Officially Stage 2 and start treatment Monday, 11/14

Chris Ptown
Chris Ptown Member Posts: 116
in Anal Cancer #1
Got my PET scan results today and my radiation doctor said the tumor is small and is Stage 2. My original doctor in Hyannis had Stage 1 or 2 from the cat scan. I had the three little dot tattoos put on me today and tomorrow i go to a chemo learning class. Friday they put a port in me and the following Friday I go in for what they said was kind of like a dress rehearsal where they make sure everything is lined up etc. I start my treatment on Monday, Nov 14. All so overwhelming for me especially waiting for cat scan and then pet scan results. Thanks again to everybody on here for your support. I know I haven't been reading other people's post much lately since I have been so stressed out about myself but now I can and maybe give some support back. Thanks again to all you wonderful people!

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Hey Chris!
    Stage 2--that's good news. Nothing to zap but that one little tumor! Tomorrow at the chemo class you may feel very bombarded with information, but I'm sure they will give you everything in writing to refer to when you begin treatment. I thought "there's no way I can remember all of this" but found I didn't really have to. I know you've had lots of questions about the port, but everything will be just fine in that regard. It's such a common procedure and you'll get along well with it. Now you and your docs know exactly what you are dealing with, so let your medical team do their very best for you, as I know they will. Don't be afraid to ask questions and be sure to ask for copies of any and all labs, scans or other tests.

    Also, spend this time before treatment doing the things that you enjoy the most. Surround yourself with your friends and have some fun. There will be days in the coming weeks when you'll not feel up to par, so you will have some good times to think back on. Once your treatment is done, healing happens very quickly--honest! I would never have believed it, but it's true! I was back running on my treadmill in 10 days--okay, no marathons, but still running! You can do this, you will do this!
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #3
    Chris
    I'm so glad you have your diagnosis, its the not knowing that is the hardest. I was a stage II also and I am fine. We are fortunate to have a high cure rate. I wish you well, and keep us posted. Lori
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #4
    Stage two, in third week
    Stage two, in third week after treatment and actually feeling good! My best advice is rest a lot and whine if you feel like it.......same advice given to me.....Lorie. Good luck
  • Chris Ptown
    Chris Ptown Member Posts: 116
    #5
    mp327 said:

    Hey Chris!
    Stage 2--that's good news. Nothing to zap but that one little tumor! Tomorrow at the chemo class you may feel very bombarded with information, but I'm sure they will give you everything in writing to refer to when you begin treatment. I thought "there's no way I can remember all of this" but found I didn't really have to. I know you've had lots of questions about the port, but everything will be just fine in that regard. It's such a common procedure and you'll get along well with it. Now you and your docs know exactly what you are dealing with, so let your medical team do their very best for you, as I know they will. Don't be afraid to ask questions and be sure to ask for copies of any and all labs, scans or other tests.

    Also, spend this time before treatment doing the things that you enjoy the most. Surround yourself with your friends and have some fun. There will be days in the coming weeks when you'll not feel up to par, so you will have some good times to think back on. Once your treatment is done, healing happens very quickly--honest! I would never have believed it, but it's true! I was back running on my treadmill in 10 days--okay, no marathons, but still running! You can do this, you will do this!

    thanks mp327, Lori and Lorie!
    i really feel so glad i know you all! the radiation nurse gave me a tube of cream today even though i dont start radiation until 11/14...its called Proshield Plus Skin Protectant...did you guys get that? Sorry if you all already told me the name of the cream you got.

    Hugs!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #6
    Chris Ptown said:

    thanks mp327, Lori and Lorie!
    i really feel so glad i know you all! the radiation nurse gave me a tube of cream today even though i dont start radiation until 11/14...its called Proshield Plus Skin Protectant...did you guys get that? Sorry if you all already told me the name of the cream you got.

    Hugs!

    Hi Chris!
    I've not heard of this cream, but I hope it will be soothing for you. My rad onc gave me Silver Sulfadiazine, which was helpful too.
  • Tammygoals
    Tammygoals Member Posts: 6
    #7
    Lorikat said:

    Stage two, in third week
    Stage two, in third week after treatment and actually feeling good! My best advice is rest a lot and whine if you feel like it.......same advice given to me.....Lorie. Good luck

    Anal Cancer Stage 2
    I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Anal Cancer - HPV - in May 2009 after years of bleeding and being told I had hemorroids and they would rubber band the hemorroids. Although I had colonoscopies every three years for the past 15 years, they did not find it until the last colonoscopy by a new doctor. I was told that it is often missed because they don't look in the bottom but go with the camera right up. Even when they found it, the thought it was just a polyp and only the pathology came back as cancer.

