Anal cancer diagnosis

Hi Sec47c2de ,

Firstly welcome to the MacMillan Online Community although I’m really sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis & also for the loss of your husband. You’re probably still in the midst of your grief so to then be hit with this diagnosis must feel unbearable. 

The majority of us here have been through this treatment & are here to tell the tale. I think if you ask anyone here we all felt the same prior to starting treatment, it’s completely natural. I think a lot of it is fear of the unknown, this was definitely the case with me, once I got that first day over with it very quickly became routine & it really does pass quickly. 

The radiotherapy itself only takes around 10-15 minutes & is completely painless. It would take me as long to undress & get dressed again as I was on the actual treatment bed! The side effects from the treatment come mainly from the radiotherapy & this is predominantly skin reaction & it can aggravate the bowel resulting in some diarrhoea but this didn’t happen in my case. If this does occur you’ll be prescribed medication to help with it usually loperamide. There’s also lots of creams etc., that can be provided by your treating team for any skin reaction you may have. All of these side effects are gradual, they don’t happen all at once as soon as treatment starts they just gradually build & lots of people seem to get to weeks 3 or 4 before noticing any reactions. I hope this manages to ease some of your immediate concerns. 

It’s great to hear you’ve a great support system around you within your family & friends & please know we’re here to support you however we can so please if you’ve any questions at all please just ask.

Nicola 

Hello Sec47c2de 

Another warm welcome to our little corner although I am sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis.  And facing all this unknown without your loved one, my deepest condolences.  No wonder you are feeling panicky.  I am really pleased that you have your family and friends in your corner, I hope having their support (and ours) will help you through this.

Nikki has given an excellent detailed outline of the treatment, it is tough but doable, and all of us on here have been through it and are here to tell the tale.  And it is important to remember as she says that the side effects don't all come at once, and all through you will be checked regularly and supplied with any creams or lotions and painkillers to help nearer the end of the course. 

We have lots of tips and coping strategies we can share, so please let us know when your treatment is due to start and get your Amazon shopping basket ready (they aren't expensive items, just to reassure you).

Sending a big hug, we are with you all the way.

Irene xx

I'm so grateful for your reply. Thank you so much.  You have helped immensely 

Again, thank you so much