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Cancer and being single
Hi everyone, I know this would be the least of everyone's worries and it is mine too but I am just curious-how do you tell someone that ask you out on a date that you have cancer. I feel because of my cancer-stage 4 but in remission that I should not date unless I make it the five years cancer free because it wouldn't be…
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First week of treatmnet and feelin bad
Well after my first week of chemo and radiation I must admit I'm feelin a lot worse than I expected. Mouth sores are getting bad I have the magic mouthwash now.The nauseua is very bad also and the Zofran aern't really helping. When I was in the clinic yesterday to disconnect the chemo they could see I wasn't doing too good…
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Pet scan not clear
Its show's something on the bottom of my right lung very small.I have to have a Bronchoscopy, and my Dr will take a biopsy, He said less then 50% that its cancer he's not for sure .I 'm so worred.This will be done on the 22 of this month.He said if it is cancer it is a slow growing cancer.
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Go Martha!!!
Martha's running her marathon today. Let's all give her a cheer!!! Edit: Oops, sorry - it was yesterday, doh. Martha, I hope you're feeling okay today and I thank you so much for dedicating a mile to us.
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Some Post Chemo/Radiation Questions
Ok, so I think I am a walking miracle, like the rest of you. I finished my chemo and radiation treatments just over 9 months ago. I had numerous complications, severe pelvic and abdominal infections that lead to fistulas. I have not been able to have PET or CAT scans since finishing because of surgery to repair the…
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One Year Anniversary
Today is my one year anniversary. My husband is taking me to our favorite restaurant "X2O" on the Hudson River in Downtown Yonkers. It's a gratitude dinner for me. I can't believe how far we have come. We weren't getting along before my diagnosis and now we are. What a miracle. I was in pain and irritable from the pain all…
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Remission, under surveillance. Yeah!
Had all my scans at MDA these last two days and I am formally in remission, at 6 mths past treatment..soooo happy! Surgeon did 3 biopsies just for cautions sake. One at site of tumor, one of what appears to be scar tissue and one polyp removed. I watched the whole procedure on camera. Weird. I, face to face, asked Dr. to…
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When to start using Aquaphor
I started treatment on Monday and they are using a bolus which I found out today is to disperse the radiation closer to the surface of the skin in the anal area. So I asked the doc. will I burn more and he said yes,so I asked should I be using the Aquaphor and his reply was no not yet wait until the skin gets sore? Didn't…
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Bolus
Has anyone had a bolus used during their radiation treatment? I have read a lot of past posts and haven't seen it mentioned. The techs explanation wasn't very clear so will ask the doc next week but just thought someone here may be familiar with it? I started chemo and radiation yesterday and so far all is well!! Louise
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1 1/2 years out!!
I have not posted for awhile but am still reading the posts every other week. I completed treatment almost a year and half ago and just had my PET scan and it was all clear!! I wanted to share this good news for all to read because I am just so happy and feel grateful. Also, I want to give hope to those that are just…
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Keeping the Silvadene on the Booty - What was your secret?
To All Veteran Anal Cancer Survivors who have "BEEN THERE, DONE THAT" I completed my 29th day of radiation and chemotherapy last Friday. I AM SO THANKFUL TREATMENT IS OVER AND I CAN FOCUS ON HEALING! Last week my problem was how to keep Silvadene in place while the open wound areas are "weeping." I shower and cleanse a…
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Looking at supplements
Now that I have finished mt treatments I was wondering if there are any good supplements out there. Does any one have suggestions on vitamins or antioxidants to take? I have looked around and there are so many just need a little direction, I plan on talking to my doctor after I have gotten a little more information on…
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Clinical trials at NIH - Current
FYI - A Pilot Trial Assessing the Feasibility of Delivering Topical MTS-01 to Reduce Dermatitis in Patients Receiving Intensity Modulated Radiation With Concurrent 5-Fluorouracil and Mitomycin-C for Stage I-III Carcinoma of the Anal Canal…
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Staging
I am stage I, N0,M0, G2. I was told today by the nurse that the treatment I am getting is the same as it is for a Stage II or III. Not only that, but I might have additional treatments added at the end because I am NOT getting surgery after the treatment! Is there anyone who has been through this that can explain this to…
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Colonoscopy with colostomy....
