Hi Sandra
Excellent news! I am so pleased for you......you can now enjoy a good holiday with family and get back to some sort of normality. The check ups can only be good...wishing you all the best and I will get some of the non adhesive roll you recommend as I feel its needed! Warmest wishes to you and a bright future. Kind regards Mandy xx
Haven' been on for a while. I have finally been for my planning today. Picc line going in next Tuesday then my treatment starts on the 19th.
Sandra that lovely news about your MRI results.
And I'm taking notes on all the advice on what to use for when things get sore. I'e got my hostel booked for the last 3 weeks of treatment. So I feel a lot happier now.
glad that you ve got a date now , hope you sorted out the stirrup thing! I asked my radiologist and she said they never use them! So no need to worry about that! I ve just been prescribed morphine gell and it helps but I m sure that you won't need that until around week 4 .
Yes I sorted the stirrup thing, they were horrified I was told this information to the extent I almost didn' go for treatment. Everyone involved is aware now and the young Dr is going to be told.
Its' been drummed into me to tell them when things start getting painfull, I feel much happier about things now. Several of the staff have said to expect it to get really painful because of where it is, but that help will be there all along the way.
sorry to hear you are suffering you should have a radiographer review person ,ask to see her and explain about your soreness etc they can prescribe many things and you don't have to pay because you should have a prescription exemption for 5 years because of cancer. Also you may find a cushion with a hole in the middle helps either from the Red Cross ior go on line and see if they are available . Sorry that your chemo has been stopped have they told you what to eat to get your platelets up? Eggs and banana s are good it worked for me ! Make sure the eggs are cooked not runny scrambled is good! It it does get worse of course but you will get through it and I m sure you ll have down days ,remember it's ok to cry sometimes as it's good to let it out!
Hi Gilliebean
I spoke to the radiographers today and they have said again only salt water. I can use something at week-ends but they have said because my skin is breaking up its prone to infection or best not to use anything during the treatment....I will definitely try the round cushion with a hole in the middle its worth trying! I haven't been told to eat anything different. She said its not uncommon at 2 week s into the treatment and likely will be ok on the blood test Monday and they will review again then to either resume or give lower dose. I am hoping will be ok. Its the platelets not the blood I would told today - white and red blood was fine. Anyone else had this problem? xx
That seems so odd to me. It seems like they would offer a topical that would help the skin to heal. I know it's good to just let it air (giggle). But there is a prescription hydrocortisone lotion/cream that helps the skin to heal. Unfortunately, it doesn't dull the pain, but it speeds along the healing process. You cannot use it prior to treatment that day. Is there a way you can get a second opinion without stepping on anyones toes? I'm not sure that the radiographers would know. I think they are more on the technical end of the treatment. Can you ask a nurse. Both physician assistants that supported my docs gave me misinformation or prescripted the incorrect strength on a prescription. My doc offered the cream, but I asked about the ointment which really shields the skin and makes a huge difference.
I had issues with my white blood count (still slightly low) and the platelets. My white blood cell count was 0.03 when I arrived at the hospital. They were able to stay on top of it daily. They gave me an injection for a couple of days due to the white blood cell count and also a blood transfusion. I had just completed my last round of chemo at the time; however, I still continued with the last two radiation treatments while in the hospital. They said it sometimes takes a year for the white blood cell count to get back to normal. I carry surgical face masks in my bag and if I happen to get around anyone that's coughing or sniffling I put it on. Flu season has been really bad this year so I'm paranoid of germs. Don't worry. They will fix you right up. I had an especially difficult time because I started out so ill and underweight. You will be able to fight it.
I was supposed to see my surgeon last week and would have had an update on the success of the treatment, but her office called and rescheduled 3 weeks out. I've had tummy issues that hit about half way through my treatment. I get really bad stomach cramps and nausea comes and goes. I've been unable to gain more than a pound and really need to put some weight on. Both of my oncologists said that I should not still be having these symptoms from the treatment. They have prescribed several different medications and nothing has helped so they referred me to a gastro doc. The doc I have been seeing is a colon/rectal specialist. So many doctors! I saw the new doc last Thursday after a 3 week wait to get in and she prescribed some antispasmodic medication. If it doesn't work (and it hasn't worked thus far), I will have the scope test (hopefully next week). They said it's quick and they will put me to sleep. I know the chemo had a party in my tummy and apparently they had a lot of fun. I'm ready to feel better! This has gone on for months and months.
Let us know how it goes Monday. You guys are always in my thoughts. Sheri
Hi Sheri
Thank you for all your suggestions and I will ask to speak to someone tomorrow regarding the burns which are uncomfortable to say the least. Even if I can put some on weekends I am sure it would help. I hope the chemo will a.so get sorted tomorrow and I catch up! You do seem to have suffered from the treatment which is taking its time to go. I hope the treatment they have prescribed works. What the scope test? You must be feeling exhausted with the continual problems. You mus also be anxious to get some results from the treatment you have had as well. I hope they sort this out for you soon and wish you all the best. Let me know how it goes. Thinking of you...Mandy xx
Hi I have just been diagnosed with Anal cancer on 6 March, all I know is that it is early stages, don’t know what type yet. I have a PET scan on Thursday and I meet the Oncologist on the 21 March I gues they will let me know then. Although trying to be positives about the outcome as it is early stage I’m stil very scared. I look the picture of Health can’t belive I’ve actually got this! Really embarrassing place to get it, is it best just to tell people straight? Obviously close friends and family know but I feel alone!
I have read this thread and decided to join, the treatment sounds scary to be honest I don’t know what to expect but I suppose when I meet the oncologist things will be explained?
i was the same as you went to the doc with a sore foot mentioned tummy was a bit iffy and before you know it was getting colonoscopy mri cat scan and diagnosed.
It is a really scary time and I think we would all agree it’s the waiting that’s hard. Like you say it is embarrassing but I just called it Botty cancer I don’t like the “a” word!
I think for me it was the unknown once you get your diagnosis and then your planning session done and a start date for treatment I felt a bit better.
Weve all had slightly different treatment plans on here - I had one intravenous chemo followed by daily chemo tablets and 28 radiotherapy sessions - compared to some of the girls I didn’t suffer too badly from the chemo but I think we’ve all suffered from the radiotherapy side effects but there’s lots you can do to help - for now just take it one day at a time, be kind to yourself, let others help you and stay as positive as you can.
Im now 5 months post treatment and got my MRI results last week and was given the all clear - so there is light at the end of the tunnel.
For me this is a great wee forum as you’re able to talk to be people who know exactly what you’re going through definitely helped me feel less alone.
Hope you’ll keep in touch and let us know how you’re getting on and if you’ve got any questions sure one of us will be able to help.
