Hi everyone.
I've been diagnosed with stage 3 anal cancer caused by Squamous cell carcinoma, that's moved into the lymph nodes, bit it's all contained within that area.
The positive side of things it hasn't spread anywhere else and I won't be having an operation. My start date for treatment is 6th January, where I'll be having one dose of chemo into a vein, but then take chemo tablets twice a day for 42 days as well as having radiotherapy for 28 days.
My biggest worry is getting to the hospital, 90 mins drive each way ( i live on my own) as well as the side effects I've been told about.
I keep telling myself 90% of what we worry about doesn't happen, and I'm trying to stay positive about it all, as I want this gremlin inside of me to be well rid of.
Hi Namet ,
Firstly welcome to the MacMillan Online Community although I’m really sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis.
Many of us here have had the same treatment regime as you’ll be having including myself although my particular treatment was 23 opposed to 28 days as I was part of the PLATO trial, you can read a little more about my journey by clicking on my username. I had some minor side effects to the mitomycin infusion for a couple of days, very slight nausea but I was given anti sickness meds the first of which was given prior to having the infusion & I got a couple of mouth ulcers later that week too but after that I was fine & didn’t need to renew my prescription for the anti sickness. I had no noticeable side effects from the capecitabine (oral chemo), I had some fatigue & my hair went a little thinner (not that anyone else noticed) & it went quite dry but I put this down to my body dealing with both the chemo & radiotherapy together. The only difference I can see is that my chemo was only taken on the days I had radiotherapy & once the radiotherapy was done the chemo finished also.
Regarding transportation to & from your daily hospital visits please enquire with your treating hospital about hospital transport. I was lucky that a local charity (Daft as a Brush) is based at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care where I was treated & has a fleet of mini buses that provide transport for anyone having treatment for cancer or care at the renal centre there too. You never know there may be something similar in your area but if not then the hospital should be able to provide you with daily transport via taxi etc.
The best bit of advice I can offer you going into treatment is take each day as it comes, try not to pre-empt side effects, just mention any that arise to your radiotherapy team or your Dr/nurse & they will prescribe lotions & potions as needed. It’s really difficult at times but you sound as though you’re in the right mindset thinking positively. Focus on the end game & getting your health & your life back, lots of us here are testament to that being possible & please remember we’re here to support you however we can.
Nicola
