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Anal Cancer

Archives for August 2012

Just put in my profile, still finding my way around this site
Hi folks. I just joined and wrote about myself. I am still finding my way around this site.
Praying for those in treatment
I just want you to know that I am praying for you guys who are in treatment. I know how much it helped me to know there were people praying for me whille I was in treatment. Hang in there, cancer warriors! Peace and love!
Red Wine
I was watching this movie, "K-19, the Widowmaker". I had seen it before a long time ago but this time something jumped out at me. When the crew was subjected to radioactivity, the captain ordered they be given red wine. So I looked it up a bit and it seems that there is some theory that red wine helps to prevent radiation…
Met with the Radiation Onc MD today
I was supposed to start radiation/ chemo on Tues 9/4, but the she ( the doctor) said I need a PET scan because there was lymph node enlargement, and following the PET scan, will need CT planing scan. She is doing IMRT, and said radiation would last 6 1/2 weeks. My tumor is 7 cms long and goes almost completely around the…
PET scan results: stage three with lots of swollen lymph nodes in pelvic area
Last Friday, I posted that the PET scan showed lymph node involvement, and the resident told me stage two. I met with the doc today, and he said my pelvic area was full of swollen lymph nodes. He said staging was difficult, but he did say stage three. He said the prognosis was still very good, but would be slightly…
Female issues
I am reading posts here and I realize that I know nothing about what I am supposed to be doing in regards to my gynecological health. The nurse gave me a diallator, but did not tell me what to do with it. I have not seen an ob/gyn since diagnosis. Is there something I can read about what I am supposed to be doing. I am…
XELODA OR MITOMYCIN
JUST TALKED WITH DOC FRIDAY AND HE IS GIVIVING ME A CHOICE BETWEEN XELODA OR MITOMYCIN. XELODA HAS THE "HAND AND FEET" PROBLEM. MITOMYCIN HAS THE PORT AND PUMP ISSUE. IS THERE ANY OPINIONS OUT THERE ON THIS??
SWIMMING DURING TREATMENT
HAS ANYONE TRIED SWIMMING DURING TREATMENT FOR EXERCISE??
thank you for the strength you've given as I begin treatment
The battle begins tomorrow. Ever since my first post on this site a couple of weeks ago, all of you have offered your encouragement, knowledge, support, and love. I truly feel like I have a new family. You have answered my questions and shared your stories and offered suggestions on how to deal with side effects and…
Scans
I have a question. I am one year post trearment and I am seen at the hospital about every 10 weeks. I was looking forward to my scan this September, but at my last appointment, the doctors told me that the hospital is not going to do scans anymore unless there are symptoms. I am confused. I trust my doctors. On the one…
Newbie, starting radiation/ chemo 9/04
I am so glad to have found this site, and overwhelmed with all the love and support I see here. In late June of this year, I experienced significant rectal pain, accompanied by large amount of blood passing for an entire day. I anticipated this as hemmorhoids, but when the symptoms persisted over the weekend, I went to an…
Womens health
I am happy to report that my tests, CT scan, Mammogram, Sigmoidoscopy are all good. I have been feeling exhilarated about that. But a couple of days ago my mother passed away at the Assisted Living Center where she has lived the last three years. She had been in hospice care since mid July, not from cancer, but heart…
diagnosis changed from stage one to stage two; IMRT
Dear friends...I had my radiation simulation today at Duke and start treatment on Monday. I asked about the PET scan I had done on Wednesday. The doc said that a couple of lymph nodes were involved. I had been told at another hospital that it was stage one, but no PET scan was done. The doc said the nodes are beside the…
Designating a time and day of the week to meet in the chat room to discuss our issues?
I've entered the chat several times only to find it mostly empty. Would this group be interested in designating a time and day of the week to meet and chat to discuss our related issues? I often find myself wanting a real time response, a conversation, and to be able to do this with you all would be great. Let me know what…
rectal cancer surgery
i had anal cancer, all is clear now. Now they are saying surgery to remove the scar tissue and that i will end up with colostomy bag. Don't know what to think or do.
Being depressed and angry when I'm supposed to be happy
I would think that since I passed my first three month check-up NED, that I would be a happy camper all the time. But not so. Now I'm mad I got cancer and although I appreciate my family and friends asking me how I'm feeling all the time, I would really rather not have had cancer to begin with and have to talk about it all…
