Like most people with cancer, you are probably going to have a number of problems in body care. But these too can be anticipated and dealt with before discharge from the hospital. You and your family should be instructed in specific care techniques.
Bowel and Bladder Care You should be given a practical approach to bowel and bladder care. Special attention will be given to the problems of constipation, diarrhea and incontinence . You and your family should have a basic knowledge of laxatives, enemas, catheters and dietary management. ( For more detailed information, see Coping With Treatment Side Effects .)
There are two main problems with the bowels, both uncomfortable but both preventable in many cases:
Constipation Irregular or infrequent bowel movements can be caused by many things—chemotherapy drugs, pain-controlling narcotics , changes in diet or environment or lack of activity.
It can be prevented by adding foods high in fiber and bulk to your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals and bran. You should also drink plenty of fluids and be as active as possible. Stool softeners, stimulating laxatives and suppositories can help. More severe constipation can be relieved by enemas (either commercially prepared or a home mixture of 5 mL/1 tsp. of table salt and 500 mL/1 pint of tap water). If your white blood cell count or platelet count is severely depressed, talk to your doctor about what to do for constipation.
