Having Patience

Nana442

I'm 6 weeks post chemo & radiation, what a whirl wind this has been I don't think I'm dealing with everything yet!  How to have patience for the next year whilke this tumor shrinkjs and disappears completely!  Positive thinking is my task but it's so hard!  I still have some skin issues and itching, my energy level is getting better but slowly, my appetite is back!  Now I have to worry about gaining too much weight!  I still take stool softener and miralax every night as to keep hemhrroids from getting angry and because I want to have a bowel movement everyday.  How do you keep from worrying so much?  How are others feeling at this point in treatment?  

mp327

Nana442

I'm glad to hear you are done with treatment and getting back to normal life.  Being patient is hard, but try to remember that this treatment is rough and your body needs some time to recover.  As for not worrying, I think that's hard to do too, but anal cancer treatment has a high rate of success as compared to other types of cancer.  Have faith that your tumor is gone, never to return!  I was beginning to feel pretty good at 6 weeks post-treatment, but still had bowel issues--frequency, loose stools, unpredictability.  I really didn't feel back to normal until about the 2-year post-treatment mark.  Do not let that discourage you.  Everyone recovers at a different pace.  Celebrate each and every little improvement.  Here's wishing you all the best!

Nana442

mp327 said:

Nana442

I'm glad to hear you are done with treatment and getting back to normal life.  Being patient is hard, but try to remember that this treatment is rough and your body needs some time to recover.  As for not worrying, I think that's hard to do too, but anal cancer treatment has a high rate of success as compared to other types of cancer.  Have faith that your tumor is gone, never to return!  I was beginning to feel pretty good at 6 weeks post-treatment, but still had bowel issues--frequency, loose stools, unpredictability.  I really didn't feel back to normal until about the 2-year post-treatment mark.  Do not let that discourage you.  Everyone recovers at a different pace.  Celebrate each and every little improvement.  Here's wishing you all the best!

Thank you it's nice to know

Thank you it's nice to know you went through some of the same things I'm going through, did you have butt & pelvic pressure too?  The cancer team said it was normal because they threw the kitchen & bathroom sink at me through treatment!  I pray every day sometimes many times a day for it to shrink and be gone!  I never had normal bowel movements i wonder what one is?

eihtak

Nana442...

Hello, and congratulations on completing your chemo/radiation! It sounds like some of the issues you are now dealing with are pretty normal for most. I was initially diagnosed a little over 7 years ago and at six weeks post treatment had been hospitalized and then admitted to a skilled care facility, Yikes!!! I guess you could say I wasn't doing so well. 

To be fair though I have an ostomy as part of my treatment plan and the radiation had caused some complications, but all is well now.

I bet the itching will resolve soon and each week you'll have even more energy. Remember not to over do though and to rest so your body can really heal, because yes we've had a lot thrown at us!

Keep the faith and I will have you in my prayers for healthy reports as you move forward.

katheryn

mp327

Nana442 said:

Thank you it's nice to know

Thank you it's nice to know you went through some of the same things I'm going through, did you have butt & pelvic pressure too?  The cancer team said it was normal because they threw the kitchen & bathroom sink at me through treatment!  I pray every day sometimes many times a day for it to shrink and be gone!  I never had normal bowel movements i wonder what one is?

Nana442

Tumors can continue to shrink for up to 6 months after treatment.  I don't know if I would describe what I had as pressure, but urgency is probably a more accurate description. 

Nana442

eihtak said:

Nana442...

Hello, and congratulations on completing your chemo/radiation! It sounds like some of the issues you are now dealing with are pretty normal for most. I was initially diagnosed a little over 7 years ago and at six weeks post treatment had been hospitalized and then admitted to a skilled care facility, Yikes!!! I guess you could say I wasn't doing so well. 

To be fair though I have an ostomy as part of my treatment plan and the radiation had caused some complications, but all is well now.

I bet the itching will resolve soon and each week you'll have even more energy. Remember not to over do though and to rest so your body can really heal, because yes we've had a lot thrown at us!

Keep the faith and I will have you in my prayers for healthy reports as you move forward.

katheryn

eihtak

I'm glad you are well now, yes I'm keeping faith and thank you for your prayers.

Nana442

Feelings

Wow today has been an I feel sorry for myself day!  Cried a couple of times I think I need not to do so much research on the internet for  anal cancer stories.  I need to try to stay positive,  trust in God, keep my faith!  I'm just really needing to hear this tumor has shrunk!  I'm having a hard time with patience today.  How does everyone cope?

