looking for a success story someone who's recovering or recovered from anal cancer and colostomy
Comments
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HI Kezaus
I know of a couple of people who were treated for anal cancer and ended up with permanent colostomies. One of them is a member on this board, but inactive right now. I know from communicating with these two individuals that there are challenges in living with a colostomy, but for the most part a normal life resumes. I'm sorry that your mom has had to have this surgery, but I hope that she has a good recovery and can easily adapt to her new normal. I hope that the remainder of any cancer cells can be effectively eradicated and I hope you'll let us know what the next step in her treatment is. I wish her all the best.0 -
thank you so much formp327 said:HI Kezaus
I know of a couple of people who were treated for anal cancer and ended up with permanent colostomies. One of them is a member on this board, but inactive right now. I know from communicating with these two individuals that there are challenges in living with a colostomy, but for the most part a normal life resumes. I'm sorry that your mom has had to have this surgery, but I hope that she has a good recovery and can easily adapt to her new normal. I hope that the remainder of any cancer cells can be effectively eradicated and I hope you'll let us know what the next step in her treatment is. I wish her all the best.
thank you so much for replying it's hard to find people to talk to who are going through the samething as my mom it also helps so much to be able to read everyone eles story i will keep in touch as of the next step thank you0 -
Kezaus,
You responded to one of my earlier posts and I am appreciative of the information you've put on the discussion board.
My husband has also had his cancer recur. It showed up on a recent PET scan that he had last week. Originally the person who worked in his office made it sound like there wasn't a problem. But, long story short, there is. He will have a colonoscopy with biopsy tomorrow and we'll learn then how they want to proceed. Everything I've read makes it sound like he'll have to have a colostomy.
One good bit of news I can pass on to you is this. My husband works with a man who had Stage IV colon cancer and has a colostomy. That was 11 years ago, so this gives me hope. He lives a very normal life. I don't know if I'm comparing apples to apples with the two different types of cancer, but at least it's something, right?
Anyway, I will keep you posted on anything I learn that might be of help to you.
Barbara
p.s. Don't feel bad about thinking you were naive - anal cancer is rare and I don't think they know a lot about it compared to other cancers..................0 -
Sorry to hear this, BarbaraBWK said:Kezaus,
You responded to one of my earlier posts and I am appreciative of the information you've put on the discussion board.
My husband has also had his cancer recur. It showed up on a recent PET scan that he had last week. Originally the person who worked in his office made it sound like there wasn't a problem. But, long story short, there is. He will have a colonoscopy with biopsy tomorrow and we'll learn then how they want to proceed. Everything I've read makes it sound like he'll have to have a colostomy.
One good bit of news I can pass on to you is this. My husband works with a man who had Stage IV colon cancer and has a colostomy. That was 11 years ago, so this gives me hope. He lives a very normal life. I don't know if I'm comparing apples to apples with the two different types of cancer, but at least it's something, right?
Anyway, I will keep you posted on anything I learn that might be of help to you.
Barbara
p.s. Don't feel bad about thinking you were naive - anal cancer is rare and I don't think they know a lot about it compared to other cancers..................
I was so hopeful that your husband's PET scan was clean, but now it sounds like it wasn't--am I interpreting this correctly? I want to wish him the very best with the scope and biopsy tomorrow and I'll keep hoping and praying that instead of tumor recurrence, whatever showed up on the PET scan is simply radiation damage. Please let us know.0 -
barbramp327 said:Sorry to hear this, Barbara
I was so hopeful that your husband's PET scan was clean, but now it sounds like it wasn't--am I interpreting this correctly? I want to wish him the very best with the scope and biopsy tomorrow and I'll keep hoping and praying that instead of tumor recurrence, whatever showed up on the PET scan is simply radiation damage. Please let us know.
