Today has been very busy , my first appointment with an oncologist she was lovely.
So Im T3 N1 M0 , my treatment will be 28 days of chemo radiation.
Treatment to start in 2/3 weeks firstly I need my scan for radiation and tattoos and another appointment for chemo ward and some checks.
I’d explained that I had join this group and already had some great information and tips.
The only shock was my treatment will not be at my local cancer centre as they dont have the anal specialists there. The centre I will be at is in the middle of Liverpool city centre and Im a nervous driver !!! They will arrange transport which is a big help.
Im relieved to have my plan.
Emma x
It’s great to hear that things are moving along Emma (Emz1976 ), I’m pleased that you found your oncologist to be lovely too, I was lucky enough to have a great, compassionate oncologist too & it makes all the difference when you can have a good rapport with them, I think some can be quite matter of fact about the whole thing, maybe dealing with peoples cancer journeys makes some this way over time.
Yes the anal cancer specialists are somewhat thin on the ground, or they definitely were when I had my treatment a little over 6 years ago. I was lucky enough that mine was close at the National Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, around 20 minutes away from where I live, he was primarily a lung cancer specialist but also the lead for anal cancer, patients where coming from far & wide to see him, some staying in hotels or rented accommodation throughout their treatment as it would be too far to travel on a daily basis. Having said this I think things are getting better & more Cancer Centres are getting oncologists that specialise in our particular cancer so hopefully people are not having to stay away from home during treatment as this isn’t ideal.
I also used a local charity that provided transport for anyone having cancer treatment at the hospital where I was treated, in hindsight I probably could have managed most of the driving myself but you don’t know that before you’re there so it’s always wise to have help if it’s offered, I’ll always be grateful to them.
Good luck with your upcoming appointments, before you know it you’ll be out the other side & on the road to recovery.
Nicola
I googled my oncologist and she is also a lung cancer specialist , they must be similar cancers.
Small world my daughter received treatment for a heart condition in 2016 and we lived in scotts house at the back of freemans for a few months . She has check ups every 3 months so we call Newcastle our second home 
its such an amazing hospital and we love all the people so kind and friendly
My oncologist did say I could have the treatment more locally but if any issues came there would be no speciaist to quickly sort me out . The extra travelling is a pain but a small price to pay
Emma x
Wow that’s even more of a coincidence Emz1976 , my daughter was born with a congenital heart condition & is still reviewed annually at the Freeman, we’re there next week actually! It is an amazing hospital, I class myself very lucky living in the vicinity of a couple of excellent hospitals (I received my initial surgery at the RVI in Newcastle as my colorectal surgeon is based there) another outstanding hospital.
I think you’ve made the right decision to travel that little bit further, especially as they’re taking care of your transport, you’ll have the best care on hand should you need it.
Nicola
