telling people you had anal cancer

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  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #62
    Hope you are feeling better about this

    I always say I had a rare cancer, 11000 cases a year and was lucky to be so close to MSK. If anyone asks further I say anal cancer like Farrah Fawcett. It is nice to associate a pretty face and hair with this disease!

    I have ups and downs too and it's been almost two years.

    All the best,

    Sandy

  • mariejo
    mariejo Member Posts: 3
    #63
    dont feel like u have to

    dont feel like u have to hide.I had it to but ended up with a colostomy and now I have to have a bag on the rest of my life,but i have no control over passing gas and at first it embarrsing.Then I decided that first of all passing gas was a normal body fuction,and just told people what I had and I had no control over it.It got to kinda funny after a while because when some one passed gas i always got the blame,but there is no smell with a colostomy,actually its kinda convient as I dont have to worry about going to the bath rm with it.So dont be depressed it wasnt ur falt u got ca and most all people understand.Take credit for all the pain u went through and are now healthy and enjoy ur family!

  • mariejo
    mariejo Member Posts: 3
    #64
    lizgino said:

    Anal Cancer AKA Farrah Fawcett Cancer

    Pem,

    I too had anal cancer which has nothing to do with HPV.  I was diagnosed with the rare kind like you had.  If people asked I would say "Farrah Fawcett" cancer...they would look at me and say ohhhhhh, so sorry!  I did, however smoke (my last cig was on the way to see my doc when I was diagnosed, haven't touched one since!), and we have NO history of any cancer in our family.  Also, I did have cervical cancer when I was young (not HPV related either)... who knows...and actually who cares?  I was diagnosed with stage III, which was also in my rectum and pelvic and groin lymph nodes. 

    I have on occassion told people "colo-rectal cancer" because when I would say Anal, they would give me a blank stare, like I was from Mars...not understanding.

    All in all we HAVE/HAD cancer.  It doesn't matter where in your body it is...it is still cancer.  I'm 10 months in remission now.  I'm still cautious and am experience a huge amounts of side affects from radiation and chemo.  Just had a check up 2 days ago..no evidence of anal cancer YAY!!!, but waiting on results of CAT Scan for rectal and lymph nodes.

    I remember being diagnosed the DAY BEFORE MY 50TH and the doc telling me it was the same as Farrah Fawcett.  In my mind I was freaking because I though "I'm dead" because she passed from it.  My MD explained Farrah had it twice, the first time she was treated and went into remission.  The second time she was told she would have to have a permanent colostomy.  She didn't want to go that way, and sought alternative options in Germany, which failed, and by the time she returned to the US for treatment, it was too late. 

    DO NOT be ashamed or embarrassed by the type of cancer you have...EVER!!!  Be proud that you are surviving! 

    I to had anal ca and hadto

    I to had anal ca and hadto have colostomy as after the the first tx I went back to dr and it had returned so to save my life I get to carry a bag the rest of my life.snd i do mean the rest of my life.When people got anal ca yrs ago the only way was with a colostomy,but now they approch it with rad and chemo unfortunatly I mine returned so henc the bag.Can be convient at times!I am just happy to be here!

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