Hello from Australia no 2
Hello and a big thank you to all those lovely people who replied to me. I couldn't find where to add to the messages to reply to you all so have to start a new post. Can someone tell me where to add to a discussion topic??? A couple of answers and a couple of questions from the posts. My rad treatment is guided by PET, MRI…
Hello from Australia
Hello, I live in Australia and have just started treatment for anal cancer. Because of out small population there is little online in the way of forums for anal cancer, so I hope you don't mind if I join your discussion. :-) I had chemo last week- four days of 5FU and mitomycin injection via PICC line. I have had 5 out of…
Will I need help at home?
I'm sorry to ask so many questions. Please know I appreciate all the information and support you all are giving me. I find this site a place of comfort. I live alone and have no family members close enough to help. From what I've read, I should be okay for the first three weeks. Should I try to get someone to stay with me…
Question on protein sources during treatment
I start radiation and chemo in a little over a week. For the past few months, I completely changed my diet and worked out religiously doing both weights and cardio. I lost over 50 pounds. Part of my new diet was to cut out meat...an animal thing for me. I got most of my protein from protein powder mixed with skim milk.…
Starting treatment soon -- what happens the first day with chemo?
I am scheduled to start radiation and chemo on Monday, Aug. 27. I'm done with the radiation planning and have the simulation on the Friday before I start. No one has specifically explained the chemo part. Can anyone tell me what my first day will be like? I guess they will set up the delivery system for the chemo, and I…
Latest CT Results
First off, I would like to welcome all the newbies who have joined this group recently. If I have missed someone, I apologize. I hope your journies will be as smooth as possible and that you find the support you need. I had my 6-month follow-up scan on August 13th. and saw my medical oncologist yesterday to discuss the…
2nd opinion different from 1st
I went to Duke for my second opinion today (1st came from UNC). The differnces: Duke is not ready to stage it. UNC said stage one. Duke wants to use IMRT radiation. UNC wants to do traditional or 3D. Duke did say the final decision would be based on the planning session. Duke is giving me a PETScan. UNC said nothing about…
I love NED!!!
Hi All, I haven't posted in a while, but wanted to let you all know, I had my exam under anesthesia on Aug 3rd and he took a couple biopsies. The doctor called me last Tuesday morning and said the biopsies he took on Aug 3rd showed no evidence of disease (NED)... So I am CANCER FREE!!!!!! Yippee.... hard to imagine with a…
results of CT and several questions
First of all, I want you all to know that I'm so grateful for this site and for all the help you provide. I received my diagnosis on Aug. 3, and the support from you on this site has helped me to replace fear with determination and embarrassment with openness and candor. Thank you. I had my CT scan yesterday and met with…
anal cancer-causes?
Just wondering...how many of you have anal cancer that do not fall into the typical "at risk" categories?
newly diagnosed and don't want to tell what kind of cancer
I am a gay male and was just diagnosed with anal cancer. I'm scared and worried just like anyone who has been told he/she has cancer. I know I should not be ashamed to say I have anal cancer. For the most part, I don't mind saying it. The problem is telling my family members the type of cancer I have. I come from a small…
OUCHY!!!
Hi there, I am on week 4 of tx - 2nd round of chemo; 20 rad down, 10 to go. Good days and bad days. Today is bad!! Have taken 3 oatmeal baths, put on aloe for burn, benadryl cream for itch, taken half a oxy 5 every 3 or 4 hours - just took a whole 5 a while ago. Nurse said it will get worse before it gets better. Any…
calcium supplement side effects
Hi-just wondering if anybody else out there has had this problem. I am 1 year post diagnosis and so far no recurrence :) ! I have recently added a calcium citrate + D supplement (no magnesium) at the urging of the gyn. Right after I started it, I had increased BM's and looseness; this had been really improving, so it is…
reaction to Lubricant
Yesterday I broke out in whelps using the same Lubricant I have used all along with my dilator. Everywhere the Lubricant had touched it looked and felt like poison ivy. Luckily, at least this time, a dose of Benadryl relieved the symptoms. Has anyone else developed a sensitivity to Lubricant and what should I do about it?

Anal Cancer

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