scan results

Congratulations!!! Fantastic news!

I am now 20+ months post treatment,  but remember the fatigue well. It's far beyond feeling tired, & difficult to describe, but sometimes I would be too tired to engage in conversation & was sent home from work in the early days after my return to work. I could barely stay awake ( & that was 8 months after treatment). 

It does get better, but is helped if you can pace yourself. Do what you have to, & in time you will gather strength. Fatigue was my main symptom prior to diagnosis. I am not where I was before this journey began, but as I look back I can see I am still improving.  

Liz

Such great news about your scans!  Congratulations!  I am glad your anoscope got rescheduled.  There's absolutely no sense in irritating that area and causing a setback in your recovery.  I hope things will be greatly improved for you when the time comes for that exam.  The fatigue is normal.  I'm glad you'll have a day in the middle of the week to rest and recoup.  It sounds like you are doing great--may that continue for you!

Martha

judyv3 said:

Yay!

So glad to hear that your first scans were clear!  Such a relief.  And I'm glad that you are able to take time that you NEED to heal.  I think that we all have a tendency to do too much whether we are sick or healthy.  Enjoy your Wednesdays.  

I am having a CT scan on Friday (I am one year post diagnosis).  I cannot wait for it to be over.  Waiting is stressful.  But I have faith that all will be well.

Happy for you!

Judy

I want to wish you all the very best with your scan tomorrow.  I hope you don't have to wait long for the results and that it's all good news!

Martha

mp327 said:

Judy

I want to wish you all the very best with your scan tomorrow.  I hope you don't have to wait long for the results and that it's all good news!

Martha

I was going to put a post out for positive thoughts and vibes and here they are without asking!  I don't know where I'd be without my forum friends.

In the past I have had results very quickly, but things are changing (radiation oncologist may be leaving the hospital, which he mentioned when we sheduled this).  I'm not attached to him, truthfully I don't think he was attentive enough (no weekly skin checks).  I felt like I was by myself.  Anyway, that's in the past.  Of course, they changed the way they do CT scans.  I used to drink the contrast at home and partially in the office.  Now I have to show up hours before the scan and drink the solution there.  I don't know what is standard in this situation.  They also changed the location that I was scheduled at and a few phone calls that were frustrating but I'm up and ready to get this done!

Scan is at 11:15.  

Thanks for the positive energy!

qv62 said:

Liz, Judy & Martha

Thank you all for the congrats, I feel mentally better now that the scan came back clear, just want the scope behind me as well but yes it's true, no sense in tearing into already torn tissue, so I will wait. Good luck to you on Friday Judy ! Sending positive energy your way ! May we all continue to have good news

Great news both your scans are clear and that you can take a mid week break. I really grew to appreciate the value of rest through this experience. I hope you still will continue ask for what you need in this regard. I am also glad to hear you get some more time to heal before the scope. I truly believe it is going to be fine and you need this extra recovery time.

Thanks for posting. 

All the best,

Sandy

qv62 said:

yesterdays visit

Yesterday I had another post treatment visit with my radiation oncologist, I might have mentioned to some of you I was quite dissapointed to find out on my last visit that she is moving to a new facility, right now she is about a 15 minute ride, the travel to the new facility will be about an hour and a half or more depending on traffic however she doesn't want to see me again till March so instead of being turned over to her replacement I made the appointment with her and will take the trip. Looking for some reinforcement since I've become so close to her (she was seeing me on a regular basis at least a year prior to treatment) and my friends here think I'm crazy when I could stay right here with a new doc.

I don't think you're crazy at all.  I would go the distance to keep seeing the doctors who have been on my case from the beginning, the ones who know me inside and out, literally!  I really hit the jackpot with my rad onc, as he is usually at a facility down in the city of Atlanta, which is quite a drive for me.  However, at the time of my diagnosis, he had been sent up to work at their facility in my town, due to the resignation of the previous doctor.  It was pure luck, as far as I am concerned, that the timing of my diagnosis and the timing of his duty up here conincided.  He is an awesome doctor! 

I think one thing your friends may not understand is that having had anal cancer means exams that are uncomfortable and somewhat embarrassing.  I would hate to think about starting over with all of that with a new doctor.  Go with your gut--obviously it says to stay the course!  I hope you are doing well in your recovery.

Martha

qv62 said:

yesterdays visit

Yesterday I had another post treatment visit with my radiation oncologist, I might have mentioned to some of you I was quite dissapointed to find out on my last visit that she is moving to a new facility, right now she is about a 15 minute ride, the travel to the new facility will be about an hour and a half or more depending on traffic however she doesn't want to see me again till March so instead of being turned over to her replacement I made the appointment with her and will take the trip. Looking for some reinforcement since I've become so close to her (she was seeing me on a regular basis at least a year prior to treatment) and my friends here think I'm crazy when I could stay right here with a new doc.

2nd - I would stick with the doctors you really like.  I was advised to stick with the surgeon I did not like because he knew my case from the beginning and all involved felt it was best to keep the same doctors if possible.  Plus going to a different doctor may mean more tests.

So glad you're doing well!