Hi Barbara,
On my 1 year follow up pet-ct, I showed anal activity. The suv uptake was 4.3, my oncologist said that because I had a biopsy 1 month prior that it was inflammation. I pray that your husbands pet scan is just showing scar tissue and inflammation. Lori0 -
Barbara, Lori's post remindsz said:barbra
Hi Barbara,
On my 1 year follow up pet-ct, I showed anal activity. The suv uptake was 4.3, my oncologist said that because I had a biopsy 1 month prior that it was inflammation. I pray that your husbands pet scan is just showing scar tissue and inflammation. Lori
Barbara, Lori's post reminds me of my own recent situation. I had a PET scan back in May that showed no activity in my anal area. However, I had an SUV of over 7 in my upper vagina, which is higher than what my anal tumor showed on my staging scan before treatment 2 years ago. Of course, I was very concerned about this, but my doctors felt it was inflammation. My med onc ordered another PET scan for me for two months later, which I just had last week, and the activity previously seen in the vaginal area was completely gone. My conclusion in all this is that PET scans are so sensitive that they can pick up inflammation, which may be hard to distinguish from cancer. Inflammation can happen so easily in the anal canal, when you think about all that takes place there. Radiated skin does not heal well, plus the blood vessels in that area are much closer to the surface now and can easily get irritated and bleed. This inflammation can show up on a PET scan. My hope is that Richard's biopsy will show no cancer cells, only irritation/inflammation.0 -
Will Keep You Postedmp327 said:Sorry to hear this, Barbara
I was so hopeful that your husband's PET scan was clean, but now it sounds like it wasn't--am I interpreting this correctly? I want to wish him the very best with the scope and biopsy tomorrow and I'll keep hoping and praying that instead of tumor recurrence, whatever showed up on the PET scan is simply radiation damage. Please let us know.
Martha,
Thanks for checking in. We are gravely disappointed as you can imagine. I'll let you know the biopsy results.
Barbara0 -
Inflammation versus Recurrencez said:barbra
Hi Barbara,
On my 1 year follow up pet-ct, I showed anal activity. The suv uptake was 4.3, my oncologist said that because I had a biopsy 1 month prior that it was inflammation. I pray that your husbands pet scan is just showing scar tissue and inflammation. Lori
Lori,
Thanks for this info! I will definitely post the results when we find out.
Barbara0 -
Richard's PET Scanmp327 said:Sorry to hear this, Barbara
I was so hopeful that your husband's PET scan was clean, but now it sounds like it wasn't--am I interpreting this correctly? I want to wish him the very best with the scope and biopsy tomorrow and I'll keep hoping and praying that instead of tumor recurrence, whatever showed up on the PET scan is simply radiation damage. Please let us know.
Martha,
Yes, it's a long story about how the girl at the doctor's office told him about his results. I called and got the report faxed to me, and Richard then called the doctor. He actually told him it had recurred (the doctor didn't make it sound like it could be anything but). Let's hope he's wrong. I will post the results as soon as I know. Thanks for keeping up with us!
Barbara0 -
My thoughts and prayers willBWK said:Richard's PET Scan
Martha,
Yes, it's a long story about how the girl at the doctor's office told him about his results. I called and got the report faxed to me, and Richard then called the doctor. He actually told him it had recurred (the doctor didn't make it sound like it could be anything but). Let's hope he's wrong. I will post the results as soon as I know. Thanks for keeping up with us!
Barbara
My thoughts and prayers will be with Richard and you.0 -
anal cancerBWK said:Kezaus,
You responded to one of my earlier posts and I am appreciative of the information you've put on the discussion board.
My husband has also had his cancer recur. It showed up on a recent PET scan that he had last week. Originally the person who worked in his office made it sound like there wasn't a problem. But, long story short, there is. He will have a colonoscopy with biopsy tomorrow and we'll learn then how they want to proceed. Everything I've read makes it sound like he'll have to have a colostomy.
One good bit of news I can pass on to you is this. My husband works with a man who had Stage IV colon cancer and has a colostomy. That was 11 years ago, so this gives me hope. He lives a very normal life. I don't know if I'm comparing apples to apples with the two different types of cancer, but at least it's something, right?
Anyway, I will keep you posted on anything I learn that might be of help to you.
Barbara
p.s. Don't feel bad about thinking you were naive - anal cancer is rare and I don't think they know a lot about it compared to other cancers..................
i'am so sorry to hear about your husband's reacurrence i hope that it just inflammation and thicking of the skin that is showing and it drives you crazy the waiting 7-10 days for biopsy results just think positive sometimes it's the only way to get through it is your husband suffering from alot of pain from the radio damage?yeah i have heard some people that have colostomy's and are still ok over 10yrs later but i'm not sure exactly what cancer they have had.thanks for keeping me updated on your husband and i will keep you informed of my mom's progress maybe we can help each other out by sharing the knowledge of this horrible cancer i hope all goes well for him and there is no cancer back but just radio damage thanks0 -
i forgot to say what iBWK said:Kezaus,
You responded to one of my earlier posts and I am appreciative of the information you've put on the discussion board.
My husband has also had his cancer recur. It showed up on a recent PET scan that he had last week. Originally the person who worked in his office made it sound like there wasn't a problem. But, long story short, there is. He will have a colonoscopy with biopsy tomorrow and we'll learn then how they want to proceed. Everything I've read makes it sound like he'll have to have a colostomy.
