Anal SCC Treatment Side Effects

I was diagnosed with anal cancer almost 4 years ago. It was caused by HPV. I was having trouble sitting comfortably because the growth was so big.I had radiation and chemo everyday for 6 weeks. I could tell the treatment was working because I could sit without feeling the growth. My reaction to the chemo was minimal. Loss of appetite and feeling tired. The radiation was another story. The diarrhea started almost immediately. As the weeks went on so did the pain. My husband convinced me we needed a bidet. It was a tremendous help. I also used creams with lidocaine and Aquaphor. Unfortunately, the radiation left me with fecal incontinence. I spent a year either in the bathroom or looking for one. A year after treatment I had a colostomy. My life is 100% better now. I’ve had many scans and there’s no sign of any cancer. I wish you the very best. You will get though this. My surgeon was Luca Stocchi at Mayo in Jacksonville.

I had the same treatment at Mayo Rochester 8 years ago. You are in good hands. Expect some fatigue and bowel issues. But you will get through it.

I had this cancer from the HPV virus two years ago. I thought it was an “external” hemorrhoid. I had an IV chemo treatment only on the first day. A nausea pill took care of that. For 28 days after that, I had two chemo pills and a radiation session. I couldn’t feel that at all and never had a bit of pain. I have a bidet and didn’t even need soothing creams.

The radiation did cause a great deal of fatigue which still exists a little bit, but I’m also 85. Yes, there was a good bit of lack of control for about six months after. I wore pull-ups all the time. I’m fine now and don’t need them.

One year after that, I had to have a double mastectomy. That also was without pain and I’m just finishing the first year of five with a hormone pill.

I wish you the same success and “ease.” Mayo will treat you well. I wasn’t at a facility of theirs and still had wonderful care. Keep us posted and remember that a positive attitude is key! I never thought, even momentarily, that I would be anything but A-ok.

Hello

I went through this finished in December also at Mayo in Phoenix . It was a hard 6 weeks but it also went fast. If you don’t live close you may want to consider locating to phoenix for the treatment at least the end. I did and I can’t imagine having done that with a 2 hour commute each way everyday. Physically you will likely spend a lot of time in the bathroom particularly towards the end and a few weeks after. It was painful for bowel movements at the end and a few weeks after but that does get better. I never took any pain medication and made it through. Some less obvious things to consider that happened to me. Be careful with your picc line mine caused a blood clot in my arm if it is painful let them know. Keeping your bladder full for radiation seems easy but isn’t always. For me I would have to pee and when I did well just say it wasn’t always just pee. Lots of folks say get a bidet I agree but a peri bottle works too. My lifesaver was mini wipes. Small packages of water only wipes that you can put in your pocket I still carry them when I leave the house for a long time you can get them in Amazon. Also they tell you won’t lose your hair but it may thin. Well mine started coming out in clumps thinned maybe 70 percent. I wasn’t expecting that it was long and I tried the combover ponytail for a while but ultimately cut it short it was bad in the back but I didn’t shave it. I wish I had done it earlier it would have been so much easier! I also got mouth sores with my first chemo. Had to get a mouth rinse then on my second chemo they said to suck on ice during the infusion which worked wish I knew that the first time. Lastly if something isn’t right call the triage don’t wait. They are the best! I waited too late because I didn’t want to be a bother don’t do that you will not be a bother!!! These are the things that happened to me but we are all different. I didn’t have nausea. I continued to eat well. On a funny side note I purposely didn’t use the parking pass they gave me so I would park as far away as possible to force walking but that was December highly not recommended now in July use your pass lol. You got it it’s only 6 weeks!!!!

@rioa21 Thank you so much. I have trying get as much information about this diagnosis as possible. The side effects don't sound fun and I am sorry you have gone though all that; prayers for you.
My colon ruptured due to the kidney transplant meds and I had ro have a colostomy for a few years and all the fun that entails. I was able to have it reversed.
Yes a bidet seems like a very necessary tool.
Thank again!
I am praying for you. Rob

@jmwallop
Thank you very much for the encouraging words.
I'm sorry you had to go through this also. But it is good to know others have gone through it and live normal lives while being C free!

@yancy
Thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry you had to go through all that but I appreciate your amazing, grateful attitude. Attitude is everything!
Prayers for you.
Rob

@juliem25
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm sorry you went through all this.
I live in the Pacific Northwest so I am actually planning to live in Phoenix for the next two months. (Praying I'll at least be well enough then to fly back.)
Mayo has Proton radiation therapy. That will be more precise and needed due to my kidney transplant in 2009.
Prayers for you.
Rob