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anal cancer
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Dear Janf. I too had anal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma type. I wasn't under the impression that squamous was worse than adenocarcinoma rectal cancer that starts in the glands. If you read back through my posts, you'll see how it all began - the fissure on the outside of the sphincter that refused to heal because it was cancerous - and I had no idea that was why. Going into the treatment prescribed by a Radiation Oncologist and a Chemo-Therapy Oncologist, I said "give me all the chemo you want, but not radiation. I was terrified of that because the area on the body was so sensitive on the best of days! But luckily I had two very good doctors who convinced me that the treatment was what was needed and I couldn't argue with professionals who have given their best years of life to study medicine and stay up to date on research which has improved on both types in leaps and bounds? A girlfriend also put me on to researching a Native Indian herbal remedy that was taken up by a Canadian nurse in 1925, giving it the name ESSIAC which is her own name Cassie, but spelled backwards. You can obtain a book about Nurse Cassie and different forms of Essiac wIhich has not changed in formula thanks to this nurse's devotion, through Amazon. I used it for 45 days as I waited for the Cancer Clinic treatments to begin. And I saw evidence (in toilet) that the Essiac was helping. But to give the doctors my full co-operation, I allowed Radiation and Chemo Therapy, only, to take me from April 30 to June 10, 2025. I don't smoke - was told that smoking can **** the treatments. And I don't take any prescribed medication otherwise. 28 treatments later, my first follow up scans showed I was 70% cancer free and as the radiation continued to work in my body, I was 100% cancer free by September. In January, with more follow-through scans, there was seen one little spot that may be just a scab from the radiation and a biopsy will soon know its exact nature. But I've put myself back on the teaspoons of liquid ESSIAC while I wait for further doctor examinations. Chemo was a walk in the park for me - no nausea to speak of. Radiation was brutal in that the accummulation of treatments takes a toll on the skin, I won't lie. But you have to understand, I had been feeling the effects of a fissure for several months before it was diagnosed as cancerous, then the waiting through months of examinations, then the treatments, then healing afterwards, so almost a year when I couldn't sit on my butt with any comfort whatsoever. I've heard that anal cancer has had very high rates of success and I feel, deep down in my spirit, that I'll be in that rating as a successful anal cancer survivor. You know you have to do the treatments, regardless of feeling terrified. There's no choice but to go forward day by day, step by step, victory by victory. God be with you daily and in my prayers.
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Dear Janf: If you need suggestions as to what to have stocked in your house before Treatments start, I would be happy to list the items I had stocked in my house - because once Treatment starts, you really don't feel up to shopping or making extra trips out. I don't know if you are on your own or you have someone there to run errands. But there are a few things that are must haves that help along the way. Most items were purchased and delivered by Amazon. I wouldn't have found them in my small city otherwise. Home delivery was a god-send for me, being on my own until half way through Treatments when my sister came to stay with me. I needed a driver and my cousin's husband offered to drive the hour to the clinic for the first half of the Treatments. My sister drove the second half. Both people were also god-sends!! I had no idea those people were going to offer the help that I needed. What a blessing!!
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Bear with me while I collect all my information, this might take a bit. Every person is individual in their needs and their cancers and how they react to the prescribed treatment. Hopefully, the products have application to more than just myself but maybe if I put a reason behind using the product, it could help you decide if it is right for you. Also, bear in mind that because my cancer diagnosis was linked with hemorrhoids and fissure at the anus, I was constantly applying products to extinquish the "fire" of skin pain and I would research every ingredient to know what I could expect from them. Up until about July - August 2024, I had never had a hemorrhoid or fissure in my life. For well over a year I lived with chronic constipation that I failed to understand how that could lead to hemorrhoids or fissures. And I was definitley embarrassed to be seen by my doctor (male) but after 4 months without relief from any over-the-counter medication I was left with no choice. Yes the hemorrhoids had shrunk, but the fissure refused to heal and I knew I had to be seen. It's completely understandable that you are feeling terrified right now because that's a natural reaction to facing for the first time something so formidable. The "unkown" is not comfortable. Facing the unknown alone is even more terrifying . Hence my desire to provide a list of some things that will meet your needs on this journey and lessen your apprehension. It might take me the weekend, but I'll get back to you.
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Hello Janf: You said you are a writer, so I do hope you'll keep me posted with your progress - but I'll understand when you don't feel up to it. I'm no braver than you are and once routins become established, it will roll out as its supposed to. I was amazed at how the days flew along, really. I put housecleaning on pause. Maybe one of your friends can make some meals and freeze them up for you. That would be great. Anyway, don't be afraid to accept help whenever you need. God be with you.
