whyanyone's Cancer Blog
July 3, 2009
Monday was my one year Pet/CT. I had a 6 month one as well and this latest one. Plan is to do another one in about 8 months. My onco is not crazed about doing one every three-6 months. He thinks for the stage of my cancer that spreading them out is appropriate. Of course I get the anoscopy every 2-5 months. The first one was 4 mos post treatment. The second one was three mos after that one. The colo-rectal surgeon performs these and has treated about 40 cases of anal cancers in his 28 year career. He stated it is quite easy to spot the return of this and of course looks throughout the anal cancal too. He stated that any other type of cancer ie; colon cancer is not something I need to worry about at all… in terms of there does not seem to be a raltionship between anal cancer and cancers of the colon. I have had two coloscopies in the last 5 years and they were fine..no polyps ets. He stated the anal cancer can be spotted with a DRE but of course my gyno does not really do these routinely.
I have a new gyno by the way..one who is a onco gyno and is familar with all the post radiation issues that are present and will do a DRE too. She did a HPV test like I always have had done every year…negative in terms of HPV in the vaginal area. I had my cervix out with my hysterectomy about 5 years ago whn I found out I was BRCA 1 positive. . However you can be negative and still carry HPV as we all know now!
It really is enough to make your eyes glaze over except we feel we do not have that luxury…We must be up on all this…we cannot depend on out Dr’s alone to tell us what to do and how often to do it. I find it quite amusing when they sort of sigh when you say “Well My research suggests that …..” It does not bother me though…Because no one care more about my survival than I do! It’s a tough job but someone has to do it!
So anyway as of this day which is all anyone has …it’s good and I am grateful. ..no matter what! Happy Independence Day! lori
Lori,
I am so happy for you that everything continues to go well. I hope the same happens for me. None of us deserve to go through what we are/went through. It is a horrible disease! I will continue to hold you in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy
Posted on Dear Nancy,
I know it will. We all live day to day and I try to just stay in the now and not let my ego go to the “playground of fear”! I am happy for your gradual recovery too and my prayers are always with you. Do not overdo anything and get your rest ! Love, Lori
Posted on Lori—
I’m so happy that your PET/CT results were good. It sounds like you are in the hands of good doctors with experience with this type of cancer. I’m sure you are relieved to have passed another test, as our lives have become a life of one test after another. It gets tiring after awhile, but is just something we have to accept. I’m so glad you are doing well—thanks for sharing your good news with us, as everyone on here needs to keep hearing good news!
Take care and have a good weekend and 4th!
Martha
Posted on 
Thanks for your support - 
