Paranoia

AmyD1310

Hey everyone,

I hope this message finds you all well. It's been a week or so since I've posted, although I have been reading posts from others. I am about 4 weeks out from radiation and feeling pretty good. I have a PET/CT scheduled for this coming Saturday, so I'm a bit anxious about that. Every little thing is spinning me into paranoia. My bum has recently begun to itch and my rad onc nurse said it is due to healing, plus i have a hemorrhoid and an anal fissure. Does this sound right? Should I still be itchy at 4 weeks post treatment? I'm so anxious...I just want it to be next week already! Any opinions/insights are welcome. Thanks!

-Amy

mp327

Amy

I think what you are feeling is normal post-treatment.  I wish you all the very best with the PET/CT.  Try not to worry!

Dodiefae

Amy

I'm one week behind you in treatment and have similar feelings.

I got bummed last week when the radiologist did a DRE and said he could still feel the mass on the one side. Tomorrow I see my colorectal surgeon at Lankenau who I guess will say the same thing.  I don't yet have a CT or PET scheduled.  I'm hoping my mass will shrink to nothing in the next couple weeks, but only time will tell.

Mollymaude

Amy and Dodiefae

The itching is normal healing. Remember the radiation keeps working for at least six months after treatment so the mass may not be completely gone yet even though you have finished treatment. I would be wanting the colorectal surgeon's opinion, maybe he or she will think it is scar tissue instead of mass. If your doctor doesn't have some grey hair they may not have had very many anal cancer patients since it is so rare. Remind yourselves of the high chance of successful treatment ( I was told 95% in my case). We will all be sending positive thoughts your way!!

AmyD1310

Dodiefae said:

Amy

I'm one week behind you in treatment and have similar feelings.

I got bummed last week when the radiologist did a DRE and said he could still feel the mass on the one side. Tomorrow I see my colorectal surgeon at Lankenau who I guess will say the same thing.  I don't yet have a CT or PET scheduled.  I'm hoping my mass will shrink to nothing in the next couple weeks, but only time will tell.

Who is your colorectal

Who is your colorectal surgeon at Lankenau? That's where I go. My colorectal surgeon actually did a DRE last Tuesday and said he didn't feel anything, so I guess I'm probably being very paranoid considering what he said. 

AmyD1310

Mollymaude said:

Amy and Dodiefae

The itching is normal healing. Remember the radiation keeps working for at least six months after treatment so the mass may not be completely gone yet even though you have finished treatment. I would be wanting the colorectal surgeon's opinion, maybe he or she will think it is scar tissue instead of mass. If your doctor doesn't have some grey hair they may not have had very many anal cancer patients since it is so rare. Remind yourselves of the high chance of successful treatment ( I was told 95% in my case). We will all be sending positive thoughts your way!!

You are so right.! I am doing

You are so right.! I am doing my best to stay positive. My doctor gave me a 97% chance of being cured, so I'm just praying and hoping he is right! 

AmyD1310

mp327 said:

Amy

I think what you are feeling is normal post-treatment.  I wish you all the very best with the PET/CT.  Try not to worry!

Thank you, Martha. I am doing

Thank you, Martha. I am doing my best to stay positive and hope for the best!

Dodiefae

Colorectal

i see Dr. Marks.  He originally gave me 80 to 90% chance of the chemo and radiation working. My mass was large -  ~ 4 cm.  

AmyD1310

Dodiefae said:

Colorectal

i see Dr. Marks.  He originally gave me 80 to 90% chance of the chemo and radiation working. My mass was large -  ~ 4 cm.  

I see Dr. Noone. He'a always

I see Dr. Noone. He'a always so kind. I wish you the best!

Dodiefae

Amy

Thanks!   You too!

Mollymaude

Dodiefae

My tumor was the size of a chicken egg and I have a little over a year with NED (no evidence of disease).

Dodiefae

Mollymaude

Thanks for the encouragement!