147: Helinka Carr survived bowel cancer | ileostomy bag | pelvic radiation disease

1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 147: Helinka Carr survived bowel cancer | ileostomy bag | pelvic radiation disease | colonoscopy When Helinka Carr experienced limited rectal bleeding, because it was limited, she never thought her problem could rise to the level of cancer.&nbsp; She also thought the bleeding might be diverticulitis, which had been suffered by members of her family.&nbsp; However, at the urging of her doctor, she underwent blood tests and a colonoscopy.&nbsp; The latter revealed that she had bowel cancer.&nbsp; Thanks to two surgical procedures, she achieved survivorship but has to wear an ileostomy bag.&nbsp; She tires easily, but had the energy to start a line of ostomy lingerie for bag-wearing women diagnosed with below-the-belt cancers. &nbsp; Helinka Carr said when one experienced rectal bleeding for three weeks, that was the standard in the United Kingdom for being a candidate for bowel cancer.&nbsp; Helinka while noticed bleeding in her rectum and in her stool, it didn’t exist to the degree that aligned with the accepted standard for bowel cancer.&nbsp; She also said her family had a history of diverticulitis, which also led her to believe that she was not a candidate for bowel cancer. &nbsp; Nonetheless, her general practitioner urged her to get the bleeding checked out.&nbsp; After a series of blood tests, Helinka underwent a colonoscopy and bowel cancer was indicated. &nbsp; Once upon learning of her diagnosis, she immediately refused chemotherapy.&nbsp; She agreed to a regimen of radiation treatment, combined with her self-styled complimentary hearing.&nbsp; It took two surgeries, but her tumor was removed.&nbsp; Helinka detested the radiation therapy, and firmly believes her practicing complimentary healing all by itself could have removed the majority of her tumor. &nbsp; Despite achieving survivorship, the radiation continued to affect her.&nbsp; She suffered from pelvic radiation disease, which robbed her of any feeling in her rectum or bladder, creating major problems any time she had to urinate or defecate.&nbsp; &nbsp; Helinka’s care team said she would need to be fitted for an ileostomy bag.&nbsp; At first she was told she would only have to wear it for twelve weeks; but after it was removed, she was incontinent and was told she again would have to wear the bag, this time on a permanent basis.&nbsp; Helinka has figured out a way to manage the bag, go out and enjoy normal activities and get six to eight hours of sleep each night. &nbsp; Helinka’s experience inspired her to devise a line of ostomy lingerie.&nbsp; It is attractive underwear destined for bag-wearing women diagnosed with below-the-belt cancers. &nbsp; By way of advice, Helinka Carr says regardless of your cancer diagnosis, you need to fiercely advocate for yourself.&nbsp; That means asking lots of questions, and if your doctor cannot sufficiently answer your questions, to get another doctor. &nbsp; Additional Resources: &nbsp; Helinka’s lingerie line: Unspokenrosebud-Etsy Cancer Interviews http://cancerinterviews.com <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37101250/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/item/37101250