It's Been Awhile

Chris Ptown
Chris Ptown Member Posts: 116
in Anal Cancer #1

Hello everyone.  It's been awhile since I have been on this board.  I am one of the people who was so grateful for all the support given to me by the wonderful people that come here but also didn't want to come back.  I really hope everyone is doing well.  My 5 year anniversary is supposed to be December 21st but I am a bit confused by some test results.  I went for a physical with my doctor in Provincetown and he did all kinds of STD tests as well as others.  He sent me an email saying "Your pap was low grade.  You will need a close up look at your anal cananl with your colon and rectal surgeon who you have check ups with.  That was it.  He won't explain what that means?  Low grade pap?  Does that mean my cancer is back?  My colon and rectal surgeon told me that if anal cancer doesn't come back within 2-3 years than it usually doesn't.  It will be 5 years for me in a few months so I don't know what is happening.  Has anyone else had a pap that came back low grade?  I didn't even know guys got paps.  Thanks to anyone that might know something and I realize none of us are doctors.  Again, hope you are all well.

Cheers

Chris

 

 

Comments

  • Tallie
    Tallie Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2016 #2
    Would you mind going into the

    Would you mind going into the chat room?  My first time on here and would like to find out more about this site

     

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    edited September 2016 #3
    Hi Chris!

    I was so glad to see your post--it's been awhile!  It sounds like you have been doing well, but your question about the pap results is a good one.  I have never had an anal pap--my CR doctor doesn't do them.  However, as a female, I have had numerous vaginal paps over the years.  This sounds to me like it could be dysplasia, which means there are cells present that have changed from normal, are not cancerous, but could be pre-cancerous.  They can turn to cancer in some people.  Check out the website below for a better explanation than mine.  I'm glad your doctor does anal paps--I wish mine did.

    http://www.hiv.va.gov/provider/manual-primary-care/anal-dysplasia.asp

    Here is another good website for the UCSF Dysplasia Clinic--http://analcancerinfo.ucsf.edu/

    I hope you'll find those websites helpful.

    I have had a couple of vaginal paps come back showing dysplasia, at which time my doctor repeated the pap in a few months.  Luckily for me, the repeat paps always came back negative, apparently indicating that the dysplasia cleared.  That said, I do not know enough about anal paps to say what the procedure is for follow-up when they come back showing low grade, such as yours did, and if a repeat anal pap in a few months can give the same results--all clear.

    I do hope that you will follow-up with your CR doctor and that this turns out to be something that will clear on its own.  However, I think your doctor is doing the right thing by referring you for further exam.  I do wish you get all good news from the CR doctor that will put your mind at ease so that when December 21st. rolls around, you will be celebrating big!  Please keep us posted, my friend.  Hugs!

    Martha 

     

     

  • Chris Ptown
    Chris Ptown Member Posts: 116
    edited September 2016 #4
    mp327 said:

    Hi Chris!

    I was so glad to see your post--it's been awhile!  It sounds like you have been doing well, but your question about the pap results is a good one.  I have never had an anal pap--my CR doctor doesn't do them.  However, as a female, I have had numerous vaginal paps over the years.  This sounds to me like it could be dysplasia, which means there are cells present that have changed from normal, are not cancerous, but could be pre-cancerous.  They can turn to cancer in some people.  Check out the website below for a better explanation than mine.  I'm glad your doctor does anal paps--I wish mine did.

    http://www.hiv.va.gov/provider/manual-primary-care/anal-dysplasia.asp

    Here is another good website for the UCSF Dysplasia Clinic--http://analcancerinfo.ucsf.edu/

    I hope you'll find those websites helpful.

    I have had a couple of vaginal paps come back showing dysplasia, at which time my doctor repeated the pap in a few months.  Luckily for me, the repeat paps always came back negative, apparently indicating that the dysplasia cleared.  That said, I do not know enough about anal paps to say what the procedure is for follow-up when they come back showing low grade, such as yours did, and if a repeat anal pap in a few months can give the same results--all clear.

    I do hope that you will follow-up with your CR doctor and that this turns out to be something that will clear on its own.  However, I think your doctor is doing the right thing by referring you for further exam.  I do wish you get all good news from the CR doctor that will put your mind at ease so that when December 21st. rolls around, you will be celebrating big!  Please keep us posted, my friend.  Hugs!

