1. < Colorectal Cancer

Worried this might be anal cancer

Posted by blac @blac, Jan 13 4:06pm

Have been having this pain around the left side of my anus its very painful mostly at night and feels hard,
This pain as lasted for 3years now each day,
And more recently am noticing some kind of small growth in the left opening

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clare12351 | @clare12351 | 15 hours ago
In reply to @yancy "Hi, Clare! I finished chemo radiation three months ago for anal cancer. HPV, squamous cell. Two..." + (show)
@yancy

Hi, Clare! I finished chemo radiation three months ago for anal cancer. HPV, squamous cell. Two tumors, 5 and 3 cm. I had a PET scan a couple of weeks ago. (They like to wait 2-3 months after treatment to be sure all the “stuff” is out of your system before the scan.)
I have an appt next week with my oncologist but my reading of the results is that there’s no evidence of cancer now, even in the one lymph node to which it had spread. Wahoo!

I had a port infusion on Day 1 of Mitomycin. Then followed 28 days of a chemo pill twice a day (capecitabine) and also radiation.

The side effects: No pain, no nausea. However, pretty bad diarrhea from the radiation (pull-ups required!) but that has now 99% improved. I also had extreme weakness and tiredness from the chemo and it’s still an issue. I’m ready for a break after a brief stint of housework. Maybe that’s just an excuse!

If you have any questions, I’ll be glad to share. By the way, I’m almost 84.

Jump to this post

I am just seeing this!! Thank you so much for your reply and the description of what you have gone through re treatment for anal cancer , I am 73 so am right behind you !
I am so glad you are seeing no evidence of cancer , Please let me know how you are doing now
I find hope in your narrative
My treatments ended Oct 31 , its 12/10 and I am still having burning when passing BM
did you have this too??

Thanks ever so much Clare

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1 reply
yancy | @yancy | 14 hours ago
In reply to @clare12351 "I am just seeing this!! Thank you so much for your reply and the description of..." + (show)
@clare12351

I am just seeing this!! Thank you so much for your reply and the description of what you have gone through re treatment for anal cancer , I am 73 so am right behind you !
I am so glad you are seeing no evidence of cancer , Please let me know how you are doing now
I find hope in your narrative
My treatments ended Oct 31 , its 12/10 and I am still having burning when passing BM
did you have this too??

Thanks ever so much Clare

Jump to this post

Hi, Clare! I’m so glad you saw my note. I’m doing very well and back to my too-busy schedule. I received a book for my birthday in early November and I’m itching to get into it. But duty calls. I got very piled up from doing nothing throughout the spring, summer, and fall from the fatigue.

As I reported, I had no pain. For about four or five days, about three-fourths of the way through my treatment, there was some irritation around my anal area that burned, but it wasn’t bad. I used witch hazel wipes and they helped a lot, followed by a little Vaseline. After that, no discomfort. It took about three months after I finished for my bowels to become regular. I continued to wear Depends just in case, then I graduated to panty liners. I discontinued them a few weeks ago. My energy is back. I’m working on building up leg strength just by doing my normal routine. Not taking neighborhood walks yet, but that’s because I’ve since developed Wet AMD in one eye which occasionally throws off my balance a tiny bit. I now get a monthly shot in the eye. Always sumthin’!

Just be patient; you’ll one day soon realize that you’re feeling better!

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clare12351 | @clare12351 | 13 hours ago

Thank you so much!! 3 months til bowel function to become regular is good information. Yes I have to wear depends and gratefully ! Ha
Leg strength is lacking but I'm walking up and down stairs and short walks with my dog outside in the woods will surely help build that back up again! You are most inspiring.!! Last fall i was taking an 85 yr old friend to get monthly shots in his eye and he really did well with the treatment and outcome so I do hope you find it helpful!! Get to that book you received! Time with a good book is transformative to be sure! Many thanks. Clare

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