Friends like you - good news but worried still

7243
My treatment started about a month after biopsy. I was kind of concerned about the delay, but guess the wheels turn slowly sometimes. I was stage 2 and it was large. I also worried about the biopsy disturbing the area, but guess my worries were unfounded because two PET scans have indicated that I'm cancer free. CEA blood work indicated it, too. I also had about 10 day break in radiation due to hospitalization and almost didn't want to finish the last five treatments, but I did and I made it. You will, too!!!! Great news on your test results! I'm a few months behind (excuse the pun - ha!) you. Completed treatments in June.
Happy Holidays!

concerned....
Good morning!
Sounds like things are moving along well for you...but understand your concerns.
For my first diagnosis in 2010 my treatment started within 2 wks. I know now I was stage 2 with a 6cm tumor. (the drs said it was very small & no worry!) Then this year my cancer was recurrent but tumor was 2cm. I did seek a 2nd opinion & chose Goshen Cancer Center where most of the drs trained/practiced at larger centers. Things were more delayed this time but I was also told anal cancer is 'slow moving' so its ok to delay treatment. I had surgery & they were able to remove all plus some surrounding tissue. (& no need for radiation). Although I know I still have some 'cells' they'll keep watching (scope every 3 months), my oncology drs feel at this time the cancer is gone. My previous drs wanted to do APR surgery & I thank God I got a 2nd opinion!
I highly recommend seeking a 2nd opinion, ask many questions. I've got alot of answers from others here on this 'board'.
Praying the best for you...may you continue to heal.

Happy Holidays to you too!
I didn't get treated right away either. It was several weeks between my original biopsies and the beginning of treatment. And I know the disease was growing for a l-o-n-g time before diagnosis (I had two external growths, and one of them was there for at least a year before it was properly diagnosed). Three years out now and doing well. I guess it could come back, or mestastasize (sp?), but there are so many things that COULD happen that don't - I guess I feel that worrying about them won't do any good, so why do it? I think about it, sure, but I try not to worry about things that may never happen. I don't think I phrased that very well, hope you know what I mean. Time for bed...

lizdeli said:

Good news
You have a lot in your favor. The tumor was small and stage 1. Anal cancer is said to be slow growing. Although I began treatment shortly after diagonsis, the tumor was 2.5 cm and I was stage 111a because I had lymph node involvement. That was 2 1/2 years ago and thank God I am here today and doing well.

I think the time between diagnosis and treatment is important, but what matters more is the size and whether it has spread. I was told that the tumor I had had most likely been growing for two years.

Your tumor was detected very early and stage 1 and that is reason to be confident that it is gone for good!

Liz

Good news. Congratulations.
I am really positive and happy and active and pursuing new things and supporting my 90 old mother in law who I love dearly thru end cc. This cancer that we have been fighting for the past three years that had no prior symptom than anemia is ******* relentless. I am going for a breast biopsy next Friday. I have been fighting precancer and cancer for 30 f*****g years. What is is doing to her is really******* pissing me off. We have one final hope called photo something therapy that sounds promising for now. This new tumor in her lung grew so fast and is obrusting her major airway. We need to speak with her onc ASAP. I am saying all this because I need to 7243 I am with you, this **** is scary. On the other hand I believe you should get as much out of life as you can every moment you are here. Do not waste this time you have. Live like you have never lived before. I have always known my destiny, I lived well, I loved well, I have no regrets. There is god and another world at the end. There is a book about a little boy who died and went to heaven, get tht book, it will make you feel better. But live don't worry so much, we can't change it. some people will survive and be fine and some will not. That is reality, reality is harsh maybe too harsh for most. This is just my opinion unedited.

Today I ran on.