Anyone over 65 have good results with treatment?

PainInTheBum

I am 67 with stage 2 anal cancer.  Treatment scheduled to begin next Monday.  Having lots of anxiety over this.  Had my port put in 4 days ago.  Still very sore there.  I notice that many on here are much younger than me and makes me think I won't do so well.  

Mollymaude

Paininthebum

Please don’t think you won’t do well! There have been several older people on this site, and I remember a child of a woman older than you posting and her mom did well. It is an intense six weeks but if you are healthy (other than the cancer that is) you should get through it as well as anyone. I don’t want to sound ageist but I think people over 65 may not know about or google enough to stumble on this site. Good luck and stay positive! Keep us posted and ask questions as they come up.

PainInTheBum

Thank you Mollymaude.  I didn

Thank you Mollymaude.  I didn't think about it that way.

eihtak

PainInTheBum...

Hi,

There is quite a wide range of people who are diagnosed and treated for anal cancer and for the most part the majority do well. I'm sure some young folks have long term negative side effects as well as do more mature people have swift healing and the other way around. I agree with Mollymaude in the role other overall health plays in this journey and that includes mind, body, and spirit. Do what you can to stay up on nutrition (though be prepared that many have an appetite that plumets mid way through and then it is important to eat anything that tastes good as opposed to nothing). You may have to force yourself to drink lots of fluids, but believe me it will help. There is no reason to think that 67 is going to work against you...in fact, it may work for you. I will be thinking of you as you move forward and sending lots of virtual positive vibes!

katheryn

olonzac

73 years old at diagnosis!
I was Stage 3a with a t4 tumor at 10cm. I don't think anyone thought I would make it, but it did! I am 2+ years NED, no evidence of disease. The treatment was severe, but I survived without surgery. I do suffer from pelvic radiation disease, but with constant adjustments to my diet, lots of hydration and exercise, I am a very functional person. I wish you good luck and recommend that you keep yourself well informed as to what is going on at the major treatment centers for anal cancer.

PainInTheBum

Thank you katheryn.  I have

Thank you katheryn.  I have already lost 34 lbs this month just over the stress of testing and getting results.  I've been trying to put on weight before treatment begins (hopefully next Monday....waiting for a "film" from radiology....whatever that is).  I have no appetite.  Been taking a percocet once a day for pain that I've had non stop for over a month.  Hopefully that pain will subside once radiation starts and tumor shrinks, but then I'm sure new pains will begin from treatment.  I think I have read just about every post there is on this site about anal cancer.  Some posts terrify me and some give me encouragement.  I'm glad to have found it though.  I have no one other than my doctor and nurses to talk to and that is limited to visits.  They gloss over the side effects, hardly going into some of them that seem so common to all of you.  I feel like I'm getting the best honest answers here so far.  In one way I'm dreading the start of treatments but on the other hand anxious to get the ball rolling so I can begin my recovery.  Right now I feel like my life is on hold.

PainInTheBum

Thank you olonzac.  That

Thank you olonzac.  That gives me encouragement.  I wish you many, many more years of continued NED.  I believe that "NED" has become my most favorite word these days.    I appreciate your response.  Just knowing that someone out there takes the time to respond makes me feel a bit more at ease.

eihtak

PainInTheBum said:

Thank you katheryn.  I have

Thank you katheryn.  I have already lost 34 lbs this month just over the stress of testing and getting results.  I've been trying to put on weight before treatment begins (hopefully next Monday....waiting for a "film" from radiology....whatever that is).  I have no appetite.  Been taking a percocet once a day for pain that I've had non stop for over a month.  Hopefully that pain will subside once radiation starts and tumor shrinks, but then I'm sure new pains will begin from treatment.  I think I have read just about every post there is on this site about anal cancer.  Some posts terrify me and some give me encouragement.  I'm glad to have found it though.  I have no one other than my doctor and nurses to talk to and that is limited to visits.  They gloss over the side effects, hardly going into some of them that seem so common to all of you.  I feel like I'm getting the best honest answers here so far.  In one way I'm dreading the start of treatments but on the other hand anxious to get the ball rolling so I can begin my recovery.  Right now I feel like my life is on hold.

PainInTheBum...

Hi...I too lost a lot of weight around the time of diagnosis, I think thats not uncommon. I know some people add protien powder to other foods just to get a little more substance. If you like ice cream or custard maybe just make yourself take a spoonful every so often throughout the day whether hungry or not...I generally eat a pretty healthy diet but have a serious weak spot when it comes to ice cream! Its so amazing what stress can do to our bodies and it doesn't come with a switch we can just turn off. I bet once you actively start treatment you'll feel better just knowing you're now in the game!

katheryn

Mollymaude

Paininthebum

Eeek! You read all the posts on here? No wonder you are so scared. That would have been information overload for me for sure. I agree that the doctors gloss over some of the side effects and I’m glad you have this site but if I were you I would try to keep in mind you won’t have every side effect and you won’t have them all at once. I think in some ways it was to my advantage to be a bit naive about the extent of the after effects and side effects because it allowed me to focus on just getting through treatment. I saw in the other post you’ve laid in supplies, it sounds like you are good to go. We will be thinking of you, let us know how you are doing as you go through this. Try to stay positive! We are rooting for you!

mp327

Paininthebum

I'm sorry you have been diagnosed with anal cancer, but am glad you have found this site for support!  While I was 54 years old at the time of my diagnosis with stage 2 in 2008, I have communicated over the past 10+ years with others who were diagnosed in their 60's who did well with their treatment.  If you are otherwise healthy, you should do fine.  It may seem like a long 6 weeks during treatment, but you will get through it!  Please come here for support--we are here to help you.  I wish you all the very best!

