Anal cancer

Hi Anne, sorry just saw this. Hugs back to you dearest! I was a bit wonky yesterday.

Yes me too; I’m 71 and I only work p/t at the moment as I’ve always been self employed. My mind has been elsewhere this past few years until I got diagnosed so I’ve totally been losing myself in reading!

I meant to say it’s great, great you’ve got a while off after the ChemoRT. That’s so wonderful.

I knew to expect the tingling hands with cold, but that evening I was sitting with long cashmere gloves on (a very thoughtful gift from my daughter), eating yogurt, and started to laugh at the absurdity of wearing a shawl and long gloves to eat yogurt but the laughter turned into tears which - electrified my eyeballs!!!!  - I kid you not - it was the MOST bizarre thing ever. Soon passed though. I’d not seen anything written about this before. I also got the swollen tongue as my Infusion was finishing on the day, but a warm neck pad sorted that out pronto.

What a crazy situation - I’m feeling a bit queasy even today, but managing it ok I think.

Take care and relax into resting and looking after yourself. For me the RT wasn’t bad just the huge journey 5 days a week was tiring so hope you’ve not got that!  x

Hi Sadie, day 4 of radiotherapy and Chemo tablets today. I feel a bit strange , unsure as to how, which is weird . I took an anti sickness tablet , which seems to have eased.  I only live less than an hour away from the Christie, so I'm very lucky.

I've got Patient transport there, and my 3 kids will pick me up and bring me hone the rest. You made me smile with the yoghurt and gloves , thank you. I'm ready for weekend to have the 2 days off.i can't believe the 1st week is nearly over. Warmest wishes and here's to a positive outcome . I practise Emitionsl freefom therapy , with an amazing practitioner , It's a massive help. Emotionally.  

Look after yourself x

Hi everyone. I can't believe I'm on day 10 already , my last appt this week at 4pm. Radiotherapy.

Apart from running to the loo a bit more and Chemo, fog brain. Physically ok. But wow have i been stressed and panicking this week. 

I met a lovely Psycho analyst at Maggies thank God.  She helped me put some sense into things.

We worked out I slowed down too much, and my brain was allowed to take over. It was an awful day.

Still anxious but not as bad today. The outside cancer has shrunk massively,  so I'm trying to stay positive .

All the best for the weekend everyone x

Hi AGP,

Well done on getting through Day 10! I feel for you about the psychological aspect of things, as I have had my moments where my mind spins miserably, and usually this is in the middle of the night, which is no good from a sleep perspective. I'm so glad you're in contact with someone at Maggies. The mental aspect of our diagnosis is as important as the physical, in my opinion. Activity, if you can manage it, is a great distractor.

I hope you have a nice weekend. Especially as I neared the end of the treatment period, I really came to appreciate that two-day break and tried, whenever possible, to soak up some sun. It's such a balm for the soul.

Please take care and keep posting! Xx

I use Emotional freedom Therapy ,such a soothing therapy . Its taught me how to go to places in my mind. It doesn't work all the time ,but if really helps when  It does x big thank you hugs x

Hi Anne, I'm sure you’ll be relishing that it’s Saturday and therefore no treatment. Another week over! I adored not having to do the long daily drive M - F so weekends became like a gift to be at home and not go anywhere. 

Since I wrote last I’ve had a bad 10 days of feeling nauseous. Looking back, I wish I’d immediately taken the anti-sickness medication I was given, or found an alternative sooner; After those 5 weeks on Chemoradiotherapy when i felt pretty good with a great appetite(!), I now rely on eating bland things.

Because I already take a low dose pill for anxiety, when reading the leaflet for the Domperidon anti-sickness they gave me, I saw it cautions over 60s, as well as mentioning that it must not to be taken with a SSRI, so I thought I’d err on the side of caution and not take it. But two days ago in desperation, I asked my GP for an alternative and was prescribed Cyclizine; it’s made me very dizzy and I now see that it too shouldn’t be taken with a SSRI …it even says so on the NHS website! The nausea has mostly abated so that’s good, but if it returns I think I’ll stick to Rennies or Gaviscon.

I take a very low dose of Fluoxetine for anxiety which I was given last autumn when neither gynaecology nor colorectal would ‘own’ this tumour: I was not sleeping and felt completely terrified because I ‘knew’ it was cancer. So I feel comfortable and calm taking it. 

I’m looking forward to having this next week completely off - no Capecitabine pills for 7 whole days   I plan to enjoy it and have got a cracking book to read! 

I hope you have a lovely weekend Anne  

Happy weekend all x x

Hi Sadie,

It's such an emotional journey, I don't think anyone can one copes well . I'm going for a few sessions at Maggies next week. To try to keep me more occupied. I'm usually such a busy bee, so im struggling to slow down. I can recommend Emotional freedom Therapy for easing anxiety and stress. It's Holistic, I do mine by Zoom x Have a lovely weekend.x