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Anal / rectal stenosis?
I have not yet recovered from the pain of the last scoping. As a matter of fact, the pain is getting worse. It's not just that fissure site that hurts, but my whole anal vault is painful and throbbing after passing stools. They are more formed these days, though far from firm, and each go-time is dreaded. I pass blood and…
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Beginning Week 9 - Update
Thanks to all who have offered support along the way. It's much appreciated! My last day of radiation was April 18, so it will be three weeks post radiation on Wed. May 9th. My bottom is still sore and very itchy, but slowly getting better. I am so impatient! Not too many other issues. I tire quickly and lost a bit more…
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Radiation proctitis
After 2 surgeries and 37 radiations which I finished on August 17th...after about a month I developed radiation proctitis. They have tried everything and are now scheduling me for a colostomy. The pain is absolutely unbearable. Just wondering if there is anyone out there like me.
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Biopsy Results Update
Hey guys, 12 weeks out from my treatment and had my Biopsy Tuesday. The waiting was excutiating and mentally I was a wreck. Now I am in tears of joy because the biopsy results came back as just scar tissue. Not sure how many they took but they all came back as scar tissue. Thank you all for helping me get through this…
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Getting ready to start chemo and radiation
I will be starting chemo and radiation at the end of this month. They are waiting to put port in. They plan on using pump to administer chemo. Also will do radiation at same time. Hope to shrink mass before doing surgery. Have been told I will need permament colosomy. Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated.
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Fatigue post treatment
Hi All! I finished my 2 cycles of chemo and all my radiation treatment almost 3 weeks ago. The skin on my bottom is greatly improved, but still pretty ouchy on the inside and BM's are better but still not fun. The worst part for me right now is this horrible fatigue. I went back to work this week, 4 hrs per day. But I'm…
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Starting Treatment Soon
Hi everyone. I just joined. I am a 63-year-old female and was recently diagnosed with Squamous Cell Cancer of Anal Margin/Canal. Same cancer that my mother had. I am awaiting my appointments with my 2 oncologists who will be treating me (Chemo Onc & Radiation Onc). I have been reading up on the Chemo-Radiation treatment…
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End of Week Five
I did ok the first four weeks of one chemo and 20 radiation treatments, but last weekend, the burns just came on and this past week five, along with round two of chemo, it's been rough. I have three radiation treatments left. How long before things down there settle down a bit? I've read the radiation continues to burn for…
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Need to talk to Anal Cancer Survivors who are Post Treatment.
I had the most bizarre appt with Radiologist today. I'm 3 months post treatment. I went in to Rad's office for follow-up. This Rad did not examine me once during my whole entire 6 weeks of treatments meaning she never saw any of my burns. Now, she examined me after everything had healed up. When I told her about the…
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cancer question : pre Oncologist
My fiancés story Hi all. This is my first post here. I am very upset and anxious about what happened with my fiance. After a few months of IBS symptoms, he developed a very large hemoriod from straining. After going to a useless Family Practice Dr. for relief from the hem., I got him to go see a GI surgeon to remove this…
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New diagnosis looking for cancer center
Hello, I'm new to this board, though not new to cancer. I have NHL Lymphoma - doing well. what I have learned - and just told my friend - was find the best place to start with diagnosis and treatment. They thought it was a hemmoroid. Turned out to be cancer. They found a ring of cancer around the anus. They will do CT…
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HRA today, fingers crossed
Hi all, I'm feeling very nervous! Even though all my exams and scans so far have been clear, it's still nerve wracking, as you all know. So, I'm asking for your thoughts and prayers to support me through the next few hours. Thank you! !!! Jane
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Stage 4 anal cancer
Is there anyone else out there with Stage 4 anal cancer - mine spread to liver, did 6 months of chemo, and then 5 weeks of radiation along with oral chemo. I am wondereing what happened next - are you clean or has it reoccurred
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Boxers
I made the boxers in my photo. They have little hearts on them. I think I am past the "What do people think?" stage and onto "What am I going to do about all these side effects??" I have the usual symptoms, nothing I did not expect, though my hair is falling out at a rapid rate and I thought it would just "thin." Guess…
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How to Drive/Ride in Car with Radiation Burns?
