CancerCompass message board discussion started by rosydosy on 3/17/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22086,0.htm Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I wish I had found this website months ago!  I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 7/07.  I had radiation and chemo and a transanal excision.  The pathology report from the surgery showed a few cancer cells still present.  My doctor said there was no way to tell if they were alive or dead so he advised me to have my rectum removed.  I had the surgery on 11/13/07 with an ostomy for a little over 3 months.  I just had the ostomy takedown on 2/2808.  I feel great,but now I have over 20 bowel movements a day.  I take metamucil, Imodium, and Lomotil everyday and this has helped some.  The MAIN PROBLEM is muscle control.  The doc said to do Kegels and that would strengthen the spincter muscle.  I wish he had told me to do them after the other surgery.  My muscle has had 3 months of doing nothing.  Has anyone else had this problem?  Does it get better with time and if so, about how long?  I hope I don't have to worry about pooping in my pants for the rest of my life. I am 50 years old, a teacher and want to get back to my job as soon as possible.  My prayers are with you all and would appreciate your prayers also!Thanks so much,RosyDosy rosydosy Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi, I sent you a private message via this web site.Jaynee soccermom Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I have experienced your same problem and have found that opium tincture helps some.  I only had a portion of my rectum removed, no colostomy but did have chemo/radiation, then major surgery followed by more chemo.  I had stage III colorectal cancer.  Are you having soreness and burning in the rectal area?  I have tried various ointments (A&D, etc) and although soothing at the time, does not prevent these uncomfortable symptoms.  Vicodin has also helped but I am hesitant on taking too much.  If I want to go shopping I do not eat anything before as food consumption seems to trigger diarrhea and excessive bowel movements.  I know I have not answered your questions but evidently time helps.Good luck and I hope you get back to your teaching career with minimal problems.J'nette  Jnette Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Dear J'nette,Thanks so much for replying to my message.  I have tried Desitin and vasoline for the butt burn, but haven't heard of opium tincture.  Do I get it from a drug store or Walmart?I have found that I can't eat some foods--they cause diarrhea.  Thanks for the shopping advice.  I knew right now that is out of the question.  I guess my going out to eat days are over.  I'm glad to hear that time does help.Thanks so much!!RosyDosy rosydosy Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thanks!  I sent you a private message on this website.RosyDosy rosydosy Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT The opium tincture (laudanum) is available by presc only and is for extreme diarrhea (which you and I experience).  My dosage is .06 millilitir 4 times daily in liquid form. This is less than 1/4 tsp. Since it is a narcotic I limit the usage -- normally twice a day. One side effect can be dizziness and being light-headed, something you would not want if you resume teaching.  In the meantime I hope this helps.And you will learn to scope out the bathrooms when you are able to go out and about -- the first thing I do when shopping.  Also wearing plenty of protection and carrying an extra change of clothes is a must.  And one other tip I might offer for the burning is to finish wiping yourself with liquid Maalox. Externally it can have a cooling effect.  J'nette Jnette Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/18/2008 Jnette wrote:The opium tincture (laudanum) is available by presc only and is for extreme diarrhea (which you and I experience).  My dosage is .06 millilitir 4 times daily in liquid form. This is less than 1/4 tsp. Since it is a narcotic I limit the usage -- normally twice a day. One side effect can be dizziness and being light-headed, something you would not want if you resume teaching.  In the meantime I hope this helps.And you will learn to scope out the bathrooms when you are able to go out and about -- the first thing I do when shopping.  Also wearing plenty of protection and carrying an extra change of clothes is a must.  And one other tip I might offer for the burning is to finish wiping yourself with liquid Maalox. Externally it can have a cooling effect.  J'netteJ'nette,Thanks for the advice.  I have already started using the Maalox!  How long has it been since your surgery?RosyDosy rosydosy Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT My surgery was the latter part of May -- a 9 hr procedure with a 10 day hospital stay.  Chemo followed mid-July and ended in October '07.. My previous chemo/radiation was in Feb & March of '07 so I had a lot of areas treated that has contributed to the chronic diarrhea.  With the type of surgery you had I am sure you will be able to manage your frequent bowel movements in a short amount of time as compared to myself. Take care and keep me in your prayers.  You are in mine....J'nette Jnette Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi there......... I am new here trying to find answers for my father.  The was diagnosed with rectal cancer 6-07 went through radiation & chemo, then has surgery in Sept.  They removed the entire rectum without giving him a bag.  He has done fairly well.  He has is days where he is on the toliet all day, but from what I am reading this sounds normal, small amounts frequently.  His other problem is the burning of the anus and gas.  I read use Maalox?? Does this really help?  It is so wierd how his rear may be burning so bad and then a couple hours later just fine.  We are going to try the Maalox.  Any suggestions for the gas?  smith7007 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi,Your father probably needs to watch what he eats for the gas.  I have not experienced that yet, but the butt burn, yes!  I use baby wipes and Desitin all the time.  Does he have muscle control? I hope mine gets better.Good luck to your dad.  I will be praying for himRosyDosy rosydosy Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I was diagnosed with stage II 7/3/07. I did chemo/radiation and had a transanal excision 11/13/07. Until about three weeks ago I was sure I would have an accident if I went to far.  Give it time, it takes a long time for those muscles to regain control.  I'm still not 100% but it's 90% better than it was a month ago.  My surgeon told me it could take up to 6 months.  Don't be discouraged (I know that's not easy) and give it more time. Snowmom60 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Dear Snowmom60,Thanks for your encouragement.  It really got to me today.  I have gone back to teaching and I was in the bathroom all afternoon.I wish I had just had the transanal excision.  My surgeon wanted to remove my rectum because I had microscopic cancer cells left so I've had that surgery and surgery to reconnect everything.  I was doing great after my transanal excision and now I feel as though I made the wrong decision going with the other surgeries.  I hope my muscle control CAN come back and it is not something they did in surgery.It's great you're doing so much better.  I hope that I can say that in a few months too.Thanks so much,RosyDosy rosydosy Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT wow, wiping with maalox is a good idea! oliveoil Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT