Welcome to Cancer Chat pingpongbrain, 

I'm sorry to read about your diagnosis but I'm glad you've joined us as there are a group of ladies that have come together through this diagnosis and you can find out more about them and introduce yourself on their discussion just here. They have supported each other from diagnosis all the way through to the end of treatment and I'm sure they will be more than happy to welcome you in to the fold and do what they can to help you on your journey.

Good luck for the start of your chemotherapy and radiotherapy next week pingpongbrain. We'll be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts and vibes your way.

Kind regards, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Pingpongbrain

I'm sorry to hear that you've been diagnosed with anal cancer

I was diagnosed in April last year, T2,N0,M0 and started my treatment in June, finishing in August.

I had 2 rounds of chemo through a picc line and pump, so I didn't have to be I in hospital. I had 28 rounds of radiotherapy too.

The treatment can be tough, both physically and emotionally.

1st week of chemo is much worse than the 2nd, keep taking the anti sickness tablets. Radiotherapy obviously gets harder as you go along, and you WILL get extremely sore, burnt skin. Drink plenty throughout the day as you will easily become dehydrated. 

Make sure you tell your radiotherapist how you are feeling each day so they know if there's anything they can offer to help. When you see the nurse, ASK for dressings if not offered. My hubby used to put mine in my crack and renamed me Phil McCrackin.

For me, the travelling to hospital trying to drink to make my bladder full was a nightmare (I had a 50 mile round trip).

Also, you MUST listen to your body. Sleep when you're tired, eat when you want to (high calorie and fat to keep your strength up).

I found that wearing a nightie (no undies) around the house helped with the burnt skin and healing.

Good luck

X

to pingpongbrain. can i talk to you please and hopeless with computer but will try. Just diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of anus and have to have chemoradiotherapy and wondered  how you coped with treatment. hopefully I can join the group of ladies with this cancer. Many thanks.

from essenden.can u help me connect please with other ladies with squamous cell cancer Thankyou.

Hello essenden,

I've had a little look around the forum for you and found other ladies here who have had or currently have squamous cell anal cancer. One example would be [@Janelucia]‍ whose thread you can read here  . Exactly a year ago, she was also looking to connect with other ladies with squamous cell anal cancer so hopefully she will see your post and share her experience with you. On the same thread you will also find [@SandsJ]‍ who was diagnosed with T2 squamous cell anal carcinoma. More recently, you will find [@Suzym]‍ on this thread.

I hope you will get chatting soon and sharing experiences with some of the ladies I've mentioned.

Best wishes,

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hello, I have not logged on for a while but if I can help in anyway please do not hesitate to ask x

Hi Janelucia

Thankyou for replying. I wondered how you coped with chemo-radiotherapy. I am petrified of becoming incontinent and have to decide this week whether to have this treatment or have an op and a stoma bag as already dithered for a month. Have you had any bad side effects? Info they give sounds awful! It would be reassuring to know your experience.Many thanks.Rita

HI, How are you coping with chemoradiotherapy? I am still dithering either to go for this or have the op and a stoma bag but do have to make a decision this week. Be good to know how you are.Rita

Hi Rita,  I had 29 fractions of radiotherapy and two weeks of chemo.....one on the first week of radiotherapy and the second on the last week.  I managed really well until near the end and then having a wee was painful due to the burning from the radiotherapy.  Once the radiotherapy stops the pain does get worse for about ten days (there is medication that you can have if you ask.....but you do have to ask).  Have they said if your chemo will be tablet form or through a pic line ?

my toilet habit has changed since treatment but I feel that's a small price to pay.