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Painful mucus passing
Hi all you warriors, My husband finished his last tx Nov.2nd. Seems anytime he sits on the toilet he passes a mucus slug that burns incredibly bad, would this be normal? Today he also had his 1st bowel movement in 4 days, said the stool did not burn. That slug seems like acid. He is now only taking a pain pill at night so…
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Liz and Sephie...
My apps at MDA are scheduled for the 11th and 12th of February. Am willing to try and change dates so we can have that Margarita! Liz, are you scheduled for 7th and 8th of FEBRUARY? Sephie, are yours early March? Maybe we can do this! Lorie
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Wishing everyone...
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! We're still here! I saw my colorectal doctor yesterday and he said everything looked fine and I looked healthy. See him again in 6 months. Ann
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possible ulcer at radiation site
My treatment ended Oct. 8, and I'm still having very painful BMs, both pain and burning. I went to my "regular" doctor today and he examined the area. He said the thinks I have an ulcer. He said radiation can cause one on the anus. He wants me to see the surgeon who first discovered my anal cancer. I'm just wondering if…
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Reoccurence Question
Hi Gang! Been a while since I've been on the board, been busy which is a good thing, working again part time, still dealing with side effects from cancer. I was diagnosed with anal cancer that spread to my rectum and some of my lymph nodes. I the myomiticin and 5 FU chemo and 5 weeks of radiation. I also had a colostomy.…
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Follow up care after completing Radiation and Chemo, What to expect?
I am not totally sure what to expect for follow up care after completing Chemo and Radiation. Yesterday, I saw a colorectal doctor to inject a hemorrhoid(sclerotherapy). He did not perform my excision of the squamous cell mass, he said I would need to undergo a 4 point biopsy in a few months. The operating surgeon told me…
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radiation side effects - question
I was reading the posts about side effects from radiation...hip problems seeming to be the most frequent. My question is: when do these side effects start? I finished treatment Oct. 8 and so far, so good. BMs are still painful, and I seem to have some pain in my hips, but it's not constant. Thank you for any information.…
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And the test result are in!
I saw my oncologist today and both my labs and PET scan are clear! So NED is still my friend!!! I don't have to have any more scans - just labs in 6 months. I'm so thankful my insurance paid for the scans! Had 4 PET scans post treatment. I still have issues with bleeding due to radiation proctitis and he said that could go…
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the county health nurse called me
I haven't posted because we were without power for a couple of weeks. I was late going through some mail but opened a letter from the County Health nurse dated November 2 Monday. She said I needed to call right away and it was CONFIDENTIAL. Remembering Anal Cancer sites that described it as a cancer affecting primarily…
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Dietary Changes
Hi everyone! I've just been diagnosed with Anal cancer, so I'm at the beginning of my journey. I have my first appointment with the radiologist next week. I'm wonder how many of you survivors made dietary changes. I have heard a lot about cutting out dairy and refined sugars/carbs and increasing your veggies - especially…
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Pump is off for first chemo cycle
Over the weekend (my 96 hours of chemo) I felt pretty good. I drank 75 oz. of water a day and ate like I normally eat. Saturday I kind of felt out of it, like I had taken some heavy cold medicine, but that lifted by the next day. I did sleep a lot this weekend. I was in bed by 7 PM and relaxing and to sleep by 8 PM most of…
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How are you doing Gigi?
Hi Gigi, I have been thinking about you and wondering how you are. I haven't seen you post for awhile. How is rad going for you? Did you start using aquaphor and doing sitz baths the first day? Joy
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Hi! I was just told on thursday I have anal squamous severve dyplasia
Hello, I don't mean to jump the gun by posting in the anal cancer board but I need help. I have hemmeroids removed 2 weeks ago. I was told on thursday I have anal sqaumous severve dysplasia level 3. What does this mean??? The dr. said from what they it isn't cancer yet but I have to go for more testing. Everything I search…
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Cat scan
Hi everyone. Just saw chemo dr today and bloodwork looks good. But he scheduled me for 2 more cat scans, one now and one in May. I am 14 months out of treatment. My question is is there a easier way to drink the contrast before the scan. I seem to gag with every swallow. I put mints in my mouth, use a straw at the back of…
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What to expect post treatment?