Msmoxie

coping
Nana, I pray that today will be a better day for you. I believe that we all have those days where our thoughts concern us a great deal and can be overwhelming. I tend to look to family and friends along with my faith (even if none of them are around I know what wonderful things are happening around them and my significant other and I are planning a trip to see everyone and travel clear to Alaska as soon as possible). I feel that some of the crying is just venting frustration. Distractions are a good thing too. We went to the casino the other day and not only did it take my mind off of everything : ) we won and brought home some nice dough too : ) Basically, whatever it takes to stay positive and know that others care.
I read about five different books at a time and have various interests with our plants, spring cleaning, etc. so pretty much whatever keeps me busy and my mind off of this.
Sending you positive energies and extra prayers,
Moxie

eihtak

Nana442 said:

Feelings

Wow today has been an I feel sorry for myself day!  Cried a couple of times I think I need not to do so much research on the internet for  anal cancer stories.  I need to try to stay positive,  trust in God, keep my faith!  I'm just really needing to hear this tumor has shrunk!  I'm having a hard time with patience today.  How does everyone cope?

Nana442...

Hi, hoping you had a restful night and better day today! Most doctors frown on patients spending too much time researching the internet, yet, that being said is exactly how most of us found our way here! Sometimes a break is good though because for as much helpful positive accurate information you'll come across, there will be an equal amount of the opposite.

We all have different ways to busy our mind and stay positive, but for me, prayer was (is) always a part of my day and even when I don't have the energy or can't find the words I mutter "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." and it helps every time! Aside from that, from the start of my journey I have been busy with family (now 8 grandkids and 2 step grandkids all under 9 years old), I also read, when I felt up to it began doing volunteer work in my community at a local food pantry and recently at the hospital coffee shop. A few years ago I went back to college and graduated with a degree in Human Services. 

I remember early on one day having my own little pity party (though well deserved for us all) and on The Doctors talk show was a young beautiful woman who had fallen in a stream when zip-lining and contracted a horrible flesh eating disease. She lost several limbs and the use of much muscle in what remained, yet she walked (with aids) out on that stage beaming with happiness and motivation for life as well as genuine gratefulness for all she had...it was so inspiring to see and hear her that I still think of her when I feel myself heading downward. 

If it helps, my grandpa used to say that a good cry was good once in a while because it makes your eyes sparkle!

Have a peaceful weekend....

katheryn

Nana442

Msmoxie said:

coping
Nana, I pray that today will be a better day for you. I believe that we all have those days where our thoughts concern us a great deal and can be overwhelming. I tend to look to family and friends along with my faith (even if none of them are around I know what wonderful things are happening around them and my significant other and I are planning a trip to see everyone and travel clear to Alaska as soon as possible). I feel that some of the crying is just venting frustration. Distractions are a good thing too. We went to the casino the other day and not only did it take my mind off of everything : ) we won and brought home some nice dough too : ) Basically, whatever it takes to stay positive and know that others care.
I read about five different books at a time and have various interests with our plants, spring cleaning, etc. so pretty much whatever keeps me busy and my mind off of this.
Sending you positive energies and extra prayers,
Moxie

Thank you.

Thank you.

Nana442

eihtak said:

Nana442...

Hi, hoping you had a restful night and better day today! Most doctors frown on patients spending too much time researching the internet, yet, that being said is exactly how most of us found our way here! Sometimes a break is good though because for as much helpful positive accurate information you'll come across, there will be an equal amount of the opposite.

We all have different ways to busy our mind and stay positive, but for me, prayer was (is) always a part of my day and even when I don't have the energy or can't find the words I mutter "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." and it helps every time! Aside from that, from the start of my journey I have been busy with family (now 8 grandkids and 2 step grandkids all under 9 years old), I also read, when I felt up to it began doing volunteer work in my community at a local food pantry and recently at the hospital coffee shop. A few years ago I went back to college and graduated with a degree in Human Services. 

I remember early on one day having my own little pity party (though well deserved for us all) and on The Doctors talk show was a young beautiful woman who had fallen in a stream when zip-lining and contracted a horrible flesh eating disease. She lost several limbs and the use of much muscle in what remained, yet she walked (with aids) out on that stage beaming with happiness and motivation for life as well as genuine gratefulness for all she had...it was so inspiring to see and hear her that I still think of her when I feel myself heading downward. 

If it helps, my grandpa used to say that a good cry was good once in a while because it makes your eyes sparkle!

Have a peaceful weekend....

katheryn

Thank you.

Thank you, the internet is why I waited to go to the doctor, hemhrroids internal & external was the reason for my bleeding, constipation all my life, thyroid issues, not eating enough fiber or drinking enough water, needing more exercise!  I had an excuse for all my symptoms.  Every time I made a change in my life I gssd yo wait and my nurse & doctor agreed.  I have to get over my what if`s, I can't go back.