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anal cancer-causes?
Just wondering...how many of you have anal cancer that do not fall into the typical "at risk" categories?
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Scar Tissue/Biopsy
Hey All, Today I went to my 12 week post treatment surgeon visit. At 6 weeks he saw scar tissue and said he would take another look in another 6 weeks (today) and possibly take a biopsy. Today he said he saw a spot in the middle of the scar tissue, and of course, took a biopsy. I understand the importance of the biopsy but…
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OUCHY!!!
Hi there, I am on week 4 of tx - 2nd round of chemo; 20 rad down, 10 to go. Good days and bad days. Today is bad!! Have taken 3 oatmeal baths, put on aloe for burn, benadryl cream for itch, taken half a oxy 5 every 3 or 4 hours - just took a whole 5 a while ago. Nurse said it will get worse before it gets better. Any…
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Odd
It seems very odd I checked more complaints on MSK's form at my Oncologists office this year than last. A year ago I had lived with pain so long, it felt normal. MSK taught me a a whole new perspective on life. An Update: Because of you contributors, I will be able to get to see a MSK Pelvic PT. I now have an MSK Gyn. What…
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Long term side effects of radiation??
Hello, I am 2years 5 months out of treatment for anal cancer stage 3 b. Recently I have been having strange side effects. I am having numbing in my toes, leg and shoulder I am also having terrible pain in my knee ( left side only). I saw the dr and they did an xray and said there was no obvious signs of bone mets. But of…
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How to cope with the shame/blame of anal cancer knowing it's often caused by HPV for Men and Women,
I am experiencing some self shame and blame associated with anal cancer and it's potential cause rooted in HPV infection. It's compounded by being a gay man with HIV (dealt with that). Have you all experienced the self shame/blame game of having this disease? How do you answer the why? How did you discover it? I know…
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Post treatment complications/possible residual cancer , In horrible pain and feeling hopeless
Hi. I'm new to the site. I was diagnosed with anal cancer stage 2 in Jan. 2012. Went through chemo and radiation. Survived that. I still had a residual lump that I was told not to worry about. Had a colonoscopy was all clear. I then started having pain at the lump site. Dr. told me that the residual lump had split open, he…
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Ready for my trip!
After a rough few weeks at the beginning during treatment I'm happy to report that my healing has gone very well and now just 4 weeks since fininshing treatment I am ready to take my trip to England!! My bowels are still not quite back to normal but no real big issues and have stopped all the stool softeners. I leave on…
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calcium supplement side effects
Hi-just wondering if anybody else out there has had this problem. I am 1 year post diagnosis and so far no recurrence :) ! I have recently added a calcium citrate + D supplement (no magnesium) at the urging of the gyn. Right after I started it, I had increased BM's and looseness; this had been really improving, so it is…
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anyone taken this mix of chemo?
Mitomycin,5-FU AND Cisplatin along with radiation?I should be stating this cocktail sometime next week and wondered if anyone has taken these together and what their reactions were.thanks in advance patsy
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Recurrence
Hi Everyone, I am new to this but it is nice to say I have anal cancer and not be embarrassed. I was diagnosed Sept 1, 2011 with stage III 4cm tumor with lymph nodes affected. Went thru the 6-8 weeks of chemoradiation with Mitomycin and 5FU and 28 radiation treatments, hospital stay and all. I finished in Nov and was…
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I am having new problems
I was dignosed with Stage 3a anal cancer on January 25, 2010 after having blood in mystool for about a year or more thinking it was something else. I went through 3 rounds of chemo with them being the 5fu pump for 5 days each time, fought with neausa and diarrhea and 31 days of radiation. I had radiatio burns so bad I was…
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reaction to Lubricant
Yesterday I broke out in whelps using the same Lubricant I have used all along with my dilator. Everywhere the Lubricant had touched it looked and felt like poison ivy. Luckily, at least this time, a dose of Benadryl relieved the symptoms. Has anyone else developed a sensitivity to Lubricant and what should I do about it?
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Just Started bleeding alot after one year
Radiation proctitis is what they say I have. I use to bleed just after BM's but now it is pretty much all the time. When it is really bad, I drip blood in the bowl and my pad looks like I am having a heavy period. I also pass large clots. My Dr has started me on Hyperbaric Oxygen Theraphy. 40 - 80 treatments with a 60 to…
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Ain't the Man I Used to Be... Any Suggestions?
