geekling's Journey:
Survivor: Anal Cancer > Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Patient Info: Finished active treatment more than 5 years ago, Diagnosed: over 20 years ago, Female, Stage II
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Experience Icon Descriptions
Procedure: Drag this icon to show a procedure.
Radiation: Drag this icon to show a specific radiation therapy experience.
Drug Therapy: Drag this icon to show a specific drug therapy experience.
Clinical Trial: Drag this icon to show a clinical trial experience.
Side Effect: Drag this icon to show experience with a specific side effect.
Oh No: Drag this icon to show when something bad happened (e.g., cancer’s back, lost job).
Celebration: Drag this icon to show when something good happened (e.g., last treatment, hair is back).
Loss: Drag this icon to show a time of loss (e.g., lost hair, lost loved one).
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Oh No
This person has yet to add any details about this experience.
Open surgery to remove tumor
Procedure or Surgery
This person has yet to add any details about this experience.
Diagnosed
Oh No
Carried the tumor for 13 years showing my XXX to various doctors in various specialties. They all said "hemorrhoid". I'd gained some waeight and the hemorrhoid grew with me making it uncomfortable to walk.
to treat or to go alternative
Decision Point
I was in the midst of alternative therapies when a new drug was developed which was touted as having a 95% cure rate. Suddenly it seemed that conventional was my best bet. Then it was difficult to find a good oncologist. One with a clean office who would give me the new protocol and could actually remember my name and speak with me to address my questions rather than pat me on the head like a dog and say "we will take care of everything"
External radiation
Radiation
16 weeks along with 2 bouts of chemotherapy. I do not recommend this. Ugh. I was lied to, maimed, and nobody much seemed to care.
Drug or Chemo Therapy
I no longer remember what drugs I was given. I had two surgeries to put in ports to deliver the poison. The surgeon "forgot" to give me pain meds for after I'd come out of the surgery. I woke up feeling like I'd just been stabbed which, in fact, I had been. There were 2 four day rounds of IV poison. Getting hydrated prior was actually not unpleasant. I was underdosed for the first round. The second round, I was mis-directed and burned my throat and projectile vomited. I did not know that I could eject as far as 8 feet.
Bleeding
Side Effects
I had/have more side effects than you can shake a stick at. I still bleed from a radiation scar. My vaginal canal narrowed. My teeth fillings all fell out and needed replacement. my teeth are falling apart. My genitals are still extraordinarily sensitive to bleeding and tearing and pain. I haven't been sexually active since treatment. I was burned crispy like bacon and still bear scars to make a person cry at the sight.
Drug or Chemo Therapy
This person has yet to add any details about this experience.