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CTscan on Friday, the following friday Feb 27, 2026 I meet with the oncologist. One piece of good news I think is the CEA tumor marker blood test is normal. So maybe it has not spread. Another worry is achy area right lower back that started aching about 2 months ago and is getting progressively worse. I am lucky that we have great doctors here and everything is 5 minutes away, Even the cancer center and I know the oncologist, he treated my husband.
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Hello Janf: Definitely good news on the CEA level being normal in the blood! I didn't know what that was. Had to look it up. Strange that we all have CEA protein "typically produced during fetal development". It sounds harmless until we learn it's a marker for cancer tumour and treatment response. I can imagine that made you happy - not unlike the feeling I got when I awoke from a sigmoidoscopy following treatment and saw the paper on the side stand where the doctor had written "normal" (I hope I'm not repeating myself here). But, yes!! So happy!! And so happy for you if that means there's been no spreading of cancer. Mine didn't spread from the anal site either, but there were spots found in nodes that run up and down the groin - (Inquinal Lymph Nodes). I was classified as a stage 2-3 overall. Perhaps the CT Scan on Friday will give a clue as to what is happening in your lower back and why it is aching progressively? I've marked it in my calendar so keep me posted once you get those results. God be with you Jan.
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Result of CTScan - good news it looks like - must have caught it early, I meet with the radiologist tomorrow and oncologist on friday. I’m getting all the items around you mentioned! Cancer was determined by a specimen taken during a routine colonoscopy. So this is all a surprise, probably means it’s just very early. I think this is all good news! 1. No definite anal mass is identified on CT images. 2. No pathologic pelvic or abdominal adenopathy. 3. No evidence of metastatic disease.
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Wow!! That is such good news! Looks like it has been caught early. I guess I could look at my scan results on a health portal that's called Health Connect, but just in case I misread the findings, I wait on the doctor who ordered the scan to tell me what the results are. That being said, the wait time between scan and results can be a week or more and time can drag. If there are more proceedures, I have to wait on the doctor in any event. For the 45 days that I waited for Treatment to start in 2025, I took the Native Indian Herbal called Essiac (Amazon) and read the book about Nurse Cassie (Amazon) who had managed to protect the formula for decades. It had been given to her by an Ojibwa Indian woman who was part of the tribal medicine society, the Midewiwin. It didn't harm me and maybe it helped because I did see evident of something strange pass out, which I saved in a small jar and showed to my Radiation Oncologist. Her response was very guarded, reminding me that my tumor was of a size wheret she felt Radiation was the best way to proceed. From September to January's MRI I was all clear except that a spot had shown up on the MRI. The doctor who has ordered a biopsy to be done - coming up March 16th, said she wasn't worried at all. It could just be a scab left by the Radiation. Nevertheless, I put myself back on Essiac as I wait. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I just feel better because I'm doing something rather than nothing. Thank you for your update, I'm very happy with your news!! God be with us both, Jan.
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The oncologist said we seldom catch it this early. I read stories where it is mis diagnosed for years as hemroids. Since I had no symptoms, bleeding or otherwise who knows how long before it would have been found. Don’t miss those regular colonoscopy's. I don’t know if i said it before but the Dr told me as soon as I woke up that he was sure it was cancer. At any rate I’ve had initial meetings with Oncologist and radiologist, today I go for chemo training, a PET scan was scheduled for March 9 but was notified to day that it has been moved to tomorrow. March 3. The chemo is scheduled to start on March 16 but who knows since the pet scan was moved up that may be moved up too. I’ll write about my treatment as it goes along. I live by myself so am a little nervous about that but you said you did ok. I do have nieces that could fly in. To help me if needed. Keeping my fingers crossed for you for your March 16th scan.
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Dear Janf: I think we've got to concentrate on the "good news" of this situation - that it has been caught early - that the PET Scan has been moved up indicating that the Oncologists want to start Treatment as soon as they can. The PET scan is one of the most important scans that's done because from that they form the exact mapping of the body and where to target the radiation beam. The scan itself is nothing to be anxious about. Just lie still - perfectly still. If your body says there's an itch that needs scratching, ignore it, take control of the urge. And a sweater for some warmth. If you wear a sports bra that has no metal fasteners, all the better because you won't have to remove it. You will have a better idea of when you'd like the company and help of your neices once treatment starts and you know how your body responds to the Chemotherapy. I would wish for everyone undergoing Chemo that the experience would be similar to mine - a walk in the park, helped by Sea Band wrist bands and Ginger cubes, and who knows why it was the lesser of the two treatments?? I'll keep you in prayer for tomorrow's PET scan and continuing as it seems the wheels are now turning for your complete recovery. And for that you deserve everyone willing to help to come on board. God's providence be with you Jan! Thanks for keeping me posted (but no pressure when you just don't feel up to it, I understand totally!)
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