New here. So scared.

I am sorry that you have been diagnosed with anal cancer, giving you a reason to seek out this site.  However, this is a good place for advice, information and support, so I'm glad you have found it.  We will support you and help you in any way we can.

If you need some encouragement, I will tell you briefly my story.  I was diagnosed in 2008 after experiencing some rectal bleeding.  I had the standard protocol of chemo/radiation for a 2cm. anal canal tumor.  Here it is almost 2017 and I am still here and doing quite well, all things considered.  This treatment has a high rate of success, so you have every reason to be hopeful that it will blast out your tumor.

I hope your CT scan will show that the tumor is localized and there is no spread.  As for the sensation in your rib cage, if anything is there, it will be found on the scan.  Hopefully, it is just a heightened sense of awareness, due to anxiety.  Having gone through what you are experiencing right now, I remember being much more aware of every little ache, pain, etc.  Hopefully, anything sinister will be ruled out and you will have some peace of mind in that regard.

I would suggest that you register on the site for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.  The address is https://www.nccn.org  After a quick registration, you will have access to lots of good information about anal cancer diagnosis, staging, treatment and follow-up.  Print out this information and become familiar with it.  Knowledge is power, so I highly recommend doing this so you can learn as much as possible, allowing you to have very frank discussions with your doctors.

This treatment is relatively short (usually 6 weeks), as compared to treatment for other types of cancer.  While it can be tough going, especially towards the end, you will get through it, just as all the rest of us in this group did.  We are here to help you cross that finish line, so please let us know how we can help you.  Take care and if you can, let us know your scan results and when you will begin treatment.  I wish you all the best--you can do this!

Martha

Here is another good resource:

http://www.analcancerfoundation.org/

I am 4 months post chemo and radiation.  My Tumor was 3 cm. I had surgery to do biopsy/ removal. I thought for years I had a hemorrhoid until it hurt so bad I had to go to the Dr. Turns out anal cancer. After the surgery I did my rounds of chemo and radiation. Just went to the Dr. and had a flex Sig done. He found nothing there. Keep your chin up. Will say a prayer for you.

I am 6 years last month, post treatment & have excellent check ups since. My chemo doctor told me before we started that this cancer is highly CURABLE, unlike other cancers and that soon it would just be blip in my past, never to bother me again. He gave me so much comfort! the NOT KNOWING and the WAITING for everything to happen is tough. and real scary. Once you know whats going to happen & move forward, you get in fighting mode , ready to whip its butt!!! One thing I want to warn you about, that none of my doctors told me about, i found out about reading , is vaginal stenosis. You are a young woman. You need to talk to them about that. I dont remember who on this post, but someone posted a couple years ago that their radiation doctor let them put a dildo or something like that in their vagina while having radiation. Sad that you have to thing about this while scared witless. But it took a full year after treatment before I was able to have intercourse because of the damage of the radiation and its still not normal. It shrinks your vagina. Some on here say they havent been able to have intercourse since. When i asked my doctors about it beforehand, they didnt even want to talk to me about it. Said we would handle it later. Pretty much shut me down. I was 50, so not 36 but still didnt want to go the rest of my life not having that experience with my husband. Its a real side affect, and a very lasting one. Its the most problematic side affect I had.

Here is what to expect. All of it is doable.

Mouth sores from the chemo. Not terribly bad but not fun either. They can give you a potion to use in your mouth to help numb it.

Didnt lose all my hair, but it got thin. I wanted to shave it as it thinned and my husband told me i shouldnt. Glad he said not to because i never even had bald spots. Just thinned out.

Everyone is different but i had no naseau with the treatment at all. I literally didnt miss a day of work until the 8th week, when i was over my chemo & radiation & my cell count was down & i caught a virus at work & it put me in the hosptial in isolation for a week because my immune system was so weak. Your immune system WILL get weak. We didnt let the grands come over during my treament because kids carry germs that adults dont carry as easily. The grands ALWAYS have runny noses. I was going thru treatment in oct & nov so thats cold/flu season. I wore a paper mask in the stores, aroung large groups of people. Wouldnt hug people. Opened doors with paper towels, etc. Protect your immune system!

I never had loose bowels like a lot of people on here have had. but its a possibility. My visiting nurse even came to my work to unhook my chemo bag! I went to my radiation treatments 5 minutes from my work, during my lunch hour every day.

I was scared to death before i started treatment. cautiously scared during my first couple years of follow up ct scans and pokes & prods. Every little lump or bump makes you think its back & I have gotten on this site during those times & gotten advice & strength.

The 5th week of radiation, you feel like pulverized flesh "down there". by the 6th & 7th week, its pretty bad. But they will give you pain pills if needed. I was working so i didnt want to use them. PLUS, they can constipate you and pooping is wayyyyyyyyyyyy painful during this time so you dont want to be constipated! i just gritted my teeth when i used the bathroom , either bm OR urinating because toward the end of the radiation, the urine burns your radiated area.

It was a tough couple months but you, like the others on here, will make it thru, thrive on the other end and be around to raise your 3 kiddos & watch THEIR kiddos grow up too!!!

Its ok to be scared but gain strength from those of us who have been there & lived to tell about it!!!

in addition to: http://www.analcancerfoundation.org/

BlogFor a Cure (blogforacure.org) is very helpful..many a.c survivors (and people in treatment) sharing information and support.  You  can take a look at the site and if you are intersted in participating you will be warmly welcomed, or you can just read people's stories, and information.

Glad the scans are clear.  Best wishes as you start your journey.