ACinNC

PainInTheBum said:

Thank you katheryn.  I have

Thank you katheryn.  I have already lost 34 lbs this month just over the stress of testing and getting results.  I've been trying to put on weight before treatment begins (hopefully next Monday....waiting for a "film" from radiology....whatever that is).  I have no appetite.  Been taking a percocet once a day for pain that I've had non stop for over a month.  Hopefully that pain will subside once radiation starts and tumor shrinks, but then I'm sure new pains will begin from treatment.  I think I have read just about every post there is on this site about anal cancer.  Some posts terrify me and some give me encouragement.  I'm glad to have found it though.  I have no one other than my doctor and nurses to talk to and that is limited to visits.  They gloss over the side effects, hardly going into some of them that seem so common to all of you.  I feel like I'm getting the best honest answers here so far.  In one way I'm dreading the start of treatments but on the other hand anxious to get the ball rolling so I can begin my recovery.  Right now I feel like my life is on hold.

Weight loss

I had weight loss too and after 2 years since diagnosis I'm still unable to gain back what I lost.  Part of it has to do with pain meds.  The Percocet type meds make me nauseous so that might be a factor besides stress for you.  I have to fairly routinely take pain meds (no, I'm not addicted) for another condition and my already poor appetite drops further after I take one. Please ask for nausea meds to have on hand before chemo starts.  You might be one of the lucky ones to not have nausea but it's good to have on hand if you do feel sick. I ate anything that appealed to me at the moment if I had the slightest hunger pang and did not wait for meal time.  I had someone prepare some meals and also had nutritous broths on hand.  There are frozen packs of bone broth that are supposed to have healing properties.

I had a lot of pain before treatment from the size of the tumor and as the radiation shrunk it, that pain did lessen but I still took some pain meds to tolerate the radiation burn.

As far as age, my onc told me he treated an 80 year old woman and she did fine.  I was 62 at diagnsosis and I got through treatment with the usual side effects.  It sounds like you are well prepared and that will help.

6 weeks seems like a long time when you start treatment but then you can start the countdown... only x number of treatments to go.  I used a calendar to mark off the days and kept the final treatment as my goal to look forward to. The final day was a happy one. I'll be thinking about you and wish you well.

PainInTheBum

ACinNC, I love ice cream but

ACinNC, I love ice cream but gave it up when the prices went up so much and the size cartons got smaller.   But, that is a good idea.  I may get a container of frozen yogurt and have a couple spoonfuls every so often if I can tolerate it.

PainInTheBum

Mollymaude, yes, against my

Mollymaude, yes, against my family's suggestions to stop reading so much online, I just couldn't.  I keep hoping to find more positive ones than negative.  I did come across another online site "cancer chat" that had more current posts from others who have what I do and read many last night.  Some were very encouraging.  I read their posts from time of diagnosis until a year or two after treatment.

PainInTheBum

mp327, thank you.  You were

mp327, thank you.  You were the first person to respond to me when I first joined this site and it gave me comfort to know someone else was out there and had some answers for me.  I appreciate it.  Thank you.  My wish is to one day be healed with many years of NED so that I may too be here to help others who are going through what I am.

mp327

PainInTheBum

Thank you for your kind words.  I appreciate that very much.  I have remained on this site for the last 9 years because I know there are people out there who are going through this journey and I remember how scared I was, as I had no one to talk to who had been through it themselves.  I didn't join this site until months after my treatment ended.  Now that I am considered a long-term survivor, my hope is that that gives others hope and encouragement.  What you are about to go through will not be easy, but it's totally doable and you will cross the finish line.  I think it's great that you are already hoping to help others!  I wish you all the very best!

kevans9092

Pain in the Bum

I am 60 and I now feel 10 years younger! It is a rough 6 weeks. I am 10 months out of treatment. I was stage 2 5 cm. Diet and excersie which I work on every day. Light yoga is always a life saver. It is all about you right now, rest and take care of yourself. 

PainInTheBum

kevans9092 said:

Pain in the Bum

I am 60 and I now feel 10 years younger! It is a rough 6 weeks. I am 10 months out of treatment. I was stage 2 5 cm. Diet and excersie which I work on every day. Light yoga is always a life saver. It is all about you right now, rest and take care of yourself. 

