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Stage 3b Anal
Hi....I'm Cindy...I have been on this site but posting under a different topic...squamous cell...cup....but it is anal for sure.....maybe I've already mentioned it....chemo is doing a number on brain,,... Starting week three today....did mito c and 5FU in hospital....rad everyday for total of 31 treatments....back to…
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Question re. Protocol
Does anyone know the accepted protocol for treatments and post treatment surveillance? I have particular concerns about follow up scNs. I have been told that the risk posed by radiation outweighed the need for a scan. I am just wondering what is the current practice, as people here have experienced it.
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Full bladder during treatment
I see this often recommended here. My rad team was opposed to this. Even though the possibility of bladder damage is possible. Everyone should check with their rad team first
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chemo back to week 5
I pressed for a reason on giving me chemo week 6. I essentially was told it makes no difference, so I made the point that week 5 would be better since the side effects from radiation would be worse week 6. The doc hadn't thought of that, thought it was a good observation, and put me back to week 5. My understanding of…
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Some colonoscopy humor....
Is there anything humorous about colonoscopies. Just a little. I had my second one since diagonsis. Had it done in Colorado, was glad I didn't have to fly to Houston for that one. Former MD Anderson colleague of my doctors did it. Last time I was out cold. This time he tells me I'll be awake. I'm like "Are you crazy? I…
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Back from England
Well I made it over to England and back with no ill effects. I didn't find the long flight anymore tiring than usual. I was able to eat just about anything with no ill effects so I was very pleased, I even managed to gain a couple of pounds! Apart from the fact that it rained some part of everyday except 3 I enjoyed myself…
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Red Wine
I was watching this movie, "K-19, the Widowmaker". I had seen it before a long time ago but this time something jumped out at me. When the crew was subjected to radioactivity, the captain ordered they be given red wine. So I looked it up a bit and it seems that there is some theory that red wine helps to prevent radiation…
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Can I work full time, is it reasonable, just new diagnosis?
I am a gay man, and noticed not too many men comment on this board;I just had an transanal excision, my pathology came back "squamous cell ca". I admire all the women who have posted here and supported and educated each other, would you please assist me? I have a few questions about what to expect and how to manage over…
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Womens health
I am happy to report that my tests, CT scan, Mammogram, Sigmoidoscopy are all good. I have been feeling exhilarated about that. But a couple of days ago my mother passed away at the Assisted Living Center where she has lived the last three years. She had been in hospice care since mid July, not from cancer, but heart…
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Two weeks down, four to go
Dear friends...my second week of treatment ended today. I think about you everyday and cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for you standing by me and for all your words of advice, encouragement, and support. I'm feeling good and side effects seem slight so far. My understanding though is that it's week three when…
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SWIMMING DURING TREATMENT
HAS ANYONE TRIED SWIMMING DURING TREATMENT FOR EXERCISE??
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Small wart, didn't have before, in treatment with Radiation now, should I have it removed?
I have a small wart on my anus, external, well almost internal if you know what I mean. I have never had warts, I am entering my 4th week of radiation, and having Proctitis. The wart actually causes additional pain. Should I have it removed? Or will I have more pain/swelling if I do? I think the radiation and chemo lowered…
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The medical establishment just may be turning a corner? It's about time.
Hot off the press and DEFINITELY worth the read. http://www.naturalhealth365.com/cancer/study.html
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Public awareness
I am just wondering why there has been no public awareness campaign about anal cancer and hpv. Is there any organization which focuses attention and funding to this cancer? Some cancers get so much attention and funding. Has there ever been a public awareness campaign? I wonder whether Farah fawcett started a foundation?…
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Mediport Insertion
Had my mediport inserted on Friday 8/31 and had much more pain than I ever anticipated. My pain level was a 9 by the time I got home at 10:15 and ended up rotating t#3;s ( 2 tabs), oxycodone ( 1 tab) and naproxen every 60-90 minutes from 10:30- 7:00 PM, with pain rating starting at 9 and gradually going to 3. Finally…
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Just put in my profile, still finding my way around this site
Hi folks. I just joined and wrote about myself. I am still finding my way around this site.
