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T3,N0,M0 - 8 years later
Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with this cancer and staged at T3,N0,MO and I was 38 years of age, a new widow and a mom to a newborn baby. I thought then that my diagnosis was a 'death' sentence and I was incredibly scared to my very soul. I set my life up to look after my son when I passed away and I thought my life was…
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Back to the OR
I have been having a rough couple of weeks with pain, itching, bleeding, etc... I have seen the doctor twice in the last 4 weeks and I will be having a biopsy in the OR this Thursday the 24th, was hoping to go in last week but no openings to be had, doc was all booked. Last scope was at the end of August and was all good,…
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Chemo Mouth
For those that got "Chemo Mouth" how long did the sores last and any information on prevention/coping is appreciated. I am understanding this becomes evident week 2 correct? I know about the Magic Mouth wash. Tomorrow starts my journey...
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Long term effects eight years after treatment
I thought it a good idea to make a post about the long term effects that I STILL have 8 years after treatment for this cancer. 1. Food sensitivities - I find that I will get very very loose stools almost immediately if I eat greasy or fatty foods. This includes chinese food etc. Within 5 minutes, I am RUSHING to the…
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New to the forum but not new to pain
Hello I am 3 days post treatment for anal cancer. I am 38 yrs old and already a cancer survivor from lymphoma 17 years ago. My mom discovered your forum and we have tried numerous suggestions. Will the pain ever end? bowel movements are agonizing and urination is very painful. This cancer is brutal. Can anyone offer any…
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Aloe Vera
I am still uncertain on the use of ointments etc during radiation treatments. My radiation team says using them after treatment (daily) is what they recommend. They gave me Aquaphor healing oint and CeraVe moisturizing cream. I know nothing is to be applied within 4 hours of daily treatments. Aloe Vera has been…
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does anyone know...?
Hope everyone is well and good, and that the new year brings all good things. Does anyone know what the statistics are for tumor recurrance of a sucessfully treated T1 (no mets) anal squamous cell carcinoma? I don't mean five years out, I mean, like one. Thanks.
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Standard Radiation Dose?
Does anybody know the standard for the radiation dose? Is there one? How is this determined?
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Greetings from greta
Please excuse the long post. A number of members have posed questions on the discussion boards or emailed me for more information about the CSN study that has been underway since November 2013. I thought it might be helpful to post the most common questions and my answers. What is the CSN survey? What is its purpose? The…
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Health insurance and cancer
Reading LaCance's post has me wondering about the wide variation in health insurance plans. I am wondering how much out of pocket costs this cancer has cost us all. Also, has anyone else bought health insurance on the Obamacare exchanges? Do the plans look like they cover more. I am thrilled that there are no more lifetime…
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Holy Cow Biopsies Hurt
Just had my 9 month follow up with the usual sigmoidoscopy. I have a new doctor as my old one relocated. My first woman doc on my team. She is very thorough and ended up taking a biopsy of a spot. OMG that hurt. They should warn patients first. I can't believe they do nothing to numb you. Excuse me but that was much more…
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Newbie
Today I am starting my third week of treatment for anal cancer. I have not been told what stage it is, though I have had a PET scan. I do know that it is early, invasive, not beyond the anal canal. I have done pretty well side effect-wise so far. I had mucositis and thrush, but Magic Mouthwash did the trick. I started with…
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medical bankruptcy
http://www.today.com/money/biggest-cause-personal-bankruptcy-medical-bills-6C10442408 for those who are interested....
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HPV and Immunogobulin G and other things I don't understand
Hi everyone, I got a titanium post in my head but have to wait until February for the processor and to hear again on my left side. As most of you know I am 2.5 years post tx and had an attack of vertigo that left me profoundly (that means absolutely, totally) deaf in my left ear. Then I had a raging "asthma" attack. I was…
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How important this support forum is.
