Feeling good until..

Memphis Mary 49 said:

Chin Up Girl!
Hi, Lorikat.

I am an RN also - for 20 years now. I would just like to apologize for her. That was stupid of her to say. She opened her mouth and knew nothing of this cancer! My gastroenterologist, oncologist, surgeon, and radiation oncologist ALL said, "This is highly curable, you will be fine." That is what I hang on to. 4 knowledgeable people saying the same thing. No one ever once said "gay man's disease" to me. Most anal cancers are women anyway. Likely HPV (human papilloma virus) that traveled from the vaginal area. That is what most of what I've read has said. I did not have any contributing factors.

I know how scary the waiting game is! Just keep reading everything you can about it and keep talking to us. I am so glad you found this website now. I didn't find it until I completed treatment - 3 weeks ago. Try to stay as busy and distracted as possible until your doctors appointment.

It is a good cancer to have, like they said!

God bless you,
Mary

I am glad you found us
I am so sorry you went through everything without the women on the board. They are amazing and now you are one of them and I guess "us". I am very happy to be part of this group. Much wisdom and courage here! Also great survivor stories.

sandysp said:

Waiting
Angela is right (if you stick close to the board you will find this to be true about her about 100% of the time)

Anyway,WAITING IS REALLY HARD. I just finished my last radiation treatment and nothing of the treatment including chemo and radiation, is as hard as waiting for the date the first treatment would begin once I was in the right hands. Getting in the right hands was a bit of a "dance" also since Sloan wanted to have everything in hand before talking to me about an appointment. Looking back, it was the exactly right thing to do. Now, even though I have to rest to get well for a while I am happy to be where I am in this journey. Stick close. Like with me from your post, something you need to hear will pop up when you least expect it. God bless you. Please stay close. Your presence will help someone else. You helped me today.

waiting
I agree people can be and are so insensitive. My own sister made a very rude comment to me that was devastating. I work with medical people (can't say professionals at this point) I am still haunted by the rude comments I have heard about anal cancer. I truely expected more from them but I guess they are human and ignorant.....Sorry I have to vent. I was told this is a rare cancer. Then I researched, I didn't like the stigma attached to the diagnosis. And I personally don't find it to be accurate. I really wish someone would be interested enough to research the cause. Everyone I have dealt with is really only interested in the cure. That is the ultimate goal I agree but perhaps this is a preventable cancer that has a common link to so many people. I am sure PAP smears were once regarded as experimental.
I fought the battle myself silently for the most part after one to many ignorant comments. I would not recommend that, I held a lot in. I wish I would have used this web site earlier. It is a very REAL source of information. From people like me to people like me.
I am a very private person but I will gladly share any of my experiences honestly and openly with anyone who has a question or comment.