Thank you kevans9092 for

Thank you kevans9092 for those encouraging words.  Right now I feel like my life is in limbo.  I'm anxious to begin treament so I can be closer to the cure and rehabilitation.  Any special diet you follow?  I do not need to lose weight....actually could afford to put some more back on.  I'm not even sure what I should be eaing anymore these days.  I'm hoping after all of this is over I'll one day be able to get back to bike riding.  We live only about 2 blocks from the bike trail.  Haven't been on it for awhile.

Wisteria83

PainInTheBum said:

Thank you kevans9092 for

Thank you kevans9092 for those encouraging words.  Right now I feel like my life is in limbo.  I'm anxious to begin treament so I can be closer to the cure and rehabilitation.  Any special diet you follow?  I do not need to lose weight....actually could afford to put some more back on.  I'm not even sure what I should be eaing anymore these days.  I'm hoping after all of this is over I'll one day be able to get back to bike riding.  We live only about 2 blocks from the bike trail.  Haven't been on it for awhile.

PITB

I'm not the best person to be giving advice about maintaining or gaining weight.  At my lowest I reached 78.  I moved from NC to FL and now have my medical marijuana card and I use sublingual THC/CBD drops.  At the end of April it will be two years since I finished treatment.  I made it up to 87 but now at 84 because I've been sick with a cold.  I also have COPD and that doesn't help as far as gaining weight goes. I'm really glad to be able to say that I'm completely off the opioids that I was on for nearly 20 years for other issues...the medical marijuana is what works for me.  I drink Boost still...the 360 high calorie stuff.  I can only tolerate the dark chocolate flavor.  My docs really tried to push me to eat more during treatment and after, but I just had no appetite and nothing tasted good.  I tried to force myself (at my husband's insistence) and ended up vomiting, so learned that I just can't force it.  The nutritionist at the cancer center told me to graze instead of trying to get all my calories in three meals.  I was also advised to never pass up a milkshake.

Keep a wide variety of easily prepared foods available.  You never know what you might be in the mood for, and if it's simple to prepare, you're more likely to eat it.  Still, try to eat well.  

As far as the bike riding goes....your bottom will likely reject that idea until you're healed from treatment, but since you're close to the trail, if you have the energy and feel up to it, maybe you could go out and walk a bit.  I know just getting outside makes my spirit feel so much better.

I'm sorry that cancer has made this site a necessary site for you but there's seriously no better place to be to get the answers and support you need to get through this.  Stay positive.  You will do this.

~Wis

milliebee

I was diagnosed with stage 3C

I was diagnosed with stage 3C in February, 2018, at age 72. Now am 73, and have had no evidence of disease since last August, though still have bowel issues like so many others, and vaginal problems from radiation, which no one warned me about when I was going through it. i also have pulmonary hypertension (diagnosed 5 years ago), and last summer i had bad breathing problems, and lungs had to be drained. My pulmonologist thought the HPV had metastasized to my lungs, but after tests, it all went away, and docs decided it might have been a reaction to the chemo. 

One good story: on May 18, 2018, just after i’d finished treatment, i had an opportunity to buy tickets to “Hamilton” on Broadway at regular price. Only problem was tickets were for May 16, 2019, two days short of a year away! I thought, my husband surely can find someone else to go with him if i don’t make it. It became a real goal for me. And sure enough, we saw “Hamilton” and 4 other shows in NYC in May.

We’ve also gone on a cruise from Hong Kong to Shanghai, a road trip to the mountains, and are going to France next week! I don’t have the stamina I used to, but we’re retired, and big time into carpe diem! I don’t exercise enough, but see friends regularly, and try to Celebrate each day. Life is good. My pulmonologist told me recently, “You’re not going to die on my watch, so go have fun!”

guyfly

milliebee said:

I was diagnosed with stage 3C

I was diagnosed with stage 3C in February, 2018, at age 72. Now am 73, and have had no evidence of disease since last August, though still have bowel issues like so many others, and vaginal problems from radiation, which no one warned me about when I was going through it. i also have pulmonary hypertension (diagnosed 5 years ago), and last summer i had bad breathing problems, and lungs had to be drained. My pulmonologist thought the HPV had metastasized to my lungs, but after tests, it all went away, and docs decided it might have been a reaction to the chemo. 

One good story: on May 18, 2018, just after i’d finished treatment, i had an opportunity to buy tickets to “Hamilton” on Broadway at regular price. Only problem was tickets were for May 16, 2019, two days short of a year away! I thought, my husband surely can find someone else to go with him if i don’t make it. It became a real goal for me. And sure enough, we saw “Hamilton” and 4 other shows in NYC in May.

We’ve also gone on a cruise from Hong Kong to Shanghai, a road trip to the mountains, and are going to France next week! I don’t have the stamina I used to, but we’re retired, and big time into carpe diem! I don’t exercise enough, but see friends regularly, and try to Celebrate each day. Life is good. My pulmonologist told me recently, “You’re not going to die on my watch, so go have fun!”

Made me smile

Great to read your post and thanks for making me smile a little today and congratulations!