One good bit of news I can pass on to you is this. My husband works with a man who had Stage IV colon cancer and has a colostomy. That was 11 years ago, so this gives me hope. He lives a very normal life. I don't know if I'm comparing apples to apples with the two different types of cancer, but at least it's something, right?
Anyway, I will keep you posted on anything I learn that might be of help to you.
Barbara
p.s. Don't feel bad about thinking you were naive - anal cancer is rare and I don't think they know a lot about it compared to other cancers..................
i forgot to say what i learnt when the cancer came back for my mom the doc said when the tumor comes back in the same spot where the skin is damaged it would be hard for the area to heal because the skin cells are so damaged and my mom already had radio a couple of months ago so they said thats why the colostomy is done and then with the anal canal and anus taken out there is less chance of the cancer coming back i know my mom wasn't too happy about this operation but in the end it's given her more of a chance to beat this cancer and the onething she does not miss is the pain that she used to have from the radio0 -
Anal cancer and Colostomy
I am new on this board, But I think I would like to share my story with you. I am 53 yrs old female. Had cervical cancer about 16 yrs ago, After my hysterectomy, Pathologist found a tiny tumor in one of lymph node which put me through 5 wks of radiation treatment. 16yrs later, Oct. 2008 I was diagnosed again with Anal cancer. This time I can't have radiation tx as an option, so I was given another surgery - Abdominal Perineal Resection to form a Colostomy. Unfortunately, due to previous invisible radiation damage to my bowel, After surgery I had real tough time due to blockage and sluggish movement of my bowel, I had 2 nd surgery 3 weeks after the first to unblock my intestine. During that time ,I could barely eat or drink, It went on for two months. Right before my surgeon was planning for the 3rd surgery, All of the sudden my bowel started to move, During that time I have lost a lots of weight and most time was extremely dehydrated, I Was given PICC line to keep me alive. Before surgery, I was extremely concerned about colostomy, poop bag and all that......After have gone through nearly starve to death experience, You know what? I am so happy today, At least, I can eat and I am alive. Colostomy became my least issue, Once you get used to it, the bag is so easy to take care of. During this hot summer I am always in my short and nobody even notice the bag. During my sickness, I truly found out that life is too precious to waste, Don't let Colostomy scare you, Prepare your surgery well, Be aware! Your radiated bowel may take longer to recover than you anticipated.I wish your husband all the best, Please let me know if you have any more question that I can help you with.
Baotze52
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Kezaus
Posts: 34
Joined: Jul 20100 -
hi thanks for replying i'ambaotze52 said:Anal cancer and Colostomy
I am new on this board, But I think I would like to share my story with you. I am 53 yrs old female. Had cervical cancer about 16 yrs ago, After my hysterectomy, Pathologist found a tiny tumor in one of lymph node which put me through 5 wks of radiation treatment. 16yrs later, Oct. 2008 I was diagnosed again with Anal cancer. This time I can't have radiation tx as an option, so I was given another surgery - Abdominal Perineal Resection to form a Colostomy. Unfortunately, due to previous invisible radiation damage to my bowel, After surgery I had real tough time due to blockage and sluggish movement of my bowel, I had 2 nd surgery 3 weeks after the first to unblock my intestine. During that time ,I could barely eat or drink, It went on for two months. Right before my surgeon was planning for the 3rd surgery, All of the sudden my bowel started to move, During that time I have lost a lots of weight and most time was extremely dehydrated, I Was given PICC line to keep me alive. Before surgery, I was extremely concerned about colostomy, poop bag and all that......After have gone through nearly starve to death experience, You know what? I am so happy today, At least, I can eat and I am alive. Colostomy became my least issue, Once you get used to it, the bag is so easy to take care of. During this hot summer I am always in my short and nobody even notice the bag. During my sickness, I truly found out that life is too precious to waste, Don't let Colostomy scare you, Prepare your surgery well, Be aware! Your radiated bowel may take longer to recover than you anticipated.I wish your husband all the best, Please let me know if you have any more question that I can help you with.
Baotze52
reply | Report as Offensive
Kezaus
Posts: 34
Joined: Jul 2010
hi thanks for replying i'am so sorry to hear everything you have been through the colostomy operation is enough but all the complications you had i'm sure you have a great outlook of life now and your right life is too short and being able to still be alive is more important and the colostomy surgery does give a less chance of the cancer coming back so has it been 2yrs now since your operation? has the cancer stayed away?and i'm curious after you had surgery for the colostomy did you have clear margins on the pathology of the tumor and anal canal did you have to have any other treatment like more radiation or more surgery ?0 -
Colostomykezaus said:hi thanks for replying i'am
hi thanks for replying i'am so sorry to hear everything you have been through the colostomy operation is enough but all the complications you had i'm sure you have a great outlook of life now and your right life is too short and being able to still be alive is more important and the colostomy surgery does give a less chance of the cancer coming back so has it been 2yrs now since your operation? has the cancer stayed away?and i'm curious after you had surgery for the colostomy did you have clear margins on the pathology of the tumor and anal canal did you have to have any other treatment like more radiation or more surgery ?
