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Update
I survived the prep and colonoscopy. I was only able to drink half of the prep, but guess that was enough. The dr said everything looked fine, however, he said he couldn't go all the way because of "stiffness" and recommended a barium enema in a month. That will have to wait because I've had enough prep and need to put on…
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Too tired and sore to do Christmas
Hi, I have been benefiting from this site since shortly before starting treatment for an anal cancer tumor discovered Sep 3, 2015. And thank you for the sharing of your experience, strength & hope. Discovery was followed by myriad tests, a 2nd opinion sought on biopsy (tumor located where rectum & anal canal meet and cells…
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Fatty foods
Since having treatment (started just over 3 years ago), I have had the occasional bout of having diarrhoea after eating fatty foods (always when eating out). I had wondered about malabsorption because it is a similar reaction to the way it was during treatment. However, between last December and February of this year, I…
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5 year "itch" and burn and some bleeding
hi all ... I'm coming up on 5 years post treatment. recently I've had an uptick in anal itching, burning, drainage. Does this ever go away and do you ever stop worrying about recurrence? What is your experience ... ? I read the article on chronic radiation damage ... And my MDs have told me "rad proctitis" only gets worse…
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wondering about age ranges of individuals here; anyone younger than 40?
Hi all, I was recently diagnosed with anal cancer. Just finished day 8 of 29 days of radiation (IMRT). I'll be getting 52 grey total. Staging is T2, no detectable metastases/lymph node involvement. As they thought it was a hemmorhoid, it was resected (skilfully, thankfully) and what is left does not appear to be overly…
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Something else to worry about...
I had routine mammogram and breast ultrasound today. The ultrasound was fine, but the mammogram showed something. Had to had more mammogram images taken (squeezed harder). I knew it wasn't good news when radiologist came in the room. There are calcifications and she's recommending a breast biopsy (sterotactic) to make sure…
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Newbie
Diagnosed with anal cancer about 6 weeks ago. I have already had a Transanal excision surgery and will start the 5 week chemo radiation Nigro Protocol treatment on Monday the 21st. Can you guys help me out with the little necessities I need to make this bearable?? I was reading some info on sitz baths etc..... thank you my…
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GOOD Results
I had a "routine" PET scan on Dec. 2 and an appt with my radiation oncologist this week. He said my scan was perfect and he won't be doing another one (mostly due to insurance purposes) unless it's necessary. (Glad to hear this with all the recent discussion of scans & contrasts.) It's 3 years since diagnosis and 2 years 9…
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Update
I saw my CR dr the 7th. On the 21st, I'll have an exam under anesthesia, dilation and colonoscopy. Merry Christmas to me! I could have waited until after the holidays, but my sister has the week of the 21st off and she's my driver. Plus I wanted to get it over with and find out what's going on. I'm doing better thanks to…
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Update on my fave perineural-invaded husband
Hello All, I hope this email finds you all doing well, and enjoying the holiday season. Just thought I would update you on my husband's condition. His CT scan, surely the first of many, came back "normal" other than the anal cancer site of course. So the battle lines have been drawn!! And the battle will begin on Dec 21,…
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Husband just diagnosed - with perineural invasion
Hello Everyone, I write in sadness but with gratitude, for having found my way to this network. The posts that I have seen here so far have been so helpful and heartfelt.... So first and foremost, I want to send out good vibes and best wishes to all of you on your individual and shared journeys with this illness. In short-…
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Back to Houston
Hi, I know I have dropped off the radar lately, but after failing the Nivolumab/Opdivo clinical trial I got quite depressed. My largest liver tumor was threatening my bile duct as well as my hepatic artery and was much too big to consider surgery. So, at the end of October, I went in to get the SIR spheres injected. It was…
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Treatment Question. Pleae Help me.
I was diagnosed with Anal Cancer on July 7th. I am just now getting ready to start treatments. I have a question about treatment plan for 5-FU. I am being told that I will be getting 5-FU for 4 weeks straight then one week off and one more week after that. Everything I have read has lead me to believe it is given for one…
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maybe you dont need surgery or chemotherapy for complete anal blockage
Hi im 65 years of age & approximately 17 weeks ago I could not poo 8 weeks ago I was bleeding from rectum & my doctor sent me to emergency in hospital.They confirmed I was bleeding & gave me an enema What came out was a small ammount of diahorrea!!This never even covered the 8 weeks I havent pooed.The weird thing which I…
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I'm still here...
