I’ve recently been diagnosed with anal cancer. There is evidence of spread into right lymph node. Still having tests but imagining it’s spreading all over my body. My anxiety is through the roof.
Im sorry about your diagnosis. I finished treatment for anal cancer 6th November 2024 and finally got the all clear 6 months later. Mine had gone into one lymph node. The treatment for it is highly successful for most. These early stages while having all the tests and scans is worrying and your head goes to allsorts of weird places so its totally understandable and normal that you are having anxiety. Once you start your treatment you will feel more in control if that makes sense. The time will pass quite quickly once treatment starts. Im happy to answer any questions you may have. Sending hugs. Xx
I’m annoyed with myself for not going to the Dr earlier. I thought I had piles and kept treating it with different lotions and potions. It was such a huge shock to hear the word cancer. It completely floored me and my family. I’ve got one more colonoscopy then I’ll get a detailed diagnosis but they’re fairly sure from the PET scan result that it hasn’t spread any organs.
So happy that you got the all clear. To be able to move forward and enjoy life again.
it’s so encouraging to hear.
Did you have surgery too?
I’m also having lots of awful sweats at night and in the morning.
Don't beat yourself up for not going to the doctor sooner its a waste of energy. I didn't go for well over a year as I thought it was a cyst and with hindsight I had had symptoms for quite a few years. Also from everything ive learnt since and people ive spoken to the doctors quite often misdiagnose this cancer as piles, warts etc. I was misdiagnosed at the start. I didn't have surgery. from my experience if its very early stage no spread and they think they can get clear margins without doing life changing surgery they will remove the tumour but they still seem to do the chemo and radiotherapy after. I had 28 sessions of radiotherapy ( everyday bar weekends) plus 5 days at the beginning and then another 5 at the end of intravenous chemo 24/7 via a pump attached to me, although most people ive spoken to had oral chemo in the form of a daily pill with just one intravenous dose at the start. I had a reduced dose of chemo as I had low dpd. The main part of the treatment is the radiotherapy and for the most part it is a very successful treatment. Hope you've had a good day. Xx
Sorry you are in pain, ask your medical team for some pain relief. I didn't have pain as such, I had started to get uncomfortable when sitting which is why I went to the doctor like I said I thought it was a cyst and they could drain it. After my biopsy it was more uncomfortable and the hospital gave me instillagel which numbs everything, i used it periodically as it was only when sitting it was an issue. During treatment I took paracetamol all the time as directed by the hospital, they offered me morphine but I'm reluctant to take anything I don't need to take so I refused it. Xx