    Martha 

     

     

    Martha the Angel

    Martha from day 1 over 5 years ago you, and a few others, were so kind to me when I was so scared.  I apologize for not "hanging around" but I have had a lot of sadness in my family since my mum died in 2012.  My oldest sister died of alcoholism a year ago and my dad is in assisted living.  Everything just crumbled down in my family after my mum died.  The worst part about her being diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer was a month later i was diagnosed with stage 2 anal cancer.  I couldn't visit her as much or help her because i was going to my own treatments in Massachusetts while she was going in Maine.  My sister Debbie took care of both of us and she was amazing.  Anyway we all have our problems but my family of 5 is now just 3 in less than 4 years and it's still hard to grasp.  So, thank you for all this information.  You really are an angel.  I hope everything you said is what it is and I will definitely come back and let you know, good or bad.  Thank you again Martha.  Hugs!

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #5
    Chris

    I know the loss of your dear Mom hit you hard.  I am sorry to hear about all of the other sad events that have happened in your life.  Please accept my condolences for the loss of your sister.  I can relate to having a parent in assisted living too.  I moved my mom to a facility near me in May, so now she is 10 minutes away from me instead of 10 hours away.  It has been a positive move for both of us, but sometimes I am exhausted trying to get everything done in the mornings so I can spend time with her every afternoon.  It's all worth it though. 

    I do hope you will learn from your doctors that the pap results just mean a little extra observance for awhile and nothing more.  I will appreciate any updates.  In the meantime, I will keep thinking all positive thoughts for you.  Thank you for your kindness and friendship.  Take care, Chris.

    Martha

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    edited September 2016 #6
    Chris......

    Hello,

    It is always good to hear from people from past years and no need to apologize for not being a "regular" poster. It seems natural over time to just occasionally check in and let life take the lead. I myself have gotten busy in other areas and while I often read through some current posts, I do not always respond.....I am trying to make a little more time for that though as I think people who have come through this treatment with time on their side, have so much encouragement to offer others newly diagnosed.

    I am sorry for the loss of your sister and the challenges that surround her disease as well. My mother died 11 years ago and I still deeply miss her support in my life, so I'm sure you felt the same in missing her throughout all this. I am sorry. My dad too is in an assisted living facility, and while some aspects are difficult, it is reassuring to know that he is not alone and if we (myself, sister, brother) can not get there to see him he will be cared for. (We did however have to move him last year from one facility to another as the care was not what we anticipated at the initial facility and that was stressful)

    I think Martha is right in explanation of dysplasia. It also seems that just as awareness for anal cancer and HPV in general increases the recommendation for some to have an anal pap is also more likely. Look at this as reassurance that you have quality care in your follow-up. I wish you only good things as you move forward and while your family there may have decreased in the recent years, know that you have family here as well to lean on.

    Please keep us updated as you can.

    Be well...........

    katheryn

  • Chris Ptown
    Chris Ptown Member Posts: 116
    #7
    eihtak said:

    Chris......

    Hello,

    It is always good to hear from people from past years and no need to apologize for not being a "regular" poster. It seems natural over time to just occasionally check in and let life take the lead. I myself have gotten busy in other areas and while I often read through some current posts, I do not always respond.....I am trying to make a little more time for that though as I think people who have come through this treatment with time on their side, have so much encouragement to offer others newly diagnosed.

    I am sorry for the loss of your sister and the challenges that surround her disease as well. My mother died 11 years ago and I still deeply miss her support in my life, so I'm sure you felt the same in missing her throughout all this. I am sorry. My dad too is in an assisted living facility, and while some aspects are difficult, it is reassuring to know that he is not alone and if we (myself, sister, brother) can not get there to see him he will be cared for. (We did however have to move him last year from one facility to another as the care was not what we anticipated at the initial facility and that was stressful)

    I think Martha is right in explanation of dysplasia. It also seems that just as awareness for anal cancer and HPV in general increases the recommendation for some to have an anal pap is also more likely. Look at this as reassurance that you have quality care in your follow-up. I wish you only good things as you move forward and while your family there may have decreased in the recent years, know that you have family here as well to lean on.

