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Colostomy done, planning treatment
Just got home from the hospital a couple hours ago. The ostomy nurses at Roswell were fantastic. They gave me lots of time to practice working with the bag, cleaning and emptying. The bag is very inconspicuous. This isn't going to be the inconvenience I thought it would. I had a follow up with the oncologist and the…
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Fatigue, capital F
How long after treatment before anyone felt like getting dressed, or any thing else? I know I arm only 4 days out of treatment, but curious. I overheard it being said that I look sooo sick. That I must have lost 45 pounds and my face was very pale.and i move like an old lady and they were scared for me! I lost 20 pounds…
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PET/CT scans
I was concerned about my insurance company refusing to cover my upcoming post treatment PET/CT scan. I called the cancer center where I have my treatment. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the cancer center had already gotten pre-authorization from my insurance company. I feel a lot better now.
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One year ago Friday . . .
It dawned on me Friday afternoon that one year ago was the anniversary date of my fateful colonoscopy. The date that a local GI doctor said as he performed the procedure, "Oh, my God, that thing is huge!" At that moment, my life changed forever. After a squirrelly couple of weeks being seen by local doctors, a botched 2nd…
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Next P.E.T. scan
I found out today that my next P.E.T. scan is scheduled for November 21. This will be the second one after completion of treatment. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be fine. My theme song has been Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds". The chorus is "everything will be okay". Then maybe my Christmas present will be…
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Has anyone used vaginal estrogen during radiation?
I talked to my radiation oncologist about using vaginal estrogen during radiation to try to minimize the vaginal side effects from radiation. She thought it would be a good idea but a letter today from my medical oncologist instructs me to stop hormone replacement therapy during chemo to minimize the risk of blood clots. I…
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Pathology report
this is dottie again. i retrieved my pathology report from my hem'tectomy back in December of 2007 and it reads: "there is a focal area of the squamous epithelium showing high-grade squamous dysplasia (moderate to severe squamous dysplasia). This appears to be an incidental finding, in an area of epithelium that does not…
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How did ya'll make it?
I realize it is the time to begin to heal now that treatments are over but I can't seem to feel better emotionally. We start for home tomorrow and it is 14 hrs. We plan to take as many days as it takes to not be terribly miserable. Trying to plan (ha!!) for potty breaks, not gonna use those rest stops if I can help it. I…
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Hospital
No way I am going on a journey and take short cuts! Oh no, not me".. I am now in the hospital, immune system crashed, o2stats were scary low because I did not have enough red blood cells to move the oxygen in my body. I was so weak I needed help to get to the potty and my fever spiked to 102 degrees. Now, two units of…
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New here, too
I was Dx'd with AC in Feb 2007. Hello to all.
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Hemmoroids
Any one have any ideas or solutions? .
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Best anal cancer blog EVER!!! Very funny stuff.
http://buttitscancer.blogspot.com/ And I thought MY blog was good . . . Everyone must check this out. Very, very funny. (okay, for whatever reason this site is blocking part of the blog address. Put these three words together: butt its cancer . . . .then .blogspot.com.)
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Neurologist appointment
Oh gosh, what an experience. Unfortunately my appointment with the Neurologist was a bust. What a jerk. When I told him I was recovering from Anal Cancer he said: "ANAL CANCER!" I suddenly felt very small and unfortunately ashamed! It was not the worst of it. He grilled me about my daughter's death too. Making matters…
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Inspirational quote
I recently read a quote by Maya Angelou that kind of goes along with our cancer journey. "I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on and it will be better tomorrow". Ann
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Home sweet home
We made the trip home in two days...a much better two days than I had envisioned! No bathroom accidents, the female urinal is now one of my best friends. Never have to get a sore neither region near a nasty potty again! (I am lucky my Bm' s are on a schedule of sorts, handled by me!) senekot at night to encourage bm in am…
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Port removal
How long after treatment was completed did everyone get their port removed?
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Heading west!
I will just conceder myself an ole Texas cowpoke with a sore tail. I pray for perseverance, patience and and good results as I leave MDAnderson. And Houston. Will be back end of January for results of procedures. Until then, I am going to heal, hug my kids n grand kids, pet my puppies and celebrate the holidays. Ok. That's…
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To many BMS
Its been allmost 9 post treatment .If i'm on the go to much like shopping going here and there.And skip a few meals i have more BMS.Last week i was helping my mom get ready a trip to florida she go's to here sisters about 3 times a year.I was on the go way to much .Mom's had 2 Dr's appt back to back .And some shopping to…
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Pet/ct scans
Do most anal cancer survivors who are in post treatment stage have Pet/ct scans? If so, how soon after you finished treatment did you have a scan? I completed treatment in April 2011 for a stage 2 anal cancer. I had the standard protocol treatment of radiation and chemo.
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Martha where are you
I have missed you! I know it is not like to you be away from the forum for more than a day or two. Hope you are off kickin' up you heels and enjoying life! If you get a chance, drop us a line! Blessings, Joanne
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A different subject for a change....financial guidence
I have a question regarding the financial burdens of having cancer....& all those doctor & hospital bills. We have health insurance which helps but have any of you found any assistance in paying the balance left over? I'm getting tired of being hounded by these 'uncaring' businesses who only care about the money & not the…
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Update on biopsy
So this past Mon. I had my colonoscopy/biopsies with my new drs at Goshen. I must say I'm very happy I chose this cancer center because their so caring, friendly, supportive. The dr gives the patients an Anax to help take the edge off. Then the nurse numbs where she's doing the iv (& this is the 1st time ever that I didn't…
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neurological pain
Hi everyone, I have had such severe backaches, I am still having to take a pain med several times a week at night. The Radiologist said he believes it is neurological pain and recommended I go back to my internist and get a referral to see a Neurologist. The Internist said she thinks it could be related to the…
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Worst day ever
Treatments are over and I am falling apart....never mind I will wait a few days and try this again....thanks friends
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what treatment did you get
Hi everyone. I posted a while back when my mom was diagnosed with anal cancer and she was going through so much pain with her radiation.. We finally made it through that and then more bad news came our way. I was wondering if anyone can tell me what chemo they received for anal cancer. My mother was diagnosed in June with…
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Not Having Treatment (80 years old)
My Mom's only symptom is small amounts of blood in her bowel movements. Not even every time. No pain, etc. (This had been going on for 2 years before diagnosis.) Given her age and other health issues and the fact that the treatment options are both very difficult for someone her age, wondering about opinions on not having…
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Exercise
2010 I was diagnosed with stage IV anal cancer. after an extensive treatment plan of 7 weeks of radiation and chemo (bag attached to a port that was inserted in my chest) I am working very hard to beat this disease. Healthy eating and walking. I would like to join a gym and try some classes, swimming, exercises, etc. I…
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bleeding
I finished my radiation therapy three years ago. I have had bleeding on the toilet paper after wiping and urgency, but other than that no symptoms. Last Tuesday, and continuing since, I have had blood on the actual stool and in the toilet bowl as opposed to just on the tissue. On wiping, the blood is there immediately…
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Run Tbyrd Run!
I would like to share with all of you what I consider to be one of my proudest moments. I have posted about the support of my best friend from high school, Teresa, on other occasions here. She has been right by my side thoughout this entire journey of anal cancer. Diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, sterotactic radiation to…
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First CAT Scan = NED
Received results from my 3 month CAT Scan today. No evidence of disease! I know many more scans are in my future, but this is such a relief to me. Thank you all for your support and information postings. ~Carol