Anal Cancer Survivor New to board

grandma2selena
grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
edited March 2014 in Anal Cancer #1
Hi my name is Debbie. I was diagnosed 2 years ago with stage 1 (very early stage 1) anal cancer. How they discovered it so early truly was a miracle in itself. I went through Chemo and Radiation.

While treatment did leave me with some side affects, the fact I am cancer free and feeling very well makes these side affects tolerable.

I had been posting at the colon/rectal cancer board but am thrilled to now see a board that is for Anal Cancer. I look forward to stopping back by and getting to know all of you.

Debbie
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Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    Hi Debbie!
    Thanks for joining this board, as we are always happy to hear from those who are a ways out from treatment like you and me. I am now almost 27 months out. I'm glad you are doing well and handling the lingering side effects okay. It can be challenging at times, but is manageable. Wishing you continued good health!
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    mp327 said:

    Hi Debbie!
    Thanks for joining this board, as we are always happy to hear from those who are a ways out from treatment like you and me. I am now almost 27 months out. I'm glad you are doing well and handling the lingering side effects okay. It can be challenging at times, but is manageable. Wishing you continued good health!

    Debbie
    Welcome Debbie, I am glad you came to the board. The more knowledge and experience for us to share. Lori
  • nonichol
    nonichol Member Posts: 170
    Hi Debbie
    Welcome aboard the board. I am glad you found us.
    Norma
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    Thank you
    Thank you for the warm welcome.
  • censation
    censation Member Posts: 16
    Hello
    Just read your story, And all I can say is God Is Great I was diagnosed with anal cancer July 27,2009 never heard of it until Farrah Fawcett was following here story and was devastated when I was diagnosed did'nt do well at all with the news was very scared and confused went through chemo and radiation and thought everything was o'k until the pain it was horrendous can't imagine what Farrah went through but I can gladly say today I'm cancer-free still dealing with psychological issues but praying I will never go thru this again. So glad I found this network here it gives me hope and now I can share my story with others who have dealt with such a horrible thing.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    censation said:

    Hello
    Just read your story, And all I can say is God Is Great I was diagnosed with anal cancer July 27,2009 never heard of it until Farrah Fawcett was following here story and was devastated when I was diagnosed did'nt do well at all with the news was very scared and confused went through chemo and radiation and thought everything was o'k until the pain it was horrendous can't imagine what Farrah went through but I can gladly say today I'm cancer-free still dealing with psychological issues but praying I will never go thru this again. So glad I found this network here it gives me hope and now I can share my story with others who have dealt with such a horrible thing.

    Welcome!
    Welcome censation--your story sounds so very similar to many others, including mine. Scared and confused--that's how I felt when first diagnosed, and the pain WAS horrendous! I'm glad to hear you are cancer free. The emotional/psychological stuff--yeah, it goes on. I'm happy you found this site and hope to hear from you again.
  • nonichol
    nonichol Member Posts: 170
    censation said:

    Hello
    Just read your story, And all I can say is God Is Great I was diagnosed with anal cancer July 27,2009 never heard of it until Farrah Fawcett was following here story and was devastated when I was diagnosed did'nt do well at all with the news was very scared and confused went through chemo and radiation and thought everything was o'k until the pain it was horrendous can't imagine what Farrah went through but I can gladly say today I'm cancer-free still dealing with psychological issues but praying I will never go thru this again. So glad I found this network here it gives me hope and now I can share my story with others who have dealt with such a horrible thing.

    hi
    Hi Censation,
    welcome to the board. I am just three months out from radiation and chemo. so it is all fresh in my mind.
    Norma
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    censation said:

    Hello
    Just read your story, And all I can say is God Is Great I was diagnosed with anal cancer July 27,2009 never heard of it until Farrah Fawcett was following here story and was devastated when I was diagnosed did'nt do well at all with the news was very scared and confused went through chemo and radiation and thought everything was o'k until the pain it was horrendous can't imagine what Farrah went through but I can gladly say today I'm cancer-free still dealing with psychological issues but praying I will never go thru this again. So glad I found this network here it gives me hope and now I can share my story with others who have dealt with such a horrible thing.

