7 weeks post treatment issues

Hi again, 

Michelle, I keep adding similarities to your experience, but when I had my first PET scan back in early November, my thyroid "uptake" showed cancer. I was shocked because I had no symptoms. A subsequent fine needle biopsy showed papillary cancer on the right side of my thyroid. Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type and grows very slow. The surgeon said, "No one dies from papillary thyroid cancer." (I think the five year survival rate is 99%) On January 25th, three weeks after my radiation ended, I had thyroid surgery and half my thyroid was removed. I had a 1.2 cm mass, so I was Stage 1. Frankly, dealing with thyroid cancer was like dealing with a paper cut compared to anal cancer. I get labs drawn to check my thyroid (75% of people who have half their thyroid removed do not need meds to regulate the thyroid), and I get an ultrasound every six months. 

All the doctors said my thyroid cancer had no correlation to my anal cancer, but I read of another women who had the same story. I would have probably had thyroid cancer another year or so before it was even found if it weren't for the PET scan. Our scans bring all the other issues to light. 

Have they done an ultrasound on your thyroid? This usually shows any unusual growths. Your thyroid may just be acting up a bit and may resolve. Have labs shown any abnormal thyroid levels? 

I know there is no direct correlation to menapause, but I started menapause almost two years ago and feel like it may have triggered, or thrown off, something in my body to kick off abnormalities. I may be wrong, but I'm suspicious of the changes from menapause. 

We are banged up from treatment but will feel better every day! Take your time returning to work; it sounds like you have support from your work, so use the spring to feel whole. I teach at a local college, but all my classes have been online and through Zoom, so I'm lucky. I would never have been able to jump up and race off to work every morning. 

All the best!

Sarah  

Hi Michelle75300. I'm now 8 mths post treatment. At my first 3 mth check up the MRI showed up a right side insufficiency fracture. My oncologist said that radiotherapy can cause this and that I was just unlucky. Prior to that visit I was getting hip and pelvic pain/discomfort. A blood test showed up below average vitamin D levels. On the advise of my GP I started taking double dose vitamin D and she referred me for a Dexa (bone density scan). 4 months on I'm still waiting for the scan as there is a big back log. The good news, I no longer have pain/discomfort, I'm not sure if time has healed or that vitamin D has worked some magic. The not so good news, my latest MRI shows another insufficiency fracture on my left side. I hope that my Dexa scan comes through soon to confirm my bone health. I'm feeling really well otherwise. Good luck with your journey of recovery, be kind to yourself. Bev

Thanks Bev

That's reassuring to know. Some days I honestly think this is how the rest of my life is going to be! 

Congratulations on coming so far.

Michelle x

Wow!! Really?

So it's not just me then! Scans do indeed bring things to light. It's a good thing I suppose that at least we get to treat these issues. How was the surgery? Was it key hole? General anaesthetic or local?I'm sure it was nothing in comparison to the A/C. I haven't seen any specialists regarding this yet. I'm assuming I will do soon. Will need a scan at least. Very refreshing to hear that the survival rate is so high.

I was part way through the menopause with no real symptoms but I think the radiotherapy has sped things up. The menopause has a lot to answer for. The joys of being a woman! I now get occasional night sweats which aren't much fun but other than that things aren't too bad.

Thank you so much for your valuable advice. It's really put my mind at rest.

Keep in touch and take care

Michelle x

Hi again 

I didn't realise that the radiotherapy could do quite so much damage as well as good.

I have started taking vitamin d and calcium tablets after reading up on the internet about fractures.

It's funny. Only the last few days I've been suffering with muscular aches and pains. Even in my feet!! Maybe these are also due to the treatment. 

I know they are planning on doing a bone scan at some point. I hope you get your scan very soon.

Thanks so much for your advice. I was beginning to believe that I was the only one with these extra issues but now I'm beginning to believe it's not just down to my bad luck.

Take it easy and well done with everything so far. Keep in touch.

Michelle x

Hi

Yes it's the mucous. I had a back passage examination yesterday. Oh my!! It hurt so much I was almost sick!! My oncologist said it all felt great and that there was just some scar tissue a little way inside so I guess that's positive. She advised me to keep on with the stool softeners. Beginning to think I may need to take these for a very long time to come.

Thank you so much for your support and advice

Michelle x

Hi 

I have just been diagnosed and was offered a surgery . I hate surgeries and don’t know what to do . Please help me here 

thanks 

Hi Wali , 

Firstly welcome to the Macmillan online community although I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. You’ve mentioned you’ve been offered surgery, are you aware of the surgery they’re offering you? Sometimes if caught in the very early stages a local resection can be offered which just cuts away the tumour along with enough healthy tissue that gives a good clear margin. The other surgery used for anal cancer is APR surgery which is a lot more extensive. 

If you click on the new here, say hello tab at the top of the group just under the heading maybe you can repost there so that your post doesn’t get lost on this thread & other members will see it. 

Most of us here have been where you are now & are here to support you however we can. 

Nicola