-
My blog post from Thanksgiving 3 years ago
I thought those of you who are just now facing your battle with anal cancer might find some hope in reading my blog post from Thanksgiving 2010 when I was just beginning treatment and full of fear . . .and hope. Blessings to all! Special **** Diaries: http://assdiaries.blogspot.com/2010/11/ive-been-thinking-lot-about.html
-
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Mixed feelings this year. Could live without this illness, but once I have it I'm thankful that there are people, medicine and technology that hopefully can help us. I started folfox last Monday so I feel pretty crapy, mainly with this really bad taste in my mouth that nothing seems to take away and with all this yummie…
-
So Thankful
I am so gratful for all of your experiences, input and sharing! May God bless all of you! Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Tracey
-
Three years ago Thanksgiving week . . .
I started treatment 300 miles away from home for stage IIIB anal cancer. Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed a cancer free life since my treatment ended January 12, 2011. Tomorrow, I will go for a 6 month scan. It is now beginning to feel like it happened in another lifetime. I can honestly say that I am at the best place I…
-
Opinion Needed - Breast Cyst Follow Up
This isn't anal cancer related, but I have alot of respect for the intelligence of so many people on this board and need some advice. I recently had a breast cyst drained and went for the follow-up visit with the surgeon today. It was biopsied and is not cancer but he wants me to have an ultrasound in three months and of…
-
Radiation burns
I am posting for my Mom in hopes to get some advice and relief for her. She just finished her last radiation treatment on Tuesday and was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday due to burns and extreme pain during urination. The burns are on her whole underside from front to back. We finally got her to be able to urinate…
-
Today
It is officially 3 years today since my diagnosis for this cancer. I am so grateful to the doctors who treated me and for everyone that helped me through treatments. I found this site after my treatments were over, but when I needed support the most. I am still battling another cancer, but I am very optimistic that I am…
-
Encouragement to Stage IIIB'rs
Just thought I would share that my recent CAT Scan and anal exam came out clear..... It's been 1 year and four months since I was declared NED after those brutal treatments. (In addition to the anal area, the cancer had spread to the vagina, rectum, sigmoid colon, along wtih the lymph nodes "lighting up" on the…
-
3 year post severe radiation damage pelvic organ prolapse= help!
It's been 3 years post ..severe radiation damage. No vag. after treatment but now I am experiencing pelvic organ prolapse. Didn't know your organs could fall out of your body if you have no vagina ! NO doctors will touch me. where do I go to correct this latest problem? Help!
-
study obstructions
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/23/health/gynecologists-run-afoul-of-panel-when-patient-is-male.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131123
-
the girl who cried cancer
i had anal cancer 7 yrs ago surgery radiation chemo found out 10/05 all over 2/06 41 yrs old the long term effect due to the radation rectal prolaps due to the sphincter muscle damage ive had 2 prolaps surgerys first in 2009 didnt last second in 2010 rectum not out but the fecal incontinece still very bad pelvic floor…
-
Follow up Care
What is the current protocol for follow up care after 3 years? My surgeon wants to continue seeing me every 6 months until 5 years. My oncologist says I am done... no more PET scans. I am wondering, should I push for yearly PET scans until at least 5 years are out? What is recommended? I feel better having a yearly checkup…
-
3 Years NED
Good news! Pet scan clear! 3 years NED!! I am sooo happy I can't even put it into words. The worry, the concern... a big milestone. 3 years. When I went to the PET scan it all came back up, as it always does. 3 years ago, right before Thanksgiving, i got the bad news. Now, I am having another meaningful Thanksgiving. Life…
-
Anal Cancer Conference-San Francisco
Below is a link to an upcoming anal cancer conference to be held in San Franciso, California I thought I would shae. I got this info off another cancer forum. http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Anal-cancer-study-offers-hope-of-treatment-4994535.php#page-1 Mike
-
Still every three months....
Just finished with 2 year check up at MDA and was looking forward to moving on to every 6 months ck up instead of 3 months ck up. It was not to be though. There are some wierdisms on my liver and lung. Most likely nothing but going back in Feb for an MRI. that's as much "talking" as I feel like doing tonight, so will share…
-
Gearing up for round 1
Gearing up for round 1. Sitting here not being able to go to sleep wish it because I was going to Disneyland on Monday instead of round 1. Port goes in Monday morning and then on to chemo/radiation. Wish I could wake up from this nightmare but guess that would require being asleep first :) . Wanted to thank you all for…
-
anyone have second round of chem for residual mass?
Went through 6 weeks of treatment - radiation and chemo - second PET scan revealed there is still a mass an it is still active although it is much smaller and much less active. Medical oncologist is recommending second round of chemo - mitamycin booster + higher dose of Xeloda. Trying to avoid surgery. Has anyone else gone…
-
Skin care
I have my surgery scheduled and have been told there will be a bit of a scar and of course the area where the colostomy bag is going to go. Is there any special creams that anyone has used to keep the area soft and to minimize scarring? I'm still learning to navigate this site, so if you've written to me or answered some…
-
CT Scan for Lung Cancer results - found after anal cancer
Hello, I told Martha I would post my ct scan results after having my yearly ct scan for lung cancer. I originally had anal cancer and completed tx on 6-30-09, well upon scanning for follow up, a lung nodule not related to the anal cancer was found in my lower right lung. Well it was determined that it had to come out. I…
-
Mole
I found a mole on my left butt cheek. It looked slightly irregular plus I don't remember it being there. I went to get it taken out today just to make sure. Dermatologist said that it's probably nothing but because of the radition she wants to make sure. She said she was mildly worried and wanted to be sure. Any of you had…
-
Just Beginning
Hello everyone and thank you for any help you can give. I know I probably can, and have, found tips out there but I really wanted to ask people who have been through this. I am a single grandmother raising my two grandchildren ages 7 and 8. I have been diagnosed with anal cancer. I begin treatment one week from tommorrow.…
-
Off Topic......how cancer effects more than the patient
Hi friends, I have been out of town helping my dad (83yrs) with some things. He has had some urinary concerns so went to see a urologist. More tests are needed but upon initial exam it appears that a recurrance of cancer related to his prostate is causing his issues. 20 years ago he had his prostate removed for cancer and…
-
Pain!
I haven't felt really good for the last few days and today has been the worse! My lower abdomen is crampy, my lower back is hurting like mad, I feel like I need to have a BM but cant. I used a fleet enema, senecot, hot coffee, walking and still hurt. I don't think this is actually constipation because I sometimes pass thin…
-
Lost my belly button ;)
Don't worry everything is fine. All my wounds are hearing well, but my belly button had this discharge all the time. Today I went back to the plastic surgeon, he cleaned it out and sutured it up with a drain. I was bummed that they had to put me under, but the doc said I needed it. On the way home I threw up a couple…
-
Obamacare and cancer....keeping your doctors
This oped in the Washington Post about the impact of ObamaCare on cancer patients. For those of you who don't think this applies to you, because you are covered by your employer......wait until the law applies to you next year. The Obama administration delayed applicability of the law to employer based insurance until next…
-
Chemo/Surgery does it matter where?
I would like to have my chemo at a hospital close to my home. If I have the chemo at Sloan I will have to get on a dirty subway to get the treatment and get home. My surgeon is at Sloan and wants me to get it there. It's Friday, no dr. is returning my calls and I need to get this started next week. I'm confused. Does…