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PET scan results: stage three with lots of swollen lymph nodes in pelvic area
Last Friday, I posted that the PET scan showed lymph node involvement, and the resident told me stage two. I met with the doc today, and he said my pelvic area was full of swollen lymph nodes. He said staging was difficult, but he did say stage three. He said the prognosis was still very good, but would be slightly…
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Praying for those in treatment
I just want you to know that I am praying for you guys who are in treatment. I know how much it helped me to know there were people praying for me whille I was in treatment. Hang in there, cancer warriors! Peace and love!
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thank you for the strength you've given as I begin treatment
The battle begins tomorrow. Ever since my first post on this site a couple of weeks ago, all of you have offered your encouragement, knowledge, support, and love. I truly feel like I have a new family. You have answered my questions and shared your stories and offered suggestions on how to deal with side effects and…
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Issues and Helpful Medications - for new folks to the board. (Anyone and everyone please add to the
One thing that would have been helpful to me up front was a little bit of knowledge about some of the side effects of chemo or radiation and medications that may help. So I thought maybe we could begin to put something like that together for new folks and have begun a list below which I hope everyone will add to! Mouth…
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Met with the Radiation Onc MD today
I was supposed to start radiation/ chemo on Tues 9/4, but the she ( the doctor) said I need a PET scan because there was lymph node enlargement, and following the PET scan, will need CT planing scan. She is doing IMRT, and said radiation would last 6 1/2 weeks. My tumor is 7 cms long and goes almost completely around the…
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Will I need help at home?
I'm sorry to ask so many questions. Please know I appreciate all the information and support you all are giving me. I find this site a place of comfort. I live alone and have no family members close enough to help. From what I've read, I should be okay for the first three weeks. Should I try to get someone to stay with me…
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Designating a time and day of the week to meet in the chat room to discuss our issues?
I've entered the chat several times only to find it mostly empty. Would this group be interested in designating a time and day of the week to meet and chat to discuss our related issues? I often find myself wanting a real time response, a conversation, and to be able to do this with you all would be great. Let me know what…
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Scans
I have a question. I am one year post trearment and I am seen at the hospital about every 10 weeks. I was looking forward to my scan this September, but at my last appointment, the doctors told me that the hospital is not going to do scans anymore unless there are symptoms. I am confused. I trust my doctors. On the one…
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Newbie, starting radiation/ chemo 9/04
I am so glad to have found this site, and overwhelmed with all the love and support I see here. In late June of this year, I experienced significant rectal pain, accompanied by large amount of blood passing for an entire day. I anticipated this as hemmorhoids, but when the symptoms persisted over the weekend, I went to an…
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Starting treatment soon -- what happens the first day with chemo?
I am scheduled to start radiation and chemo on Monday, Aug. 27. I'm done with the radiation planning and have the simulation on the Friday before I start. No one has specifically explained the chemo part. Can anyone tell me what my first day will be like? I guess they will set up the delivery system for the chemo, and I…
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diagnosis changed from stage one to stage two; IMRT
Dear friends...I had my radiation simulation today at Duke and start treatment on Monday. I asked about the PET scan I had done on Wednesday. The doc said that a couple of lymph nodes were involved. I had been told at another hospital that it was stage one, but no PET scan was done. The doc said the nodes are beside the…
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rectal cancer surgery
i had anal cancer, all is clear now. Now they are saying surgery to remove the scar tissue and that i will end up with colostomy bag. Don't know what to think or do.
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Hello from Australia no 2
Hello and a big thank you to all those lovely people who replied to me. I couldn't find where to add to the messages to reply to you all so have to start a new post. Can someone tell me where to add to a discussion topic??? A couple of answers and a couple of questions from the posts. My rad treatment is guided by PET, MRI…
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Hello from Australia
Hello, I live in Australia and have just started treatment for anal cancer. Because of out small population there is little online in the way of forums for anal cancer, so I hope you don't mind if I join your discussion. :-) I had chemo last week- four days of 5FU and mitomycin injection via PICC line. I have had 5 out of…