Trying to troubleshoot some problems in advance. Would it be excruciating to sit in a car seat as driver or passenger for a 2-hour ride twice a week while undergoing chemo-radiation treatment for this cancer? Is there any way to make sitting for that length of time more bearable? Some special gel cushion or maybe a super…
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Visiting the dentist
How much information about cancer treatment do you have to give your dentist/hygienist? I suppose I have to tell them I had chemo because of the mouth sores. But more details?? I hope not! what have your experiences been going to the dentist or other non-cancer medical folks like eye doctors, physical therapists (not for…
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Radical APR surgery Abdominalperineal Resection
I keep reading the many blogs and topics and I continually see reference to surgeries performed but I am specifically wanting to hear from people that have undergone the radical APR surgery. When I was first diagnosed in Aug. 2017 with this SCC Anal cancer the doctor that had performed the colonoscopy said "There's only…
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Scar tissue?
So I am three months out from my radiation treatment. After the first digit test he felt a little residual abnormality same area but much decreased in height. Second digit test it went down even more but not where he wanted it to be yet. Today I had the three month test and it is not bigger but not smaller. He did not seem…
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Large Biopsy and still in pain
So I had my biopsy 3 months after treatment. The surgeon actually took a huge piece 2 cm X 0.5 cm X .3 cm. Results showed only scar tissue thank God. I am posting to see if anyone else had a large piece cut out for their biopsy. It's almost two weeks later and I still have a lot of pain during my bowel movements. The odd…
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Just Diagnosed and Trying To Decide Whether To Do the Treatment.
Hi Everybody, I gratefully found this board this morning and have been pouring through the posts. I'm a 55 year old woman with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal. A month ago, I had 3 lesions removed, all with HPV features. (I'm still suffering the aftermath of that one!) I wouldn't recommend it to my worst…
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Mucous
My 7 yr follow up is this month and i expect all to be good. But do any of the long time survivors on here still have regular anal discharge?
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constipation after polyp removal
(As stated I'm having quite a lot of constiation after the removal of a polyp on the anal/rectal verge 4 weeks ago. I'm eating really well - fruit / veg etc. but don't seem to be getting moving at all. I always feel like I need to go or ( pardon me) there's more to do. Anyone got any other suggestions? Is this normal after…
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Treatment ended - Now what?
I am curious about people's stories regarding follow-up news after treatment ended. Wondering about timelines, what type of testing was done, and information about results. I feel like I'm floating in limbo a bit. Any stories would be appreciated!
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treatment ended
Treatment ended 5 weeks ago. I've been laying low and resting alot and taking care of my bum. Treatment left me so exhausted but I feel better (slowly by surely) every week. I poop about 3-4 times a day or more almost every other day and they are small bowel movements. However, in the last few days I've been having larger…
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How to Handle This
Advice, please, on how to handle getting through the radiation treatments. I am in week three of daily radiation, however, I am not handling the radiation appointments well. I feel like I am going to the gallows every day while everyone at the treatment center is all, How are you? Did you have a good weekend? Are you doing…
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Stage 4 anal cancer
I was diagnosed in June of 2017, did 12 fulfox treatments with my last one being January 3rd. I started radiation on Feb 8 and today was my 13th treatment, i am battling the painful anus area, i put on ointment that they recommended it helps but not totally, i do the sitz bathes they help while doing it. Just wondering if…
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NCCN Guidelines--2018 updates
There have been some updates to the NCCN Guidelines for anal cancer. 2018 Chemo infusions are now 4 DAYS Instead of 5 days (first and last week) Mitromycin and capecetabine(Xeloda) is also a choice (although this is not new) Fewer scans for surveillance NCCN Guidelines are free, but you have to register...nccn.org
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Why can't doctors stage my cancer?
Most people on this forum, when describing their diagnosis, also are able to include stage. I was not given this information. I asked my biopsy surgeon repeatedly. And even though he had the MRI report (which I now have too), he kept saying not possible to stage it. I don’t understand this. Maybe the Chemo Oncologist and…
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Fecal incontinence
I just wanted to share with everyone out there suffering from fecal incontinence a few things... First and foremost ... if your doctor has not provided you with prescriptions for Lomotil and Immodium and Flexaril ... keep them in mind and have them on hand for when you need them. I had to ask my doctor for them when the…
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Radiation Burns and Raw Skin
First, thank you to everyone who has posted questions and answers on this discussion board. I don't know anyone else who has anal cancer -- didn't even know it was a "thing," until I was diagnosed last February (2017). My 6 weeks of radiation/2 weeks of chemo started at the end of February and ended the first of April. I…