Hi, Kezaus:
It has been 20months since my first surgery. In fact, I am going to have my 4th PET/CT scan tomorrow morning. I am doing well so far,
Gosh! I am so anxious right now. Hopefully I have get another negative result from the scan. I did have clear margin from the pathology report, Clear but narrow margin. That is another reason I am watch my body closely. I have been followed up by my Med. Oncology every 3-4 months. Drs at the hospital discussed my case in their tumor board meeting. They came up with a conclusion that I don't need chemo because there is not a lymph node was involved and I am not qualify for another round of radiation due to previous Rad.tx for cervical cancer. I will let you know my PET result as soon as I have it.0 -
My PET-CTscan today the result is negative. I feel so relieved.
I was wonder have you asked your Mom's surgeon about the reason why can she have a clear margin from the surgery? Especially there is not even a single lymph node was involved. For my case, According my surgeon, the reason I was left a " close margin " it was because one site reached my tail bone so he couldn't cut any further, Pathology report says 1mm from my positive tissue. That's why it's called " close margin " . My Oncologist didn't think I need chemotherapy. So far I had 4 PET-CT Scan already, They all turned out to be normal. So far so good. Although I still have this anxiety like most cancer survivors about uncertainty of what potential this disease could bring me to, Still, I have to be grateful and try to enjoy my life when I can. I will certainly keep your Mom in my prayer, If you have any more question please don't hesitate to ask me, I am so glad if I could be any help to you and her.0 -
Congratulations!baotze52 said:My PET-CTscan today the result is negative. I feel so relieved.
I was wonder have you asked your Mom's surgeon about the reason why can she have a clear margin from the surgery? Especially there is not even a single lymph node was involved. For my case, According my surgeon, the reason I was left a " close margin " it was because one site reached my tail bone so he couldn't cut any further, Pathology report says 1mm from my positive tissue. That's why it's called " close margin " . My Oncologist didn't think I need chemotherapy. So far I had 4 PET-CT Scan already, They all turned out to be normal. So far so good. Although I still have this anxiety like most cancer survivors about uncertainty of what potential this disease could bring me to, Still, I have to be grateful and try to enjoy my life when I can. I will certainly keep your Mom in my prayer, If you have any more question please don't hesitate to ask me, I am so glad if I could be any help to you and her.
Hi baotze52--
I just wanted to congratulate you on getting a clean PET scan! That's great news and no doubt, a huge relief for you. May all future scans be clean for you as well!0 -
Baotze52mp327 said:Congratulations!
Hi baotze52--
I just wanted to congratulate you on getting a clean PET scan! That's great news and no doubt, a huge relief for you. May all future scans be clean for you as well!
Hi,
Great News with your pet scan results! I am always anxious with my scans, and I know it is such a feeling of relief. I know my whole mental well being changes every time. Lori0 -
Thanks for your supportmp327 said:Congratulations!
Hi baotze52--
I just wanted to congratulate you on getting a clean PET scan! That's great news and no doubt, a huge relief for you. May all future scans be clean for you as well!
I have been reading all your stories and opinions about this cancer. I am a very private person and since my case is so different then most of you. Not only I had two cancers I also didn't have chemo/rad instead I had colostomy as my treatment. I was hesitated to write in the beginning But you ladies have been such meaningful inspiration for me. I admire your courage and kindness, By the third day I was on this board, I just decided I have to share my story even if I can only help one person , It's worthy. It really takes a sick person to understand what another sick person is going through mentally and physically. Thanks for all your support. I am here to stay.0 -
Thanks for your supportmp327 said:Congratulations!
Hi baotze52--
I just wanted to congratulate you on getting a clean PET scan! That's great news and no doubt, a huge relief for you. May all future scans be clean for you as well!
I have been reading all your stories and opinions about this cancer. I am a very private person and since my case is so different then most of you. Not only I had two cancers I also didn't have chemo/rad instead I had colostomy as my treatment. I was hesitated to write in the beginning But you ladies have been such meaningful inspiration for me. I admire your courage and kindness, By the third day I was on this board, I just decided I have to share my story even if I can only help one person , It's worthy. It really takes a sick person to understand what another sick person is going through mentally and physically. Thanks for all your support. I am here to stay.0
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