Recurrence

torrance

sandysp said:

Eloquence
You have a way of expressing the inexpressible, Angela. Thanks.

experience..
So true that our own experience paves the way for others. Like stated, unless it comes from someone with that experience, you should question things. Each journey is soooo different and yet the same. I am learning that the location of my tumor, very near the outside and the fact that I have extremely fair skin has its own set of complications. I am dealing with a bit of fecal incontinence and a hemoroid that will not heal. I never had to deal with them before, but due to radiation damage I have to strain to pass stool. Doesn't matter the size of softness. It reaches a certain point and then just stops, even though the incontinence and urgency is there! Go figure! Rad Onc says no to surgery on the hem as the tissue would never heal. So some how need to learn to live with this or face a colostomy. I think one of the major lessons learned is that ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR IS FREEDOM! So I wish freedom to all of that have gone through this, because I think we are never through it, it is a continum in our lives. Love to all of you as I head to the rad onc for my two month anoscope!

Joanne

mp327

torrance said:

experience..
So true that our own experience paves the way for others. Like stated, unless it comes from someone with that experience, you should question things. Each journey is soooo different and yet the same. I am learning that the location of my tumor, very near the outside and the fact that I have extremely fair skin has its own set of complications. I am dealing with a bit of fecal incontinence and a hemoroid that will not heal. I never had to deal with them before, but due to radiation damage I have to strain to pass stool. Doesn't matter the size of softness. It reaches a certain point and then just stops, even though the incontinence and urgency is there! Go figure! Rad Onc says no to surgery on the hem as the tissue would never heal. So some how need to learn to live with this or face a colostomy. I think one of the major lessons learned is that ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR IS FREEDOM! So I wish freedom to all of that have gone through this, because I think we are never through it, it is a continum in our lives. Love to all of you as I head to the rad onc for my two month anoscope!

Joanne

Hi Joanne--
I wish you the very best with anoscope. I have had bouts of this same problem--stools that will not pass. I wish I had some good advice for you, other than the usual--fiber, lots of water, exercise. It is strange how this will happen and last for awhile then resolve itself.

AZANNIE

torrance said:

experience..
So true that our own experience paves the way for others. Like stated, unless it comes from someone with that experience, you should question things. Each journey is soooo different and yet the same. I am learning that the location of my tumor, very near the outside and the fact that I have extremely fair skin has its own set of complications. I am dealing with a bit of fecal incontinence and a hemoroid that will not heal. I never had to deal with them before, but due to radiation damage I have to strain to pass stool. Doesn't matter the size of softness. It reaches a certain point and then just stops, even though the incontinence and urgency is there! Go figure! Rad Onc says no to surgery on the hem as the tissue would never heal. So some how need to learn to live with this or face a colostomy. I think one of the major lessons learned is that ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR IS FREEDOM! So I wish freedom to all of that have gone through this, because I think we are never through it, it is a continum in our lives. Love to all of you as I head to the rad onc for my two month anoscope!

Joanne

Joanne
I know the "stuck in the chute" feeling. I'm over a year post treatment and still have issues at times. Good luck with the anoscope. I'm glad my colorectal dr does mine because I wasn't thrilled with my rad onc.

Ann

torrance

torrance said:

experience..
So true that our own experience paves the way for others. Like stated, unless it comes from someone with that experience, you should question things. Each journey is soooo different and yet the same. I am learning that the location of my tumor, very near the outside and the fact that I have extremely fair skin has its own set of complications. I am dealing with a bit of fecal incontinence and a hemoroid that will not heal. I never had to deal with them before, but due to radiation damage I have to strain to pass stool. Doesn't matter the size of softness. It reaches a certain point and then just stops, even though the incontinence and urgency is there! Go figure! Rad Onc says no to surgery on the hem as the tissue would never heal. So some how need to learn to live with this or face a colostomy. I think one of the major lessons learned is that ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR IS FREEDOM! So I wish freedom to all of that have gone through this, because I think we are never through it, it is a continum in our lives. Love to all of you as I head to the rad onc for my two month anoscope!

Joanne

went to dr
So I had my appt with my rad onc on Monday. All is good on the cancer front. My "passing" problem seems to be caused by scar tissue very near the opening. When I did the prep enema...OMG so painful! The applicator felt like it was a knife cutting me open, in fact it cut/scraped something as I had some bleeding. "Lucky" for me my rad onc uses a ped scope. Still was very painful this time. For next appt I can skip the enemas and just use a laxative the night before, no experience with these. I also started "anal dilation" to try and help the scar tissue to give a little. A scary line as we don't want to cause any tearing or stretch to a point to aggravate the incontinence issues. What a tight rope we walk! Good news, next appt is four months out instead of two. I also get to have another PET scan in three months. I continue with my vaginal physical therapy. Have had to taper off a tad as the tissue rips and bleeds with the slightest stretch, so need to maintain what I have gotten, let the tissue try and heal before proceeding. Thank you all for letting me share all this, and that you get it. Others just kinda nod their heads in complete disbelief, like I probably would have a year and a half ago! YOU ARE THE BEST, I wish I could each of you a hug.

