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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…
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Not doing so good
I am having a very bad time with the chemo side effects, mainly the mouthsores. Have given up on trying to eat and just take Ensures. They did an x-ray as I hadn't had a BM for 6 days and guess what they prescribed: the clean out prep for colonoscopy! Feeling as nauseated as I do and my mouth raw from the sores that was…
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Looking back with what you know now...
I begin my chemo and radiation treatments this coming Monday. For those who are in treatment or have been through treatment, is there anything that you did or wish you had done in the days leading up to the start of treatment in order to better prepare yourself?
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please HELP!!!!!!!!
Hi everyone i m 21 years old and suffering from anal pain from the past 1 year and just had anoscopy 2 days ago which btw pained a lot and the doctor found nothing which is quite weird to me since I m having thin stools (ribbon type) accompanied with pain from the last 1 year and have been taking good fiber diet (say>40gms…
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And I hear it gets worse!
I just finished week 1: four days of Mitomycin, 5-FU and five IMRT treatments. I feel so weak and I have terrible bowel cramps and diarrhea. My mouth is also pretty sore. I have spent all weekend sleeping (except for excursions to the bathroom). I have IBS and I am very prone to constipation at the best of times. I am…
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Treatment Starts
Thanks to all for the info and support from my previous posts!!!! Survived day one, 29 to go. Question now is at what point during radiation treatmen should I begin to use sugessted creams like augaphor? Now or when I begin to experience issues?? Thanks again Scott
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Costipation
Any remedies for constipation? I haven't had a BM in 4 days since starting treament on the 7th May and I was always once a day regular. They gave me a stool softener colace but so far no results. I'm anxious not to be constipated when I get sore from the radiation as I imagine that will be painful. Any advice would be…
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MDA SAID NO WAY!!
As I posted in a reply to Liz, I asked Dr. Eng if I could have my blood work done locally and results sent there since I have no scans or scopes scheduled this trip. (august). No way Jose! They want to lay eyes on me.... Kinda relieved in a way..... Every three months it is! Lorie
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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…