Living in the moment

Ohmy
Ohmy Member Posts: 103 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

My first surgery was an APR with a colostomy in December.  This was to remove a reoccurrence that showed up in my October PET scan. The tumor was 5 cm and the surgeon got clear borders and all lymph nodes were negative.  A 9 mm lung nodule also lit up in my October PET scan.  My February PET scan showed the lung nodule had increased in size and SUV.  It was under my collar bone and would require surgery to get a biopsy.  I had the Robot surgery on March 19.  The surgeon removed the tumor in a wedge resection.  He got clear borders.  The biopsy showed it was a metasis of the squamous cell carcinoma.  The surgeon biopsied the lymph nodes and it will take a week to get the results.  He said he doesn't expect it to be in the lymph nodes because the tumor was still very small and nothing else showed up in my PET scan.  Now I am at home again for six weeks to heal.  I adjusted very well to the colostomy and that has totally healed.  My husband is taking care of me and we are enjoying our time together.  I have an appointment on April 3 to get the full pathology report.  I was diagnosed with Stage 3 anal cancer in January 2017.  So much has happened in the past two years, it's dizzying, but my husband and I just keep taking it one day at a time.  Every day is a gift.

 

Comments

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #2
    Ohmy...

    Hi,

    It sounds like you have the right attitude and with the positive support from your husband I have no doubt you'll continue to heal just great! Isn't it funny how all our lives in different situations we hear "life is a gift" but it takes on a much truer deeper meaning when you are at a place to really appreciate that gift and not take it for granted!

    I'm glad to hear you have adjusted to the ostomy...I've had mine for over 8 years now as a result of treatment for stage 3b anal cancer and am fortunate to have had very little issues with it as well. Do I wish I didn't have it? Sure...but am I happier to be alive and out of pain? Most definately!

    My lung surgery for a met was almost 4 years ago now and I feel the same kind of dizzy about how much has gone on for me on this journey! I did have a second met last summer that was treated with radiation and will be scanned again next month as follow-up. Its April 3rd too so I'll remember to say an extra prayer for you and a pathology report that brings only good news!!

    I am never happy to hear of anyone dealing with this disease in the first place, but a recurrance tends to play a whole new mind game on top of everything else. It does however make me feel good to know that myself and others are having quality follow-up care with the ability to catch things when treatments are available.

    Thank you for the update...and I'll keep you in my thoughts for continued health and healing as you move forward celebrating that precious gift called "life"!!!

    katheryn

  • ACinNC
    ACinNC Member Posts: 46
    #3
    Ohmy and living in the moment

    I was so pleased to see your subject title.  For all the horrible consequences of having cancer, living in the moment is something I now am happy about. For it does make your days matter on a different level.  I feel less burdened about things that used to worry me.

    It's heartening to know you have such a supportive husband to help you through these trying times.

    We have been through a similar path except for the local recurrence.  I was diagnosed in Feb 2017 and had my lung mets, also at 9 mm last year.  Although my onc thinks the mets was there at the time of initial diagnosis and that would have put me at stage 4 from the get go.  But it was too small to show up on PET scan.   I am sorry to hear of your recurrence and need for colostomy.  I had a colostomy before starting treatment and still have it today because of sphincter problems.  I can't say I ever truly accept it but the alternative incontinence would be even worse so it allows me more freedom. You sound like someone who can take it in stride better than I can.

    I see that both you and Katheryn have appointment on April 3 as followup.  Well I have mine on April 2 but I already had my CT scan and know what the report states.  My mets decreased in size to 3 mm after having Cyberknife.  So I'll wait to see what my onc says about that.  I hope you (and Katheryn) come back on here after your appointment to let us know how things are. Has your onc discussed any further treatment like chemo?

  • Mollymaude
    Mollymaude Member Posts: 431 Member
    #4
    Oh my and Katheryn

    I admire both of you so much for all your perseverance and optimism! I will be thinking of both of you in the coming days.

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #5
    Ohmy

    I hope your recovery from your recent surgery continues to go well.  May your upcoming appointment give you good news and peace of mind that the cancer is gone.  I am sending positive thoughts and good wishes your way!

  • Ohmy
    Ohmy Member Posts: 103 Member
    #6
    Katheryn and ACinNC, Thank

    Katheryn and ACinNC, Thank you for sharing your stories with me.  It helps me to know I am not alone on this journey.  The recovery from the lung resection has been more painful than I anticipated.  I try to stay positive for my husband but I do have my moments of dispair.  A friend's mother died from stage 4 ovarian cancer yesterday.  The day after her 61st birthday.  I just sobbed here home alone when I found out.  We were diagnosed about the same time and she is already gone.  Sometimes it is difficult for me to read all the blogs on this site but I know it is good for all of us to stick together.  I am feeling positive about my pathology report on April 3 and I will share my results.  The hardest thing was to tell my son that the tumor in my lung was a metasis.  He knows what that means.  Thanks to all for your positive thoughts!

