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what are the guide lines???
looked thru almost all posts. i am 26 months post. how often should i have a procto. now??? or whom should i see now??? thanks sephie
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Update on 2nd Opinion Appt.
Well my appt. today at IU Goshen Cancer Center (IN) went really good! My husband & I feel we made the right decision going there for my 2nd opinion. The doctors & staff were friendly & very caring. The facility bright & pleasant. And only about an hr from home! So I met with my surgical, radiation, & medical drs plus a…
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at the end of it all
I just read about Nan's mom, age 80, and I think that she made the right decision. To at least try treatment. I wish I hadn't. I'm just at the end of my 1 year pst txt and I have gotten only worse.I have lost mobility, my breathing is about to kill me, and they drain fluids off my abdomin every 2 weeks or so. My butt still…
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Date Set for 2nd Opinion
Well last Fri. I felt alittle discouraged after talking with my radiation doctor. He confirmed what my colon doctor said...no more radiation & APR w/ostomy is my only hope for possibly getting rid of recurrent cancer. And for best quality of life. Less then an hour later IU Goshen Hospital called to set an appt. for my 2nd…
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two days before treatment has finished with very little side effects
hi all I have two days left until I finish with chemotherapy and radio. I have a slight rash around my groin and it is sore to go for a number two. I feel great a little tired My blood counts were normal all through treatments. No mouth ulcers No cystitis No painkillers needed No Nausea Very Little hair loss Very little…
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Concerns with recurrence
As some of you may have read previously, I am planning on getting a second opinion for my recurrence. My big concern at this time is I'm not sure what stage my cancer is or how far its spread. (so I know a 'time frame'). My colon dr won't let me know until he does the surgery. Is this normal? I see many of you describing…
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pain with sex
sorry to be so personal but i need to ask this: i am too afraid to even try intercourse even tho i am 19 months post tx i still have pain on left anal side when walking or sitting. i do my dilators but i have full control of how they enter and how they pull on the tissue. not as afraid of pain in vagina as i am of pulling…
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Fluid retention
Help!! I haven't posted for awhile cuz hosp visits take up much of my time. I began retaining fluids when they did the experimental Atgam treatment on me in May. Since then I've gone in to have my stomach drained twice. The first time 2 liters and on the 26th, 5.5 liters. Now I am so full again, but my onc wants to wait…
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Recurrance-needing to make treatment decisions
Although I did the 'usual' chemo/radiation treatment for anal cancer, apparently it didn't work because it came back (or never fully left). As I said before, my colon doctor along with others on a tumor board, said major surgery is the only option left. I feel there has to be another option to persue first. I'm getting…
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Saw surgeon today..
The surgeon did his exam and this tumor is actually nearly the size of a tennis ball. He staged it at T2/3NONO. Not sure how to interpret the NONO at the end.....nearly 5 centimeters and growing. Start radiation tomorrow and it looks like chemotherapy Monday. ...........I don't know if I said it before but I have now been…
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Anyone taking Colazal?
My colorectal surgeon prescribed Colazal (a bowel anti-inflammatory generally used in ulcerative colitis) to treat pain and anal inflammation after radiation therapy. She felt I had a bit of radiation proctitis. My symptoms at 6 months post treatment: I have occasional bleeding when constipated, mucus discharge a few times…
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Getting anxious again...
Here we go... next anoscopy scheduled for September 20th and the worry begins... then, I feel as if there is something there again. I noticed that I get that way.. all in my head. I feel good, no pain or bleeding or toilet issues but now I get worried again. Need your encouragement. PET scan scheduled for November. That…
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fistula repair
Well I finally had fistula repair surgery. Dr. said it went far better than he had hoped. I am on clear liquids for another 4 days. The last time I ate was Tues. I have a follow up on the 6th. Then maybe soft for a few days. As soon as I am able I am having a rare t-bone. Hopefully this will help with some digestive issues.
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Did you have a biopsy post treatment?
