Treatment Is Scheduled

pamela_preib
pamela_preib Member Posts: 55
in Anal Cancer #1
It's been a week since I've written on this board. I met both my chemo and radiation oncologist this week, plus had a final MRI to rule out a spot on my liver and got my tatoos. I have had a total of 4 scans plus an hour and a half in the MRI tube since this all started. What a feeling it has been to sit there in those scans and then wait for the results. I am blessed and reassured that my final MRI yesterday measured my tumor at 1.4 centimeters, which cleared me for treatment for stage one and not stage 2 which the doctor explained is the difference between lying on my stomach or lying on my back frog style and would increase the treatment area.

My chemo and radiation are set to start on the 20th with a dry radiation run on the 19th. I feel like I have a pretty fair arsenol of knowledge thanks to this site. I will have a fanny pack for part of the chemo and the will send a home nurse to me to take it off since the removal date will fall on Christmas Eve. The radiation nurse couldn't really tell me anything that I hadn't already heard here. I'm sure I'll have questions along the way. I guess we are all in this together. The nurse tried to talk to me about the awkwardness of this disease but thanks to you all, I'm over it. I just want to get started and get thru it. Talk to you soon.

Comments

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #2
    pamela
    I am glad you are ready now and all the stage questions have been answered, for me the waiting was the hardest part. I was a stage II so therefore on my back with my frog legs. I never heard of lying on your stomach, but now I have. I hope your tx will zoom by and its great they will disconnect you Christmas Eve. I completed tx on 6-30-09 and so far so good. Lori
  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 496 Member
    #3
    So Glad
    Glad you are comfortable going into this. I did not know about this site in 2008/2009 when I had my treatments. I feel it would have taken much of the emotional anxiety away had I known about the great folks here.
    Mike
  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #4
    Pamela
    I am glad you are ready to start. I was disconnected from my first chemo on Christmas Eve 2 years ago! It was a bitter sweet snowy night with my daughter and sister with me in the hospital. I will never forget the kindness that everyone showed me that night. Clearly, my most meaningful Christmas. I hope that all goes well for you so you can enjoy Christmas at home with your family. God Bless you!

    Soon, this cancer will be in your past! Stay strong! You can do this.

    Sending you a big hug!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #5
    Hi Pamela--
    I'm glad you are all set for your treatments to begin. I found that once I started, I felt like I was actually FINALLY doing something to go after this beast. That's great news that you are a stage 1. I was on the fence between a 1 and a 2, so I had to pose like Kermit on the machine. lol! It will be a great Christmas present to get unhooked from the pump on Christmas Eve and I hope you tolerate the chemo well so you can enjoy your holiday with your family. We are here for you for those questions that will come as you proceed, so don't be afraid to ask! I wish you all the best and I know you'll do just fine.

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