Went through pelvic radiation (along with chemo) before my rectal cancer surgery a while back. It definitely helped shrink the tumor, but the side effects during treatment were rough – skin burns/irritation (like a bad sunburn down there), fatigue, diarrhea, bladder irritation. For those going through it now (like John Smith maybe?) or those who remember it well, what tips helped you cope with the daily grind of radiation side effects?
Had pelvic radiation as part of my initial Stage 3 treatment (TNT approach). James’ advice is spot on. Hydration is key. For bladder irritation, avoiding caffeine and acidic drinks helped me. The fatigue builds up, so plan for rest. Sitz baths (warm, shallow baths) can be soothing for skin irritation too, but check with your team first.
Thanks Elizabeth! Good tip on avoiding caffeine/acidic drinks.
Good call on the Sitz baths, Elizabeth! Forgot about those, they did help. And yes, the fatigue is cumulative.