starting treatment

melbas
melbas Member Posts: 43
edited March 2014 in Anal Cancer #1
Hi all, I had my radiation consultation and my picc line inserted today. I was told that I was in early stages and highly curable. Thank god. I get the chemo pack tomorrow at 8:15 am and my 1st radiation at 2:15 pm. Please keep me in your prayers, as you all are in mine. Thanks, Melbas

Comments

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #2
    Melbas
    Hi Melbas,

    I will have you in my prayers. I completed tx on 6-30-09 and so far theres no evidence of disease NED. The 1st thing my general surgeon said to me is this is a curable cancer. And so far so good. There are lotions and creams that you may use for what the radiation does. Your radiologist can help you with that. The radiation tx is painless, its just that, with me anyway, after about 2 weeks you start feeling the effects. I would take a bath, go get zapped, then come home and apply bag balm (used on cow utters) lol, which was given to me by my radiologist. I found it soothing. There are pain meds also. I had mouth sores, and the oncologist can prescribe medication for that. Not everybody gets them. Theres also magic mouthwash, which helps in keeping the mouth sores away. If you have any ?s just ask, we are here to help you get through this, just like we have. I wish you well, and keep us posted. Lori
  • pjjenkins
    pjjenkins Member Posts: 173
    #3
    Prayers and healing thoughts heading your way
    Starting is a wee mite scary but I can remember relief that we were finally starting to do something! The whirlwind of learning and finding and wondering will glide into a routine of radiation treatments especially since they go on the longest.

    We all hope that the side effects you experience will be minimal - they are not great but most of us deal with them as we go along.... We will be here for you! Read back posts if you want to see....

    Ask questions of your doctors and the nurses are usually angels. Don't be reluctant to accept help from family and friends - it is good for all of you! I also found ACS to be wonderful.

    Will be thinking of you tomorrow and our other posters who are currently in treatment.

    Peace.

    Priscilla
  • melbas
    melbas Member Posts: 43
    #4
    z said:

    Melbas
    Hi Melbas,

    I will have you in my prayers. I completed tx on 6-30-09 and so far theres no evidence of disease NED. The 1st thing my general surgeon said to me is this is a curable cancer. And so far so good. There are lotions and creams that you may use for what the radiation does. Your radiologist can help you with that. The radiation tx is painless, its just that, with me anyway, after about 2 weeks you start feeling the effects. I would take a bath, go get zapped, then come home and apply bag balm (used on cow utters) lol, which was given to me by my radiologist. I found it soothing. There are pain meds also. I had mouth sores, and the oncologist can prescribe medication for that. Not everybody gets them. Theres also magic mouthwash, which helps in keeping the mouth sores away. If you have any ?s just ask, we are here to help you get through this, just like we have. I wish you well, and keep us posted. Lori

    thanks
    Lori, Thanks so much for replying. My husband is out of town so I'm counting on my 2 best friends...my sisters, if you will, to take me to and from treatments. We started today at 9:30 and didn't get finished till almost 5. I've been trying to sleep since they are going to do the chemo pack at 8:15, but the PICC line site is hurting like a **** right now. Anyways, just being able to talk to someone in the middle of the night is a huge help. god bless you. Melodie
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #5
    Thinking of you
    Hi Melbas--

    I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I am thinking of you on your big day. I'm sure you are very anxious and do not know what to expect. The first day will go smoothly and at the end of the day you won't really feel like anything has happened. Savor that because, as you know the side effects eventually present themselves. But my hope for you is that they will be minimal and manageable. Please let us know how today goes. I wish you the best.
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #6
    melbas said:

    thanks
    Lori, Thanks so much for replying. My husband is out of town so I'm counting on my 2 best friends...my sisters, if you will, to take me to and from treatments. We started today at 9:30 and didn't get finished till almost 5. I've been trying to sleep since they are going to do the chemo pack at 8:15, but the PICC line site is hurting like a **** right now. Anyways, just being able to talk to someone in the middle of the night is a huge help. god bless you. Melodie

    Melbas
    Hi Melbas,

    I hope that your picc line is more comfortable today, and that the nurses will help you with that. I know other posters were able to get that lidocane numbing spray for home use. I never needed it. I use it for my friend who has MS and I have to give her a shot in her leg muscle, she sprays it on to numb the area. I call it freeze spray. Its great that you have your sisters with you. Thats 6 ears to listen and then 3 mouths to ask questions. Thats very helpful when your going through this experience, as theres many questions I know. I hope your tx time will go by fast today. I wish you well Lori.
  • z810840b
    z810840b Member Posts: 207 Member
    #7
    melbas treament
    hi melbas- I too wanted to wish you good luck.I am 2 yrs clear of disease in august.It's a tough treatment but this cancer is very curable.PLEASE use aquaphor all the time.(remove before radiation) it will help your skin from breaking down.If you have any questions..i'm here for you...alyse
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #8
    Hi Melbas - You are in my
    Hi Melbas - You are in my thoughts and prayers as well. Keep us posted.
  • mkhris
    mkhris Member Posts: 3
    #9
    I start today with rad and cher for rectal cancer
    I start today and I am doing the xeloda pills with radiation.Just hoping things go well.Pray for me and my family.
    Thanks Khris
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #10
    mkhris said:

    I start today with rad and cher for rectal cancer
    I start today and I am doing the xeloda pills with radiation.Just hoping things go well.Pray for me and my family.
    Thanks Khris

    Melbas and Khris - you are
    Melbas and Khris - you are in my prayers and I will be thinking about you as you embark on this journey. I'm sorry you even have to be in here but the group in here is wonderful, answers questions and gives good tips from past experience. I can't say I'm a pro at this as I only started treatment myself last Monday. I'm on my 8th radiation treatment, finished my first four day chemo treatment and am plugging along. I will be reading your posts to keep up with what is going on with you too. Marilyne
  • duckyann
    duckyann Member Posts: 159
    #11
    sissy310 said:

    Melbas and Khris - you are
    Melbas and Khris - you are in my prayers and I will be thinking about you as you embark on this journey. I'm sorry you even have to be in here but the group in here is wonderful, answers questions and gives good tips from past experience. I can't say I'm a pro at this as I only started treatment myself last Monday. I'm on my 8th radiation treatment, finished my first four day chemo treatment and am plugging along. I will be reading your posts to keep up with what is going on with you too. Marilyne

    Khris and Melbas you are
    Khris and Melbas you are also in my thoughts and prayers....Hang in there! You can do it.

