New Member happy to find this group

kwayne
kwayne Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am a 47 yr. old male who recently completed six weeks of radiation and two weeks of chemotherapy for early stage squamous cell anal cancer. Despite living in NYC where you would think there are a lot of resources/support groups, I have found non specific to anal cancer or gay men. I was delighted to find this group. Tomorrow is my first consultation with the oncologist since finishing treatment on December 5th. I had terrible problems with mouth sores in the first 3 weeks of treatment and gastro-intestinal pain for most of the last month - Now I'm 27 lbs lighter and back at work full time, but full of questions. What about recurrence, why is it I can still feel a margin of perianal flesh where the tumor/growth was? Of course, these are all fear based and I hope the group can offer me its experience, strength and hope. Thanks - Keith

Comments

  • soul
    soul Member Posts: 2
    #2
    I WISH I KNEW ABOUT THIS SITE WHEN I HAD ANAL CANCER. I WAS DIAGNOSED IN FEB 02. I AM A CANCER SURVIOR. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AND TALK ABOUT. WE NEED EACH OTHER.
  • MelC
    MelC Member Posts: 5
    #3
    soul said:

    I WISH I KNEW ABOUT THIS SITE WHEN I HAD ANAL CANCER. I WAS DIAGNOSED IN FEB 02. I AM A CANCER SURVIOR. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AND TALK ABOUT. WE NEED EACH OTHER.

    Well, I had just about given up on folks using this website. I can't provide too many answers but I am going through this as well. Because this is a rare form I am also finding it hard to get answers and hope that "soul" can help us out. I am 47 yr old female and finished my treatments (Chemo and Radiation) on Dec 6. I participated in a study and had a CAT Scan in Jan with a f/u at the oncologist office. They did tell me that although the news was good that it was too soon to know the full effects. I had another CAT Scan on Apr 1 and was thinking I would be told all of my cancer was gone but that was not the case. The good news is that the tumor is continuing to reduce in size.

    My side effects are anal fissures, hemorrhoids, and my skin and eyes seem dry. The dryness they say is from going through menopause. I think I am still a tired but that seems to be getting better. I don't have the emotional swings I had back in January and February although the question of recurrence is still in the back of my mind.

    I did attend a very small support group of about 3-4 people for a few weeks but no longer felt the need. I do have a strong belief in God and find much needed strength in Him. I didn't loose all of my hair but it is thin and difficult to manage. I am going to participate in the Relay for Life coming up in May. In fact, I missed the first meeting so I was voted a team captain, GO FIGURE.

    Kwayne, How are things coming along for you? What has been the outcome of your test? Did you find a support group?

    Soul, where are you in this process and what do
    you think about now? MelC
  • rayne163
    rayne163 Member Posts: 1
    #4
    MelC said:

    Well, I had just about given up on folks using this website. I can't provide too many answers but I am going through this as well. Because this is a rare form I am also finding it hard to get answers and hope that "soul" can help us out. I am 47 yr old female and finished my treatments (Chemo and Radiation) on Dec 6. I participated in a study and had a CAT Scan in Jan with a f/u at the oncologist office. They did tell me that although the news was good that it was too soon to know the full effects. I had another CAT Scan on Apr 1 and was thinking I would be told all of my cancer was gone but that was not the case. The good news is that the tumor is continuing to reduce in size.

    My side effects are anal fissures, hemorrhoids, and my skin and eyes seem dry. The dryness they say is from going through menopause. I think I am still a tired but that seems to be getting better. I don't have the emotional swings I had back in January and February although the question of recurrence is still in the back of my mind.

    I did attend a very small support group of about 3-4 people for a few weeks but no longer felt the need. I do have a strong belief in God and find much needed strength in Him. I didn't loose all of my hair but it is thin and difficult to manage. I am going to participate in the Relay for Life coming up in May. In fact, I missed the first meeting so I was voted a team captain, GO FIGURE.

    Kwayne, How are things coming along for you? What has been the outcome of your test? Did you find a support group?

    Soul, where are you in this process and what do
    you think about now? MelC

    Hi my name is Mary Jo and I am a 40 year old female from NYC. I had been diagnosed with anal cancer back in March 2002. After many radiation treatments and chemotherapy, with my last being August 8, 2002, I am clean so far. I will have another CATSCAN tomorrow. Always afraid that they will give me bad news. Anybody out there who is on an emotional rollercoaster, or is it just me. I went through my treatments like a real trooper. But now that I am clean, I should be on top of the world, but it is just the opposite. Can anybody share any like experiences. It would be appreciated.

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