Joanne

eihtak

torrance said:

went to dr
So I had my appt with my rad onc on Monday. All is good on the cancer front. My "passing" problem seems to be caused by scar tissue very near the opening. When I did the prep enema...OMG so painful! The applicator felt like it was a knife cutting me open, in fact it cut/scraped something as I had some bleeding. "Lucky" for me my rad onc uses a ped scope. Still was very painful this time. For next appt I can skip the enemas and just use a laxative the night before, no experience with these. I also started "anal dilation" to try and help the scar tissue to give a little. A scary line as we don't want to cause any tearing or stretch to a point to aggravate the incontinence issues. What a tight rope we walk! Good news, next appt is four months out instead of two. I also get to have another PET scan in three months. I continue with my vaginal physical therapy. Have had to taper off a tad as the tissue rips and bleeds with the slightest stretch, so need to maintain what I have gotten, let the tissue try and heal before proceeding. Thank you all for letting me share all this, and that you get it. Others just kinda nod their heads in complete disbelief, like I probably would have a year and a half ago! YOU ARE THE BEST, I wish I could each of you a hug.

Joanne

Disbelief..
I was recently at a graduation party and telling some adults, one a thyroid cancer survivor, about some of the issues we have to deal with. I wish I had vidio taped their faces of disbelief. Almost no response, just that look of wonderment, loss for words and fear that at any time it could be them. Hopefully all who are due for check-ups make that call, and that I have educated one more person on symptoms to be checked out. Congrats on your good report, and continued luck on recovery, remember ours is a long slow process and requires so much patience. As always, all in my prayers!

sandysp

torrance said:

went to dr
So I had my appt with my rad onc on Monday. All is good on the cancer front. My "passing" problem seems to be caused by scar tissue very near the opening. When I did the prep enema...OMG so painful! The applicator felt like it was a knife cutting me open, in fact it cut/scraped something as I had some bleeding. "Lucky" for me my rad onc uses a ped scope. Still was very painful this time. For next appt I can skip the enemas and just use a laxative the night before, no experience with these. I also started "anal dilation" to try and help the scar tissue to give a little. A scary line as we don't want to cause any tearing or stretch to a point to aggravate the incontinence issues. What a tight rope we walk! Good news, next appt is four months out instead of two. I also get to have another PET scan in three months. I continue with my vaginal physical therapy. Have had to taper off a tad as the tissue rips and bleeds with the slightest stretch, so need to maintain what I have gotten, let the tissue try and heal before proceeding. Thank you all for letting me share all this, and that you get it. Others just kinda nod their heads in complete disbelief, like I probably would have a year and a half ago! YOU ARE THE BEST, I wish I could each of you a hug.

Joanne

Sorry Joanne
I just read this. I am so sorry to hear you went through all this. You have been a tremendous support to me. I would love to give YOU a hug.

Hope all is much improved now.

Fondly, Sandy

sephie

torrance said:

went to dr
So I had my appt with my rad onc on Monday. All is good on the cancer front. My "passing" problem seems to be caused by scar tissue very near the opening. When I did the prep enema...OMG so painful! The applicator felt like it was a knife cutting me open, in fact it cut/scraped something as I had some bleeding. "Lucky" for me my rad onc uses a ped scope. Still was very painful this time. For next appt I can skip the enemas and just use a laxative the night before, no experience with these. I also started "anal dilation" to try and help the scar tissue to give a little. A scary line as we don't want to cause any tearing or stretch to a point to aggravate the incontinence issues. What a tight rope we walk! Good news, next appt is four months out instead of two. I also get to have another PET scan in three months. I continue with my vaginal physical therapy. Have had to taper off a tad as the tissue rips and bleeds with the slightest stretch, so need to maintain what I have gotten, let the tissue try and heal before proceeding. Thank you all for letting me share all this, and that you get it. Others just kinda nod their heads in complete disbelief, like I probably would have a year and a half ago! YOU ARE THE BEST, I wish I could each of you a hug.

Joanne

thanks for the hug and back at you
soooo sorry for the tearing of tissue. That exact problem is what keeps me from being normal for my hubby. and believe it or not, even tho they try to, the docs at MD Anderson really do not understand about my hesitation and fear ... I tell them that it takes so long to heal if you tear the vaginal and/or the anal tissue and it is a painful process... the docs are male and they listen and write it down ... i hope that it will bring more understanding for the next victims of this cancer. not everyone has this but for us that do, it is horrible. hugs to you , joanne , and to all. sephie