    Please keep us updated as you can.

    Be well...........

    katheryn

    Katheryn

    Katheryn thank you so much for your kind words.  It really is nice to talk to the nice folks who I used to chat with on this forum.  I am sorry your dad is in assisted living but glad you have loving siblings to help.  Also sorry about the first place being bad.  I looked at four different places before deciding on the one he's in now.  Some of them are awful.  I am glad you and Martha, and hopefully everyone else, are doing well.  You all helped me so much when I was first diagnosed because it was so scary as you know.  Hugs!

  • Chris Ptown
    Chris Ptown Member Posts: 116
    #8
    mp327 said:

    Chris

    I know the loss of your dear Mom hit you hard.  I am sorry to hear about all of the other sad events that have happened in your life.  Please accept my condolences for the loss of your sister.  I can relate to having a parent in assisted living too.  I moved my mom to a facility near me in May, so now she is 10 minutes away from me instead of 10 hours away.  It has been a positive move for both of us, but sometimes I am exhausted trying to get everything done in the mornings so I can spend time with her every afternoon.  It's all worth it though. 

    I do hope you will learn from your doctors that the pap results just mean a little extra observance for awhile and nothing more.  I will appreciate any updates.  In the meantime, I will keep thinking all positive thoughts for you.  Thank you for your kindness and friendship.  Take care, Chris.

    Martha

    Martha

    Martha I am glad you are close to your mom and can see her frequently.  I would give anything in the world to still have my mum with me but that's life.  Thanks for your support.  You were the very first person to talk to me in 2011 when I came into the forum.  You are a wonderful person, Martha.  Thank you so much.

    Hugs

    Chris

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #9
    Chris Ptown said:

    Martha

    Martha I am glad you are close to your mom and can see her frequently.  I would give anything in the world to still have my mum with me but that's life.  Thanks for your support.  You were the very first person to talk to me in 2011 when I came into the forum.  You are a wonderful person, Martha.  Thank you so much.

    Hugs

    Chris

    Chris

    I am very humbled by your compliments, Chris.  Thank you.  However, I think everyone who contributes to this site and supports others is wonderful too--and that includes you!  I do feel quite fortunate to have my Mom nearby now.  We are making up for all the years when several hundred miles separated us and we only saw each other a few times a year.  I am sorry you are missing your Mom so much, but that tells me that she was a great Mom and that she raised a great son.  Take care, dear friend, and thanks again.

    Martha

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #10
    Chris Ptown said:

    Katheryn

    Katheryn thank you so much for your kind words.  It really is nice to talk to the nice folks who I used to chat with on this forum.  I am sorry your dad is in assisted living but glad you have loving siblings to help.  Also sorry about the first place being bad.  I looked at four different places before deciding on the one he's in now.  Some of them are awful.  I am glad you and Martha, and hopefully everyone else, are doing well.  You all helped me so much when I was first diagnosed because it was so scary as you know.  Hugs!

    Chris......

    The unknown is a scary thing.....thats why this forum is so very helpful in its ability to connect with others who have been in the same shoes. I like to think I'm doing well, thanks, but it has been a road of ups and downs for me as well, with a recurrance (mets) of anal cancer in my lung in 2015. A thoracotomy followed by aggressive chemo has put me in a good place today..... so yes, doing well with fingers crossed.

    We too toured many assisted living facilities before helping my dad make a decision. The first place while very nice, seemed routinely understaffed and unable to offer the level of help he came to need. He originally was fairly self-sufficient but appreciated the meals and knowing that he was not alone. He did well there for a while until he tripped and fell and broke his arm. That can be a major concern as one ages. After some time in rehab we did not feel comfortable with him going back to where he was and figured it was a good time to make a change. Again, we toured several more places and finally decided on where he is now. While no place will ever be perfect I'm afraid, this one is close and he is very happy (as are we).

    Unfortunately, like everything else, these places while having truely good intentions, are also businesses, and the director or whoever gives the tour (or maybe sales pitch) is sometimes not completely aware of details regarding care. We did learn to do our research as well as to talk to family members of other residents for the best advice. I do hope you have found a place that is a good fit for your dad and gives you some peace of mind in knowing he is cared for.

    Again, wishing you well, and thanks for checking in.

    katheryn

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