Hello, I’m new to the group and very nervous !!

I feel your anxiety. My staging is the same and I start the standard chemo/radio treatment on Monday. I am very nervous but also glad to get it underway. Have a read through previous posts a just ask any questions - this group is so very helpful. 

Thank you for getting back to me, I’ve started reading through posts and making notes. I’ve just felt so alone even though I have an army of people around me, I don’t know anyone who’s gone through anal cancer. Good luck with your treatment

Me too! And the more you read the more worried you get as people are, I think, more likely to post about having problems rather than posting about breezing through treatment. So I have bought a peri bottle which I’ve started to use already to get used to using it - I like it and will probably continue with it after treatment has finished. I’ve also bought a sitz bath as lots recommend it but haven’t actually tried it yet. I’ve also got the StrataXRT gel that some recommend. It’s expensive and I checked with the oncologist first but they said it was OK. I’m not 100% sure how it will work as I fear I’ll be constantly having to reapply it. But I’m willing to give anything a go that might make a little less sore. 

I found that things moved quickly once I’d seen the oncologist- radiotherapy planning scan was booked within a few days and at that they told me when treatment would start. I have my chemo pre-assessment tomorrow and start treatment on Monday. Eek!  

Sarah x

What’s a peri bottle?

keep in touch and let me know how you get on.

Louise x

Hi there,

I finished my treatment two weeks ago, 23 sessions of radiotherapy plus the standard chemotherapy. The actual treatment was not so bad, tiring and some discomfort from the end of week three. My main problem was bladder issues which started really early on, so I ended up drinking litres of lemon barley everyday to help, and it did.

The sitzbath, the Strata XRT cream and paracetamol really got me through, I did need some cocodamol at the end but it does constipate so you need to take a stool softener like Movicol to keep this in check. 

I have experienced a heightening of pain these last few days which may require me to up my pain relief as the radiotherapy does keep working for quite a while after the end of treatment. Bowel movements are my nemesis and are extremely uncomfortable. I'm hoping this will start to improve soon and that will make life a lot more pleasant again.

You will be fine and you will get through it, keep on top of pain relief and rest plenty. This forum has kept me sane as none of us will probably ever meet in person someone who has AC, unless you have a Maggie's near you (which I don't but some people say they are fantastic). The people on here are so kind and helpful and have a wealth of information to share. I think I would be in a far worse state emotionally and physically if I hadn't found these people.

Best wishes, Jo x

Sorry - it’s like a portable bidet..a squeezy bottle with a long nozzle that you use to squirt yourself clean rather than using toilet paper. Less irritation and apparently helpful in the later stages of treatment if you are really sore. Lots available on Amazon. I think they are mainly aimed at women after childbirth. And a sitz bath is like a bowl that fits over your toilet seat that you can fill with water. 

Thanks for getting back to me Jo I’m hoping I can at least get out for walks for a while, I’ll go insane staying in the house. I literally do not sit still, I’m guessing sitting maybe uncomfortable too

Wishing you well xx

Hey, so sorry to hear that your going through this I finished my treatment 5 months ago. I’ve been given the all clear ( mine was also stage 3). I feel totally back to normal again too! I was iof course in some discomfort during the treatment but it’s douable, I did exactly what the drs and nurses told me, took all the drugs on offer and stayed in bed, had lots of Epsom salt baths and watched loads of series on tv!
Everyone has different stories of their journey , I feel extremely lucky and am just enjoying life, family and friends

Hello Lou

I finished treatment nearly a month.

Like you I don't sit still and I didn't through my treatment and recovery. I set myself tasks each day and kept walking about, so lots of fresh air and distraction.

It didn't matter that everything took a little longer and I had all little tests, I felt in control and things felt normalish.

Regarding sitting down, I had pressure and discomfort pre treatment and this disappeared very quickly once treatment started.

I had 3 hours travel for radiotherapy, so invested in a cushion for the car, but didn't need to use it in the house.

I am also Stage 3 with lymph node involvement.

Wishing you well with your treatment.

Ally xx

I’m very active too and hope I can continue to be through treatment even if it’s just a walk or a potter in the garden every day. I do a bit of painting and I’ve drawn myself a 28 box grid on a paper that’s a bit bigger than A4 so each box is small. I’m going to fill one every day of treatment with some sort of art. And I’ve just bought all the Wasjig jigsaws that the local charity shop had!