Confused.....

eihtak
eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

I'm on my way to the doctor to discuss last weeks CT scan. The initial call I got the next day was that all looked good, but then I always have an appointment a week later to discuss in detail. I have not been worried since I feel great. Last night about 9:00pm I started bleeding bright red blood and from what I can tell it is vaginally. This is different than the occasional blood tinge spotting I often have and is normal.......I admit, I'm just a little worried, and wish I could be more sure of were exactly the blood was coming from but sadly its hard to say.

I will be busy all day, but keep you posted this evening.

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    eihtak

    I have had this very same thing happen to me several times.  Thanks to the design of the female anatomy, sometimes it's impossible for me to tell exactly where the blood is coming from.  I do use a vaginal estrogen pill and have learned that if I forget to use it twice weekly as I'm supposed to or decide not to use it while I'm on vacation, for instance, when I go back on it, I can spot--not just a little, but quite a bit sometimes--and have mild cramps like menstrual cramps.  This may not at all apply to you if you are not using any type of HRT or vaginal estrogen.  If it is vaginal bleeding, then I would suggest putting in a call to your gyno or PCP, whoever does your gyno exams, and see if it needs checking out.  One thing to remember is that radiation for anal cancer not only affects the anus and rectum, but it also does a number on the vaginal canal.  It can cause the tissue to thin, which can lead to bleeding.  But just for your peace of mind, I would get it checked out.  I hope it turns out to be nothing of concern.

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #3
    Eihtak
    Good luck. I hope everything is ok. Easier said than done, but try not to worry too much. Whatever it is, they will get to the bottom of it.
  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #4
    Martha and Mary and others......

    I saw my oncologist and he is pretty confident that all is well. My scan looked great with just some of the usual freckles that have probably always been there. I forgot to pick up a hard copy for myself as I like to take home and compare to previous scans.....I'll do that next week.

    As far as the bleeding, he said he would or will be more concerned if it continues so will be sort of just on watch. He thinks it may be related to the breast cancer medication I take and if continues will need to change. I am on Arimidex, an aromatase inhibitor. My breast cancer was estrogen positive, meaning it needs estrogen to grow. In post menopausal women most of the estrogen in the body is made by aromatase, (an enzyme). Arimidex blocks these enzymes and thus decreases the amount of estrogen in the body.  I really hope not to have to change to something else as I have had few side effects from this med in the 1.5yrs I've been on it. Many women have problems with it. It is a med I am supposed to take for 7 plus years.

    He examined the anal area and said "wow, this looks so nice"......I had to laugh! He meant that after 3yrs the inflamation though still there is much improved.

    I will be seeing my PCP in February along with an upcoming bone density test.

    And......finally next month, after 3yrs I get my port OUT!!!! It has caused me zero problems, and at times been of great help, but the time has come to clean house.

    And finally....just found out we have grandbaby number 7 scheduled to arrive in late July!!!!!!

    Be well...............Wink

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #5
    eihtak said:

    Martha and Mary and others......

    I saw my oncologist and he is pretty confident that all is well. My scan looked great with just some of the usual freckles that have probably always been there. I forgot to pick up a hard copy for myself as I like to take home and compare to previous scans.....I'll do that next week.

    As far as the bleeding, he said he would or will be more concerned if it continues so will be sort of just on watch. He thinks it may be related to the breast cancer medication I take and if continues will need to change. I am on Arimidex, an aromatase inhibitor. My breast cancer was estrogen positive, meaning it needs estrogen to grow. In post menopausal women most of the estrogen in the body is made by aromatase, (an enzyme). Arimidex blocks these enzymes and thus decreases the amount of estrogen in the body.  I really hope not to have to change to something else as I have had few side effects from this med in the 1.5yrs I've been on it. Many women have problems with it. It is a med I am supposed to take for 7 plus years.

    He examined the anal area and said "wow, this looks so nice"......I had to laugh! He meant that after 3yrs the inflamation though still there is much improved.

    I will be seeing my PCP in February along with an upcoming bone density test.

    And......finally next month, after 3yrs I get my port OUT!!!! It has caused me zero problems, and at times been of great help, but the time has come to clean house.

    And finally....just found out we have grandbaby number 7 scheduled to arrive in late July!!!!!!

    Be well...............Wink

    eihtak

    Sounds like encouraging news.  Congrats on getting the port out next month and for grandbaby #7 to arrive in July!

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #6
    mp327 said:

    eihtak

    Sounds like encouraging news.  Congrats on getting the port out next month and for grandbaby #7 to arrive in July!

    Martha....

    Thank you. Hopefully the bleeding will not become an issue. So far just this one time thing. In a way, related to what you stated in reference to estrogen although from a different perspective. I NEED to limit the production in my body and that can have side effects as well as those who try to increase it.

    Its a small thing, but I'm kind of excited for port removal......its been a long time!

    We have six grand SONS, the oldest is only 5, so would love to shop for anything pink!!

