radiation proctitis

I'm not yet 5 years out, but at about 3 years out I experienced some rectal bleeding. I was due for a colonoscopy anyway, so my gastro took a look. He found some radiation proctitis that was causing bleeding, as were a couple of the "usual" hemorrhoids. A quick blast of the laser, and so far, all is well.

I've had such a bad last few months health wise I'm feeling jinxed. First appendicitis in July, followed 1 week later with the finding of aggressive cancer found in the appendix biopsy. CT scans all normal, right hemicolectomy all negative for cancer. Then abdominal abscess 2 weeks after hemicolectomy. Will have to have checkups for 5 years with oncologist. He said 85% chance of no recurrence.

Then beginning in October a new back problem. I've had lower back recurring problems for 40 years. This is in the middle of the back. Actually feels like the big back muscles. When I get up in the middle of the night and in the morning it aches for a minute or so, then no more at all during the day. We have great mattress we bought 2 years ago so not that. I went to orthopedic doctor who specializes in back problems and he x-rayed me and said significant arthritis in the back. He gave me prednisone pack but it didn't help. He said I should have MRI as it could be cancer of the spine since I have history of prostate cancer. I called my urologist and he said the orthopedic doc doesn't really know my PSA history, he's just being thorough. He looked at the x-rays and say he thought arthritis. He said a study of 20,000 prostate cancer patients years ago showed only 1 had bone cancer with PSA less than 10 and that guy's was 9.8. Still, I cant help but worry. I havent had PSA checked in 11 months.

Then the blood in the stool. Is it proctitis? Maybe. Is it colon cancer? Maybe. Is it appendix cancer spread already? Maybe. Or maybe a hemorrhoid.
So in the next month I'm meeting with GI doc about blood, having MRI of back, having annual PSA, and oncologist for blood tests and scans.

My colonoscopy was 2 years after surgery. (That makes it 2-3 years ago). The gastro told me...."We'll see you again in 5 years".

I've also had recurring back problems for 30 years. Yesterday, while throwing some carpeting in the bed of a pickup truck....it went out again. Can't walk. Go to doc. Gave me a steroid shot and some powerful NSAIDs with a muscle relaxant. I'll be going to PT (again) tomorrow.

Once these things go out, they're more likely to again. Back problems can be chronic.

Blood in my stool has been an on again, off again, thing my entire life. (hemoroids)