Giving Hope

tbuchi
tbuchi Member Posts: 11
in Anal Cancer #1

I haven't posted on here for a year.  Alot has happen.  I start with I am 38 and have 3 sons.  Ayear ago I was diagnosis with stage 3b anal cancer.  3 of my lymph node showed sign of cancer also I had anal occlusion which I had to have a temp cholestomy.  I recieved all this in 1 week.  Which was the hardest thing you will hear if you do not get a cholestomy and treatment you will die.   I have been to all my check up so far I am now in remission.   The reason I am writing is to give people hope that has just found out that they were diagnosis with Stage 3b Anal Cancer.  I had to do all the chemo and radiation.  I have side effects now I am in premenopause which my husband and I were going to try to have child before all this happened.  I will say if this my only reaction than that ok with me.  My legs get cramps occusionally but it ok to.   I just want to tell the new comers their is hope because you may need the cholestomy but it can be removed.  So do not lose faith.  I will say I had my temp cholestomy bag removed and then I had liposuction done a year later.  I do have a scar but for all the stuff I went through my stomach looks great.  Of course I cant wear a bikini no more but maybe my next move will be a tummy tuck and a tattoo over my scar.  I feel great and I am not inscure about anything.  And for the people who have to have a permenant cholestomy it ok to.   I went swimming and hide it very well.   You could not see it at all.  So for the most part is your alive and have faith in GOD and you will get through it.  This board has help me through the beginning stages because people can not relate unless been there and people on here do know what your going through.  HANG IN THERE AND KEEP FAITH YOUR NOT ALONE YOU GOT GOD WITH YOU.

Comments

  • pem
    pem Member Posts: 81 Member
    #2
    Tbuchi

    It's great to hear from fellow 3b stagers But sad why your here !  I too was stage 3b and had one lymth node light up.  I had surgery to remove tumor on anal area as well as lymth node removed.  I was 44 when diagnosed and turned 45 when treatment started after surgeries healed. That was now 2 years 4 months ago and still doing well !:). I had a few scares with things showing up in lung area but that all cleared up in my last scan about 6 months ago. Like you I get the cramps but do light stretching daily and that does help. If I go for long walks it seems to flare up though. I also was thrown into full blown menapause which I was ok with cause I didn't plan on having more children anyways. Other then the stenosis in both areas i feel great !  Thanks again for the positive entry that their are more stage 3 survivors still doing well !  God bless you!   Pem

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #3
    tbuchi.....

    Hi, and thanks for the encouraging post. I was dx at Stage3b 4 1/2 years ago. (I do have a permanent colostomy, but have adjusted with no problems). While I have had some challenges with a second cancer as well as a recurrance of the anal cancer in my lung, I consider myself to be doing just great as of today. A while ago I went back to college, and although I had to put some classes on hold I am taking a couple summer courses to catch up now and planning a full schedule in the fall. My faith is strong and has not let me down yet!

    Glad to hear you are moving forward and doing well yourself!

    katheryn

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