Anyone have Surgery success with tumor at the internal sphincter ?

I actually just started the chemo and radiation yesterday. I am working on putting together an arsenal of supplies. All of your recommendations are very much appreciated. How far into the process did the worst of the side effects begin?

Cyst bath was a life saver for me, along with keeping aquafore on my skin. Could not use the aquafore in the vagina area as it caused me to get a urinary tract infection. I had my doctor prescribe me with mupirocin cream. It was a life saver as well. No tight clothes. And when you are under chemo treatment make sure if possible your urine does not touch any other parts of your body. It will burn and cause lots of pain. Wipe with wet wipes. I know it will be hard but try and drink lots of fluids and eat when ever you get hungry. I was eating every 3 hours. I lost around 15 lbs. I did not lose all my hair but every time I brushed it I would have to clean my brush out. It really got thinned out. I had thick hair. My tastebuds changed and food tasted terrible or had no taste at all. It was miserable but I got through it with lots of tears. Have your doc prescribe you with anxiety meds and pain meds. You will need both! Good luck and will be praying for all going through this dreadful cancer!

TES, I DID, IN FACT THE HIGHLY SKILLED SURGEON I HAD REMOVED (15) FIFTEENE CENTIMERS TOTAL OF ANUS AND ENTIR RECTUM AND A FEW MILIMETERS OF THE SIGMOD COLON; WHERE THE ACTUAL CANCER WAS. BUT WHEN I HAD MY FIRST COLONOSCOPY AT AGE 63 ALOT HAD GONE WRONG AND NOW I'M PAYING FOR IT, I NOW HAVE TO WEAR A COLOSTOMY BAG FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE?

I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2022. I completed 6 weeks of chemo and radiation in Dec. My first colonoscopy after treatment showed half of the cancer was gone. Doctors were optimistic that the rest of it would be gone by the sixth month mark. Today I found out that it is not gone and had grown a bit. I now have an appointment in July with a surgeon for a biopsy. The additional growth could be scar tissue or damage from radiation. Most likely, the way the scan lit up , it’s cancer. They may recommend immunotherapy or surgery. Surgery means a colostomy. I’m very scared. Can you share your experience with me? What was the surgery like? Recovery?

I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2022. I completed 6 weeks of chemo and radiation in Dec. My first colonoscopy after treatment showed half of the cancer was gone. Doctors were optimistic that the rest of it would be gone by the sixth month mark. Today I found out that it is not gone and had grown a bit. I now have an appointment in July with a surgeon for a biopsy. The additional growth could be scar tissue or damage from radiation. Most likely, the way the scan lit up , it’s cancer. They may recommend immunotherapy or surgery. Surgery means a colostomy. I’m very scared. Can you share your experience with me? What was the surgery like? Recovery?

I am in a similar situation. I have been on chemo since November 2022 and had 6 weeks of radiation in between. I have completed my chemo and radiation so I had a colonoscopy last week and am waiting for the results. I don't know if I have a colostomy bag in my future but that would be a difficult situation to come to terms with. In the meantime, I wait for the surgeon to call to let me know. Keep strong, we can do this.

I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2022. I completed 6 weeks of chemo and radiation in Dec. My first colonoscopy after treatment showed half of the cancer was gone. Doctors were optimistic that the rest of it would be gone by the sixth month mark. Today I found out that it is not gone and had grown a bit. I now have an appointment in July with a surgeon for a biopsy. The additional growth could be scar tissue or damage from radiation. Most likely, the way the scan lit up , it’s cancer. They may recommend immunotherapy or surgery. Surgery means a colostomy. I’m very scared. Can you share your experience with me? What was the surgery like? Recovery?

Dear rioa21,
First, let me tell you that I too was terrified. When the gastrointerologist first showed my 3-D ct scan my first reaction was he was showing me the wrong ct scan? However, he assured me I was viewing the right scan. I had a MASSIVE GROWTH that started and looked like ROOTS extending from my sigmiod colon and a what I called a huge POLYP in my rectm and extended all the way down to my anus. The POLYP ITSELF WAS NOT CANCEROUS, BUT THE ROOTS STARTING AT THE SIGMIOD WERE!!! So after consulting with the surgeon he told me that if I didn't remove everything the cancer would spread to the POLYP AND MAKE THINGS WORSE? SO HE REMOVED EVERYTHING!! The hardest part for me to understand was, OK, if you remove all that stuff, how am I going to discharge my fecal matter???? Thats when he explaind that I am going to have to have a STOMA STICKING OUT OF MY STOMACH! MY FIRST RESPONSE WAS, OK, BUT FOR HOW LONG, THATS WHEN HE DROPPED THE BOMBSHELL? He said I'm very SORRY to tell you this, but IT will be permanent. Thats when I thought to myself, AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THIS? Then he suggested that I look at videos of people who also have a colostomy? After looking into it and having EXTRAORDINARY SUPPORT from nurses who are especially trained in wound care, I guess recovery? Because they KNOW how big a change of life it is for you? AS FAR AS THE SURGERY IT REALLY WAS'NT ALL THAT BAD? THERE WAS A LOT OF PAIN IN THE BEGINING, BUT THEY, THE SURGEON PRESCRIBES STRONG PAIN KILLING MEDICATION. AS FAR AS RECOVERY, MY BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS I KEPT FORGETTING I COULD'NT SIT STRAIGHT DOWN. I ALWAYS HAD TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE I HAVE TO SIT ON MY SIDE. WHETHER IT BE MY RIGHT SIDE OR MY LEFT?
Now getting used to the bag? I had my surgery 1/11/21 and to be perfectly honest and candid with you, I still have trouble dealing with the bag. There are certain foods that I can NO LONGER EAT? ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS I TIRE MUCH MUCH SOONER THAN BEFORE! I WAS A FAIRLY ACTIVE PERSON BEFORE ALL OF THIS BUT NOW IT JUST SEEMS LIKE I CAN'T DO WHAT I USED TO DO. IT CAN BE VERY DEPRESSING AND DISCOURAGING. BUT ILOOK AT IT THIS WAY!!!! AT LEAST I'M STILL ALIVE?????
It is OK to be frightened and scared, I was too? But you learn to TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME? AND DON'T DO WHAT I DID! TRY TO HURRY THINGS, IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK? ALL YOU DO IS GO THROUGH MORE UNNECESSARY PAIN. Because then you get mad and it takes longer to heal. And above all, DO WHAT THE DOCTORS AND NURSES TELL YOU, THEY ARE HIGHLY SKILLED AND TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. THEY HAVE ALL TAKEN THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH!!!!!!!!!! "FIRST DO NO HARM".
With that said, just remember ONE thing, " GOD" will always watch over you and help and guide you through the most challanging times in your life.
GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING AND ALWAYS LOOK AT THE CUP AS HALF "FULL" INSTEAD OF HALF EMTY, "GOD BLESS"
P.S. I WILL PRAY FOR YOU DAILY!! YOU CAN AND WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!!!!!

I’m hoping that my next option is Immunotherapy. The thought of surgery is difficult to come to terms with. I feel so defeated. Being positive hasn’t gotten me anywhere. I know a colostomy isn’t the end of the world…but still…

Here is the list I used.
Aveeno baby wipes
Purist form of aloe Vera
High protein with fiber shakes. I used Atkins version!
Ionized/Alkaline filter with water bottle. Drink lots of water!
Anti gas pills
Keep your skin well moisturized with a good lotion!
I have 8 more treatments of chemo/radiation left out of 30 treatments days! Yeah me. I have had minimal side affects so far! Hope this helps