My poor mum is really going through it and was admitted to hospital last week as she was passing blood from her bowel. They have checked her out and found nothing wrong - we suspect severe reaction to NSAIDS as she is know not to tolerate aspirin etc.

The poor thing is SO poorly, with the mucositis, diarrhoea, she's had to have her nasal/gastric tube re-inserted and her weight is still dropping.

She bleeds from her mouth too - did anyone else have all these syptoms ?

How critical is it that she finishes all 32 of her RT sessions ? I don't think she'll manage it.

Hello Winnie

Really sorry to hear your mum is having a tough time.

I too had bleeding from the rear end together with diarrhoea, the bleeding went on for around 6 weeks and like wise ended up back in hospital.

I had CT virual colonoscopy and it was found that I had diverticalar change which this they think caused the bleed like systems. About 1 in 20 people in their 40's and 1 in 3 in their 60's and half of people in their 80's can suffer from this problem and of course illness can make it worse or as in my case start it. ( I cannot say if your mother has the same problem but it could be is does sound similar)

Bleeding from the mouth could be from ulcers, again very painful, have you checked what type of pain killers your mother is on?

Morphine based pain killers made life easier for me and helped to get the pain under control helped with the ulcers and mucositis, she will also need to have good fluid control due the the diarrhoea as fast they pumped into it went out the other end and my weight just fell off.

Re - R/T, the only thing I can say is yes it is important to finish the complete course, but when you in pain and taking all things into consideration only your mother will know if she can or cannot finish the treatment, I hope that she can and finds the strengh to finish the treatment.

Alot of postive help from family is really helpful beleive me.


I wish your mother all the best.


Regards


Tony

Oh No!
I have had only one weeks treatment of RT and spent most of the weekend on the loo with the most awful trots you could imagine.
Today it was even scary trying to time toilet time with bus times and treatment times!
Is there anything that helps?
SusieR

Hi Susie
Yesterday was my first visit to the website and I have enjoyed following your input ~ good for some chuckles!
My husband, Trevor is due to start chemo and r/t in a couple of weeks. I/we had no idea that diarrhoea can be a side effect! Here I've been in a tizz worrying about the burns and effects on his mouth and throat ~ hadn't given the other end a thought!! Oh dear.
Must be a real challenge if you are having to contend with public transport. Good luck with that. Do you have far to travel?
By the way ~ love the ONEWAY title, how different are you! My girlfriend is called NanaNana for some odd reason and it's just lovely that Celia is still comfortable using that term now she is almose 10. I am finally going to be a granny (call me anything ~ just give me the baby!) for the first time in February. Thought is would never happen as my eldest is 35 and swears motherhood is not for her.
In light of our hiccup with Trevor's diagnosis, news of a new bub is just the greatest we could have.
Cheers
Deborah

Hi Deborah,
Congrats to you and Trevor for being grandparents soon. Grandchildren are great, you can love them to death, spoil them rotten and then give them back! ha ha. I wonder what you will be called?
I didn't know about the diarrhoea thing either. The dietician informed me this morning that it doesn't happen to everyone so maybe Trevor will be lucky and escape that side effect. It might be an idea to start shopping for loo roll on bulk though! She also has changed my peg feed from Jevity to Ensure to see if that will help but as now I have had to stop RT, I hope the trots will stop too. (See my post "Peed off" as to why I've stopped RT)
I can drive but have chosen not to at the moment. I'm still on quite alot of medication and have chosen not to. The Irish drivers are really awful and the roads do not need them and me half stoned driving. Luckily in Ireland there is a scheme where if you are sick and receiving an Invilidity Pension, you also get a free bus/train pass. I can travel all over Ireland on eihter bus or train for nothing.
I'm only using it hospital visits at the moment though. (20 minutes away by bus but seems like hours if things in the rear area are a bit dodgy!)
Good luck to Trevor for his upcoming treatment. It's not all bad and when you read the posts most people don't get every side effect. Thankfully!.
Keep us all informed, good to chat to you.
Regards
SusieR

Hi Winnie,
I can only tell you my wife had went through the same thing, Not only was it coming out of both ends with very little control, but she was on a feed tube and still went down to 97lbs. We had heard a doctor talking about the benifits of blackberry juice, not store bought but fresh juiced through a juicer, so we gave it a shot. We had wonderful results as far as helping to settle her stomache, but as we all know the other thing is a bit harder to control because basically liquid in is liquid out. I hope this helps you, and God bless you.

Hi Susie
I was really chuffed to get your reply! I am such a dunce finding my way around these things and thought I'd never have contact with anyone, while Trevor (Mr Havachat!) has been all over the shop having his say (just for a change!!).
I had read your pee'd off post and felt so disappointed/frustrated for you. One thing at a time might be a nice way for life to be thrown at you, don't you think???
Anyway, the love and thoughts of millions (it seems) are with you. Keep sane. Keep smiling and go with the flow as best you can. We'll be sending our best from the land downunder
Cheers
Deborah

Thanks for your replies.

It did turn out to be diverticular changes along with a reaction to NSAIDS, which she has stopped.

She was looking a bit stronger yesterday, after a couple of good feeds and plenty fluids, but her mouth is no better. She is only taking paracetamol for the pain and is coping with that.

She had a long chat with one of the senior RT nurses and had her mind put at rest a bit, so she's getting through.

Hi Winnie. so sorry your mum sounds to be really going through it, it seems to affect everyone is different ways. I have nothing that I can recommend only that I hope things get better.

Susie

I strongly recommend on your outbound journeys you would find it helpful to wear trousers and bicycle clips