newbie

nonichol
nonichol Member Posts: 170
edited March 2014 in Anal Cancer #1
Hi all,
I am Norma. I started mytomycin and 5fu yesterday. Today I begin IMRT radiation. T4N1MX squamous cell anal cancer. Just wanted to check in. I have been reading the posts for about a week, I feel they have helped me get ready more than anything else. I have always been a fighter and survivor, so we will see how this goes.
Thanks for all the information you have shared.
Norma
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Comments

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    Norma
    Hi Norma,

    Welcome to the board, of course I'm sorry you had to find us. Pleae keep us updated on your progress, as we have been there, and can so relate to what your treatment will be like. I wish you well. Lori
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    Welcome Norma!
    I'm sorry such a diagnosis has brought you here, but I assure you, you are among others who know what you are going to go through. We will share our information with you and try to help you in any way we can. I hope you'll keep us posted as you go through this journey and please feel free to pick our brains! I wish you the very best.
  • Chris3
    Chris3 Member Posts: 58
    Welcome Norma
    Hi Norma,
    So sorry about your diagnosis. We will do whatever we can to help you through the process. We all have you in our thoughts as you begin your treatment protocol.
    Chris
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    Chris3 said:

    Welcome Norma
    Hi Norma,
    So sorry about your diagnosis. We will do whatever we can to help you through the process. We all have you in our thoughts as you begin your treatment protocol.
    Chris

    Hi Norma - so sorry that you
    Hi Norma - so sorry that you had to join us for the reasons you are. I am new to this group as well and can tell you that the individuals in here are the most compassionate, caring, honest and helpful group I have met. They have gotten me through some tough moments during the beginning weeks. I'm heading into week four of treatment now and their information has helped me get this far building on their knowledge and own experiences. Don't hesitate to come in here and ask questions or express concerns or just to let off some emotion. Hang in there. Everyone told me how fast this would go and I still can't believe I'm almost done with week four. I feel like I just started yesterday. Breathe, take it one day at a time and come in here when you need to. Be well, Marilyne
  • SueRelays
    SueRelays Member Posts: 485
    sissy310 said:

    Hi Norma - so sorry that you
    Hi Norma - so sorry that you had to join us for the reasons you are. I am new to this group as well and can tell you that the individuals in here are the most compassionate, caring, honest and helpful group I have met. They have gotten me through some tough moments during the beginning weeks. I'm heading into week four of treatment now and their information has helped me get this far building on their knowledge and own experiences. Don't hesitate to come in here and ask questions or express concerns or just to let off some emotion. Hang in there. Everyone told me how fast this would go and I still can't believe I'm almost done with week four. I feel like I just started yesterday. Breathe, take it one day at a time and come in here when you need to. Be well, Marilyne

    Hi Norma
    Welcome! As much

    Hi Norma

    Welcome! As much as I love making new friends, I wish I wasn't....as it means yet another has been dx'd with cancer.
    I won't repeat what has already been said.....with the exception of " we are here for you"

    Just wanted to add to the list.
  • nonichol
    nonichol Member Posts: 170
    SueRelays said:

    Hi Norma
    Welcome! As much

    Hi Norma

    Welcome! As much as I love making new friends, I wish I wasn't....as it means yet another has been dx'd with cancer.
    I won't repeat what has already been said.....with the exception of " we are here for you"

    Just wanted to add to the list.

    thanks
    Thanks everyone. You all have already helped me just knowing others have been through the same thing.
    Norma
  • pjjenkins
    pjjenkins Member Posts: 173
    More support
    Just chiming in as part of our "support group"! Hang tough and check things out with us. We have lots of experience and are rooting for you!
    Priscilla
  • z810840b
    z810840b Member Posts: 207 Member
    newbie
    Dear norma...you sound like a fighter !!!The next 6 to 8 weeks will be tough...but then will become a faded dream...I am 2 years ned.We're all here for you.....Hugs..alyse
  • nonichol
    nonichol Member Posts: 170
    z810840b said:

    newbie
    Dear norma...you sound like a fighter !!!The next 6 to 8 weeks will be tough...but then will become a faded dream...I am 2 years ned.We're all here for you.....Hugs..alyse

    chemo
    Oh, I did not know I was to take anti nausea med while on chemo this week. Luckily nausea not too bad til last night and today. Now I will be sure and have some med for my next chemo to go bag.
  • lisa09
    lisa09 Member Posts: 32
    nonichol said:

    chemo
    Oh, I did not know I was to take anti nausea med while on chemo this week. Luckily nausea not too bad til last night and today. Now I will be sure and have some med for my next chemo to go bag.

    Good Luck
    Good luck Norma, it's a tough treatment, but you'll get through it!

    Lisa
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    nonichol said:

    chemo
    Oh, I did not know I was to take anti nausea med while on chemo this week. Luckily nausea not too bad til last night and today. Now I will be sure and have some med for my next chemo to go bag.

