CT Scan Results:-(

sandysp
sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

Hi everyone,

I just got a facelift and it was on my mind more than anal cancer and my follow up CT scan so I didn't bring it up as a topic.

But I had it yesterday with bruising on my face. (The pain of a facelift is nothing compared to cancer treatments by the way - but it does hurt quite a bit and I've been resting for a week).

Just had the rest of my stitches taken out today and am feeling the plastic surgeon did a terrific job but it will take a while for all the swelling and nerve issues to resolve completely.

But back to the scan. My oncologist called and I have to have a lung biopsy. It's a tricky thing since the affected area is so close to my heart (the Mt. Sinai pulmonologist said she didn't know of a doctor who would do it). But the doctors at Sloan have so much experience. The Oncologist says that since it grew from last time and the time before that became more "cystic", a status that has maintained itself, and no one knows what it is, and, obviously metastasis is an issue with this type of cancer, therefore it's time to have someone go in and find out what it is and perhaps just remove it. (at this point it is still tiny).

So they are setting up the biopsy. I had hoped with all the Yoga, etc. that it would have gone away, but that just wasn't in the cards for me. 

Thanks to all my friends here, I knew going into this, that this was a logical next step, if things didn't look better on this scan. But I had the facelift "opportunity" to take my mind off of it. Nothing like concentrating on looking better to help one feel better. 

Everytime I looked in the mirror I saw cancer. It had to do with bags under the eyes that weren't there before that created a "hollowness" to my eyes.

Has anyone else had that feeling - like you see cancer when you look at yourself? I know it's irrational but I felt if I got the facelift that feeling would go away. So right now I am feeling a bit of a dissapointment. But I know I'm doing all the right things.

We have to support each other on getting these followup scans. The tumor is so close to my heart that it is in a lousy place for more than one reason! We could be in game over time. But I am feeling a lot better than I have in years and am very grateful for that so I am going to continue to let the good doctors at MSKCC do what they do best.

Fondly,

Sandy

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Comments

  • judyv3
    judyv3 Member Posts: 143 Member
    #2
    Sandy

    I wish you a speedy recovery from your facelift.  I also look in the mirror and see cancer.  I stopped coloring my hair and get so many compliments on the salt and pepper color it is naturally.  But I'm just not sure if it's not a constant reminder of what I went through.  Anyway...

    I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate this lung issue.  It just reminds us that it is all so fragile.  I'm hoping that it will just be a frightening bump in the road.  You have great doctors and a wonderful hospital (my brother is currently in treatment there for a pancreatic tumor which they have been watching for 3 years).  

    Hugs to you.

    Judy

  • sephie
    sephie Member Posts: 650 Member
    #3
    yea for face lift

    i also look so much older now.... feel older too.... i really want to do something to my face BUT i do not heal very well.... never have.....i am afraid to try it..... anyway....Good for you..... also  hope all goes well with lung ..... sephie

  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #4
    I think most of us see cancer

    I think most of us see cancer in our faces.  I just look tired.  Which I am.  I am so sorry about everything going on with you.  Please feel better...Lori

     

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #5
    sephie said:

    yea for face lift

    i also look so much older now.... feel older too.... i really want to do something to my face BUT i do not heal very well.... never have.....i am afraid to try it..... anyway....Good for you..... also  hope all goes well with lung ..... sephie

    healing

    If you smoke, that prevents rapid healing. My plastic curgeon had me take vitamin C with biflavanoids as it promotes healing. I am a good healer from surgeries so far.  It is weird because I have an immune deficiency. Maybe my body is used to having to make up for that?

    The plastic surgeon was really happy with how fast I am healing. Of course it takes much longer than people realize to get to looking as good as you did before the surgery, what with all the swelling, etc.

    Thanks for your support. I hope you can get one some day, or just treat yourself to some good facials. I believe if you can afford it that three or four a year is perfect but usually only do two - one at the end of winter and one at the end of summer. 

    All the best

    Sandy

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #6
    Sandy

    I hope you will recover quickly from the facelift and that your new look makes you feel better.  I know what you mean about looking in the mirror and seeing a person who has had cancer.  I don't look all the lines, wrinkles and bags under my eyes either.  I doubt that I'll ever have any work done on them though.  I guess I just have to remind myself that I earned all of those things and if people don't want to look at me, then they don't have to!  :)  As for the lung biopsy, please let us know when you get it scheduled.  I will be praying like crazy for you that all is well and that anything sinister will be ruled out.  Take care, my sweet friend!

    Martha

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #7
    sandysp

    Sandy, I am wishing you a good outcome on both the healing of your facelift and this lung issue. You are in good hands and I pray for you to have good news and peace. When I look in the mirror now yes I see cancer, I feel as if my skin has a grey tone and I don't even have the energy to go sit outside in the backyard for a bit. I look foward to good news from you.