  • Ohmy
    Ohmy Member Posts: 103 Member
    #7
    The surgeon was very positve

    The surgeon was very positve today. The pathology report showed a 2 cm clear border around the tumor and the lymph nodes are negative.  No more cancer for now.  I will have another PET scan in August.  My husband and son are very happy.  I am happy I get a break after two major surgeries.  I have a month to recuperate before I return to work.  I see my medical oncologist on the 17th.

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #8
    Ohmy said:

    The surgeon was very positve

    The surgeon was very positve today. The pathology report showed a 2 cm clear border around the tumor and the lymph nodes are negative.  No more cancer for now.  I will have another PET scan in August.  My husband and son are very happy.  I am happy I get a break after two major surgeries.  I have a month to recuperate before I return to work.  I see my medical oncologist on the 17th.

    Ohmy....

    Yay...I am so happy your report brought good news! You deserve a break thats for sure. Be kind to yourself and let your body heal inside and out in whatever way works best for you so that you are both physically and emotionally ready to go back to work next month. 

    I had my CT scan today and will see my oncologist tomorrow. I am what I call an optimistic reality thinker, meaning that I always try to be optimistic about how I handle the reality of where I am at in this journey. I've had a chronic cough for a couple months now unrelated to anything else and so am preparing myself to put that optimism to use tomorrow if need.

    Again...congratulations on your news!

    katheryn 

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    edited April 2019 #9
    Ohmy

    That is fabulous news!  I wish you swift healing!

  • ACinNC
    ACinNC Member Posts: 46
    #10
    Ohmy said:

    The surgeon was very positve

    The surgeon was very positve today. The pathology report showed a 2 cm clear border around the tumor and the lymph nodes are negative.  No more cancer for now.  I will have another PET scan in August.  My husband and son are very happy.  I am happy I get a break after two major surgeries.  I have a month to recuperate before I return to work.  I see my medical oncologist on the 17th.

    Ohmy

    Another Hooray!  We need to hear those positive results from those who have had APR surgery. I told my rad onc 2 days ago that I still would not consider that surgery in the event of recurrence but after hearing your results I might reconsider. 

    I hope you are far enough with healing that you can enjoy your time off before returning to work.

    I would be interested to know what your medical onc has to say regarding any chemo.

  • ACinNC
    ACinNC Member Posts: 46
    #11
    eihtak said:

    Ohmy....

    Yay...I am so happy your report brought good news! You deserve a break thats for sure. Be kind to yourself and let your body heal inside and out in whatever way works best for you so that you are both physically and emotionally ready to go back to work next month. 

    I had my CT scan today and will see my oncologist tomorrow. I am what I call an optimistic reality thinker, meaning that I always try to be optimistic about how I handle the reality of where I am at in this journey. I've had a chronic cough for a couple months now unrelated to anything else and so am preparing myself to put that optimism to use tomorrow if need.

    Again...congratulations on your news!

    katheryn 

    katheryn

    Sorry to hear about your cough.  There are so many reasons for a cough so I will think optimistically along with you that it could be unrelated to your lung met. 

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #12
    katheryn

    Have you heard anything about your CT results yet?  I am hoping you get all good news.

  • Ohmy
    Ohmy Member Posts: 103 Member
    #13
    My pathology report showed

    My pathology report showed clear borders with negative lymph nodes.  The node in my lung was a metasis of my anal cancer and positive for HPV.  My appointment with my medical oncologist went well yesterday.  No chemo but he wants a PET scan every three months starting with one in May.  He says it may not return but if it does we need to catch it early.  If it's small then 5 radiation treatments can take care of it.  No cancer for now and I look forward to returning to work and seeing my granddaughter next month.

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #14
    Ohmy

    This sounds like very good news for you!  I am very happy to hear this and thank you for the update.  Hopefully, you will not need radiation, but it sounds like your doctor intends to monitor you closely and stay on top of this.  May your return to work go well and enjoy that visit with your granddaughter!  Take care!

  • Mollymaude
    Mollymaude Member Posts: 431 Member
    #15
    Ohmy

    Wonderful news!

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    edited April 2019 #16
    Ohmy...

    This is great news and I'm happy you have a doctor that is on top of things. At this point (as always) it is so important to catch those bumps in the road early. My last growth on my lung was also caught on a scan and successfully treated with high intense nano targeted radiation (only 6 treatments)

    I bet getting back to work will feel great, and at least for me, nothing beats time with grandkids! Enjoy!!

    katheryn

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