I know you're probably all jealous about this, but thats what I'm doing tomorrow! Today is prep day so two fun days in a row. My question is....I have a colostomy as a result of my Anal cancer and this is my first colonoscopy since having it. I know very few of you end up with a colostomy, but if anyone has is there any…
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"perfect"
Last time I saw my colo-rectal surgeon, he pronounced me "normal". Yesterday he pronounced me "perfect!" ha, ha, ha! It May 5th 2011 I was diagnosed with invasive squamous cell anal cancer T2N1Mo. What a difference a year can make. I am officially just in the system now for follow up exams but no more interesting tumors to…
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Ready for Battle
A month since diagnosis and I finally get to start treatment on Monday. I have used that month to read many of the posts and am thankful to all of you that have given your advice, I feel it has helped me get prepared. I have my sitz bath and donut, ammodium and baby wipes, aquaphor and ensure, a sense of humour and a…
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Good Report
Just got back from my colo-rectal surgeon today and got a "clean" report. He said everything looks great. I told him about my frequent urination and he said that is a result of the radiation and will be a permanent situation. Also, discuseed multiple BMs daily and he said this too will be my new norm as a result of the…
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Is there a color now?
Not that this is the most important topic when dealing with anal cancer, but do we have a color that represents us now? I just participated in my first Relay for Life, where they were giving away 'colored' balloons to survivors. Clueless, I went with yellow because it represents sunshine. Pluh-eeeeeease don't tell me it's…
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CT scan
Hi everyone, I was just curious if anyone has ever gotten sick from your ct scan. I had 2nd one today and got sick with diarrhea and severe gas. My first one I drank the contrast which was thin and tasted a little like vanilla. Today I had the awful tasting barium very thick and no taste. It was very hard to get down. then…
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Residual of tumour left
I received the results of my MRI yesterday, Oncologist said there is less than 1 cm residual of the tumour left, Has anyone else had residual left? what was the next step. Its 3 months since I finished treatment. original tumour was 2.3 cm. How long does radiation continue to work after treatment is finished.? He ordered a…
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My fight progess
Was diagnosed about a week ago after exploratory surgery where they thought it may be a thrombosed hemmoroid (spelling). I did see the Dr. yesterday and we talked a bit, but he was not able to give me too many answers because I need to ask the oncologist those questions. But he did answer any questions he could. I did find…
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Remission, under surveillance. Yeah!
Had all my scans at MDA these last two days and I am formally in remission, at 6 mths past treatment..soooo happy! Surgeon did 3 biopsies just for cautions sake. One at site of tumor, one of what appears to be scar tissue and one polyp removed. I watched the whole procedure on camera. Weird. I, face to face, asked Dr. to…
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What was your age at diagnosis?
What was your age at diagnosis? AND If you're done with treatment, how long have you been in remission?
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Anyone diagnose without any bleeding?
Just wondering if anyone was diagnosed without any bleeding symptoms or was taken by surprise with diagnosis due to no symptoms?? Please share your story. Thank you in advance. Dottie
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for the newbies
First off, sorry that you have to be here... but know that we are all praying for you and will be here to support you and give you whatever tips we can to make your journey easier. One thing I definitely learned today is that when going thru the radiation and the chemo, both the butthole and the vaginal entrance will…
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What do y'all think about
Possibly putting together an "Anal Cancer 101" for the newbies? I think that it could start off with we are here to support each other and there are no off limit/embarrassing questions. What do we all say (or think) when someone new posts? "Sorry you had to find us, but we are glad that you did." It could have the links to…
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A Warning about Scans
My daughter wanted my scans and pre-treatment appointments to move a little faster (we are Canadians), so she had me join her in Florida (where she has a second home). She got the process rolling for me in Florida and I flew down, had both a CT scan and a PET scan, consultations with both chemo and radiation oncologists…
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Recently Diagnosed / Long Term Bowel Control Issues
Hi All Just recently diagnosed(03/28) and begin treatment(no surgery) next monday. First of all I can't express how much it means to have found this website, not only for all of the information of my upcomming rigors, but the emotional and moral support provided by and for the members. As I'm sure you all can attest to the…
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Denise
I know you are in a rough place right now. I am praying for you and thinking of you frequently during each day. You're almost there. It will get better I promise, just 1 day, 1 hour at a time. I care, big hugs! Randy