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Major Decision Made & Surgery Day Set
Hello my friends.....thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers, & input while I've been dealing with the 'uncertainty' of my next steps on this journey. Have any of you seen the tv movie "The Heart of Christmas"? I recorded it & watched a few times (crying each time!). Its a true story about a little boy diagnosed…
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I had a port put in on Friday, and I am exhausted, and nauseated. Is this normal?
I had a port put in on Friday, and I am exhausted, and nauseated. Is this normal?
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Sometimes I hate my body!
.....like this morning. I never know from day to day how my innards are going to behave. Some days it's not so bad, other days I could just cry. The biggest issue is lack of control and "leakage". It just makes me feel dirty and disgusting and I don't know how to handle it. Cleaning and washing only last so long; the worst…
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Breast biopsy
I have just returned and I am quite surprised how tired I am. It was difficult to access and then difficult to cut because it's so hard. So I am sore and tired and alone. My husband is at a fencing tournament in Kansas city. It's ok because I need to rest. Tried to do some laundry but couldn't. Can't go surfing. Bummed. No…
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News that's not totally unexpected!!
I am still enjoying reading all the good news many of you are posting. It helps me feel there may be a light at the end of my tunnel....eventually. But until then.....there's more decisions to be made in the coming months. I seen my oncology (surgery) dr Nov 30th for follow up from recent surgery & updated pathology…
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Return of the sore bottom
Ok, I know I am paranoid, but did anyone else have their bottom feel normal and then have the anal pain return? I feel like I am burned all over again! NOT complaining, just wondering.......
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And the saga continues!!!
Hello! Don't mean to frighten any newbies or worry Chris ;) , but some of you know how long and hard a journey I've had and it gets so frustrating sometimes. The ultrasound results on my bladder & kidneys showed no masses which is extremely good news, they are thinking now that I "probably" have a kidney stone stuck…
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Neutropenia
I am beginning to wonder when I will finish radiation treatments. Since my toxic reaction to 5 FU chemo. each blood test taken, the neutrophils continue to drop, yesterday the level was 0.4, radiation has been canceled again for this week. So far have only completed 2 weeks of radiation, My radiation Oncologist had said no…
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new to the chat room
Hi, I'm new to the chat room and would like to hear and share my cuurent experiences with others. I have just finished my 1st round a of a horrible chemo session, a couple of weeks off then start again with another chemo session and some radiotherepy.
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Joanne - how are you?
I've been thinking of you Joanne and hoping and praying that all is well with you. You founded this site and we are all so grateful to you. If you have a chance let us know how you are doing. Miss you. Hope all is well Hugs, Liz
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The club I never wanted to join
Hi everyone, Have been here for about two months lurking throughout my treatment, soaking up the info and experiencing most of the same things you all have endured. I, too, had the same reaction when given my diagnosis back in August...disbelief, fear, denial, and of course, shame. Who wants to admit they have ANAL cancer?…
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meltdown after 25 months of post tx
I just can't seem to catcha breaks.I'm going to the er as soon as my my husband gets of work tomorrow. I fell asleep friday at 1"30 and didn't wake up till 7 tonight,I got up, ate a half a sandwich and back to bed I went till 9. I've have nose bleeds for 4 days now, I'm used to seeing blood on my toilet paper, but today…
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Port out
Port was removed this morning as outpatient by a PA. I chose local instead of being put out. It felt a little weird, but I was numbed up really well. Know I'll be a little sore for a couple of days, but it's nice to have it out. The PA asked me if I had finished treatment because she's removed ports from people who didn't…
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No more chemo
After installation of port which was easy and comfortable, had my first week of radiation along with 4 days of 5 FU, I had not been feeling good for a couple of day before pump removal, suddenly as my Oncologist put it I crashed, had a severe toxic reaction to chemo. a week of my life I never want to go through again. To…
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Chemo Brain
I am 5 months post treatment and I feel like I'm forgetting more and more. My train of thought is null and void. Doctors say this is a common complaint and last about a year. Also, told me to take vitimans and eat well. Anyone else have this issue? ~Carol
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Pain that will drop me to my knees
Hi Everyone, Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. OK, I am 3.5 months from last rad tx and the last 3 weeks I am having sever pain in my lower stomach. It does not always come with a bowel movement. This pain can make me go to my knees at times. It comes and then goes away. I am beginning to wonder if I have scar…
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need help side effects of radiation and chemo
HI Everyone, I have rectal cancer but it is only 1cm from anal verge so my side effects would be more like yours with anal cancer. I have had a wicked bout with diarreha and now have a hemoroid the size of mount everett and I am finding it hard to pee.I can't get confortable and haven't slept for 3 day. My anus is…
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Trying not to have a FREAK OUT!
