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Just Diagnosed
Wow, this has just been a whirlwind for me. I was sent in early (age 48) for a colonoscopy after a nasty bout of diverticulitis. I was so surprised to get a call back with a cancer diagnosis. Right now I feel like the hardest part is all about waiting. I got the call on November 17th after having the colonoscopy two weeks…
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Urgency keeping me up all night
I have stage iv colorectal cancer. Am waiting to see the oncologist in 10 days but for now i hardley get any sleep as the frequent urgency at night has me going to the bathroom every hour. I am feeling so tired from not getting any sleep and need to be strong for when treatment begins. Has anyone tried any kind of…
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Lymph Node Removal
I was diagnosed with Anal Cancer in September, had a colostomy in October. I am going in tomorrow for removal of all the lymph nodes on my right pelvic and upper thigh area. Concerned with swelling, has anyone had this procedure done?
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Nerve pain
I posted this in the diet section:-) I tried to reduce the Lyrica dosage I am on, with the help of Rehabilitation Therapy at MSK under a doctors guidance. I got down to 100 miligrams from 150 and it was just like "old times" pre cancer treatments. The pain was unbearable. I got so depressed trying to get up and not being…
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Exercise post Treatment
I learned so much reading the comments in the diet post treatment discussion, I wanted to continue with the question of exercise post treatment. Do you exercise and would you share your daily routine? Did you exercise pre-diagnosis? Did you change anything after treatment? Do you have any short-term or long-term physical…
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2 years NED!!!!
I have not been on this board for a little while. I still get my PET scan every 6 months and see my surgeon every 4 months for follow up. My last PET scan has been CLEAN!! NED!! It has been 2 years. I still get so nervous before the scan and think I feel something here or there. The mind is a powerful thing. I have changed…
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question about first follow-up appt after treatment
Dear friends...I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have my first follow-up appointments after treatment in December. I am scheduled for a PET scan and will see the radiation and chemo oncologists and the surgeon. A couple of questions... First of all, can anyone tell me what to expect? I imagine I need to be…
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Could it be cancer?
I have had a bump on my anus for about a month. There has been minimal pain and no bleeding. Could this be cancer? I had cervical cryosurgery three years ago for abnormal pap and I had breast cancer a few months ago. Should I go to a proctologist or should I tell my oncologist at my next visit? Thanks
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Diet post cancer
From reading past posts, it seems that many us were treated at the best cancer hospitals in the country. So, I am wondering whether any of these hospitals have spent anytime instructing patients on the relationship between diet and cancer prevention. The hospital I am being treated at does not approach the subject at all.…
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Newly diagnosed
Hi folks. I have recently been diagnosed with anal cancer. Staging not yet complete but I do know it has spread to local lymph nodes & involves the sphincter muscle. Don't think it has gone further. Anyone else had this & if so did you become incontinent of faeces post chemoradiation? I live in UK & so glad I have found…
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Wishing everyone...
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! We're still here! I saw my colorectal doctor yesterday and he said everything looked fine and I looked healthy. See him again in 6 months. Ann
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possible ulcer at radiation site
My treatment ended Oct. 8, and I'm still having very painful BMs, both pain and burning. I went to my "regular" doctor today and he examined the area. He said the thinks I have an ulcer. He said radiation can cause one on the anus. He wants me to see the surgeon who first discovered my anal cancer. I'm just wondering if…
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New Hip update
Hi everyone...I haven't been on for a while.As my old friends here know, i had a hip replacement may24th.My old hip was fractured and was collapsing due to radiation 4 1/2 years ago.We moved to Florida in july and i am now playing golf.I am also going to the gym 3xs a week to build up my core.The exercise has done wonders…
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Reoccurence Question
Hi Gang! Been a while since I've been on the board, been busy which is a good thing, working again part time, still dealing with side effects from cancer. I was diagnosed with anal cancer that spread to my rectum and some of my lymph nodes. I the myomiticin and 5 FU chemo and 5 weeks of radiation. I also had a colostomy.…
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Painful mucus passing
Hi all you warriors, My husband finished his last tx Nov.2nd. Seems anytime he sits on the toilet he passes a mucus slug that burns incredibly bad, would this be normal? Today he also had his 1st bowel movement in 4 days, said the stool did not burn. That slug seems like acid. He is now only taking a pain pill at night so…
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New, Scared, and Questions
Wow - So so grateful to have found this discussion board! The posts show incredible strength, wisdom and generosity of spirit. Before having had a biopsy Wed. under general anesthesia, I was told, should it be positive, this is a very treatable cancer and the treatment of choice is chemo and radiation. The surgeon thought…
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multiple recurrence after surgeries ?
not sure if I am having another recurrence, was diagnosed by the gastro doctor in 2009, thought I had a hemmoroid so I finally went to check it out, he immediatly reffered me to a colorectal surgeon to be seen that same day, the surgeon said it appeared to be anal cancer and concurred with the gastro that it was not a hem,…
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Liz and Sephie...
