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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…
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Hemorrhoid relief and after tx constipation
Do any of you have a suggestion for my daughter's painful constipation and hemorrhoids? She has the "urge" to move the bowels, but it feels like "it won't come out". There is some stenosis and some bulging hemorrhoids that are contributing to the pain. She's tired OTC stool softener. And under the doctor's recommendation,…
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Estrace cream
I just saw my oby/gn to get my vaginal dilators. She prescribed Estrace cream for me to use while using the dilators. Has anyone else used this?
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HPV Question
A friend asked me the other day and I should have known the answer but wasn't sure....She has a 20yr old daughter never had the HPV vaccine. Daughter has recently become sexually active. Although the vaccine is recommended before sexual activity begins, is it still available/effective if given afterwards??? She is checking…
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And the liver biospy is in............
Well its confirmed the spot on liver is cancer:(But the weird thing is he said something about it being a gland type cancer and thats not the same kind I have in my rectum.He said because it borders my anus/rectum it can have characteristics of both types of cancer which dont make to much sense in my head but I called my…
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Waiting on 1st PET scan ODD Situation
Hi. New to the board, so wish I found it sooner! I was diagnosed with Anal Cancer Apr 13, 2011, one day before my 50th birthday! I was also diagnosed with a severe abdominal infection and 2 major fistulas (due to the infection from that dang mesh). Anyway I did the myomiticin and 5-FU and radiation treatments for 6 weeks.…