2011 National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines

mp327

Hi Everyone--

I just wanted to let everyone know that the National Comprehensive Cancer Network has put out their 2011 Guidelines in Oncology for Anal Cancer, as well as other cancers. This is very good information to have and I would urge everyone to visit their website at www.NCCN.org, register, then view and print out the anal cancer guidelines. It's an easy registration process and will allow you access to some very good information on diagnosis, staging, treatment and follow-up protocols.

Martha

Cookie48

Martha
Did you get my post?

Cookie48

Martha
Hi Martha:
I just spent the last hour typing a post and thought I sent it but it's not here so I guess I'll start over. :-( The good news is now it will be half as long.

My name is Candy. My 52 yr old sister, Tammy, was just diagnosed with anal cancer. She went in for her first colonoscopy only to discover she has anal cancer. She is still in shock especially since the docs wisked her thru immediate tests....ultrasound, CT and into therapy. They did not think it was in her nodes so they started traditional radiation/chemo. One of the docs wanted a pet scan although others didn't think it necessary. Today, 4 days into her therapy, they announced they saw a swollen node. They have also said location of tumor is rare and there is cause for concern regarding wall b/w anus & vagina. As I"m sure you know, it is an emotional roller coaster. Everything started moving so fast before she had a chance grasp it all.

I'm going to encourage my sis to join this site perhaps next week.... once she has a chance for this shock to sink in. But I wanted to ask a favor before she does.

The reason I have directed this inquiry personally to you is because I was in autoimmune online support group 10 yrs ago when I was diagnosed with lupus, etc. Although my status was not as dire as other group members, I remember how mortified I was at first when I saw how serious those issues had affected others. My first feeling was "I was doomed." The upside of that experience was the wonderful people I got to know. After 10 yrs now, some of these gals are my dearest friends and we've never even met. After visiting this network for a few days, you totally remind me of my dearest friend from my group. You, like her, have that inspiring leadership and endearing warm spirit while providing a wealth of information to others.

Although my sister has the support of family and friends, it is not the same as connecting with folks who are on the journey. Would it be too imposing to ask if my sister could make contact with you personally by email or whatever before she joins this group? It would be supportive for her to have someone to connect to right now. She has done some research, etc. but I'm afraid if she taps into the group before she gets her feet planted, she'll assume the worst scenario will apply to her as well. I'd rather her just put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time til she can get herself balanced. She is a very bright, articulate woman who shares some of your qualities. But for the moment she could use some gentle guidance.

If that is a possibility, please post and I'll send you her email address. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks so much for your consideration.

Candy

mp327

Cookie48 said:

Martha
Hi Martha:
I just spent the last hour typing a post and thought I sent it but it's not here so I guess I'll start over. :-( The good news is now it will be half as long.

My name is Candy. My 52 yr old sister, Tammy, was just diagnosed with anal cancer. She went in for her first colonoscopy only to discover she has anal cancer. She is still in shock especially since the docs wisked her thru immediate tests....ultrasound, CT and into therapy. They did not think it was in her nodes so they started traditional radiation/chemo. One of the docs wanted a pet scan although others didn't think it necessary. Today, 4 days into her therapy, they announced they saw a swollen node. They have also said location of tumor is rare and there is cause for concern regarding wall b/w anus & vagina. As I"m sure you know, it is an emotional roller coaster. Everything started moving so fast before she had a chance grasp it all.

I'm going to encourage my sis to join this site perhaps next week.... once she has a chance for this shock to sink in. But I wanted to ask a favor before she does.

The reason I have directed this inquiry personally to you is because I was in autoimmune online support group 10 yrs ago when I was diagnosed with lupus, etc. Although my status was not as dire as other group members, I remember how mortified I was at first when I saw how serious those issues had affected others. My first feeling was "I was doomed." The upside of that experience was the wonderful people I got to know. After 10 yrs now, some of these gals are my dearest friends and we've never even met. After visiting this network for a few days, you totally remind me of my dearest friend from my group. You, like her, have that inspiring leadership and endearing warm spirit while providing a wealth of information to others.

Although my sister has the support of family and friends, it is not the same as connecting with folks who are on the journey. Would it be too imposing to ask if my sister could make contact with you personally by email or whatever before she joins this group? It would be supportive for her to have someone to connect to right now. She has done some research, etc. but I'm afraid if she taps into the group before she gets her feet planted, she'll assume the worst scenario will apply to her as well. I'd rather her just put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time til she can get herself balanced. She is a very bright, articulate woman who shares some of your qualities. But for the moment she could use some gentle guidance.

If that is a possibility, please post and I'll send you her email address. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks so much for your consideration.