My apps at MDA are scheduled for the 11th and 12th of February. Am willing to try and change dates so we can have that Margarita! Liz, are you scheduled for 7th and 8th of FEBRUARY? Sephie, are yours early March? Maybe we can do this! Lorie
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Dietary Changes
Hi everyone! I've just been diagnosed with Anal cancer, so I'm at the beginning of my journey. I have my first appointment with the radiologist next week. I'm wonder how many of you survivors made dietary changes. I have heard a lot about cutting out dairy and refined sugars/carbs and increasing your veggies - especially…
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And the test result are in!
I saw my oncologist today and both my labs and PET scan are clear! So NED is still my friend!!! I don't have to have any more scans - just labs in 6 months. I'm so thankful my insurance paid for the scans! Had 4 PET scans post treatment. I still have issues with bleeding due to radiation proctitis and he said that could go…
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the county health nurse called me
I haven't posted because we were without power for a couple of weeks. I was late going through some mail but opened a letter from the County Health nurse dated November 2 Monday. She said I needed to call right away and it was CONFIDENTIAL. Remembering Anal Cancer sites that described it as a cancer affecting primarily…
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Hi Guys & Gals...it's been awhile!
Just wanted to say hi to you folks because last year you really helped me a lot while I was going through treatments. I alwo wanted to let you know that my mum passed away on Saturday, September 22nd. She just went so fast that day and I was here in Provincetown and not in Maine where she passed away in the hospital. We…
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Hi! I was just told on thursday I have anal squamous severve dyplasia
Hello, I don't mean to jump the gun by posting in the anal cancer board but I need help. I have hemmeroids removed 2 weeks ago. I was told on thursday I have anal sqaumous severve dysplasia level 3. What does this mean??? The dr. said from what they it isn't cancer yet but I have to go for more testing. Everything I search…
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Pump is off for first chemo cycle
Over the weekend (my 96 hours of chemo) I felt pretty good. I drank 75 oz. of water a day and ate like I normally eat. Saturday I kind of felt out of it, like I had taken some heavy cold medicine, but that lifted by the next day. I did sleep a lot this weekend. I was in bed by 7 PM and relaxing and to sleep by 8 PM most of…
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How are you doing Gigi?
Hi Gigi, I have been thinking about you and wondering how you are. I haven't seen you post for awhile. How is rad going for you? Did you start using aquaphor and doing sitz baths the first day? Joy
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What to expect post treatment?
I am staying with my sister to help any way I can during her chemoradiation treatments. She was diagnosed with Stage III anal cancer just a couple of months ago. Her tumor was 10 cm. and involves lymph nodes in her left groin. She is was just one week away from completing her treatment but complications have arisen.…
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Question on radiation burned skin
Hi all, I'm new to the board as I can not get my husband the anal cancer patient to join. It has been a tough ride for us. My husband was diagnosed with anal cancer on Aug. 31st. Nov.2nd he completed his 2nd chemo tx, also his last radiation. His groin and anal area is totally raw, the groin skin is split and oozing. He…
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Cat scan
Hi everyone. Just saw chemo dr today and bloodwork looks good. But he scheduled me for 2 more cat scans, one now and one in May. I am 14 months out of treatment. My question is is there a easier way to drink the contrast before the scan. I seem to gag with every swallow. I put mints in my mouth, use a straw at the back of…
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radiation side effects - question
I was reading the posts about side effects from radiation...hip problems seeming to be the most frequent. My question is: when do these side effects start? I finished treatment Oct. 8 and so far, so good. BMs are still painful, and I seem to have some pain in my hips, but it's not constant. Thank you for any information.…
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Some Interesting Numbers
The information below on breast cancer was taken from an article that appeared in the latest AARP Magazine. I realize this pertains to breast cancer, but I think comparing these numbers with those that follow regarding anal cancer highlight the reason(s) that anal cancer is still in the shadows and not getting nearly the…