how strange have not been on here for a long time and had the urge to log in tonight so glad you are all doing well , I have a few days where I struggle with everything that has happened and can't quite believe the reality of it all going back to this time last year! What a journey we have all come . So glad that I had support from you all especially you sands you kept me positive in those dark days and I did have a few!
Getting on with life is somewhat hard sometimes struggling with the effects of treatment I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet and leg cramps caused by the chemo and it is worse at night when I am inactive, I know it Is a small price to pay but it is still something I am learning to cope with.
apart from that I m doing very well and delighted to hear that you are all good too.
Love to you all Gilliebean xxx I won't mention the farting hahaha
I have recently been diagnosed with stage 3 anal cancer and have found reading these posts really helpful. I start chemo and radio therapy tomorrow and am somewhat apprehensive.
Good to hear from those of you who have been through this and are out the other end....
Good luck with your treatment, I think it's fair to say we all found it hard towards the end, I personally managed till week 4 before I would say it got hard going.
Are you having a picc line and 5 weeks of radiotherapy?
If you need advice or just someone to chat to while your going thru it, just post on here and one of us will answer. I found this site such a huge help and consider the ladies now my friends.
Thank you so much for your reply. I must admit it feels a bit lonely at times and I really welcome the opportunity to chat to people who understand what I am going through.
I had a Hickman line inserted last week (which was a very unpleasant experience ) and will have 5 and a half weeks of treatment. 28 sessions of radiotherapy along with two weeks of chemo.
My tumour is large (7 - 9 cm) and there is involvement in lymph nodes in my groin. I feel a bit lost at times and am very up and down emotionally. I think I will feel better once treatment actually starts and I feel as if I am doing something positive to fight the tumour if that makes sense?
I am lucky as I have a very supportive family and a daughter who is a doctor so I can ask her some of the naieve questions. Although I am aware that she is not a cancer specialist and is my daughter first and foremost.
As I say I really look forward to being able to chat to someone who has been through it all and is out the other end
Your treatment is more or less what we all went thru , you will meet a lot of lovely people as you are going thru it, both staff who help you and other patients, I live quite a way from the hospital, so the last couple of weeks I was able to stay in the hostel at the hospital where I met a lady with the same cancer as me and who also lived locally to me, we have remained friend and still support each other when we go for check ups. I also had my youngest daughter who was there for me all the way thru.
I can't believe now it's been a year since we all went thru it, don't be afraid to ask questions at the hospital, and keep them informed of how you are feeling, your skin will get very sore..tell them, they have loads of medicines to help , ask if they provide pottys , mine was a godsend when treatment got difficult, you will feel her tired, go to bed and rest, I had a few weeks when I just took to my bed and let my family wait on me for a change. Your family and friends will feel useful if you let them look after you, and most of all don't be afraid to have a cry!!
welcome to this little bottom club. Keep your spirits up and if you feel liking asking a question no matter how trivial or silly it may seem at the time ...ask away. I’m 1 year past treatment and in myself pretty much back to normal apart from the Bottom burps! I also had stage 3 so please ask away...anytime. We are here for each other. At the beginning I felt so alone but once I joined in this little group it helped enormously..love to hear from you...on your journey. Best of luck tomorrow. Mandy x
Hi there Cathy (Bum), I’m 17 months out. I was also 3b. I was misdiagnosed by 2 docs and was pretty ill by the time treatment started. Currently no evidence of disease. Next PET scan in May. I didn’t know at the time what I know now and have learned from ladies in another support group. I apologize if I’m telling you things you have already learned. Be sure to drink lots of fluids during chemo to flush it out of your system. A full bladder during radiation protects surrounding organs. And you need to do pelvic floor physical therapy pretty quickly after treatment. Otherwise everything atrophies. Most people don’t notice anything from the radiation for 2 1/2 weeks. The docs will prescribe ointment and pain meds to make you more comfortable. They can prescribe something for nausea if you should need it. Eat small meals throughout the day and avoid fried, spicy and fatty foods. Once you start to feel the burns use lots of ointment to keep the pee from burning when it hits the skin. But make sure you don’t have any on during treatment. Sleep without underwear and allow the air to hit the area. Sitting in a tub of warm water helps with the discomfort. If the pain meds make you constipated take a stool softener.
It was very scary to me, but I’m a big OLD (68) baby. In fact, I’m still scared. A few of the ladies managed quite well with treatment. The treatment is universal, very successful, but really tough. I have discovered; however, that some docs know more than others. I may not see your posts right away but I will always respond. Hope this time breezes by for you. I will keep you in my thoughts.
Mandy and SandsJ I somehow overlooked your post. I saw my radiology oncologist Wednesday and asked about having a full bladder prior to treatment. Apparently the team has never heard of it and don't understand how it would help anything. I took information on a pelvic floor therapy place that my new PCP referred me to. When I gave the oncologist the information she said "oh, we refer people to .......". And I'm sitting there wondering why they didn't refer me. Luck of the draw I guess. I'm getting help now so that's super.
Thank you for the suggestions! I am eating everything I can think of but it's just not working. There is a 6 week Cooking After Cancer class starting April 1st. I didn't feel up to going the last round and it is not conveniently located (peak traffic getting there), but I'm determined to make it this time. My hubby took over the cooking years ago because I worked long hours. He is a great cook but he cannot understand no fatty meats and nothing fried or spicy. So I'm going to tackle it.
Sands, I'm sorry you were struggling mentally. It's a traumatic diagnosis for us and for the entire family. I feel like I'm walking a fine line holding on always a bit emotional, but I'm going to make it just fine. And chemo brain is real, but I'm hoping that this is as bad as it will get.
Mandy, I sent you a message with my FB info. I rarely post but always seeing what everyone is up to.
how aare you doing? Just seen your post ,I guess you will be in week 2 or 3 of treatment? It can be quite daunting ,they actually operated and removed my cancer in the lymph node in the groin as they believed my cancer was somewhere else but when they checked the other parts they removed it was not the case and found that the lymph was a secondary and the primary was not where they had thought ,they had missed mine on two examinations and then found it on a pet scan so after 4 operations they then found the primary which of course was anal! So then it was treatment!
I was worried because it had already spread to the lymph gland in the groin and also to some nodes on the pelvis but the treatment seems to have worked ,it is harsh but you will get through ,just take each day and don't plan to do anything as you will be absolutely nackered! The worst time for me was the two weeks after treatment when you are not going to the hospital anymore and you feel abit deserted and you do feel very much like crap! But I knew that was coming and soon I began to get better.I am now a year post treatment and so far everything is looking ok. Yes I have side effects but I m grateful for my life! I hope that you have people by your side to help you through the tough days.
good luck with the treatment and tick those days off!
Dont forget to take all the creams and potions they offer you and slap it on every night to stop the skin from breaking it helps if you do it from the start.
make sure you have your 5 year exemption certificate for prescriptions also.
let us know how you get on will be thinking of you .
