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HPV Question
A friend asked me the other day and I should have known the answer but wasn't sure....She has a 20yr old daughter never had the HPV vaccine. Daughter has recently become sexually active. Although the vaccine is recommended before sexual activity begins, is it still available/effective if given afterwards??? She is checking…
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Waiting on 1st PET scan ODD Situation
Hi. New to the board, so wish I found it sooner! I was diagnosed with Anal Cancer Apr 13, 2011, one day before my 50th birthday! I was also diagnosed with a severe abdominal infection and 2 major fistulas (due to the infection from that dang mesh). Anyway I did the myomiticin and 5-FU and radiation treatments for 6 weeks.…
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Now what???
I just found out my lab results - vitamin D, thyroid and cholesterol are abnormal. I knew I had low vitamin D before treatment which is unusual since I live in the Southwest. Thyroid test was normal two years ago. Also had a bone density test and will find out that result next week along with what's next for abnormal…
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Surgery soon
My mom was diagnosed in March with rectal cancer. At the time we thought after chemo and radiation she would be able to have a minor surgery that didn't require her to wear a permanent colostomy bag. Well last Tuesday we were told she had to have her whole rectum removed and will have to wear a bag for the rest of her…
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HI been a long time on here
Hi everyone well my cancer is gone yay me!! Sorry I haven't been on but a lot has happened in Dec 2011 I was in the Hosp I had blew up like a balloon from the waist down I had CHF plus my copd flared up real well docs said it was from the chemo I am just starting to feel better but I am very happy that the cancer is gone…
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1st Post Treatment PET Scan Results
I had my 3 month post treatment PET Scan today and the result was NO cancer in my body!! I am feeling relief like I have never felt before. I am going to ride this high as far as it will take me, YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! Randy
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Life Changes
As everyone on this site knows, cancer brings on many life-changing experiences. For me, it brought about getting very real, becoming very true to myself. And since ending treatment I have morphed into a certified Pilates instructor and a holistic personal trainer with plans to open my own studio called 'Breathe' by the…
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A year ago...
I was in the emergency room with my father over the weekend and came across a nurse that took care of me last year when I was hospitalized. Once I saw her face it was a flash back and with the monitors beeping I just filled with tears. I would never imagine that a kind face would start a flow of emotion. Anyway, just…
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Seeking help for my mom!
Hello, I am writing on behalf of my mother who is currently in remission and has been since April and for that we are so BLESSED and thankful every day!! But lately she has run in to some problems that are embarrassing for her to talk about. That is why I am the one seeking advice for her. She is starting to have bowel…
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Helping to get the word out . . .part 2
I don't know about you all, but I've hit a brick wall when trying to secure speaking engagements regarding anal cancer. Even the local Cancer Society is hesitant to allow me to speak and I feel it's because it's not a 'popular' cancer such as breast or cervical. Although I gained created community awareness when…
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JDuke
Joanne, How are you, I think about you often and hope you are doing well. Lori
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Helping to get the word out....Anal Cancer
So last night I was invited to a charity event for people going through or recovering from Breast Cancer sponsored by K-Tech Charities. It is an annual golfing fundraiser that primarily focuses on raising money for Breast Cancer (like so many), and unfortunately that is my current condition! Anyhow, when I stood up to tell…
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A REAL vacation!
My other half and I joined a couple, who are good friends of ours, and spent the last week in Durango, Colorado. I am sooo scared of water, but went whitewater rafting!!! It was so much fun! I was into front and was soaked immediately. Loved it! Then took the steam train to Silverton and back. (Going up was really nice,…
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All radiation is not the same
I am at the end of my treatment. I started on May 7th with the usual chemo/radiation followed by 3 weeks of radiation alone followed by one week of chemo/radiation. While the chemo is standard for everyone, radiation is not. It is very much individualized. I had 22 imrt treatments and 3 "boosts". I still have one boost…
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Let the healing begin
Hi All, Sorry haven't posted anything in the last few weeks. Had a really bad bout of diarrhea for 3+ weeks and ended up in the hospital last week for 2 1/2 days. Was dehydrated and potassium depleted. Went back Friday for the last of my first 25 treatments and then was expecting to have 10 more focused ones but the Dr.…
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Update
Hi all. I have been checking the boards but have been kind of in the shadows for awhile. I have done so well that I couldnt bring myself to post an update when others have had and are having such a difficult road. I finally decided that maybe my experience would help someone just diagnosed and afraid by showing that we all…
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leg weakness and hip pain
HI, I have been lurking off and on around here for awhile. Finished tx in August 2010. NED for anal cancer. Just an fyi, I have ignored leg and hip pain, as it seems to be a fact of our new lifes. Anyway, my ct in March showed an illiac artery occlusion, blocked artery, which happens to be about two inches from my pelvic…
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Vaginal dilator
I have read about the vaginal dilator from several of the posts on this site but no one at the radiation place has told me about it. Should I ask there or maybe my OB/GYN?
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And the results are in...
I saw my oncologist last week and my scan was CLEAR again! Blood work was also good. I'm now a year post treatment. In fact, the end of my treatment was the beginning of my retirement (same day)- (early retirement from 37 years of teaching). Unfortunately, I wasn't able to complete the school year. I'm doing well. I still…
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Restarting radiation
I am feeling so much better today than when I came home from the hospital some rest and good food has really helped. I am starting radiation again tomorrow and I am a little anxious as to what side effects I will get but hopefully it won't be any where as bad as the chemo! I had 2 weeks of treatment and missed 2 weeks so…
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Sex
To make a long story short, my husband and I have been having some problems. But being an optimist from birth I have been regularly using the large dilator all throughout treatment and until now. Last night, after watching "A Week with Marilyn", we had a breakthrough somehow and it was almost like old times except my…