It's been a year...

AZANNIE
AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
in Anal Cancer #1
It's been a year since I received the anal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) diagnosis. What a difference a year makes! I'm 9 months post treatment. Saw my colorectal dr today and had an exam (first exam was under anesthesia) so this was the first one I had at the dr. office. It was uncomfortable. Came home and took a couple of tylenol and sat in a warm sitz bath. I know these exams are necessary. The radiation really shrunk my "chute". He said everything looked fine!!! Was concerned about bleeding but he said it was radiation proctitis. I see him again in 3 months. I've finally hit the 100 lbs. mark! At one point during treatment I was 83 lbs. I'm small, but mighty - LOL!
Went on my first trip since all this started - rode the train to the Grand Canyon last week and had a wonderful time with my Mom and sisters! Life is good!
For those of you who are starting or in treatment, you'll make it! Best wishes to everyone!

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Hi AZANNIE!
    Congratulations to you on reaching the 1-year mark--that's wonderful! It sounds like you are doing great and I hope that continues for you! Stay well!
  • SueRelays
    SueRelays Member Posts: 485
    #3
    Fantastic News! I threw my
    Fantastic News! I threw my self a party to mark that one year! Glad you are celebrating life!!
    I remember those follow up exams....I still clench thinking about it HAHAHA!! Worth it to hear everything is fine though.
    Congrats from someone else who has battled the anal beast!!!
  • cap630
    cap630 Member Posts: 151 Member
    #4
    Yeah!
    Glad to hear everything is going well!
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #5
    mp327 said:

    Hi AZANNIE!
    Congratulations to you on reaching the 1-year mark--that's wonderful! It sounds like you are doing great and I hope that continues for you! Stay well!

    Thanks Martha!
    Yes, I'm doing pretty well. Just getting used to the new "normals"...lol!
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #6
    SueRelays said:

    Fantastic News! I threw my
    Fantastic News! I threw my self a party to mark that one year! Glad you are celebrating life!!
    I remember those follow up exams....I still clench thinking about it HAHAHA!! Worth it to hear everything is fine though.
    Congrats from someone else who has battled the anal beast!!!

    Thanks Sue!
    Actually the train trip was a celebration of getting through treatment! In fact, I was a little teary eyed on the train thinking that I made it through the ordeal!!! Gee, now I know what to expect at 3 month check up. The dr. kept apologizing - lol! Guess I need to learn to relax and the exam doesn't take that long - thank goodness! Anyone know what the anoscope looks like? I saw a tray in the room, but didn't peek under the towel. Maybe I don't want to know...lol!
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #7
    cap630 said:

    Yeah!
    Glad to hear everything is going well!

    cap630
    Thanks!
  • shirlann54
    shirlann54 Member Posts: 162
    #8
    AZANNIE said:

    Thanks Sue!
    Actually the train trip was a celebration of getting through treatment! In fact, I was a little teary eyed on the train thinking that I made it through the ordeal!!! Gee, now I know what to expect at 3 month check up. The dr. kept apologizing - lol! Guess I need to learn to relax and the exam doesn't take that long - thank goodness! Anyone know what the anoscope looks like? I saw a tray in the room, but didn't peek under the towel. Maybe I don't want to know...lol!

    azannie
    So happy for you .I was teary eyed too Afer being out of treatments for a year.A train trip would be a fun way to celebrat.Its hard to relax when your having those Exams there so painful.Shirley
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #9
    AZANNIE said:

    cap630
    Thanks!

    Milestone
    Congrats on your one year! Wishing you many many many more NED anniversaries!
    All the best,
    Liz
  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #10
    Congratulations!!!!!
    Wow - you got smaller than me - I went down to 89 pounds at one time but am now at a healthy 108 (I'm tiny). So much congratulations to you!!! Small but mighty - love it!
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #11
    RoseC said:

    Congratulations!!!!!
    Wow - you got smaller than me - I went down to 89 pounds at one time but am now at a healthy 108 (I'm tiny). So much congratulations to you!!! Small but mighty - love it!

