Reaching out to this site again

I'm glad you came back here to update us on your situation.  I'm sorry to hear that the cancer was in your lymph nodes.  Hopefully, since the tumor along with several nodes was removed, your prognosis is excellent.  It is a little concerning that your cancer seems to be present in several locations, but your rad onc sounds on top of things and will come up with a radiation plan that will include everything.  I know how you are feeling regarding the start of treatment--both dread and relief.  I felt much better when I finally got started, as I felt like I was finally fighting back against the disease.  I wish you all the best and hope that you will come here often to tell us how things are going.  You will get through this, both the good days and the bad.  Stay positive and know that you have all of us cheering for you.

Clovergirl:  While I didn't have lymph node involvement, my 4 cm tumor was like a lower case b in that the "stem" was growing upwards behind the anal canal.  This was not found on the CT, but subsequently on the PET.  I know they targeted that stem with rad and then the big guns, as Martha says, on the tumor itself.  I actually think that the rad onc. is probably most important.  I know I didn't want my med onc. to do a DRE on me (big man with big hands/fingers) which he ended up doing once, but fortunately my colorectal dr. and rad onc. are both small men with small fingers.   I wanted my rad onc. to spend as much time there as necessary because I wanted him to get a real good fix on where it was so he could direct the rays the best.  It was 6 weeks between my initial dr visit and start of my treatment, so I too know what you mean about the let's get it going/dread conflicting emotions.  Hopefully you've read a lot of the posts and have a good idea of what to expect and possible side effects and tips on how to deal with them.  Do ask you dr. if you should have a full bladder going into rad tx and also if you should be using a dialator while receiving tx.  I think that is recommended at MD Anderson now, but I'll let some of the ones that go there chime in on that.  Good luck as you start tx and you should be on the mend once spring arrives.  Come back as often as needed to this site; you know there are no subjects surrounding this cancer that are off limits.

Clovergirl said:

Dog Girl
My RAD ONC did mention the dialator today but I forgot to ask him when he wants me to start using it. Will ask him next week. I see the med onc Monday. Hopefully he won't do a rectal exam. I've had so many but I agree with you I'm all for the rad onc getting the best picture he can. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow. If he says he's doing a rectal exam I'm leaving! LOL

Watch out for those dentists!

Hope everything turns out ok.

torrance said:

Yeah!

I too, understand the relief or starting treatment and yet the dread of it as well.  I think it is so important that you have a knowledgeable rad onc that you like.  Sounds like you are in good hands to address this monster.  Please keep us posted and let us know how we can support you in your fight.

 

Joanne

Clovergirl,  Funny you should mention the dentist.  Since the tx for anal ca is relatively short, my diagnoses and tx fell between my twice/yr dental cleanings.  Well I've never had my BP checked at the dentist office, etc.. (although one dentist did look under tongues for signs of problems), but they usually ask if there have been any medical issues in the ensuing time.  My dentist was a jokester, so I told him I had been treated for anal cancer and that he was lucky; usually when I saw someone walk into an exam room with a white coat on I dropped my drawers.  He laughed and said "That's the wrong end for me!".