    Nancy
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #12
    mkhris said:

    I start today with rad and cher for rectal cancer
    I start today and I am doing the xeloda pills with radiation.Just hoping things go well.Pray for me and my family.
    Thanks Khris

    Khris
    Hi Khris,

    Welcome to the board. Sorry you have to be here. You and your family will be in my prayers. I wish you well. Lori
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #13
    z said:

    Khris
    Hi Khris,

    Welcome to the board. Sorry you have to be here. You and your family will be in my prayers. I wish you well. Lori

    Khris & Melbas
    Just wanted to say hello and hope you are both doing well. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you'll keep us posted.
  • pjjenkins
    pjjenkins Member Posts: 173
    #14
    mkhris said:

    I start today with rad and cher for rectal cancer
    I start today and I am doing the xeloda pills with radiation.Just hoping things go well.Pray for me and my family.
    Thanks Khris

    Okay- thoughtsand prayers on there way.
    We are rooting for you and your family.
  • SueRelays
    SueRelays Member Posts: 485
    #15
    pjjenkins said:

    Okay- thoughtsand prayers on there way.
    We are rooting for you and your family.

    Chiming in with
    Chiming in with prayers!!!

    Welcome to our little community!!!
  • Nance0328
    Nance0328 Member Posts: 4
    #16
    In my prayers for sure!!
    Hi,
    I just read your posting. It is a difficult time but just stay positive and think to yourself "this too will pass". I had doctors tell me that they'd try but weren't very sure they could get it all, I always stood my ground and stayed positive, I was hell bent I was not going to wear that darn bag for the rest of life and that I'd make back to full recovery. Well guess what, I did, so you stay on track, I will pray for you and feel free to contact me anytime if you have questions. God bless you!

    Joanne
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #17
    z said:

    Melbas
    Hi Melbas,

    I will have you in my prayers. I completed tx on 6-30-09 and so far theres no evidence of disease NED. The 1st thing my general surgeon said to me is this is a curable cancer. And so far so good. There are lotions and creams that you may use for what the radiation does. Your radiologist can help you with that. The radiation tx is painless, its just that, with me anyway, after about 2 weeks you start feeling the effects. I would take a bath, go get zapped, then come home and apply bag balm (used on cow utters) lol, which was given to me by my radiologist. I found it soothing. There are pain meds also. I had mouth sores, and the oncologist can prescribe medication for that. Not everybody gets them. Theres also magic mouthwash, which helps in keeping the mouth sores away. If you have any ?s just ask, we are here to help you get through this, just like we have. I wish you well, and keep us posted. Lori

    Hello Z - I followed this
    Hello Z - I followed this advice (I'm on week 2 starting week 3) and that seems to work for me as well. I've not had mouth sores yet but started before treatment to uee biotene mouthwash and toothpaste with a soft brush. I even have biotene gum to keep mouth moist. Do not know if it is helping or not but so far no sores. I'll continue to do this until treatment is over and after...just in case. Melbas, the gals and guys on this forum have some great information...I turn to them a lot and I'm only a week ahead of you but your posts are deja vu to what I was writing. Hang in there, be well. Mariyne
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #18
    sissy310 said:

    Hello Z - I followed this
    Hello Z - I followed this advice (I'm on week 2 starting week 3) and that seems to work for me as well. I've not had mouth sores yet but started before treatment to uee biotene mouthwash and toothpaste with a soft brush. I even have biotene gum to keep mouth moist. Do not know if it is helping or not but so far no sores. I'll continue to do this until treatment is over and after...just in case. Melbas, the gals and guys on this forum have some great information...I turn to them a lot and I'm only a week ahead of you but your posts are deja vu to what I was writing. Hang in there, be well. Mariyne

    Sissy310
    Hi Marilyne,

    Just wanted to let you know that I use z for the CSN and vv5dv0 for RCA. Your smart to use the preventive measures to avoid the mouth sores. The mouth sores were the worst part of the chemo for me. I didn't use anything and then when I got them I had to take a prescription from the dr to clear them up. My oncologist didn't offer any ideas to prevent them before hand, because he said not everybody gets them. I wish you well. Lori
  • 462lt
    462lt Member Posts: 117
    #19
    Nance0328 said:

    In my prayers for sure!!
    Hi,
    I just read your posting. It is a difficult time but just stay positive and think to yourself "this too will pass". I had doctors tell me that they'd try but weren't very sure they could get it all, I always stood my ground and stayed positive, I was hell bent I was not going to wear that darn bag for the rest of life and that I'd make back to full recovery. Well guess what, I did, so you stay on track, I will pray for you and feel free to contact me anytime if you have questions. God bless you!

    Joanne

    Good Luck
    Hope it flys by. Laura
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #20
    462lt said:

    Good Luck
    Hope it flys by. Laura

    Wishing you well
    Praying for you both.

    Liz

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