I'm curious if you had a biopsy after your treatment or just exams? I had an exam under anesthesia and anoscopy at 3 months and a PET CT with DRE. At 6 months I had PET CT, labs, DRE and that's it. All was good according to oncologist and colo rectal surgeon, but I still have painful BMs and some bleeding if constipated.…
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HI ALL!
well last week went fast i saw my radiation doc tues and got my pet/ct scan back it spread but only in the area of the site no where else and it was very small spot she told me i was very lucky so i am a T2 n0 m0 so i will start chemo and radiation sept 6th let the fun begin! they told me about what to expect and were very…
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Cancer Treatment Centers
Hi there....I am new at this so please be patient. :) I was diagnosed with anal cancer July 2010 & went thru chemo/radiation. They thought my cancer was gone. But about 2 weeks ago I was very sick & my dr put me in the hospital where they did all kinds of tests. They found thru a biopsy the cancer was back (or never fully…
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Good checkup, scary dilators!
I went to my first followup appointment with rad onc MD today (6 weeks post). After DRE he said my tumor was about 80% smaller, not fixed and firm anymore, and could be just scar tissue! I was very encouraged! I think the IMRT sessions I received spared me some of the worse side effects that some of us have experienced.…
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Recurrence-any suggestions?
On aug 23rd, My pet/ct revealed positive activity in my right pelvic wall area and mri shows mass on right side of pelvis. I am trying to stay positive, but this is my 4th recurrence. Here's my history:mitomycin and 5FU and external radiation in 2005. I was in remission for 2yrs. Colostomy in 2007 at Cleveland Clinic, and…
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Tests are in...
Tumor is T2....no metastasis seen, just cysts. Have been to Radiology Oncology for simulation, Chemotherapy has been explained and I start treatments on Tuesday!! 6 weeks and then, hopefully, healing after that. I could say a lot more but most of you have already heard it.... I have seen so many upbeat people here fighting…
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Weaning off meds
As of this week, I am now free of all meds prescribed to me after diagnosis. Lexapro and Ambien being my final two to drop. Yoga, Pilates, power-walking, massage and meditation have kept me stress free and centered, which has allowed for the discontinuance of the medications. I'm so excited! I even cried easily for the…
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disappointed in my bottom
ok, i have to vent. i was on cloud 9 due to good report after colonoscopy . also not much pain. BUT 2 days later , i got a rip with bleeding in the anal area after BM and now i am suffering, nervous, upset and scared. i have to have a proctoscope in 2 weeks and i know i will not heal up by then. i hate this disease. every…
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thank you
Just want to say thank you for everyone who joined this site in support of everyone who has or will endure this illness. In my own personal experience, this web site has been more supportive and informative than all of my oncology support groups. Keep talking... people are listening. I was embarrased and ashamed, but I…
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painful area in anus - 6 months post treatment
Did any of you continue to have pain and burning in the area of your tumor after your treatment? Like a stinging and burning? I seem to have an area that just doesn't seem to want to heal. My exam under anesthesia 3 months out and DRE was normal and I don't have blood on BM it appears, just this specific area that stings…
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Rad onc---
Rad onc appt today. Not sure what to expect, but here I go! Daughter spent the weekend with me and we laughed and hugged as if she were still a teenager and we were having a Mother/Daughter day like in the "good old days" as she refers to them. Hmmm mm..... She drove the five hours to tell me face to face that even though…
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Low WBC
Going into my 5th week of treatment of 5-FU and second round of chemo. My last blood test showed a low WBC and my doctor wants to give me an injection (?) to boost the count. Has anyone had the injection, and what are the side effects if any? Thanks for all your information.
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hair is falling out
Made an appointment for a much shorter hair cut. Would rather have little tiny airs fall out than long ones. Not ready for a buzz though.
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3 years NED
Hi all-Today ..August 14th is 3 years since I finished my last treatment.I am so grateful and wish the same to all of my CSN friends.Hugs..alyse
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Busy week done right now!
HI ALL! Hope all is well with everyone well mon i had ct scan tues i had pet/ct scan and i got the port in weds tues the 30th i have an appt with radiation doctor to get scan results and to find out treatment plan all so fast lol but i'm glad it is the sooner the better.plus i called the hosp and they have a van that will…
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At MDA....
Started testing this week and wll continue Monday.....boy oh boy ... Will be glad to know where I am going from here! I don't mean to sound "poor me", just nervous... Happy for Liz
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colonoscopy
i just had my first colonoscopy since tx over 25 months ago, yesterday. my colo rectal surgeon used a pediatric scope. sooooo much easier. no pain . no bleeding. unbelievable because i still have pain and bleeding after some BM's, walking, sitting, proctoscope, etc. the peds scope is nice. so suggest it if any of you are…