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Helping to get the word out . . .part 2
I don't know about you all, but I've hit a brick wall when trying to secure speaking engagements regarding anal cancer. Even the local Cancer Society is hesitant to allow me to speak and I feel it's because it's not a 'popular' cancer such as breast or cervical. Although I gained created community awareness when…
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A REAL vacation!
My other half and I joined a couple, who are good friends of ours, and spent the last week in Durango, Colorado. I am sooo scared of water, but went whitewater rafting!!! It was so much fun! I was into front and was soaked immediately. Loved it! Then took the steam train to Silverton and back. (Going up was really nice,…
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A year ago...
I was in the emergency room with my father over the weekend and came across a nurse that took care of me last year when I was hospitalized. Once I saw her face it was a flash back and with the monitors beeping I just filled with tears. I would never imagine that a kind face would start a flow of emotion. Anyway, just…
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Update
Hi all. I have been checking the boards but have been kind of in the shadows for awhile. I have done so well that I couldnt bring myself to post an update when others have had and are having such a difficult road. I finally decided that maybe my experience would help someone just diagnosed and afraid by showing that we all…
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Helping to get the word out....Anal Cancer
So last night I was invited to a charity event for people going through or recovering from Breast Cancer sponsored by K-Tech Charities. It is an annual golfing fundraiser that primarily focuses on raising money for Breast Cancer (like so many), and unfortunately that is my current condition! Anyhow, when I stood up to tell…
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JDuke
Joanne, How are you, I think about you often and hope you are doing well. Lori
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All radiation is not the same
I am at the end of my treatment. I started on May 7th with the usual chemo/radiation followed by 3 weeks of radiation alone followed by one week of chemo/radiation. While the chemo is standard for everyone, radiation is not. It is very much individualized. I had 22 imrt treatments and 3 "boosts". I still have one boost…
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Any one heard of squamash cell rectal cancer?
I am newly diagnosed and really scared. Have been told this is a rather rare type of cancer and do not really know where to go for info. My doc has referred me to a Hospital and my case is before the review board. If THEY don't take me, then what? Help pls!
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Three weeksout of treatmnt
I am 3 weeks from last radiation treatment, I am still on pain meds I still hurt when go to the bathroom, how lng was it for some of you quit hurting to go to restroom?
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Biopsy
I HAD the a lung biopsy done tuesday .The Dr office just called no CANCER.I'm so happy now i can injoy my summer.Last year i didnt after the Cancer treatments and all the anal biopsy i hurt to bad to do any thing.This summer i got a lot of plans.Just glad to me well.Shirley
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Mouth Sores or Sorness from 5-FU
Hi everybody, I posted something on another discussion concerning mouth sores and had a reply that they liked the way my doctor explained it and that they had learned something new. I don't know if I have exceptional doctors or if I just keep asking the right questions but I think I will share stuff like this with…
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Vaginal dilator
I have read about the vaginal dilator from several of the posts on this site but no one at the radiation place has told me about it. Should I ask there or maybe my OB/GYN?
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Restarting radiation
I am feeling so much better today than when I came home from the hospital some rest and good food has really helped. I am starting radiation again tomorrow and I am a little anxious as to what side effects I will get but hopefully it won't be any where as bad as the chemo! I had 2 weeks of treatment and missed 2 weeks so…
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Update
Just wanted to give an update on my earlier post. My Oncology Radioligist called me today with the results from my pet scan done last week. He started with good and bad news, the anal cancer area that we treated is looking fine, But there is now a spot on your lung that was not there before. I have to say I was devastated,…
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what state are you in? also, major cancer center?
Hi all, I am new here but an old hand on the Rare Cancer Alliance anal cancer forum. I am interested to know what states my fellow patients live in. It seems to me like there are very serious few cases out west, where I live (SoCal). If you are willing to chime in with your general location, I'd love to know. I am NOT a…
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How do we live with cancer?
