early stage anal cancer

I don't know what you do for your work, but you might be able to work part time for part of the treatment, but by the end you might want to arrange for some vacation time.  I had to take off 8 weeks of work because the treatment facility was 2+ hours one way from my home, and so I just stayed at a hotel up in San Francisco except for the first week when I drove back and forth.  And I was exhausted even that first week, and took to pulling over and taking a nap when commuting from San Francisco to my home.  But you will get through it.  It is a difficult treatment at least for me. It is not so bad the first couple of weeks, but by the end, I was pretty fatigued, and had extreme diarrhea.   Don't spend a lot of money ahead of time getting lots of creams etc.  My hospital had their own ideas about what products to use to alievate symptoms and they gave them to me all free of charge.  are you close to where you will be getting treatment?

Do take the anti-nausea medicine as schedule and before you feel really sick.  It does help  a great deal so nausea was not an issue for me.  I was sore towards the end of treatment, but it is not so bad that you can't get through it.  I took pain pills for a little bit, but then was able to get off of them very quickly.  I approached it as if it was a war, and I was going to win.  So the discomfort that I went through, i was willing to sign up for more to beat it. I kept asking for more radiation, but they said no, after their standard treatment protocol. 

But in short, I would try to take some time off if you can.  It would be hard to be productive at work when you don't feel good. (I am an attorney.)

I didn't tell anyone at work exactly what type of cancer I have. (I am a woman and find it embarassing.) The closest that I said, was that I had a colonscopy and was diagnosed with cancer (which was true.) It really is none of their business anyways. 

Hi, let me start off by saying welcome here but include how sorry I am that you have the need. That being said, I hope the support and random tips and advice will not only help you in physical healing but also let you know that you will never be alone in this. There are many members here who though don't post often anymore, myself included, we still remain in the shadows and pop in to help others through. I think the reason is because this may be still today one of the most difficult treatments physically and emotionally in cancer due to the location, yet also one with a very high success rate in treatment so many of us have been treated enough years ago to have been able to move on, albeit some manageable side effects. 

I was initially dx at stage 3b over 8 years ago now and though I have had a couple recurrances (not all that common) they too have been managed and I am living a full active incredibly happy life. In the beginning I knew no one who had ever had this type of cancer so was very guarded on how I discussed any details. I remember just sayingI had lower colon cancer. I have evolved in my thinking that the only way to remove the stigma of the term "anal" is to be upfront yet appropriate for the whatever the situation is. I learned so much during my time of dx and treatment that I was surely not educated enough to discuss much at that time so I'm glad really that I didn't. Do what feels best to you and as stated...in the end, its your personal business anyhow. Please come here to ask ANYTHING or just to vent, because this is a safe place and we've been there too so we DO get it!

It seems the first weeks after hearing of my dx was a blur of scheduling appointments, not sleeping, and being in pain as I was a later stage and had put off going in to the doctor for a long time. Once my treatment actually started I had a renewed sense of optimism and stregth as I was finally taking action to fight this...you will too!

Side effects vary for everyone and some depends on your non-cancer health over all. About half way through most folks do notice a drop in appetite so eat well now to account for that. Its also wise to take anti nausea meds prescribed even if you don't feel sick because staying ahead of the game is so much easier than getting things to settle down once started. There are lots of ointments and creams recommended for burn pain, but see what your doctors are suggesting since things change over time. 

Fortunately I wasn't working at the time of my dx. I think I could have for a few weeks minus the extreme fatigue, but by the end the pain was pretty bad, I won't lie. I was at that time on a regular scheduled daily dose of pain meds that only took the edge off so would have been difficult to do most jobs. (Again, not the same for all and I'll pray you skip the pain part!) Depending on your home life, if you can arrange a little help with shopping, cleaning, even rides to treatment, it would sure make things easier. Some people just don't have that option and seem to forge a way...but please do if you can. This a time to focus on you and make that (if possible) your one and only job.

Please stay in touch here and as questions arise we will try to help out because no doubt someone has had the same concern. Until then, know that I will have you in my thoughts and sending lots of positive virtual healing vibes your way.

katheryn