recent diagnosis

Hi Guys,

I had my first post treatment CT scan last Friday afternoon and got the results yesterday. It shows that the grapefruit sized tumour and all the cancerous lymph nodes have been completely eradicated. All that's left is a lot of scarring inside which now needs to heal and repair itself. I will have an MRI scan in 6 weeks time, this should confirm that all the cancer is gone . I'd like to thank everyone for all their love and positive thoughts and encouragement through all this. It has helped me immensely to overcome this. It's like a weight has been lifted. Now I just need to build my strength and energy levels up Here's looking to the future. ️️

Hi @Sainstfan this is such good news, you must be so relieved! Isn’t it amazing how the tumour has just melted away. Thanks for posting, this is encouraging for everyone on here. I shall raise a glass to you tonight! You will build back up your strength it just takes a bit of time. Take things slowly.  All the best, Bev. 

Thank you Bev. 

All the very best to you too.

 Steve x

Wow  this is incredible news, I bet you’re elated with those results!! I’m thankful you found us & that the support offered has helped you through this difficult time. I too love to see posts such as yours as Bev has already said it helps those that are just starting out on this bumpy road. You’ll get there with your energy levels etc., it just takes a little time, I found the good days were soon outweighing the days when I was fatigued but take that time to rest when you need to your body has been through a lot recently. Once again huge congratulations.

Nicola

Thank you Nicola,

 You have all been a tremendous help. 

 Once the MRI scan has confirmed the CT results in around 6 weeks time, If I remember it correctly (I wasn't exact;y concentrating, inside I was jumping for joy!!) , my consultant plans to see me every 2 months for the first year, then every 3 months the 2nd year, then I think it's every 6 months for the last 3 years.

 Many thanks again.

 Steve x

Hi Steve I’m linzey and new to this site. It’s great to hear your story and you sound so positive Xxx

Me again I’ve not even read this one !!! How amazing is this !!!!! I have a large tumour it’s 10cm and luckily contained ! I’ve just had my camera and biopsy on Thursday ive already had my mri and ct . My next stop is stoma then treatment you’ve no idea the relief at reading this I’m welling up Xxx

Hi Linzey,

 It is an emotional, tough and scary time. I was first diagnosed with an aggressive anal form of squamous cell carcinoma at the beginning of May. Originally my tumour was the size of a 10 pence piece but by the time I started treatment in August it had grown to the size of a grapefruit and had moved into my lymph nodes. I was petrified, but the guys on here are a fab bunch and quickly helped to put my mind at rest.  My consultant was great and assured me that these cancers respond well to chemo and radio therapy. He did warn me that because it was aggressive they would be giving me a brutal treatment to wipe it out.

 It was a brutal treatment and it was very tough going. I did have a wobble about 2/3rds of the way through when the pain got almost too much to bear, but the doctors got my pain relief sorted pretty quickly thank goodness. I didn't have a stoma and I wish that perhaps I should have had one. For me the worst part was the pain when going to the toilet and if I had a stoma there wouldn't be any pain because I wouldn't need to go to the toilet. 

 It is survivable, I'm still here and you will be too.

 Don't forget you are not on your own, the guys/team here are on hand 24-7 and are so helpful, as are the nurses, radiotherapists etc at the hospital.

 Keep thinking positive thoughts and don't forget to talk about your worries and fears. 

 If there's one tip I could give you it's to moisturise your skin around the area that the radio therapy is targeting and keep on moisturising like mad.

 Take care

 Steve x

Steve 

what can I say ... Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply. What an incredible story . It’s taken me 2 days to reply to this .. to think of what to say .. and I still don’t know ! Im absolutely amazed ..you’ve done incredible well and come sooo far in a short space Of time ! I’ve found everybody on here to be absolutely amazing and both 1in1500 and Nikki65rushed to my aid as soon as I’d posted in absolutely desperation . And I thank each and every person who has took time in replying to me . I don’t know any of you personally but feel incredibly supported by you all . Steve your truly an inspiration as are you all X x x 

Hi Steve

i had a wobbly weekend as my consultant did her first poke around examination since I finished my treatment on 23/12. I had been really positive but was a bit shocked when she said positively that tre was still about 2cm left, it was 7cm! How long after you’d finished your treatment did it disappear totally? I think psychologically I thought it would be gone! Mind you like you it is still very sore when opening bowels even though rest has healed really well. I think I can feel it still working away inside. Just  it goes as I didn’t like the answer when I asked what happens if it doesn’t go shouldn’t have asked!!! 
So pleased you are through it! I can imagine the relief and emotion and dreaming it’ll be me soon.... 

Ruth x