Shortish back story - been having problems with what I thought were internal hemorrhoids for a long time (longer than I'd like to admit). Had a really bad case of constipation due to taking Zofran for covid nausea in Sept. Started having additional problems after that with more bleeding, some minor bowel movement pain and some minor leakage. Again, thought I might have a small fissure or inflamed my hemorrhoid due to the constipation evacuation. Started using creams, etc. and kept saying to myself, I should get this checked out. But busy life, the holidays...I put it off.
Well the week before Christmas things took a turn for the worse. Something popped out of my anus (it was small and hard but not painful to touch) and I started to have a lot more pain with bowel movements. Stinging pain for 20-30 minutes after the BM. I saw Gyno on 12/29 and she said "small external hemorrhoid" and gave my hydrocortisone. I called her a few days later with increased pain and bleeding. She wanted to refer me to GI, but her nurse actually suggested a colorectal surgeon might be quicker (and she was totally right!)
I saw CRS on Monday (1/8). Told him my symptoms and he said "sounds like a fissure," then did an exam (which was very painful). He left the room and came back and said he didn't see any evidence of a fissure or hemorrhoids. What the Gyno thought was a hemorrhoid he called a "skin tag" and he said he felt a mass and saw a lot of inflammation. He said I needed a biopsy and surgical exam ASAP. I am schedule for biopsy with general anesthesia on 1/19. I read his office note on the online portal. It say "anal mass, most likely squamous cell carcinoma."
I am extremely concerned with the amount of pain I am having and what that means. I can barely walk (it feels like my anus is ripping with every step), I have random sharp shooting pain up through my anus and rectum (sometime when just sitting or laying down) and terrible pain with BM. And lots of bleeding. Mostly with BM, but I have had some spotting in my underwear.
Does this amount of pain and symptoms equate to the size and stage of the cancer/tumor? How am I going to handle the treatment if I am already in this much pain? How am I going to get through the next few weeks until I even start treatment.
I am so worried and I am so upset with myself for not getting this all checked sooner!
I’m so sorry to be reading this DogWatch , life just sucks sometimes doesn’t it? Yes unfortunately you’ll be all too familiar with the whole whirlwind that takes place following diagnosis then & I agree just keep focused on the end game when treatment is done & you’re on the road to recovery.
In reference to your reply to Irene & tips on getting through treatment something you can do before it even starts is moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! Try & get your skin in the area that’s receiving the radiotherapy in as good condition as possible. I would moisturise the whole of your nether regions, including your groin with a simple aqueous cream, I used Aquamax, but whilst having treatment my radiotherapy team provided me with QV cream which was pretty much the same thing. As you’ll probably be aware you’re not supposed to use any creams directly before a radiotherapy session but I would carry the cream with me & as soon as I was back in the changing room I’d lather it on before getting dressed then reapply each time I used the loo, I think this helped my skin hold up pretty well throughout my treatment.
Hoping your treatment is underway really soon.
Nicola