    Hi Censation
    I agree the pain was the most horrible thing I have ever gone through too. Do we ever get over the psychological issues we face after going through any type of cancer, I don't think so. I do fine until it is time for my next follow up, then all those thoughts start swarming through my mind. The first year was the most difficult though. I am glad you found the board, the more we can share the more we can help those facing this horrible disease.
  • censation
    censation Member Posts: 16
    nonichol said:

    hi
    Hi Censation,
    welcome to the board. I am just three months out from radiation and chemo. so it is all fresh in my mind.
    Norma

    Thanks
    It's so great to find this board now I can meet people who have been in the same shoes as me.At first I did'nt want to talk about cancer at all not even sharing my zodiac sign was cancer but after going thru this horrific ordeal I find now it's good to share. Thanks for the kind words and please do keep in touch this site keeps me going.
  • censation
    censation Member Posts: 16

    Hi Censation
    I agree the pain was the most horrible thing I have ever gone through too. Do we ever get over the psychological issues we face after going through any type of cancer, I don't think so. I do fine until it is time for my next follow up, then all those thoughts start swarming through my mind. The first year was the most difficult though. I am glad you found the board, the more we can share the more we can help those facing this horrible disease.

    I agree
    No I don't think the psyhcological factors will every go away, I too have much stress when it's time to go back for a checkup currently waiting for the results of last ct scan and praying it will be o'k. I'm starting to do some cancer advocacy work it helps some but at times I can't endure the stories and I can't stop thinking about the awful pain that I endured. I look forward to being here because now I don't feel so alone.Thanks for making me feel so welcome.
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    censation said:

    I agree
    No I don't think the psyhcological factors will every go away, I too have much stress when it's time to go back for a checkup currently waiting for the results of last ct scan and praying it will be o'k. I'm starting to do some cancer advocacy work it helps some but at times I can't endure the stories and I can't stop thinking about the awful pain that I endured. I look forward to being here because now I don't feel so alone.Thanks for making me feel so welcome.

    Welcome
    Hi Censation
    Welcome to the board. I was diagonsed two weeks before you and I am also NED. Thank God. I share the "scanxiety" with you and others on the board. I try to go forward and not let it consume me, but as soon as I get my appointment reminders the anxiety starts.

    But, I'm grateful that all is well and that so many on this forum have beaten this horrid disease.

    Liz
  • JDuke
    JDuke Member Posts: 438
    lizdeli said:

    Welcome
    Hi Censation
    Welcome to the board. I was diagonsed two weeks before you and I am also NED. Thank God. I share the "scanxiety" with you and others on the board. I try to go forward and not let it consume me, but as soon as I get my appointment reminders the anxiety starts.

    But, I'm grateful that all is well and that so many on this forum have beaten this horrid disease.

    Liz

    Welcome Debbie and Censation
    You are both a welcome addition to our "family". I hope that you benefit from the sharing and caring that exists here.
    Blessings,
    Joanne
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    JDuke said:

    Welcome Debbie and Censation
    You are both a welcome addition to our "family". I hope that you benefit from the sharing and caring that exists here.
    Blessings,
    Joanne

    I wish
    I just wish there would have been this board when I went through my treatments. I felt so alone at times. I just hope that none of you ever feel that there is no dumb question. We might not always have all the answers but we can do our best to try, and help research, and just be supportive.
  • censation
    censation Member Posts: 16
    JDuke said:

    Welcome Debbie and Censation
    You are both a welcome addition to our "family". I hope that you benefit from the sharing and caring that exists here.
    Blessings,
    Joanne

    Thank-you
    I appreciate the warm welcome the lord truly works in mysterious ways I truly needed this board when I was diagnosed with anal cancer I never heard of it until Farrah Fawcett never in my wildest dreams think it would affect me I thought I just had a hemmorroid problem the diagnosis was shocking to say the least I was lost, scared and so confused my treatments we're very painful I thought I was going to die.Even though everyone was saying I was going to be o'k I did'nt see that at the time I could'nt understand why this was happening to me so I went into a big depression but thru many great people I did get better but I feel once you have cancer it kinda lingers waiting to pounce again I am so glad I have a forum to share my feelings and with people who understands it gives me hope to get through another day.
  • censation
    censation Member Posts: 16

    I wish
    I just wish there would have been this board when I went through my treatments. I felt so alone at times. I just hope that none of you ever feel that there is no dumb question. We might not always have all the answers but we can do our best to try, and help research, and just be supportive.

