000

i have the same exact problem. i just cant plan a dam thing cause there are days i have this pressure on my rectum all day and when i finally move my bowels its like a complete emptiness. than im fine for a few days and back to constipation followed by the runs. i hate this and i just want to fix it.

By: Mike Jackson

Mike Jackson — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 01:53:40 +0000

Had 90% of rectum removed, wore an iliostomy for seven months and was reversed in Feb. Still having bowel problems constipation followed by diareah, lasting maybe for the entire day. I cant plan to do anything at all. Im forty six and single. I have problems with sexual activities and I poop my pants. If there is any humor in the whole thing, is that Im about to loose my mind with all of the hospital bills to give me this wonderfull life they title, At Least Your Alive. I have nothing to offer a woman, and I live in fear of having accidents. Sincerly: Mike Jackson