I'm still on the planet... I haven't posted for a long time, but I do read the posts from time to time. I had labs the 5th and CT scan the 6th - good results, however since those tests I've been dealing with diarrhea/loose stools for almost two weeks now. No fever, no nausea, no vomitting. Stool consistency varies (nice to…
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Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm grateful for my health and happiness, the precious people in my life and the limited time langostino tacos at Rubio's. You? Laz
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Update on my kidney function
I decided that before I go see the nephrologist on December 4th. for a follow-up to discuss all of the lab studies that it would be a good idea to see my internist and get her take on all of this business about my kidneys. I made an appointment and saw her today. She told me that it is her opinion that I definitely do…
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treatment a little different
Hello, I have been reading a lot of posts and have noticed my treatment was a little different and would like any input on if anybody could expain it, or if it could make a difference. From everything I have read normal treatment is six weeks of radiation, five days a week. Chemotherapy is given on a 96 hour drip the first…
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Five year check up
I dont get on here often but when i do, i have been encouraged & gotten a wealth of information from others walking the same path. I just wanted to give hope to those who are just entering this scary world of having anal cancer. I had my 5 year follow up ct scan & bloodwork last week & the results came back perfect!! I go…
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Low WBC and weight loss
Hi Everyone I finished up treatment at the end of May of this year. I went for my first 3 month appt in August and my WBC count was normal. My next 3 month appt I had lost 5 lbs and my WBC count was 1.9. I just went Thursday and had it checked again still the same 1.9 and I have lost 2 more lbs now down to 98 was 117 when…
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Mad As A Wet Hornet!
Mad as a Wet Hornet! This is going to be a "ranty" post, so if you prefer to hit "esc" right now, I will understand. However, besides blowing off some steam, I hope to impart some information that may be useful to any of you who may someday have to undergo testing for kidney function. So here goes. I am a sleuth and,…
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Just wondering
Hi, I am now about 3 weeks out of treatment, starting to get bowel control back and better appetite. Everything I have read post treatment seems to follow what is happening to me except I am still losing weight. Started at about 168 and now at 153 about a 6 pound loss post treatment. I was a stage one and the radiologist…
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Scar Tissue
I am now almost 5 months out from treatment and I have a hard lump at the same spot I had the tumor. My doctors suspect residual cancer (because it's hard)but say that it could be scar tissue. I am scheduled for a PET scan next week. Has anyone else experienced scar tissue that was hard?
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Time to jump in
I have been following posts for several months after being diagnosed in August of this year. Like Martha, who I feel is the pillar of knowledge on this subject, I too was told I had a hemorhoid problem. After four doctors I was finally given the correct diagnoses. Not the one I wanted to hear but at least it gave me a…
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Test Results = Mix of Optimism + Reality
Hi everyone, So last week I was scanned as followup to recent treatment. (Initially dx in 2011 with Stage 3b anal cancer and treated with chemo/rad/permanent ostomy. 2012 dx with Stage 2 rare breast cancer and treated with double mastectomy/arimidex. 2015 dx with anal cancer mets to lung, treated with lobectomy/chemo.…
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OK
Hi All - I'm having trouble with something and I'm hoping you can help me - it's not cancer related but I'm hoping you-all can advise me anyway, or offer help and maybe give me some direction. My mom passed away in July. She was so ill - many, many issues. I went through cancer, TTP, and all that crap-shoot-**** (sorry),…
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Why Do I Feel Like I'm Giving Birth Every Time I Have A Bowel Movement?
Okay, I know I've been on here before talking about painful bowel movements and I've gotten some great advice and suggestions that even worked. HOWEVER, BMs improved for about a week or so and now I feel like I took 1 step forward and 5 steps backwards. I found myself in the bathroom earlier doing breathing exercises…
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UPDATE
UPDATE Hello Everyone. Thursday was my first appointment with the nephrologist to discuss my troubling kidney function blood tests, run within the past 2 1/2 months by my internist and my medical oncologist. I had to travel to a nearby town for this appointment, so it was get up early and get moving. My husband and I…
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Need Help About Bowel Control Problem
Hello! My Mother (64) was diagnosed anal canal cancer from May 2015 (Stage II). She has then gone through 30 radiation therapies and 4 chemos (first two cisplatin + taxol, then carboplatin + taxol). The doctor said the treatment went well. After she finished all these, she is now back home, resting. She now starts to…
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My Nivolumab Trial Experience
Hi All, Sorry not to have reported in earlier, but it’s been quite a traumatic time. I posted when I got into the Nivolumab (Opdivo) Clinical Trial at MD Anderson, I was so excited as I was convinced that I was going to be one of the many who had shrinkage, gained stability, or for whom the tumors disappeared forever.…