What a difference a day (and a bit of morphine) makes:

Hello LCraig

I am so pleased to hear you are feeling more positive and well done for getting out and about.  And there is nothing wrong with having resting days (lots if you need them), you are so early in your recovery.

I can imagine how you feel about the lesion on your arm, I will be thinking about you, so please let us know how you get on.  Yes, you could really do without this, life just throws things at us sometimes.

Big hug

Irene xx

Hi LCraig

Happy to hear you are improving. Take it one day at a time, rest when you need to and lots of self care like Irene said it's early days so be kind to yourself. Hope all goes well on the 19th. Sending hugs. Xx

Hi Irene,

Thank you, I really appreciate your kind comments and thoughts for the 19th. I will be glad to get it all over and done with.

I really hope all is well with you.

Xx

Hi Bungle1 ,

Thank you so much.

I think you are absolutely right about taking it one day at a time and self care. I do not want to feel disappointed if I wake up one morning feeling washed out again but rather see any ups and downs as just being all part of the process of healing.

I know that last weekend I was frightened that this was my lot in life. This week I am hopeful and positive.

I hope all is well with you.

xx

. 

Hi LCraig,

So good to hear that you’re starting to turn the corner. Those very early days are so difficult and I’m not at all surprised you were feeling a sense of despair.

It’s still early days for you and probably wise to continue using the pain medication while you’re still suffering. While it was brave to stop your body was telling you otherwise. 

Great that you have had some moments and hours of almost normality and I can remember how wonderful that feels. There will be good and bad days but hopefully now the good bits will get longer and you will start regaining your sense of self rather than feeling defined by the AC.

Best of luck for the 11th and for the 19th although I’m sorry you have this additional challenge. Last thing you need.

Keep being kind to yourself x

Hi LCraig ,

It’s great to hear that things are improving & that you’re in a more positive headspace. Over time you’ll find you have more good days & the gaps between the rest days will grow. Having said that don’t rush it just let it happen, you’ll soon be back to being able to do what you want when you want to without considering the fatigue. Not too long to wait for that first appointment. 

I’m sorry you’re having to go through the surgery on your arm though, it’s an added worry you don’t need right now isn’t it? I had to have 2 lesions removed from my back shortly after I’d finished my treatment thankfully they turned out to be Basel Cell Carcinomas & were easily dealt with, another lady I had contact with through the forum also had something similar removed from her nose around the same time so I do wonder about what your nurse practitioner said.

Try & stay positive & know we’re always here. 

Nicola 

Hi Nicola,

thank you again for sharing your insight. Very interesting about the shared issue with lesions. Maybe there is something in what the practice nurse said.

My new issue is not being able to poop easily without laxatives. I feel restricted and it hurts, so I am wondering whether I may have stenosis. So, back to laxatives for me until I have had it checked out.

I am still having multiple night sweats and then getting very cold. If this is ongoing when I see my oncologist I will ask her about it. I’m wondering if this is still a left over from my treatment.

I asked to be referred to a psychologist who has some specialism in cancer therapy. I want just to talk through my new depressive anxieties.

On a really positive note, I returned to my Welsh Speaking class yesterday. Three hours of learning. I began to seriously flag after two hours but I stuck with it. It was great to be back out in the real world doing something normal again.

Hi LCraig ,

Unfortunately the chances of having a level of anal stenosis following this treatment is high. I certainly did have stenosis. I took stool softeners for approximately 3 years post treatment, my oncologist & surgeon would comment on the stenosis & I wondered if it would be a lifelong issue but it hasn’t been, the last couple of years I’ve noticed a lot of improvement, I haven’t had the need for softeners for probably 4 years now & have no discomfort or pain going to the loo. My advice would be just stick with the stool softeners for as long as you need them. 

It’s good that you’ve explored some counselling options, especially with a someone that specialises in cancer related therapy. I hope you find it helps you make sense of the way you’re feeling. 

It’s also great to hear you’ve ventured back into some of your leisure activities, I love this & bit by bit these things will help you regain more & more of your pre diagnosis life back which in turn I’m sure will boost your mood. You should be proud of yourself as it’s still really early days in your recovery & you’re already getting yourself back out there. 

Nicola 

 Re pain with bowel movements. during and following anal cancer diagnosis  My chemo radiation ended Oct  31 2024.  I have struggled with intense pain with bowel movements .  At Mayo I was given a compounded cream that contains Diltiazem  with Lidocaine  which seems to help. Last week I met with a general surgeon  who suggested we try  dilation  as an in office procedure,, Its simple,,   3 different graduated size dilators  were gently inserted into the rectum to try to open up that channel and sphincter.  Uncomfortable for sure but I have been willing to try Anything to help.

He explained that the radiation has had this constrictive effect on the anus and rectal canal  in the same way that the vagina is changed by this scarring . 

  I believe this is helping and I plan to go back in 3 weeks to have that repeated 

 Hope this helps as an option to consider ,  Best wishes on the journey , !!!!! How very much we do not know as we discover at each phase ... pain is real.  Options vary   I appreciate this forum so very much!!!

also continue with the stool softeners and laxatives,,cant do without those!  also senna tea helps