New to Group

Hi goldie65,

I'm going to begin my treatment next Wednesday 20th. I've got to say I am also a little nervous and not looking forward to the side effects. But I'm trying to stay positive and not think too much about side effects until they happen. Everyone is different, some suffer side effects more than others and some hardly anything at all, try to keep in mind that at the end you will be free of this invasion. My oncologist gave me a list of side effects when I saw him for the first time, it's good to be informed and know what might happen but remember the word is might. Good luck with your treatment when it begins and keep positive.

Carole1960

Hi! Welcome to this forum!

im just about to start week 4. I haven’t had any side effects yet, but I know that it could all start from now and also when treatment stops. I have another 2 and a half weeks to go and I’m just ready for anything now. I’m hoping it’s a journey I can look back on and be grateful that it’s over. For me the worst part was the diagnosis and then waiting for the treatment to start. During the treatment you will have lots of support from your team. Going every day builds a bond and you will meet people on the same journey. I wish you well and hope that all goes well , and that the outcome will be worth it all and you will be cancer free. Keep in touch with us on this brilliant forum.

hugs from Happyflower

Hi Goldie65 ,

Welcome to our little corner of the MacMillan Online Community although I’m really sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis.

The time between diagnosis & the beginning of treatment is definitely a difficult time, the fear of the unknown is always the worst, you will have read many accounts I’m sure of severe side effects related to this treatment but not everyone suffers to the extreme, Happyflower is a perfect example of this, I too had very few side effects aside from some radiation cystitis until my 23rd day of treatment & then I had a couple of uncomfortable weeks but once things began healing it happened pretty quickly. The best advice I can offer is just take each day as it comes, your treating team will make sure you’ve any creams/pain relief you should need throughout. 

Please just ask if you’ve any questions you think we may be able to help with, we’re here to help support you however we can. 

Nicola 

Hi everyone. I’m just looking for some support. My daughter has a mole on her thigh- it’s been there a long while but the nurse noticed it when she was having a smear test and said it should be checked. She got a referral and the hospital took a photo of it. It was forwarded to the MDT and today she’s heard it looks cancerous. She is having it removed on Wednesday. She is 39 with 3 young children and we are all in sheer panic. I’m in the 4 th week of my chemoradiotherapy and to be honest I feel totally she’ll shocked and don’t know how I’m going to cope. 
Happyflower x

Thank you Carole , 

I think I just got a bit low and worried about everything yesterday . Really the sooner treatment starts the better and I’m sure I’ll deal with it . 

I hope your treatment is successful with not too many side effects .

Thank you for the welcome and the advise Nicola , 

Feel yesterday was a blip and everything got  on top of me . 
II first noticed a lump in my groin end of May and been given various diagnosis before getting the anal cancer diagnosis .  I’ve been told I will start treatment in 3-4 weeks . All the waiting I think just got too much . 
I’ve spoken to a MacMillan Nurse this evening and just to speak to someone who isn’t a friend or family member has helped . I’m sure I’ll have questions when I start and will appreciate the support . 
I’ve also seen our Local Maggies holds an anal cancer support group every month , so I’ll go along to that too . 

Thank you for the welcome Happy flower , 

 Great your treatment is going well , I hope it continues . 
You’re right  the waiting and diagnosis is awful ! I’ve had several diagnosis and prognosis so far , I dread attending appointments ! 

I will be relieved when I can eventually start treatment , and I’ll deal with it a day at a time . 
Thanks again for the reassurance and Wishing you the best with your treatment 

Happyflower

What a worrying time for you.  However, the hospital seems to be moving very fast and hopefully she won't have to wait too long before she has a definite diagnosis.  You are going through a mother's worst nightmare (something happening to your child is worse than anything else, I know) and I hope the next few days move very quickly.

If I could send you strength to help you going through this I would, I am thinking of you all.

Irene xx

Hello Goldie

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but a warm welcome to the forum; yes, the treatment isn't pleasant but you have the full-hearted support of others who have either been through this or are going through this.  On here we can talk about anything and eyebrows won't be raised at all.

The worst time is the waiting around between all the appointments prior to the treatment starting.  However, once it does start it is surprising how quickly time passes, we always say keep a calendar and tick off the days of treatment.  And although there are side effects they are very gradual and certainly don't all come at once and I hope you are one of the ones who isn't badly affected.  And if you are, the team treating you are normally very quick to offer pain relief and dressings so keep them informed at all times if things are getting tough.

And we are always here to help support should you need it, too.

Irene xx

Thank you Irene,

Yes it is a mother’s worst nightmare. My anxiety levels are off the scale. I didn’t feel anything like this when I was given my diagnosis. They are removing it tomorrow- then it’s the waiting game.

Thank you for your support.

Happyflower

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