Radiation and Cancer Surgery Causing Urinary and Fecal Incontinence

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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.

Posted in Shared Stories from People with Incontinence and tagged , .