Hi

Hi Mac53 ,

Welcome to the Macmillan online community although I’m sorry that you’ve had the need to find us. We’re here to offer support & share our own experiences about dealing with anal cancer, treatment & beyond. Feel free to share your story when you’re ready & ask away if you’ve any questions. 

Nicola 

Am awaiting  chemo and radiotherapy treatment for large squamous carcinoma, am really nervous & worried, am stage 3 cancer but cancer is localised 

Am in a lot of pain, am prescribed Gaberpentin for pain, any advice please.

Hi I was similar… I’m now 8 weeks post treatment (I won’t lie the side effects from radio are extremely painful) but the treatment itself is ok xx Get yourself a sitz bath… the hospital will give you creams etc and additional pain relief … mine was through the GP on Zomorph (12 hour slow release 2x a day) with oramorph as “top up” for breakthrough pain. For me and couple of others having treatment same time the first 3 weeks was ok but be prepared by week 4… week 8 post treatment and still a bit sore when I pass but rest of the time I’m pain free. In countdown to scan (4 more weeks)

Youve got this  sending hugs and positive vibes xx

Thx for advice, really nervous about starting treatment I have an oncologist appointment Tuesday to discuss treatment plan I presume, I will keep you informed if that's ok  

It is really scary … once you’ve seen the oncologist things hopefully will move quickly with a start date for treatment (if you’ve not had already)  Write any questions you gave down and take them wh you.. mine tried to “rush” me but I wasn’t leaving till I’d asked everything  I’m a bit rubbish at logging on here but I’m also on a Facebook group specially for anal cancer too if you’re interested.

I’ve met people there who started treatment same day as I did and become friends with them .. we private message our day to day progress and it’s a comfort to know “it’s not just you”

hope to see you on there

Maggie (Smith)

Tha k you. X

It’s a great group. Wrote 2 replies but they weren’t posted … wishing you best of luck .. Maggie

I will write questions down to ask oncologist on Tuesday just want to start treatment now, I was admitted into hospital with anal mass, I've had colostomy & the plan is to treat squamous cell carcinoma with oral chemo & radiotherapy. My life completely changed interested space of 6 weeks. I think groups like this are so helpful in taking to other people going through the same thing. Xx