    Hi. part of my chemo bag
    Hi. part of my chemo bag included the 5FU and Mito but they also infused me with an anti-nausea drug (that lasted 72 hours) and ativan. Do you know if they gave you all those things with your infusion? I think the reason I did not have the bad nausea was because of the anti-nausea drug and ativan they gave me. When I feel nauseous now I take 1/2 ativan. At least it has worked so far. I start week five next week and my second round of chemo so who knows, this time it could be markedly different. I believe in being prepared so have everything at the ready as to what you might need and use it when you have to. That seemed to help me. Hang in there, Mariyne
  • nonichol
    nonichol Member Posts: 170
    sissy310 said:

    Hi. part of my chemo bag
    Hi. part of my chemo bag included the 5FU and Mito but they also infused me with an anti-nausea drug (that lasted 72 hours) and ativan. Do you know if they gave you all those things with your infusion? I think the reason I did not have the bad nausea was because of the anti-nausea drug and ativan they gave me. When I feel nauseous now I take 1/2 ativan. At least it has worked so far. I start week five next week and my second round of chemo so who knows, this time it could be markedly different. I believe in being prepared so have everything at the ready as to what you might need and use it when you have to. That seemed to help me. Hang in there, Mariyne

    anti nausea
    Yeah, I got some pills last night. What a diffeerence. Hello... Now I know for the next round. Thanks for your input and I wish you well on your second round.
    Norma
  • z810840b
    z810840b Member Posts: 207 Member
    nonichol said:

    anti nausea
    Yeah, I got some pills last night. What a diffeerence. Hello... Now I know for the next round. Thanks for your input and I wish you well on your second round.
    Norma

    nausea
    hi norma..Round two does not include mytomercin..only 5fu...you may not be as nauseus.....alyse
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    z810840b said:

    nausea
    hi norma..Round two does not include mytomercin..only 5fu...you may not be as nauseus.....alyse

    Actually, I think most
    Actually, I think most people get both mito and 5FU for both rounds of treatment--I know I did.
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    mp327 said:

    Actually, I think most
    Actually, I think most people get both mito and 5FU for both rounds of treatment--I know I did.

    Mito
    I only received one mito infusion on the 1st chemo day. I just had the 5FU on the 2nd chemo cycle. Lori
  • lisa09
    lisa09 Member Posts: 32
    z said:

    Mito
    I only received one mito infusion on the 1st chemo day. I just had the 5FU on the 2nd chemo cycle. Lori

    Mito
    I also had Mito both rounds. Sorry to say, second round was much worse for me.

    Lisa
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    z810840b said:

    nausea
    hi norma..Round two does not include mytomercin..only 5fu...you may not be as nauseus.....alyse

    That is interesting as the
    That is interesting as the nurse told me that I would be getting the Mito with my second round but maybe she was mistaken...I'm going to have to check on Tuesday to be sure.
  • pjjenkins
    pjjenkins Member Posts: 173
    nonichol said:

    chemo
    Oh, I did not know I was to take anti nausea med while on chemo this week. Luckily nausea not too bad til last night and today. Now I will be sure and have some med for my next chemo to go bag.

    anti-nausea
    I don't know if I got infusions but did have ativan and used it early on. I found out it is pretty habit forming so didn't use it the whole time and had one day and a half period of terrible nausea... I don't remember exactly at what point in chemo but it was during chemo. I know if I need chemo again I will use it as suggested!
  • melbas
    melbas Member Posts: 43
    Ginger Chews
    First, let welcome Norma tot our little group of information. If you have a question, you'll most likely find an answer here, If not, you'll always find something in our discussions to help you out a little. I just got out of a 10 day stay in the hospital...I had a horrible reaction to 5fu, they mouth is finally healing, I actually chewed some food today!!! But I am bruised everywhere and it hurts to even touch my skin. Looking forward to more improvement. They took me off treament while I was in there, so now they have to start all over, hopefully with a lesser dose of the cheno. Keeping you in our prayers Norma. And to whoever hooked we up with Ginger Chews, thank you!!! Melodie
  • nonichol
    nonichol Member Posts: 170
    melbas said:

    Ginger Chews
    First, let welcome Norma tot our little group of information. If you have a question, you'll most likely find an answer here, If not, you'll always find something in our discussions to help you out a little. I just got out of a 10 day stay in the hospital...I had a horrible reaction to 5fu, they mouth is finally healing, I actually chewed some food today!!! But I am bruised everywhere and it hurts to even touch my skin. Looking forward to more improvement. They took me off treament while I was in there, so now they have to start all over, hopefully with a lesser dose of the cheno. Keeping you in our prayers Norma. And to whoever hooked we up with Ginger Chews, thank you!!! Melodie

    ,melbas
    Lord Have Mercy Melba. I certainly hope it goes better for you now. I am glad you got some food. I am a skinny chick, but I like to eat.
    Sincerely,
    Norma