Candy

Hi Candy!
I'm so very sorry to hear of Tammy's diagnosis and I thank you for contacting me. I appreciate your kind words to me and of course, I would be most happy to communicate with Tammy on a more personal level. I will send you my e-mail address via personal message on this site. If you have any trouble accessing it, leave me a comment on this thread and I'll put it here.

I completely understand the worry and fear that is running through both Tammy and you right now. Cancer is scary. It's unfortunate that Tammy's doctors rushed to get her into treatment without the benefit of a PET scan. While CT's are quite good, sometimes things can show up on a PET scan that are not seen on a CT, as per a very close friend of mine who is a radiologist.

I have a doctor's appt. shortly, so I will close for now, but please look for the personal message containing my address. I will look forward to hearing from either of you or both.

Martha

nonichol

Cookie48 said:

Martha
Hi Martha:
I just spent the last hour typing a post and thought I sent it but it's not here so I guess I'll start over. :-( The good news is now it will be half as long.

My name is Candy. My 52 yr old sister, Tammy, was just diagnosed with anal cancer. She went in for her first colonoscopy only to discover she has anal cancer. She is still in shock especially since the docs wisked her thru immediate tests....ultrasound, CT and into therapy. They did not think it was in her nodes so they started traditional radiation/chemo. One of the docs wanted a pet scan although others didn't think it necessary. Today, 4 days into her therapy, they announced they saw a swollen node. They have also said location of tumor is rare and there is cause for concern regarding wall b/w anus & vagina. As I"m sure you know, it is an emotional roller coaster. Everything started moving so fast before she had a chance grasp it all.

I'm going to encourage my sis to join this site perhaps next week.... once she has a chance for this shock to sink in. But I wanted to ask a favor before she does.

The reason I have directed this inquiry personally to you is because I was in autoimmune online support group 10 yrs ago when I was diagnosed with lupus, etc. Although my status was not as dire as other group members, I remember how mortified I was at first when I saw how serious those issues had affected others. My first feeling was "I was doomed." The upside of that experience was the wonderful people I got to know. After 10 yrs now, some of these gals are my dearest friends and we've never even met. After visiting this network for a few days, you totally remind me of my dearest friend from my group. You, like her, have that inspiring leadership and endearing warm spirit while providing a wealth of information to others.

Although my sister has the support of family and friends, it is not the same as connecting with folks who are on the journey. Would it be too imposing to ask if my sister could make contact with you personally by email or whatever before she joins this group? It would be supportive for her to have someone to connect to right now. She has done some research, etc. but I'm afraid if she taps into the group before she gets her feet planted, she'll assume the worst scenario will apply to her as well. I'd rather her just put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time til she can get herself balanced. She is a very bright, articulate woman who shares some of your qualities. But for the moment she could use some gentle guidance.

If that is a possibility, please post and I'll send you her email address. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks so much for your consideration.

Candy

your sis
Candy,
Your sisters tumor soundas much like mine. I was diagnosed in May of this year. My perirectal lumph node was swollen and the tumor had grown into my vaginal wall. I finished treatment Aug 27th. I just had my second post reatment ultrasound with multiple boipsies and the biopsy results are negative.
Best wishes,
Norma

z

nonichol said:

your sis
Candy,
Your sisters tumor soundas much like mine. I was diagnosed in May of this year. My perirectal lumph node was swollen and the tumor had grown into my vaginal wall. I finished treatment Aug 27th. I just had my second post reatment ultrasound with multiple boipsies and the biopsy results are negative.
Best wishes,
Norma

norma
Great news about your negative biopsy results! Have a great weekend. Lori

z

z said:

norma
Great news about your negative biopsy results! Have a great weekend. Lori

Candy
Hello Candy, I am sorry about your sister, and I hope she will come here to share her thoughts and concerns. This is the best place to compare notes and get inspiration to help with the diagnosis and treatment. Lori

mbh97766

z said:

Candy
Hello Candy, I am sorry about your sister, and I hope she will come here to share her thoughts and concerns. This is the best place to compare notes and get inspiration to help with the diagnosis and treatment. Lori

I too have just been
I too have just been diagnosed and am still in a state of shock. Being able to talk with actual people who have dealt with this, and are dealing with this has put my soul at rest. I read all the discussion boards and became overwhelmed with the "what ifs" as you are afraid that your sister might, but have always felt that knowing what the worst case scenarios are beforehand is better for me. But then I realized that even those who's cancer is more difficult than others to cure, have such a positive outlook, and they can handle it, so why couldn't I? It gives me strength. I start treatment on the 1st of December, and I am ready. Doing my homework, joining this network, and getting all my ducks in a row has allowed me to take this head on. Best of all, I don't feel all alone, and I have a place to go to ask questions, as silly as they may appear - like how many tea bags makes a green tea sitz bath? (by the way, I do need an answer on that one)
I hope that your sister will join me, and everyone else on this journey.
Best wishes,
Darcee