Hello everyone! I was diagnosed in November 2005 with an agressive stage IIIB, the battle was long & hard but I survived it! I've been attending college & trying to create a new life, but right now I am trying not to literally freak out!! Please help if you can! Here's the story...for a few months I've been extremely…
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wife diagnosed in early May.
This is only my second post here. I have actually been so freaked I have been unable to read about this disease. According to the docs my wife is stage 1. She has been going to a major hospital in a large metro area for treatment. When they did the pre-treatment scans (CT only)they found 2 nodules in her liver and 2 in her…
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Healing time after surgery
I go back to MDA mid January for my first post treatment checkup. IF I have to have surgery after all (I hope not) how long does it take to heal and return home? IF a colostomy becomes necessary how long does ir take to heal and learn how to manage the bag? PLEASE KNOW THAT I PRAY AND REALLY BELIEVE THAT I WILL HAVE A GOOD…
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Friends like you - good news but worried still
Well, I'm back after a couple weeks away. I had my 9 month follow up and all is just fine. PET CT, DRE/anoscopy, and labs ... very good and normal. I pray this continues. I had a rough start with diagnosis and didn't get treatment going until 8 weeks after biopsy. I worry about that delay. It was Christmas and they didn't…
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IP - 6
I was wondering if anyone has any experience or info on this herbal drug - it has been highly recommended by some friends - it comes from Japan and is processed rice husks
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pain meds
I am totally confused about this pain med issue. I went for almost 2 years toughing it out, because I'm deathly afraid of the horror stories I hear about people getting addicted to them. But as my disease progresses so does the pain, so I started asking. I am highly allergic to codeine yet it seems to be in every…
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Life's Many Blessings
Today my hubby & I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary!! Inspite of all that we've been thru over the years we're still best friends & closer then ever. Our journey has taken us along the 'cancer road' many times. First in 2006 were his parents...mom with lung to brain & dad with lukemia. We moved back from TN to live &…
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Port
Will finally have my port removed Wednesday morning. Saw my colorectal dr Friday and he was pleased with the PET scan results. See him again in 3 months. He said to enjoy life.
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Happy news!
Blood work results are in and EVERYTHING IS BETTER! WHite blood cell count is normal by a whisker, nuetraphils are normal, still anemic but MUCH BETTER! Went out to the Farmers Market and then out to lunch with hubbie and friends WEARING JEANS! True, they have Lycra in them but they are jeans! I finished treatment on…
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More Good News
I want to pile on with the good news. I went to both my "butt" Dr. and my chemo oncologist this past Monday for a scheduled 6 month checkup and everything is looking good. As my colorectal doctor said "I think you have this behind you now." (Seriously, he used those words. Maybe that is just funny to me? :) ) I am now 2.5…
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finally some anwers about my side effects
Well I went to my onc today, first visit with her in 2 months. For the most part I have been seeing my gastro doc. But, I asked her about setting up a regimen for platelets and plasma, and this is what I found out. I can't do it because platelets only have an effect in the body for 5 - 6 days. Because I'm in the "1%"…
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Thank you, thank you!
Special thanks to Liz for her help getting me through this first part of my journey. It was incredible to be able to meet her at MDA...our appts overlapped, my first, her follow up. I was so scared I could hardly make sense! Everyone on this site has helped me.... Just knowing that what was happening was "normal" for our…
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Great news
I found out today that I am still cancer free per test results!!! See the oncologist again in 6 months. Have the port removed in two weeks. Life is good!