Anal cancer diagnosis

Jule14 5 hours ago

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67 subscribers
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Hello, this is my first post so my introduction after reading yours to try and understand what I am about to start and also to help anyone after me with a rough timeline.

This is my second cancer treatment as I was diagnosed with grade 4 breast cancer in 2009 where I underwent a right mastectomy, reconstruction, chemotherapy and radiotherapy which started in the March and ended in the December. My son was only 6 months into starting reception class so I was determined to get through it for him and for myself so we could still enjoy our life together. Thankfully I have been very lucky until now but I am determined to beat it again.

On 15th June when I had a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Straight after they did blood tests, the following day I had 2 MRI scans with contrast and 2 CT scans with contrast. I also received a call from the colorectal nurse who confirmed I could take paracetamol and ibuprofen for my pain relief as needed. I explained I was due to go to Devon with my partner and friends at the end of the month but needed to know whether to cancel it as I was waiting for a consultant’s appointment. She was super helpful and rang the secretary and they booked my appointment for the day after my few days away.

On 6th July I saw my consultant who told me and I have a High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) which Is a significant cell change that increases the risk of cancer if left untreated. There is a 3cm mass inside my anus. He explained they need a definitive diagnosis which my colonoscopy results didn’t give so he needed to do another biopsy under a general anaesthetic.

Two days later on 8th July had my Pre ops done.

On 16th July I was admitted as a day case to do a EUA with biopsy.

This was to enable him to do a deeper biopsy of the tissue to hopefully confirm what they believed was anal cancer.

On 28th July my results were discussed in the MDT and I then needed a PET scan for further clarification.

On 3rd August had my PET scan.

On 12th August I was due my first oncologist appointment which was cancelled the day before with no reason. This was so frustrating so I rang my lovely colorectal nurse who sent an email. I then saw my oncologist with the registrar 2 days later on 14th August. I was diagnosed with Anal Squamous cell carcinoma which was localised to the tumour and Mesorectal lymph nodes which they had expected.

I had more blood tests and was given prescriptions for Oramorph pain relief together with Omprezole and Laxido sachets to help with constipation.

On 20th August I had my three tattoo dots done together with my blue mat at my Radiotherapy planning scan.

On 3rd September I saw my oncologist again. Talked through my pain and the treatment plan due to start on 14th September. Had more bloods and another prescription of higher dosage pain relief.

On 7th September I had a telephone call with a pre treatment nurse who talked through my plan, side effects and things to help me. Explained I still had no start time for the following week. She sent me contact numbers, emailed the oncologist secretary and I rang the radiotherapy planning number who were able to give me the first treatment time and hospital details as the first day wasn’t at my local hospital.

On 9th September I had a call from chemotherapy nurse to check I was all sorted for starting my treatment on Monday.

So now I have this weekend before I actually get going after 3 months which has felt like a very long time!

I have a honeycomb cushion, water wipes, Bepathen cream and a soft toothbrush at the ready for starters. I’m going to order a thermometer, slitz bath

Peri bottle and She-wee then I think I’m good to go! Slightly worried as we don’t have a bath only a shower in our house!

If there are any recommendations of which are the better items to buy on Amazon and if there’s anything else you think would help please let me know. I feel I need to be organised to get through this and appreciate it sounds very harsh as the treatment weeks accumulate.

Thanks for reading and any support you can give

Jaycee12 34 minutes ago

Hi Jule14 I am really sorry that you are having to go through cancer treatment again! Once treatment starts we kind of get into a routine. Looking at your list and only having a shower that’s where the sitz bath will become your best friend. I know many on here did fine on the hospital creams and gels but I did purchase a protective gel called StrataXRT and used that from the very first day of treatment. It is applied very thinly and stays on continuously changing every 12 hours. You don’t have to remove it for the actual radiotherapy treatment like the other creams. This helped keep my skin intact externally and around the four and a half weeks into treatment it just started to feel a bit red. The cons are it’s expensive and can only be bought online but they do a fast delivery. Leeds hospital did a trial on this with great success but the NHS did not continue to use due to costs. I bought the largest tube which took me right through and a few weeks after although I will admit I went and bought a small tube towards the end as I worried I would run out and when you go to the toilet you need to reapply just to make sure you are covered. It’s transparent and should not feel sticky unless you apply too much. Also I bought some ladies soft cotton boxer type knickers a size up as I didn’t want them to rub. I also bought a couple of pairs of harem trousers which drooped at the crotch which looked rather cool actually! I also bought some cranberry juice as the early days treatment can affect your bladder. When I went on my first visit to see the oncologist she said about every single side effect that could possibly happen and I’m glad to say most of us don’t get them all and not all at once. As you experience the side effects you deal with them and get plenty of ideas on how other lovely members here coped with them as we are all different. You will get members here come and give some ideas I have not thought of. Take care

Julie

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