My Story – Submitted by: Jennifer
I was diagnosed in late 2016 with Stage 3 rectal cancer. I underwent 45 days of radiation and chemotherapy to my rectum and surrounding area. Six weeks later I had a lower anterior resection where the surgeon salvaged as much rectum as possible and reattached my sigmoid colon to the remaining rectum. I am currently undergoing clean-up chemo, however, as a result of radiation and surgery, I have been left with severe urinary and fecal incontinence.
I am currently taking medication for the urinary incontinence. For the FI, I am now seeing a specialist (colorectal surgeon) who has recommended physical therapy including biofeedback.
Nothing has worked so far. I am now scheduled for an anorectal manometry in October to test muscle strength. We will see what happens…in the mean time, I take medications to help slow the bowel and hope for good days.