I am staying with my sister to help any way I can during her chemoradiation treatments. She was diagnosed with Stage III anal cancer just a couple of months ago. Her tumor was 10 cm. and involves lymph nodes in her left groin. She is was just one week away from completing her treatment but complications have arisen.…
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Some Interesting Numbers
The information below on breast cancer was taken from an article that appeared in the latest AARP Magazine. I realize this pertains to breast cancer, but I think comparing these numbers with those that follow regarding anal cancer highlight the reason(s) that anal cancer is still in the shadows and not getting nearly the…
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Question on radiation burned skin
Hi all, I'm new to the board as I can not get my husband the anal cancer patient to join. It has been a tough ride for us. My husband was diagnosed with anal cancer on Aug. 31st. Nov.2nd he completed his 2nd chemo tx, also his last radiation. His groin and anal area is totally raw, the groin skin is split and oozing. He…
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Perminate Radation Damage - I need help find some anwsers!!
I had anal cancer 12 years ago. I almost died from the radiation treatments, and that is the trut5h not a figure of speech. I suffered through twice having my skin burned off in the groin area. I believe I got way too much radiation because of a mistake. I now have narrow Arteries to my legs and they have blocked twice in…
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Starting the holiday seasons----
WITH NED!!!! What a holiday visitor .. Here's hoping he stays for a long, long time.......
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PET VS CT scan.... Anal cancer vs rectal cancer
As I said. In another post, I haven't ever had a PET scan. Only CT scans. Today I asked the radiologist why and he said quote "while they certainly DO use pet scans at MDA the CT scans there are so very good that a PET is not always needed.". Ok, so I don't really know much more than I did! LOL! I am at the one year post…
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HALLOWEEN SCANS!!!!!
Having my one year scans tomorrow! Halloween scans! Whoooooohoooooo......
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Clean report, 21 months post treatment
Great report. Go back for just a DRE in January and then a PET in 6 months. Thyroid is still low, causing much of my fatigue, which is an easy fix. Relieved!
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Treatment ended, but I'm scared and really down
Dear Friends: You have been here for me from that awful day one of learning I had anal cancer. I needed and felt your support immediately. You prepared me and told me what to expect. You told me the ravages treatment would take on my body, and you offered suggestions of healing remedies to burns, itching, pain...you name…
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My Mom - Just Completed Chemo & Radiation (updated 10/27)
Update as of 10/27 Hello everyone! I wanted to provide a quick update as to how things are progressing here. My mom took her first dose of oxycontin on the night of 10/25 (2 nights ago). Since then, we've seen a tremendous improvement in terms of her pain. She was up and around so much yesterday that I had to tell her…
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Newly diagnosed and pretty scared about treatments - Female, 45 and Praying
Hello. I'm a 45 year old female, recently diagnosed (Sept 19, 2012) with squamous cell carcinoma, anal cancer. I, like many others apparently was told by my family doctor my pain and discomfort were likely a hemmoroid. After a bleeding spell, I insisted on a colonscopy which revealed the tumor. 3 cms or T2. My PET shows no…
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Sandy how are you?
Hello Sandy ... thinking about you this minute! Saying prayer your test results are good today! Big hug. xoxoxo
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Getting Stressed about Follow-up CT - 21 months post treatment
Hello Friends ... my CT scan is coming up in November. I'm getting nervous and anxious. This is the first time I WON'T have a PET with my scans as the insurance will no longer pay. So CT - chest/pelvis/abdomen, Labs, and exam (DRE and anoscope). I need some encouragement if you have a moment? What was it like for you at…
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Stage 2 & blood clots
Has anyone had issues with blood clots? Diagnoised 2 weeks ago and symptoms seem to be getting worse - cannot sit comfortably and sharp pains with walking. Now this morning blood clots when passing gas. Any stories or recommendations welcome regarding Stage 2. I am scheduled to start chemo/radiation in 2 weeks after…
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Sandy...
We are running parallel... But I get MY one year scans on Halloween! LOL! Hmmmmm..... Just a little story.. The day after my Mom passed away I stopped at KMart for printer paper. You know how you always have reams of copy paper until you need it? Anyway, I was pushing my basket around the office supplies and something kept…
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Another CT with contrast on Friday
I saw my Oncologist today. She did not like the sound of my lungs (I have had a horrible cough since August but so do a lot of people). She wants to take a closer look at the lymph node in the lung. I don't know anything about my anatomy but I guess there are lymph nodes in the lung. Anyway, my colonoscopy was great. I…