anal rectal cancer

aibileen

Hello to all. I hope you are doing well. I have read a number of postings, particularly Philly AC(/) and would like to add a few things based on my experience.

I was diagnosed in '03 with stage 2 anal rectal cancer. A short but agressive program of chemo (FU5) and radiation for 8 weeks. I have extreme and unusual responses to medication and medical treatments and this was the extreme, so I continue to advocate for early detection and treatment. I am way on the outside of the curve.

One: keep a log of your experiences with all treatments and medications. The doctors are doing that, and you need to have some personal records.

Two: regarding radiation take a picture of yourself and the field of radiation every day.

I have been disabled for life from radiation treatments. Nothing inappropriate was done, but I have bizarre reactions to almost everything medical. However, I did not do the things noted above so I couldn't follow through on any complaints about the way thing were handeled. My skin was almost black from radiation, with only two inches of colon I blast liquid out 50 to 100 times a day and night, never get sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time and then I have to check on things, and I ended up with a hip movement problem, a partially collapsed spine, female canal fused together.

Keep a log of what's happening with you.

I wish you all the best.

mp327

Hi!
I'm sorry to hear of all the issues that you have had to deal with and are still dealing with. Your experience reminds us that we are all different and react to the treatments differently--no one's case is the same. Was you cancer anal cancer that spread up into your rectum? Thanks for sharing your experience with us--you've passed on some good advice. Take care.