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #8
    Lorikat said:

    I think most of us see cancer

    I think most of us see cancer in our faces.  I just look tired.  Which I am.  I am so sorry about everything going on with you.  Please feel better...Lori

     

    You are right

    Some of it is "cancer fatigue". Volumes have been written on that subject in the medical community. It's hard to feel really rested, I guess or caught up on rest. I, for one have sleep issues that come into play.

    I was interested in how many people feel this way when they look in the mirror. Some of it may be mild depression. I was not able to take the medicine the doctors normally prescribe for depression because the side affects I have are the "deadly" ones. So I have found no relief from the pharmaceutical community. They sent me to a hemotologist. I have an appointment in August.

    Take care, honey. This facelift thing just worked out for me this year but I had dreamed of it when I lost my hearing last summer. I needed to do it before fall, and suddenly the right doctor, the scheduling, the money, my husbands support and everything just opened up for me. So it was meant to be.

    But boy do I feel tired now. It was quite an ordeal and not for everyone, I might add! Only crazies like me go under the knife electively and fork out the bucks to get cut, bruised and swollen.

    All the best,

    Sandy

  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 493 Member
    #9
    Funny You Mentioned This

    I just commented the other day I felt the cancer treatments had aged me at least 10 years in appearance as well as stamina.

    Mike 

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #10
    qv62 said:

    sandysp

    Sandy, I am wishing you a good outcome on both the healing of your facelift and this lung issue. You are in good hands and I pray for you to have good news and peace. When I look in the mirror now yes I see cancer, I feel as if my skin has a grey tone and I don't even have the energy to go sit outside in the backyard for a bit. I look foward to good news from you.

    You are still in very early stages of recovery

    My new friend, I think of you so often and what you have suffered through! It was a long, arduous journey to just know what it was and then the painful assault that was made to cure you. It's bound to have your skin give off a gray tone. But that will change. My skin actually looks pretty nice now. And the glazed over look is gone. I had that for a while, before and after the diagnosis from the pain I thought would always be there.

    I am so grateful my treating oncologist, Dr. Boyer scheduled the CT scan in 6 months rather than the 12 month calendar the Pulmonologist recommended. She probably saved my life again.

    Thanks for your prayers everyone - especially you, Martha our dearest friend on this board.

    Love,

    Sandy

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #11
    mxperry220 said:

    Funny You Mentioned This

    I just commented the other day I felt the cancer treatments had aged me at least 10 years in appearance as well as stamina.

    Mike 

    but you regenerated!

    Our bodies are still regenerating themselves. We got new anuses ha, ha! right underneath the old one. Mine is far better than that old diseased anus:-)

    But the concept is, we are still on our healing journeys and we need to nurture ourselves and seek out nurturing from those around us and give it as much as we can.

    This board is terrific. I am so glad I told you about the facelift. 

    I realize that it was an expensive way of not thinking about the CT scan.

    Love to everyone!

    Sandy

  • sephie
    sephie Member Posts: 650 Member
    #12
    sandysp said:

    but you regenerated!

    Our bodies are still regenerating themselves. We got new anuses ha, ha! right underneath the old one. Mine is far better than that old diseased anus:-)

    But the concept is, we are still on our healing journeys and we need to nurture ourselves and seek out nurturing from those around us and give it as much as we can.

    This board is terrific. I am so glad I told you about the facelift. 

    I realize that it was an expensive way of not thinking about the CT scan.

    Love to everyone!

    Sandy

    thx , sandy

    hey, ia m post 5 years now ...and  i will start taking vit c just to help me day to day  ..... i never smoked but was raised by mom who did.... i also have auto immune disease.....i have no energy but need to exercise more.... i am not over weight but we all need to exercise.... i totally smashed my finger in door while loading stuff to go to MDA.... reallly messed it up.....so mad at myself...but little problem compared to yours..... i have friends who look fab after their lifts..... or even just eye lid thing......the money is worth it ...the healing is also..... thinking of you as you do Lung biopsy.....   hugs...sephie

  • K8M
    K8M Member Posts: 55 Member
    #13
    Best of luck Sandy
    I am so

    Best of luck Sandy

    I am so glad I told you about the facelift. I realize that it was an expensive way of not thinking about the CT scan."

    Forum Quote of the week award goes to Sandy!

    x

  • pializ
    pializ Member Posts: 508 Member
    #14
    K8M said:

    Best of luck Sandy
    I am so

    Best of luck Sandy

    I am so glad I told you about the facelift. I realize that it was an expensive way of not thinking about the CT scan."

    Forum Quote of the week award goes to Sandy!

    x

    Sandy

    The power of distraction! I guess you chose a biggy & can't fault it! I too feel like cancer (or, rather, the treatment) aged me 10 years. Visually and hip wise.

