Feeling the pain

[Zigoin]

Last November I had three short courses of Brachytherapy following a hysterectomy for womb cancer. I thought all was going okay but began to have rectal bleeding. To cut a long story short I had a flexi-sig and transanal ultrasound done today. For the first time I saw the issues. Firstly a polyp growing on the site of an old polyp removal, growing fast and furious on the scar tissue. A real nasty mean looking polyp too, which has got to come out via transanal microsurgery. However, what the wonderful consultant also showed me was radiation damage from the Brachy. It looks really bad and he also believes the radiation has fused the vagina and bowel together at some points. The worst bit? He says it's for life. Any thoughts comments or suggestions on how to cope with his issue gratefully appreciated.

[Sarah_PRDA Partner]

Hi Zigoin

I just wanted to bump your post as I see you've not had a reply yet.

Do you know if the flexi-sig show that the polyp was the cause of the rectal bleeding or is it down to the radiation damage (telangectasia)?

Although the effects of radiotherapy cannot be reversed, there are variety of options for symptom management but it is important that these options are discussed with your healthcare provider.

[Zigoin in reply to Sarah_PRDA]

I'm not sure Sarah. I watched the surgeon 'wash' the area where the radiation damage is and he said it wasn't bleeding at that point in time. However, he did say that it was definitely a contributing factor. The poly is right on a pad of radiation damage, combined with being in a very awkward position which is why two attempts to remove it were aborted. This new surgeon is going to remove it by transanal microsurgery. What sympton management is available please?

[Sarah_PRDA Partner in reply to Zigoin]

Unfortunately I am unable to give any medical advice on symptom management Zigoin . I would advise speaking to your GP or consultant, particularly if it is unclear what is causing the bleeding.

You may wish to direct them to the link 'The Practical Management of the Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Pelvic Radiation Disease' on our resource page.

prda.org.uk/wp-content/uplo...

I do hope you get some relief from symptoms soon.

[jude-the-obscure Community Pioneer in reply to Zigoin]

I had brachytherapy x 2 and 6 weeks daily radiotherapy for endometrial (womb) cancer in 2011. Symptoms of more severe irritable bowel syndrome occurred around 2015. Given the all clear by my surgeon after triple scan of chest, pelvis and abdomen. No secondaries and all well apparently. After a miserable winter of pain, colic and constipation I got an appointment to see a gastroenterologist who did a colonoscopy. It was very painful in the lower part of the descending colon ( I needed gas and air for the procedure) and she said that there was stricture and twisting of the bowel in that area.

She prescribed Fibogel , docusate and milled linseed. This helped a lot but sent things into over drive! Now I only need a tablespoon of milled linseed on my cereal and neither of the other two items. I do try to have plenty to drink and to have moderate amounts of fruit and veg in my diet. See Sarah's posts on going out equipped for loos in these difficult times!

I have not experienced any bleeding and as Betty says that must have been alarming for you, especially as blood loss is a symptom of womb cancer. Polyps can bleed and are not usually cancer. More nuisance value than anything I believe. However your surgeon obviously thinks it is best removed.

I do not know much about the management of rectal bleeding but have coped with the twisted and fixed bowel ever since the colonoscopy. Am sure they will be able to help you with management. We are all individuals and my experiences will be different from yours. We have had holidays, gone on day trips and shopping expeditions, and entertained friends at home. 9 years on I am still pleased to be alive!

Radiotherapy brings its own problems but is an excellent treatment for eradicating the cancer.

I do hope that it all settles down and that the op is successful.

This web site is excellent for "airing and sharing" so keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

"Jude"

[Zigoin in reply to jude-the-obscure]

Jude, thank you so much for your open and honest response. We have much in common. Onwards and Upwards, as they say.

[jude-the-obscure Community Pioneer in reply to Zigoin]

Absolutely!

[Chuifan in reply to jude-the-obscure]

Thank you Jude for your sharing. I am going to have external n internal radiotherapy for womb cancer in Jan. I am really worried about the late side effects. Please let me know how you are now. Your sharing of keeping yourself positive and socially active is very encouraging. Best wishes,

Chui

[jude-the-obscure Community Pioneer in reply to Chuifan]

I hope that all goes well for you. They are now more aware of the side effects of radiotherapy and may well have plans to protect the bowel during treatment. I know this is done for men with prostate cancer. Ask your oncologist about it. Prevention is the best option!!

People are living much longer than they were - 10 years on I am still here! My bowel problems are still around and made worse by some medical treatment for Thyroid eye disease. As a result of this treatment which damps down my immune system, we are not getting out and about much. I had eye surgery in April and my husband had an abdominal op 4 weeks earlier. We have had a quiet summer at home!!

My nephew and his family are visiting the weekend before Christmas for the first time since Summer 2019. They live 200miles away. I manage my symptoms on a day to day basis and am glad when things are working well!! My GPs have been helpful and I have medicines which help with diarrhoea and/or constipation,

Mood and food are both worth looking at and I have done several courses on meditation and exercises to keep me calm and focussed. I avoid onions family and green leafy things like sprouts, Citrus can cause problems too though I like lemon juice on fish.

Have a very happy Christmas and share your worries with your oncology team.

Best wishes

Jude

[Chuifan in reply to jude-the-obscure]

Thank you very much Jude. My husband and I felt more supported after reading your messages. Among all the distressing accounts I have googled, your sharing has given me hope that I may still be able to lead a reasonally active life after the treatment, although I am also realistic about the possibility of suffering from the consequences of this cancer treatment and any other new diseases in the inevitable process of aging.

Wish you and your husband a speedy recovery!

Have a wonderful Christmas reunion with your family!

Best wishes,

Chui

[jude-the-obscure Community Pioneer in reply to Chuifan]

So glad to be of help. It is important to limit your reading to reliable sources. Macmillan have some useful advice too. The senior radiographer at the oncology unit was brilliant and spoke from a good knowledge base. I had 3 lots of chemotherapy in the summer of 2011 too. But times have changed and much of the equipment will have been upgraded since then.

The aim is to cure your cancer not to make you ill!

kindest regards and a virtual hug

Jude

[Chuifan in reply to jude-the-obscure]

Thank you very much indeed Jude for your encouragement. I have tears in my eyes now reading your reply. Best wishes, Chui

[SpaghettiBetty]

Hi Zigoin

Sorry to hear you’ve been having issues with rectal bleeding, it must be quite distressing as I know for many people (including myself) that abnormal bleeding was a symptom of the original cancer. Hopefully they can remove the polyp and it won’t pose any issue. Do you have a date for your surgery?

To be totally honest I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it was very common to have organs fused together. But that’s not to say that it will pose any particular problem. I’d imagine most people will live their whole life without even knowing about it.

From my own experience, my colorectal surgeon has on more than one occasion described my abdominal cavity as being “a real mess in there” due to all the adhesions. When I had my end colostomy he was intending on removing my rectum (common practice for the procedure I was having) and he said afterwards that it would have been too difficult due to all the scar tissue. It doesn’t cause me any particular problems though.

I hope your surgery goes well, sending you a hug ❤️

[Zigoin in reply to SpaghettiBetty]

Thank you SpaghettiBetty. XxX