    I started Radiation treatment (30) and Chemo (2 sets, second and fifth week of Radiation) in June and finished July 18th. the treatment was tough - I ended up in the hospital for a week because of low levels of everything and needed 4 bags of blood transfusion and 2 bags of platletts, Iron, Potassium, etc. My treatment took place at Sylvester Cancer Care in Miami. A great hospital. I have three doctore, Oncologist, Chemo and Surgeon - all great!

    The good news is that despite the tough treatment, I just got the results of my biopsy and it is normal, no cancer.

    So, to everyone, while treatment is tough, you must stay strong and get through it, because there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I had Silverdine cream for the skin and a great mouth wash for the soures in my mounth (need to look up the name).

    I am very cautious about celebrating because I am worried about re-currence.

    Good luck everyone.
  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    #8
    Tammygoals said:

    Anal Cancer Stage 2
    I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Anal Cancer - HPV - in May 2009 after years of bleeding and being told I had hemorroids and they would rubber band the hemorroids. Although I had colonoscopies every three years for the past 15 years, they did not find it until the last colonoscopy by a new doctor. I was told that it is often missed because they don't look in the bottom but go with the camera right up. Even when they found it, the thought it was just a polyp and only the pathology came back as cancer.

    I started Radiation treatment (30) and Chemo (2 sets, second and fifth week of Radiation) in June and finished July 18th. the treatment was tough - I ended up in the hospital for a week because of low levels of everything and needed 4 bags of blood transfusion and 2 bags of platletts, Iron, Potassium, etc. My treatment took place at Sylvester Cancer Care in Miami. A great hospital. I have three doctore, Oncologist, Chemo and Surgeon - all great!

    The good news is that despite the tough treatment, I just got the results of my biopsy and it is normal, no cancer.

    So, to everyone, while treatment is tough, you must stay strong and get through it, because there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I had Silverdine cream for the skin and a great mouth wash for the soures in my mounth (need to look up the name).

    I am very cautious about celebrating because I am worried about re-currence.

    Good luck everyone.

    Cancer
    Welcome and congratulations on your good news.
  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #9
    Chris Ptown said:

    thanks mp327, Lori and Lorie!
    i really feel so glad i know you all! the radiation nurse gave me a tube of cream today even though i dont start radiation until 11/14...its called Proshield Plus Skin Protectant...did you guys get that? Sorry if you all already told me the name of the cream you got.

    Hugs!

    Stage 2-Cream-And all that stuff
    Hi, Im new here but recently finished treatment of chemo and radiation for Stage 3 Anal Cancer. In a couple weeks I have a catscan to see where Im at. I have heard of that cream but did not use it. I wont lie the radiation burns to my anal and vaginal area did hurt like hell. Not for a couple weeks if I remember and I used a cream called SAF-Gel once in a while, but worked best because you can just spray it on and dont have to touch the irritated area is Dermoplast--usually used after childbirth to relieve pain and can be purchased at any pharmacy OTC. The course of treatment was tough but you will make it as did I. I was most comfortable laying on my side or even standing and a warm shower made me feel great. It just plain sucks to have treatment in that area and I felt like unless you'd been there others just did not quite understand so keep in touch with those of us that do. You will learn just how amazingly strong you really are and come to appreciate life in a whole different way. (Unfortunately something else others won't quite get either) Oh well in a weird way its their loss!!! Best of luck on this journey of yours and remember on the bad days that it is the treatment making you feel bad (if it even does) NOT the cancer. I used to tell myself the worse I felt the better it was working. You'll be in my prayers.
  • shirlann54
    shirlann54 Member Posts: 162
    #10
    Tammygoals said:

    Anal Cancer Stage 2
    I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Anal Cancer - HPV - in May 2009 after years of bleeding and being told I had hemorroids and they would rubber band the hemorroids. Although I had colonoscopies every three years for the past 15 years, they did not find it until the last colonoscopy by a new doctor. I was told that it is often missed because they don't look in the bottom but go with the camera right up. Even when they found it, the thought it was just a polyp and only the pathology came back as cancer.