Happy New Year! The reason I am taking the time to write this today is to stress how important this support system is to many. Not just for anal cancer but a support for all as people face many kinds of adversity. People will say they do not need this kind of mental help, or maybe they only need it for a little while. I am…
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Treatment Tips & Insights, 5 month post treatment
I was stage 2, lucky, very localized tumor was removed by colorectal surgeon prior to treatment (at the time it was an "unknown mass"). Treatment was 25 days radiation with chemo weeks 1 and 5. Pretty standard I think. I was lucky to be put in touch with 2 survivors who gave me advice and support and a feeling of not being…
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Diagnosed yesterday
Hello Everyone, My name is Thom and I was diagnosed yesterday per results of biopsy. I next will get CT scan and port placed. I am scared. Looking forward to the support and advice here. Please feel free to contact me.
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Post Treatment Care
I'm finding it very challenging to get help or admission from my docs regarding the PN I'm experiencing in my hands and feet. They all look at me like I'm crazy. My oncologist nurse actually told me the doctor probably would not believe that my PN is related to chemo as it started five or six months after treatment ended.…
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
Happy New Year to all the good people on this board. I wish you all health and happiness in the coming year.
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I wish you...
...health and happiness in 2014. The rest we can buy. Laz
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symptom question
I finished treatment 6 months ago and have been doing very well since. Now, I have an area near the anal opening that is itchy and irritated. There is a very small raised spot that is somewhat firm. Have any of you experienced this? Could this just be irritation related to the area being very fragile from having radiation…
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Merry Christmas!
Three years ago tonight, I was at Mass. General being disconnected from my first week on the chemo pump. I was so weak. It was snowing lightly and the building that I was in had a wall of windows overlooking Boston. For those of you who have never been there, it is a beautiful city full of historic buildings and on top of…
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colo-rectal surgeon and procedure???
I had an appointment with a colo-rectal surgeon on 12/26. I was referred by my radiation oncologist who said I should have been seeing a colo rectal doctor all along. No one ever told me that! Anyway, I have been having some blood with my bowl movements. Doctor ruled out hemroids. Now she wants to do a procedure where she…
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Itching
Hello all. I've been done treatment just past nine months now and feel pretty good other than the stiffness in legs and hips. But one thing that has never really went away and at times feels worse is the itching around the anus opening. Sorry if some are offended by my question but this site and all it's members always…
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Christmas Blessings
Christmas blessings and special wishes to all for a healthy and happy New Year ! Hope you have all been touched by the magic of the season, I have been keeping quite busy and have not had much time on the board but didn't want the week to go by without letting you all know I am thinking of you. I had a visit last week with…
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To my new family!
I was just thinking: if someone finds one really good friend in his lifetime, he should be really happy. This year I found dozens of amazing people in you all and I feel so blessed for that. Happy Holydays to you all. Laz
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Hi Everyone! Just stopped in to say hello!
I know i don't come here anymore but for those of you who still do I just wanted to say hello. Two years ago you all helped me so much and I don't know how I would have gotten through my fear without you. I do have one question. As of this December 23rd it will be two years since my last day of chemo and radiation. I have…
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New to site
I have never posted on it. I am right at 3 years end of treatment of stage 2 Ac. Had a ct scan 3 months ago and all looked good. About a month ago, I would wake up with my lower back feeling kinda tired. Not hurting really, kinda how your black feels when you have spent too many hours in bed. But then it would feel fine. A…
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Confused.....
I'm on my way to the doctor to discuss last weeks CT scan. The initial call I got the next day was that all looked good, but then I always have an appointment a week later to discuss in detail. I have not been worried since I feel great. Last night about 9:00pm I started bleeding bright red blood and from what I can tell…
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Update
Hi everybody, I posted earlier this month - I'm Newbie. Actually, Judy is the name. I appreciate everyone's responses, they really helped balance my emotions. So I'm going to post again in the hope of receiving wisdom! Today will be day 18 of radiation, Monday I get my second round of chemo. I've decided to look at this as…