    Very Grateful
    So very grateful for this forum I too felt very alone when I was diagnosed thinking it was my fault this happened, I know now that's not true. After reading about Farrah Fawcett and her having anal cancer that was the very first time I knew it existed I followed her story and was very saddened but never thought it would affect me but it did I can't imagine what she went through she was like stage four I was stage one but the radiation and chemo was brutal I never thought I would be the same, The shame and the pain along with the depression was more than I could bear but I'm here today feeling much better and cancer-free as of feb3rd 2010 Praise God and I'm so grateful for this forum I can share with other's who have been we're I've been and not feel ashamed saying, I had anal cancer.
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    censation said:

    Thank-you
    I appreciate the warm welcome the lord truly works in mysterious ways I truly needed this board when I was diagnosed with anal cancer I never heard of it until Farrah Fawcett never in my wildest dreams think it would affect me I thought I just had a hemmorroid problem the diagnosis was shocking to say the least I was lost, scared and so confused my treatments we're very painful I thought I was going to die.Even though everyone was saying I was going to be o'k I did'nt see that at the time I could'nt understand why this was happening to me so I went into a big depression but thru many great people I did get better but I feel once you have cancer it kinda lingers waiting to pounce again I am so glad I have a forum to share my feelings and with people who understands it gives me hope to get through another day.

    Farrah's Story
    I went through my treatment, and was at the very end waiting to go in for the tests to see if my treatment worked, when a friend mentioned to me about Farrah. I had no idea what she was going through. It was so hard to watch her story, I had to keep reminding myself that my situation was not like hers.
  • censation
    censation Member Posts: 16
    lizdeli said:

    Welcome
    Hi Censation
    Welcome to the board. I was diagonsed two weeks before you and I am also NED. Thank God. I share the "scanxiety" with you and others on the board. I try to go forward and not let it consume me, but as soon as I get my appointment reminders the anxiety starts.

    But, I'm grateful that all is well and that so many on this forum have beaten this horrid disease.

    Liz

    I Too Am Grateful
    Thank-you so much for the kind words I'm still dealing with anxiety everyday with fear this will come back it was just so painful I often cry hoping and praying it won't return because I don't think I have the strength to go through it again. I'm learning to trust my higher power and get on with living the psychological factors still take it's toll everytime I go to the bathroom I see blood I panic I'm currently waiting for results of last ct scan and hoping and praying it will be o'k this forum is a god-send for me I feel I can be open about how I feel and not worry about people asking silly question like, How did I get it? How does anyone get cancer?
  • censation
    censation Member Posts: 16

    Farrah's Story
    I went through my treatment, and was at the very end waiting to go in for the tests to see if my treatment worked, when a friend mentioned to me about Farrah. I had no idea what she was going through. It was so hard to watch her story, I had to keep reminding myself that my situation was not like hers.

    I was going back and forth being prodded having tests and thinking I just had hemmorroids this all doing Farrah's ordeal when she died june 26 I was waitng for results from biopsy getting agitated going back and forth to different doctors I recieved the news july 27th a week after my 50th birthday wow what a birthday present that was, I no longer like sharing that my zodiac sign is cancer that's how ugly this disease is, I'm so grateful to be cancer-free today.
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    censation said:

    I Too Am Grateful
    Thank-you so much for the kind words I'm still dealing with anxiety everyday with fear this will come back it was just so painful I often cry hoping and praying it won't return because I don't think I have the strength to go through it again. I'm learning to trust my higher power and get on with living the psychological factors still take it's toll everytime I go to the bathroom I see blood I panic I'm currently waiting for results of last ct scan and hoping and praying it will be o'k this forum is a god-send for me I feel I can be open about how I feel and not worry about people asking silly question like, How did I get it? How does anyone get cancer?

    censation
    Hi Censation, I hope everything will be fine with your ct scan. I know I always get the scananxiety, but I have to remember that I show ned since 6-30-09. I will have my next scan on 1-17-11. Please keep us updated I'm sure you'll be fine, how could cancer live through the treatment we go through. I wish you well Lori.
  • censation
    censation Member Posts: 16
    z said:

    censation
    Hi Censation, I hope everything will be fine with your ct scan. I know I always get the scananxiety, but I have to remember that I show ned since 6-30-09. I will have my next scan on 1-17-11. Please keep us updated I'm sure you'll be fine, how could cancer live through the treatment we go through. I wish you well Lori.

    Thank-you
    I had the test about two weeks ago and still waiting for the appointment to here my results they give you a post card to fill out then I must wait until the next appointment but I'm trying very hard to think positive I know the results are back by now, and I'm sure if there we're any concerns my doctor would have called me so I just wait and think happy thoughts but I can tell you some days are better than other's. I hope you are doing well also.