Hi this is my first post after receiving diagnosis of anal cancer by post in a letter that I wasn’t meant to receive!!
So apologies I will introduce myself I’m 54 wife, mother to 2 wonderful boys and Nannie to 3 beautiful grandchildren 
I went to the Drs a few weeks ago as I thought I had piles it turns out I don’t and I have a Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the anal canal! I had a biopsy just over a week ago and was awaiting results I’ve had an MRI, CT scan and a PET scan next week,on Wednesday of this week I received a copy of a letter that was sent to the pulmonary team saying I have been diagnosed with a localised Squamous Cell Carcinoma they want the lung team to look as they think it’s metastatic, to get this in the post has been devastating beyond belief, my husband has myeloma and is currently on second line treatment after relapsing following a stem cell transplant 2 years ago he knows that I may have cancer but he had no idea about the letter as he’s currently in hospital with suspected unstable angina !!
I have tried unsuccessfully to get someone from the hospital to speak to me the secretary just apologised and said I shouldn’t of found out this way, I have used all my strength to support my husband i am the one supposed to be caring for him I am so upset and don’t know if I have enough strength to get through this
Hi and welcome to the Online Community, although I am am always sorry to see folks finding us and so sorry to hear about your Anal Cancer diagnosis.
I am so sorry that you received the letter out of the blue. I understand how this feels as it happens to me 20 years back when I found out I had a rare type of blood cancer, it set up an interesting next clinic discussion.
You need to keep pushing the system to talk with someone, do contact your GP to mediate for you if you are still struggling to navigate to get answers.
A cancer diagnosis brings a lot of confusion, stress and many questions but talking with other people who are on the same type of journey helps a lot.
The Community has various support groups and I see you have joined our Anal cancer group and put up your first post - well done. This is the place where you will connect with others walking the treatment journey both as patient or family.
Also sad to see your husband has relapsed after his Stem Cell Transplant for Myeloma. I actually have had two donor Stem Cell Transplants. The first in June 2014 where I relapsed by that December so has a final go with my second in October 2015 we also have a very supportive Stem cell transplant group.
It’s always good to talk - our Macmillan Support Services provides lots of ways to connect. The service is open every day 8am to 8pm and it's free to call on 0808 808 00 00. Clicking here will give you more information.
You can also email them, use the online chat and we also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two working days for replies from our expert team.
Our Online Information and Support Section is a good place to find information covering diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers.
All the very best.
Mike - Thehighlander
It always seems impossible until its done - Nelson Mandela
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