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #7
    eihtak said:

    Martha and Mary and others......

    I saw my oncologist and he is pretty confident that all is well. My scan looked great with just some of the usual freckles that have probably always been there. I forgot to pick up a hard copy for myself as I like to take home and compare to previous scans.....I'll do that next week.

    As far as the bleeding, he said he would or will be more concerned if it continues so will be sort of just on watch. He thinks it may be related to the breast cancer medication I take and if continues will need to change. I am on Arimidex, an aromatase inhibitor. My breast cancer was estrogen positive, meaning it needs estrogen to grow. In post menopausal women most of the estrogen in the body is made by aromatase, (an enzyme). Arimidex blocks these enzymes and thus decreases the amount of estrogen in the body.  I really hope not to have to change to something else as I have had few side effects from this med in the 1.5yrs I've been on it. Many women have problems with it. It is a med I am supposed to take for 7 plus years.

    He examined the anal area and said "wow, this looks so nice"......I had to laugh! He meant that after 3yrs the inflamation though still there is much improved.

    I will be seeing my PCP in February along with an upcoming bone density test.

    And......finally next month, after 3yrs I get my port OUT!!!! It has caused me zero problems, and at times been of great help, but the time has come to clean house.

    And finally....just found out we have grandbaby number 7 scheduled to arrive in late July!!!!!!

    Be well...............Wink

    Eihtak
    Well, you do have good news! Seven grandchildren sounds like so much fun! That is what life is about! Congratulations,Grandma!

    I am sure it will feel great getting that old port out! Now, I also hope your bleeding stops and you can enjoy the holidays with your loved ones! God knows, you deserve it!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #8
    eihtak said:

    Martha....

    Thank you. Hopefully the bleeding will not become an issue. So far just this one time thing. In a way, related to what you stated in reference to estrogen although from a different perspective. I NEED to limit the production in my body and that can have side effects as well as those who try to increase it.

    Its a small thing, but I'm kind of excited for port removal......its been a long time!

    We have six grand SONS, the oldest is only 5, so would love to shop for anything pink!!

    eihtak

    I think getting the port removed is huge!  It's just one more step further away from cancer.  Yes, I believe Estrogen issues can definitely be at work here.  I hope you can get it all leveled out.

    I don't have any kids, but I do have some nephews, so I never got to buy pink clothes when they were little.  Now they are grown and 2 are married.  I keep hoping there will someday be a reason to buy some little pink clothes in my family! 

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #9
    Marynb said:

    Eihtak
    Well, you do have good news! Seven grandchildren sounds like so much fun! That is what life is about! Congratulations,Grandma!

    I am sure it will feel great getting that old port out! Now, I also hope your bleeding stops and you can enjoy the holidays with your loved ones! God knows, you deserve it!

    Thankyou.....

    Thankyou both. I will be happy to get the port out, and it does feel like I'm taking another step away from cancer so thats a good thing!

    No bleeding since Thursday night, so hoping it stays that way. There are other options of breast cancer meds but just hate to have to switch at this point since other than this one thing no serious issues.

    I have 5 children, we are very close and they are my world! But grandchildren.........oh my, I can not even find the words to say what they mean to me. Maybe because they were just entering this world as I was being diagnosed and treated. Some of their moms were single moms, one still is, ones daddy was deployed, and I was so concerned that maybe I had not taught my children what they needed to be good parents.....they (my children) were young and really had their hands full between myself, my sick husband, and babies! These babies filled my mind night and day, and their visits took my mind off of my discomfort. When I was so sick and in the nursing home their pictures filled my room. Initially, they may have been part of the reason I put off going to the doctor and being diagnosed earlier, but later they are part of the reason I am here and doing well today! It has been one heck of a journey for my family and we are so very blessed to have each other.

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #10
    eihtak said:

    Thankyou.....

    Thankyou both. I will be happy to get the port out, and it does feel like I'm taking another step away from cancer so thats a good thing!

    No bleeding since Thursday night, so hoping it stays that way. There are other options of breast cancer meds but just hate to have to switch at this point since other than this one thing no serious issues.

    I have 5 children, we are very close and they are my world! But grandchildren.........oh my, I can not even find the words to say what they mean to me. Maybe because they were just entering this world as I was being diagnosed and treated. Some of their moms were single moms, one still is, ones daddy was deployed, and I was so concerned that maybe I had not taught my children what they needed to be good parents.....they (my children) were young and really had their hands full between myself, my sick husband, and babies! These babies filled my mind night and day, and their visits took my mind off of my discomfort. When I was so sick and in the nursing home their pictures filled my room. Initially, they may have been part of the reason I put off going to the doctor and being diagnosed earlier, but later they are part of the reason I am here and doing well today! It has been one heck of a journey for my family and we are so very blessed to have each other.

    Eihtak
    You are blessed! Though I am divorced, family is everything to me! The hope of having a grandchild gives me reason to keep fighting these cancers!

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