    As for your biopsy, I hope it all goes well & await your post letting us know. 

    Much love & hugs

    Liz

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #15
    K8M said:

    Best of luck Sandy
    I am so

    Best of luck Sandy

    I am so glad I told you about the facelift. I realize that it was an expensive way of not thinking about the CT scan."

    Forum Quote of the week award goes to Sandy!

    x

    Ha, ha!

    Having it read back to me with the compliment made my day!

    Quote of the week! Maybe you just started something:-)

    Al the best,

    Sandy

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #16
    sephie said:

    thx , sandy

    hey, ia m post 5 years now ...and  i will start taking vit c just to help me day to day  ..... i never smoked but was raised by mom who did.... i also have auto immune disease.....i have no energy but need to exercise more.... i am not over weight but we all need to exercise.... i totally smashed my finger in door while loading stuff to go to MDA.... reallly messed it up.....so mad at myself...but little problem compared to yours..... i have friends who look fab after their lifts..... or even just eye lid thing......the money is worth it ...the healing is also..... thinking of you as you do Lung biopsy.....   hugs...sephie

    with biflavanoids whatever they are

    He told me GNC's brand is good and named some others but I got mine from GNC. I am taking the 1000 miligram time released which I think is easier on my stomach.

    Good luck with that finger!

    Fondly,

    Sandy

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #17
    sandysp said:

    You are still in very early stages of recovery

    My new friend, I think of you so often and what you have suffered through! It was a long, arduous journey to just know what it was and then the painful assault that was made to cure you. It's bound to have your skin give off a gray tone. But that will change. My skin actually looks pretty nice now. And the glazed over look is gone. I had that for a while, before and after the diagnosis from the pain I thought would always be there.

    I am so grateful my treating oncologist, Dr. Boyer scheduled the CT scan in 6 months rather than the 12 month calendar the Pulmonologist recommended. She probably saved my life again.

    Thanks for your prayers everyone - especially you, Martha our dearest friend on this board.

    Love,

    Sandy

    sandysp

    Thanks, yes I am still on the mend and hope the gray skin and glassy eyes go away sooner than later, I am glad you had your scans early and can soon get this under control. You know my thoughts and prayers are with you :) PS just an fyi our gyn is out on "medical leave" I had an appointment with her for this coming Monday in the city and they called me yesterday to reschedule :(

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #18
    sandysp said:

    You are still in very early stages of recovery

    My new friend, I think of you so often and what you have suffered through! It was a long, arduous journey to just know what it was and then the painful assault that was made to cure you. It's bound to have your skin give off a gray tone. But that will change. My skin actually looks pretty nice now. And the glazed over look is gone. I had that for a while, before and after the diagnosis from the pain I thought would always be there.

    I am so grateful my treating oncologist, Dr. Boyer scheduled the CT scan in 6 months rather than the 12 month calendar the Pulmonologist recommended. She probably saved my life again.

    Thanks for your prayers everyone - especially you, Martha our dearest friend on this board.

    Love,

    Sandy

    Sandy

    You are the sweetest!  I hope you are doing well, my friend, and that your recovery from the facelift is going well.  Please keep us posted on everything else.  As always, you're in my thoughts and prayers.  Hugs!

  • 0626june
    0626june Member Posts: 73
    #19
    sandysp said:

    Ha, ha!

    Having it read back to me with the compliment made my day!

    Quote of the week! Maybe you just started something:-)

    Al the best,

    Sandy

    Sandy

    thank you for sharing the news about your facelift.  It seems like such a life affirming thing to do. It makes me believe that there will come a day when I can think of anything other than my butt!!

    You'll heal up and look fantastic!

    June

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    #20
    Sandy

    It may have been an expensive distraction but at least you'll have the end results of looking great for a long time!

    I, too, see the effects of cancer when I look in the mirror.  It's better than last year when I was  right out of treatment but having lost a lot of weight (that I didn't need to lose) left me with a lot a saggy skin and the hair is just starting to look "normal."  But I'm glad to be where I'm at now with no real problems and I feeling great.

    I am a believer in the effects of yoga too and know that it helped me hip & thigh stiffness following treatment and continues to help with my overall well-being.

    You'll be in my thoughts and prayers as you contiune to heal and prepare for your biopsy.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Tracey

  • knolltop
    knolltop Member Posts: 56
    #21
    Hello Sandy:

    Good for you - a facelift.    I would love to have a tummy tuck, but it is too expensive.   Yes, I too see cancer in the mirrow.   So happy you are pleased with the results.

    Praying they find out what is going on in the lung.   I'm guessing it was large enough to do a needle biopsy?   I'm glad you have good doctors.

    Tory

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