    Thanks Liz and Rose!
    The doctors weren't concerned about my weight loss, because according to them I didn't weigh that much to begin with...geesh! I'm headed for 105 lbs...lol! Well, I think the exam Wednesday must have compacted something in the chute...lol! Have started taking stool softeners. I'm not on pain meds. Hmmm, maybe it's all that chocolate I've been eating??? LOL! Oh, the things we have to get used to, but we're still here!!!
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #12
    shirlann54 said:

    azannie
    So happy for you .I was teary eyed too Afer being out of treatments for a year.A train trip would be a fun way to celebrat.Its hard to relax when your having those Exams there so painful.Shirley

    Shirley
    Thanks! Yes, the exam was painful. Our poor rear ends...lol! The Canyon was beautiful with snow on it.

    Ann
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #13
    AZANNIE said:

    Thanks Liz and Rose!
    The doctors weren't concerned about my weight loss, because according to them I didn't weigh that much to begin with...geesh! I'm headed for 105 lbs...lol! Well, I think the exam Wednesday must have compacted something in the chute...lol! Have started taking stool softeners. I'm not on pain meds. Hmmm, maybe it's all that chocolate I've been eating??? LOL! Oh, the things we have to get used to, but we're still here!!!

    Congratulations
    I am sorry about the discomfort from the exam.

    You are still here and NED! Woooohooooooo!.

    My anniversary date is May 5th. Easy to remember since it is a big day around here and everyone likes to celebrate with Tequila or beer or both:-) cinco de maya, I think it's called.But what the holiday is actually celebrating, I don't know. Probably something to do with fertility:-) Anyway, I can pretend they are celebrating for us who had a curable cancer instead of an incurable one.

    All the best,
    Sandy
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #14
    sandysp said:

    Congratulations
    I am sorry about the discomfort from the exam.

    You are still here and NED! Woooohooooooo!.

    My anniversary date is May 5th. Easy to remember since it is a big day around here and everyone likes to celebrate with Tequila or beer or both:-) cinco de maya, I think it's called.But what the holiday is actually celebrating, I don't know. Probably something to do with fertility:-) Anyway, I can pretend they are celebrating for us who had a curable cancer instead of an incurable one.

    All the best,
    Sandy

    Cinco de Mayo ....
    Is the celebration of mexico's freedom from France...at least I think it was France! Big deal here too.. So glad Y'all are still best friends with NED! Hope to become acquainted with NED in May.
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #15
    sandysp said:

    Congratulations
    I am sorry about the discomfort from the exam.

    You are still here and NED! Woooohooooooo!.

    My anniversary date is May 5th. Easy to remember since it is a big day around here and everyone likes to celebrate with Tequila or beer or both:-) cinco de maya, I think it's called.But what the holiday is actually celebrating, I don't know. Probably something to do with fertility:-) Anyway, I can pretend they are celebrating for us who had a curable cancer instead of an incurable one.

    All the best,
    Sandy

    Thanks Sandy!
    Yes, we can pretend they're celebrating for us...lol! June 1st will be my one year anniversary of completing treatment!!! My, how time flies and we weren't having fun...lol!
    I know the exams are necessary and the dr. sensed my discomfort because he kept apologizing.
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #16
    Lorikat said:

    Cinco de Mayo ....
    Is the celebration of mexico's freedom from France...at least I think it was France! Big deal here too.. So glad Y'all are still best friends with NED! Hope to become acquainted with NED in May.

    Lorikat
    I hope NED friends you in May!!!
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #17
    AZANNIE said:

    Thanks Sandy!
    Yes, we can pretend they're celebrating for us...lol! June 1st will be my one year anniversary of completing treatment!!! My, how time flies and we weren't having fun...lol!
    I know the exams are necessary and the dr. sensed my discomfort because he kept apologizing.

    Cinco de Mayo
    Great holiday. Also my birthday!
    hugs
    Liz

Discussion Boards