anyone with anal cancer?

StruTanToot
StruTanToot Member Posts: 126 Member
in Gay Men Talk About Cancer #1
I was just diagnosed with anal cancer. It was caught early, and I've been given a good prognosis. I know I'm blessed.

The problem is that I have received two different opinions from two excellent cancer centers, UNC and Duke. UNC said stage, but Duke isn't ready to stage it until after a PET Scan.

Before I go into asking questions, I'll just ask if anyone else has anal cancer.

Another thing I can't help but think about is if I will ever have a partner now. I have HIV and now this. Just feeling like no one will ever want me because of both HIV and the type of cancer I have.

I wish everyone on here well and appreciate any responses.

Comments

  • philly1953
    philly1953 Member Posts: 2
    #2
    daughter with anal cancer

    I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  My daughter was diagnosed with anal cancer in August.  She has been through the treatments of two chemo and six weeks of radiation.  She had no other involvement of lymph nodes or any spreading anywhere else.  Her prognosis is good. 

    However, recovering from all that has taken its toll.  She is tired all the time and cries a lot.  She is scared which is to be expected.

     

    I would take one day at a time.  Don't worry about anything else but concentrating on your treatment and getting better. 

     

    More and more people are being diagnosed with anal cancer.  No one wants to talk about it because of the type of cancer it is.  Who cares where it is, it is cancer and that in itself is a scary thing to be told.  I tell everyone I can about it so people will be aware that this really happens and if you have had HPV then like my daughter and so many others it can result in this type of cancer.  She was diagnosed with HPV in her senior year of highschool and had to have some surgery.  She is now 40 and dealing with this. 

     

    I try to tell my daughter to find a support group.  Only a cancer patient knows the fear and uncertainty involved in being diagnosed with cancer.  So find people you can talk with and get support. 

     

    God bless you and I'll pray for you on your journey through treatment. 

     

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,360 Member
    #3
    philly1953 said:

    daughter with anal cancer

    I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  My daughter was diagnosed with anal cancer in August.  She has been through the treatments of two chemo and six weeks of radiation.  She had no other involvement of lymph nodes or any spreading anywhere else.  Her prognosis is good. 

    However, recovering from all that has taken its toll.  She is tired all the time and cries a lot.  She is scared which is to be expected.

     

    I would take one day at a time.  Don't worry about anything else but concentrating on your treatment and getting better. 

     

    More and more people are being diagnosed with anal cancer.  No one wants to talk about it because of the type of cancer it is.  Who cares where it is, it is cancer and that in itself is a scary thing to be told.  I tell everyone I can about it so people will be aware that this really happens and if you have had HPV then like my daughter and so many others it can result in this type of cancer.  She was diagnosed with HPV in her senior year of highschool and had to have some surgery.  She is now 40 and dealing with this. 

     

    I try to tell my daughter to find a support group.  Only a cancer patient knows the fear and uncertainty involved in being diagnosed with cancer.  So find people you can talk with and get support. 

     

    God bless you and I'll pray for you on your journey through treatment. 

     

    philly, this must be very

    philly, this must be very hard for you.  To see your daughter suffering like this and wishing you could do something for her.  I can't imagine what my mother and sisters thought when I told them as the patient vs. the patient is a different journey.

    As a uterine cancer patient, it is the 'cancer down there' that no one wants to talk about, and anal/rectal cancers are very much like that as well.  You are right, cancer is cancer.  Radiation is continues to work for up to six weeks - and it is exhausting.  Recovering from treatment takes time.  You never think you will feel better, but it eases over time.  The fear takes much longer, and you are right that it would be great if she could find someone to talk to.  I think the American Cancer Society has groups and it is always nice to know YOU ARE NOT ALONE when you meet others with your type of cancer.

    I pray for your daughter, that she can find someone to talk to.  I pray for you and your broken heart. 

     P.S. - I don't fit the criteria of for this thread, Gay Men Talk About Cancer, I hope that my two cents are ok.  philly, if you go to the Anal Cancer thread, there may be people who can help with some ideas as well.  I am not sure how "busy" each one is, I think they are all different. 

  • SOMAboySF
    SOMAboySF Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2017 #4
    anal cancer

    I was diagnosed with anal cancer June 2013. I am willing to share with you my experiences dealing with this both emotionally and course of treatment. I am from San Francisco and my insurance at the time was with KAISER Permenente. They were on it like flies to you know what. I suspect because KAISER has had some bad press surrounding cancer patients. They were getting a very bad reputation. My experience with them was positive and I remain cancer free. My cancer was caught early as well. Doctors couldn't decide if I was in stage one or two. As for relationships, well I'm currently on the market myself. I haven't shared with anyone my cancer story only because I haven't met a guy that I'm serious about. I do know that anal sex is much, much, more sensitive now. Contact me anytime.

  • StruTanToot
    StruTanToot Member Posts: 126 Member
    #5
    SOMAboySF said:

    anal cancer

    I was diagnosed with anal cancer June 2013. I am willing to share with you my experiences dealing with this both emotionally and course of treatment. I am from San Francisco and my insurance at the time was with KAISER Permenente. They were on it like flies to you know what. I suspect because KAISER has had some bad press surrounding cancer patients. They were getting a very bad reputation. My experience with them was positive and I remain cancer free. My cancer was caught early as well. Doctors couldn't decide if I was in stage one or two. As for relationships, well I'm currently on the market myself. I haven't shared with anyone my cancer story only because I haven't met a guy that I'm serious about. I do know that anal sex is much, much, more sensitive now. Contact me anytime.

    Hello...I don't get on this

    Hello...I don't get on this site often and just saw your post. I would like to have a conversation with you.

  • Chet120349
    Chet120349 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2018 #6
    Prostate cancer and Insurance

    just diagnosed with Prostate cancer. The oncologist has decided on 2 months of hormonal, 2 months of radiation and another 2 months of hormonal. I have Medicare and a secondary. Also Medicare Part D. I can’t get a straight answer regarding coverage of hormonal drugs. Has anyone taken them and we’re they a covered item? Thank you

  • StruTanToot
    StruTanToot Member Posts: 126 Member
    edited September 2018 #7
    SOMAboySF said:

    anal cancer

    I was diagnosed with anal cancer June 2013. I am willing to share with you my experiences dealing with this both emotionally and course of treatment. I am from San Francisco and my insurance at the time was with KAISER Permenente. They were on it like flies to you know what. I suspect because KAISER has had some bad press surrounding cancer patients. They were getting a very bad reputation. My experience with them was positive and I remain cancer free. My cancer was caught early as well. Doctors couldn't decide if I was in stage one or two. As for relationships, well I'm currently on the market myself. I haven't shared with anyone my cancer story only because I haven't met a guy that I'm serious about. I do know that anal sex is much, much, more sensitive now. Contact me anytime.

    touching base

    I hope you are doing well. I'm still interested in talking to you and apologize for the delayed reply.

     

     

  • ufknkidding
    ufknkidding Member Posts: 48 Member
    #8
    Chet120349 said:

    Prostate cancer and Insurance

    just diagnosed with Prostate cancer. The oncologist has decided on 2 months of hormonal, 2 months of radiation and another 2 months of hormonal. I have Medicare and a secondary. Also Medicare Part D. I can’t get a straight answer regarding coverage of hormonal drugs. Has anyone taken them and we’re they a covered item? Thank you

    Prostate Cancer

    Hi, regarding your hormonal drugs for prostate cancer treatment, you might want to check out the prostate cancer discussion boards at https://csn.cancer.org/forum/126

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