I'll be 52 in October. I was diagnosed 9/5/05 with squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal; after surgery, two week-long bouts of chemo, & 5 weeks of getting a laser beam shot up my behind every morning, (plus about a good 2 years' worth of radiation proctitis & all that associated fun), praise God, this Fall I'll be…
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Does this sound like Cancer?
Hello all, I am new to thsi board but had a question I was hoping somebody could answer or give me their opinion on. For the last few months when I go number 2 which isn't as often as it used to be, I feel something coming out and when I feel down there there is a pretty big lump there. When I sit back up it goes back…
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Hi Everybody! It's been awhile!
Hope everybody is doing very well. I had another DRE in May and it was all clear of cancer but i did have two hemmroids and a small ulcer probably caused by the radiation. I had a colonoscopy in April and it was clear. I go back for another DRE in October. I really hope all of you are doing well and to those of you who are…
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At what point in treatment did you start taking pain meds?
I know that it is different for everyone but I'm just curious at what point you felt you needed help with the pain and what was the indicator for you?
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Starting 3rd week of treatment for anal cancer
Hi! Just started 3rd week of treatment for anal cancer. I was wondering how long after the second round of Mitomycin and 5FU do the side effects last. The first round was OK. I mostly suffered with diarrhea and mouth pain and soreness. I read earlier that the second round causes much more N/D and weight loss. Can anyone…
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Surgery soon
My mom was diagnosed in March with rectal cancer. At the time we thought after chemo and radiation she would be able to have a minor surgery that didn't require her to wear a permanent colostomy bag. Well last Tuesday we were told she had to have her whole rectum removed and will have to wear a bag for the rest of her…
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Biopsy call
I got the call my friends my biopsies came back cancer free, yea, I have run the race made it through now I have to cross the finish line. I have healing to be done but I think now it will be easier knowing that I got a good report! I will still be praying for all of you and please do the same for me. God bless each and…
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Foods you can't eat
Just wondering how having anal cancer has affected your diet post-treatment? Many of the foods I once enjoyed no longer agree with me. Some examples...peanut butter (boo hoo), any seasoned ground beef (tacos, meat loaf), chocolate, sweets, and dairy. I can tolerate fresh fruits and veggies pretty well, but beans are a huge…
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The most bothersome side effect of treatment . . .
When approaching the end of treatment, I was concerned about some of the reported side effects that I might face as the result of chemo and especially radiation. Painful sex, burned bottom, painful sex, vaginal stenosis, weak bones, painful sex. I really wasn't concerned about going into immediate menopause. "That I can…
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Scan results...
Thank you to those who have wished me luck and prayers. I had both chest and pelvic scans a few weeks ago, then between holiday, family, and internet problems, have barely been on line for a while. Although the words NED were not there I am satisfied with "stable". They are watching a small cyst on my liver, and a nodule…
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And the results are in...
I saw my oncologist last week and my scan was CLEAR again! Blood work was also good. I'm now a year post treatment. In fact, the end of my treatment was the beginning of my retirement (same day)- (early retirement from 37 years of teaching). Unfortunately, I wasn't able to complete the school year. I'm doing well. I still…
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I Made It!
Well I made it through the treatment even got a certificate and a graduation bear from the radiation therapists! I had 26 treatments with an additional 3 focus treatments. I did really good throughout the treatment my skin is not too sore and I didn't feel any fatigue. I managed to keep the constipation issues under…
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Life Changes
As everyone on this site knows, cancer brings on many life-changing experiences. For me, it brought about getting very real, becoming very true to myself. And since ending treatment I have morphed into a certified Pilates instructor and a holistic personal trainer with plans to open my own studio called 'Breathe' by the…
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I'm just not the same...Had mri...need a new hip!
Hi all - I am 3 1/2 years out.I am basically feeling "ok" except for pelvic stiffness and pain which i mentioned before.My other main complaint is not having strength.i just dont have the physical stamina i used to have.I am learning golf and after three holes..had to pack it in.There are times when im standing with people…
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Just wanted to say hi......
I know its been quite awhile since I posted but I do read the discussions from time to time. I have found another site which is for 'ostimates' & the discussions really help. So to update its been 5 months since my ostomy surgery & while its been a roller coaster for the most part not too bad. Doc says takes 6-8 months to…
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Clean colonoscopy!
I finished treatment on 11/11, have had two followup appointments with my oncologist and colorectal surgeon. Both recommended a colonoscopy. Well, today was the day and everything was good! Of course the prep wasn't pleasant, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind. I am very relieved and grateful. And, I won't have to…