anal rectal cancer

Hello to all. I hope you are doing well. I have read a number of postings, particularly Philly AC(/) and would like to add a few things based on my experience.

I was diagnosed in '03 with stage 2 anal rectal cancer. A short but agressive program of chemo (FU5) and radiation for 8 weeks. I have extreme and unusual responses to medication and medical treatments and this was the extreme, so I continue to advocate for early detection and treatment. I am way on the outside of the curve.

One: keep a log of your experiences with all treatments and medications. The doctors are doing that, and you need to have some personal records.

Two: regarding radiation take a picture of yourself and the field of radiation every day.

I have been disabled for life from radiation treatments. Nothing inappropriate was done, but I have bizarre reactions to almost everything medical. However, I did not do the things noted above so I couldn't follow through on any complaints about the way thing were handeled. My skin was almost black from radiation, with only two inches of colon I blast liquid out 50 to 100 times a day and night, never get sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time and then I have to check on things, and I ended up with a hip movement problem, a partially collapsed spine, female canal fused together.

Keep a log of what's happening with you.

I wish you all the best.