Cancer Symptoms

I thought I had the worst hemorrhoid in America—popping out like a Jack-in-the-box, along with some bleeding.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects

Port-a-Cath placement for chemo tx.

Radiation Description, Dates & Side Effects

Radiation started August 3, 2009, last treatment September 18, 2009. Side effects included wicked burns—I was shooting fire & broken glass even when passing just gas—which have mostly healed, and a fused vagina—surprise! Also, 3 months after the last radiation treatment, I have decreased range of motion and pain in my hips, can’t cross my legs like I have always done. And listen to me—I’ve turned into a complainer.

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

First round August 3-7, second round August 31-Sept 4. Chemo effects snuck up on me. At first I felt like a brat because I felt fine and no one else at Kamp Kemo felt fine at all, and then it took me down. Nausea, constipation as a result of an anti-nausea med, diarrhea, exhaustion, loss of taste—food had texture and no flavor at all, and the texture was mostly slimy. I used salad dressing in an attempt to taste something, and ended up with slime, chicken salad—slime. And such a sore mouth, I felt like I had to fight to get a prescription for Dr. Casey’s Mouth Solution, a lidocaine swish & spit, and it helped tremendously. Also low blood counts, needed a couple blood & platelet transfusions.

Comments:

Thanks Valerie. Yes, I figure if friends can put up with me I can certainly put up with them.
Peace
Jerome

Posted on February 3, 2010 at 1:57:19 PM by jpfrank

Welcome to the group. Love your comment! hee hee.

Posted on January 24, 2010 at 7:55:42 AM by jill

Hey Thank You Valerie. Great contributions to Tools for the Journey. I’m hoping to get these all put together into one document one day! Your help is appreciated. I never used the ice (just can’t stand cold no matter what)....the heat, now that I loved.

Posted on January 18, 2010 at 12:32:17 PM by novasprick

Martha—Thanks for your welcome. I didn’t come across this site until I was googling “suv’s”, trying to understand the results of my post-tx pet scan. I’m not so computer savvy and don’t go on the computer for days & weeks at a time. There is much sharing, caring,knowledge here,it is beautiful.—Valerie

Posted on January 18, 2010 at 10:24:32 AM by valeriejean

Hi Valerie—
I want to welcome you to BFAC and let you know that you have found a great forum. We have quite a few anal cancer survivors here and many of them are willing to share their experiences to help others going through the same thing. I see that you have completed your treatment. I hope you are doing well and finding life returning to normal. I am almost 16 months out of treatment and life is pretty darned good. If you will put your first post on here, others will know you are here and be able to offer you support. I’m glad you’ve found this forum and hope you will find it a great place for support and information. Take care.

Martha

Posted on January 5, 2010 at 3:09:36 PM by mp327