    I started Radiation treatment (30) and Chemo (2 sets, second and fifth week of Radiation) in June and finished July 18th. the treatment was tough - I ended up in the hospital for a week because of low levels of everything and needed 4 bags of blood transfusion and 2 bags of platletts, Iron, Potassium, etc. My treatment took place at Sylvester Cancer Care in Miami. A great hospital. I have three doctore, Oncologist, Chemo and Surgeon - all great!

    The good news is that despite the tough treatment, I just got the results of my biopsy and it is normal, no cancer.

    So, to everyone, while treatment is tough, you must stay strong and get through it, because there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I had Silverdine cream for the skin and a great mouth wash for the soures in my mounth (need to look up the name).

    I am very cautious about celebrating because I am worried about re-currence.

    Good luck everyone.

    Tammygoals
    Welcome ,You should be celebrating you have been thru a lot with the treatments and the hospital.Your Biopsy come back normal.Go out and do something for yourself just for you. shirley.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #11
    eihtak said:

    Stage 2-Cream-And all that stuff
    Hi, Im new here but recently finished treatment of chemo and radiation for Stage 3 Anal Cancer. In a couple weeks I have a catscan to see where Im at. I have heard of that cream but did not use it. I wont lie the radiation burns to my anal and vaginal area did hurt like hell. Not for a couple weeks if I remember and I used a cream called SAF-Gel once in a while, but worked best because you can just spray it on and dont have to touch the irritated area is Dermoplast--usually used after childbirth to relieve pain and can be purchased at any pharmacy OTC. The course of treatment was tough but you will make it as did I. I was most comfortable laying on my side or even standing and a warm shower made me feel great. It just plain sucks to have treatment in that area and I felt like unless you'd been there others just did not quite understand so keep in touch with those of us that do. You will learn just how amazingly strong you really are and come to appreciate life in a whole different way. (Unfortunately something else others won't quite get either) Oh well in a weird way its their loss!!! Best of luck on this journey of yours and remember on the bad days that it is the treatment making you feel bad (if it even does) NOT the cancer. I used to tell myself the worse I felt the better it was working. You'll be in my prayers.

    Hi eihtak--
    Thanks for joining us here and adding to the discussion about how to effectively deal with the burns. I wish you all the very best with your upcoming CT scan and hope you'll let us know when you get the results. And you are right, no one but those who have been through this can completely understand what it's like.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #12
    Tammygoals said:

    Anal Cancer Stage 2
    I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Anal Cancer - HPV - in May 2009 after years of bleeding and being told I had hemorroids and they would rubber band the hemorroids. Although I had colonoscopies every three years for the past 15 years, they did not find it until the last colonoscopy by a new doctor. I was told that it is often missed because they don't look in the bottom but go with the camera right up. Even when they found it, the thought it was just a polyp and only the pathology came back as cancer.

    I started Radiation treatment (30) and Chemo (2 sets, second and fifth week of Radiation) in June and finished July 18th. the treatment was tough - I ended up in the hospital for a week because of low levels of everything and needed 4 bags of blood transfusion and 2 bags of platletts, Iron, Potassium, etc. My treatment took place at Sylvester Cancer Care in Miami. A great hospital. I have three doctore, Oncologist, Chemo and Surgeon - all great!

    The good news is that despite the tough treatment, I just got the results of my biopsy and it is normal, no cancer.

    So, to everyone, while treatment is tough, you must stay strong and get through it, because there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I had Silverdine cream for the skin and a great mouth wash for the soures in my mounth (need to look up the name).

    I am very cautious about celebrating because I am worried about re-currence.

    Good luck everyone.

    Tammygoals--
    Congratulations on getting negative results on your biopsy. I'm sorry you've had to go through this like the rest of us, but I hope you'll find comfort and support here. May you stay cancer-free!
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #13
    mp327 said:

    Tammygoals--
    Congratulations on getting negative results on your biopsy. I'm sorry you've had to go through this like the rest of us, but I hope you'll find comfort and support here. May you stay cancer-free!

    Tammy
    Welcome. Very happy to hear about your biopsy results. Do something special to celebrate. Recurrence is always a concern but you've past a milestone which is worth celebrating. One day at a time. Cancer changes us forever but we cannot let it steal today.
    Liz

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