New Member

Hi,
I read your story. I am very sorry to hear about your radiation problems. I was not diagnosed with anal cancer, I am a leukemia survivor. However, I did go through a long time of high dose radiation. The dr's measure it in some manner that I am not too sure of, only that they told me that it was very high dose "for good measure". I guess that is akin to killing a fly with a .357 magnum!! Anyway, I too had a lot of burning. I started using a very good quality Aloe lotion. NOt one with a small percent of aloe, but an almost pure and natural aloe lotion. It really helped a lot. I also know that putting it on before treatment also helps to. Well, I really hope you don't give up. Life is worth fighting for. Take care, and God speed.

Hi Candy I was 36 when I had anal cancer and also had a terrible time with the burns I had 3rd degree burns up inbetween my legs and instead of taking a break the radioligist increased my radiation I was not a happy camper but when my oncoligist seen me she call the radioligist and gave him heck for not giving me anything for them I was in tears in pain well she gave me some Silverdime (SP) cream that they use on burn victims and that helped. Please make sure that they are not over radianting you I am going through so many medical problems now 8 years later because of it. IF you have any questions just email me at daltonco98@yahoo.com my name is Cory. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

unknown said:

I've just gotten diagnosed and am waiting for the MRI results to see what stage it's at. Have you finished treatment and is the burned area still bothering you? I hope not! It sounds like you were pretty miserable. Have you had a colostomy? I'm hoping to avoid that, but if the radiation leaves me incontinent it might be better. Is there anyone out there who went with the radiation/chem without the colostomy and wishes they hadn't?

Hi. I'm 47 and finished my treatment in April. I was able to contol the diahrrea with lomotol, diet and a schedule. I got to the point to where if I took the meds every 6 hours, I had a BM at 6 am and again at 6pm. I was pretty much able to get back to a "normal" life. I haven't eaten a real vegetable since March. I lived on yougert, applesauce, white rice and bananas for about 2 wks until I got things figured out. Add a food, see what happens. Add another. In my view avoiding a colostmy is why we went through this hell in the first place. Yes I still have pain, my skin has grown back, my hips and groin muscles are very tight and sore, but I don't have a colostomy.

djean said:

I am a new member to this site and am recovering from radiation and chemo for anal cancer. My last treatment was May 9, 2003. I still have problems with my lower back and feet hurting. The burns have healed thanks to vitamin E cream. The first chemo gave me a heart attack but I then got it weekly for 6 weeks. I do not have diareha (spellng?) because I take psyillium every night without fail. I have a lot of good things to tell anyone who wants the info on how I made it back. It was a long and hard recovery but I did do it. Thanks for the forum to speak out.
Jean

I forgot to say in my message that I am 55 years old. I very much did not want to fight back but you must find the strength to do it.

Candymo - Hope you are doing well. At 43, I'm a little older than you, but I'm also female and newly diagnosed with anal cancer. Found out about the cancer several weeks ago, and learned today that the petscan showed it has spread to my liver. Not good... Oh well, I've always been a survivor and I assume I'll survive this as well. Too much to live for and too young to think any other way. I'll likely be starting treatment right after thanksgiving -- can't be soon enough. I'm anxious to get started.

Has anyone else out there had the cancer spread to liver and groin lymph nodes and, if so, what's the prognosis and how are you feeling? I'm feeling 100 percent physically and haven't been sick for as long as I can remember, so I'm assuming that's good news. (Of course, I know treatment will change that!)

The hardest part is really dealing with the embarassement...I guess we never get over the playground embarrasement of using the "A" word! Am I alone feeling weird telling people the kind of cancer it is, or are others feeling the same way? How do you cope?

Thanks for letting me vent. And best to you Candymo. I'm sure all will be well for you. 35 is a great age, and things get better every year, so I hope you hung in there with those last 12 treatments. Let me know how you are doing.

Getting in contact one year later... I am a 37 year old female. I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago and am 3 weeks into radiaition treatment. Yep, the burns, it's just started getting really painful, instead of just the itch. If you are still around, I would like to talk about this, or anyone else who wants to discuss it.