Wow! I don't know how to ask this without sounding like I have PMS, as in "poor me syndrome" but here goes.... I am 6 months out of treatment and in remission and I don't know what to do next. I learned from y'all how to fight the battle, and I made it! Yeah! Now, how do I SURVIVE surviving? Depression has hit big time! I…
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Four days in ICU after chemo
I started my treatment on May 7th. after the first week I was having really bad problem with mouth sores. Continued to get worse daily and finally ended up in ICU knocking at deaths door. Luckily it didn't open and I made it back. I am at home now have decided not to have the second week of chemo and am trying to get…
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Question for the ladies after tx
I am 4weeks out of rad treatment and my vagina is putting out yellow mucus, I have called my gyno doctor and they say this does not sound like a yeast infection, my question is did anyone else have this, if so which doctor of our many should I call? I feel I have just been treated and dropped to fin for myself until I go…
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Radiation Aftermath ~ ITCHING!
Hey All, I finished my radiation and chemotherapy over three weeks ago; today is Day 24! Had to go to Wound Care (THANK YOU, Jesus!) as the Silvadine at-home regimen wasn't doing the trick. New skin growth is definitely seen now that silvacel and aquacel have been used for two weeks. My PROBLEM is that itching on a scale…
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Hair Loss
I was wondering: did anyone experience hair loss after the Mytomycin and 5-FU? I'm 3 weeks into treatment, and I just noticed that I'm losing a decent amount of hair. Hopefully, it's just thinning and it won't all fall out. I know it could be a side effect, but the doctors' made it sound like that wouldn't happen. Does…
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Port insertion - Pain
I had a port put in yesterday. I know some tenderness is normal. I am having to take some of my pain med (from a different surgery) to get some relief. Did you have any pain at all?
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Help please I'm scared!!
Hi Everyone, I am a 63 year old Anal Cancer survivor. I just had a pet scan a couple of days ago and am now waiting for the results. My doctors said if it is clear like all the others have been, they will schedule my colostomy bag reversal and mediport removal. I am excited but also scared to death! I have had this darn…
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I can't believe I did it!
Ok, I can't believe I did it, "butt" I did! And I did it for all of us, took one for the team! I was invited to speak to a group of oncologists, urologists, pelvic physical therapists, psychiatrists, psychologist, etc. The topic for the forum was sexual dysfunction in the oncological patient! How's that for a mouth full?…
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Anascope
Does anyone have to do a prep b4? I am going today at 4. I really don't want to do the second enema. does anybody throw up from the preps? Coloyte and fleet enemas make me throwup. My stomach is empty from fasting, so really just water or dry heaving is happening. If I take another enema I don't think I will be able to…
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Stretching
This is the most wonderful stretch. Stand with feet 6 inches apart ( or whatever works for you) Drop from the waist stretching your hands to your feet Stay for as long as you can, max 2 minutes Let gravity take over B4 u know it you will be on all fours You should have a spotter if you have any balance issues I do this…
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Finished rad treatment monday just a few questions
I have a few questions I am still getting really nauseated every afternoon, I take my zofran and it helps a little, I also am going to the bathroom and a lot of mucus is coming out, is that pretty normal? It's been only 2 days since my last treatment so I know I must not rush it. I have started to try and walk around my…
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Waiting game
So I finally had my colonoscopy today after prep problems a couple weeks ago. It went much better this time with the Miralax prep. I have a colostomy so the process is a little different. The doc said the colonoscopy went fine but did take a couple samples to have biopsied from the anescope. I don't really know if he saw…
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9 month Scan NED
My 9 month post treatment scan is clear! It has been a year since I was told I had cancer. I just want to thank all of you for your support, knowledge and comforting during this past year. I have come such a long way with your help. I wish I could hug each and everyone of you. ~Carol
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fever
I am due to begin treatment tomorrow and eager to get started. Every evening this past week, I have had a low-grade fever (99.5). This probably started a month or two ago but I never bothered to check my temp. Now, I'm afraid to mention it for fear my treatment will be postponed. Did anyone else have a pre-treatment fever?
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Mouth Sores
Any advice on dealing with these mouth sores? Pain medication isn't helping they are just so bad even water hurts. I've stopped trying to eat and even the Ensures hurt. This is the worst mouth sore pain I've ever had and It's making me so miserable constant pain. Even dissolving the Zofran under the tongue stings and I…