That's great Diane! I just had my annual CT yesterday - I know my doc is not contentious and will wait for my appointment next week before he calls. My prior Onc (who I had all through my treatment) retired and I ended up with this new guy - he never calls, just makes me wait for my appointment. I w...

Please don't leave entirely Michael! You were a great help to me when I first joined! Your advice is always appreciated.

Angie - you are not alone. I just turned 45, was diagnosed @ 40 with rectal cancer and the side effects of treatment + surgery are always present. Hips & ass (meaning gluts & tailbone area) are a mess - thank you radiation. Feet are an issue = neuropothy - thanks chemo, and surgery effects, ...

You need to find an awesome gynecologist. You need to use premarin cream daily (or similar) and the vagifem tablets. I know that with the breast cancer they may be leery of that (my mom had aggressive breast cancer, both breasts) and my first gyno wouldn't allow the cream and no to the tablets, I fo...

Welcome to the forum. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in November as well, made for some really shitty holidays. This is by far the most terrifying time. Focus on the positive (clear CT scan). I echo what everyone said about the board certified colorectal surgeon - especially in SF, you have acce...

You continue to be an inspiration to everyone. Best of luck throughout this latest leg of your journey.

Maybe others will disagree, but you need to show your feelings, your fear, etc., no one needs a "rock" they need their spouse. You should not feel bad about breaking down. My husband didn't show his feelings or fear to me and it was really hurtful, I needed it, I needed to know that he was...

I'm going to join in the camp of the pilonidal cyst. That's the exact location and they are beyond painful - there's no describing it, trust me, I had one. Obviously, I'm not a doctor, so this is just my 2 cents. Treatment is usually slicing it open, letting it drain and then they pack it so it can ...

I don't remember any pain going to the bathroom from the surgery - however, I had radiation prior to my surgery and radiation jacked up my shit down there, so things were sort of a mess (hemorrhoids). If you don't have any calmoseptine (over the counter cream - you may have to ask the pharmacist) an...

All of the above. The urgency is the killer, when you've got to go, you've got to go. I did find a regimen of daily Metamucil, it helped immensely - I still take it every day. A HUGE overflowing teaspoon mixed in a coffee cup of water. My surgeon told me to do this, but I put it off thinking it was ...

For me, it was a lot harder than my c-section, but that could also be because I was 7 years younger when I had that and I hadn't gone through 28 chemoradiation treatments either. With that said, I must have healed fast as I snow skied 4 weeks after my surgery. The biggest problem is going to be poop...

Solaria, I know this is a scary time, but your husband should be a lot more scared of the cancer than the chemo at this point. Regardless of what shows up in the lungs, it's already in the lymph system with 12 nodes testing positive, chemo is really the only choice. Yes, it's poison, but the purpose...

I feel so afraid I just want to sleep and block everything out its so hard to get up and do the normal things I always and go to work but I need my insurance I just feel lost what do I do? Of course you are afraid - anyone would be. I certainly was. I spent months being afraid. But as you find out ...

I was diagnosed with a 10 cm tumor and I am so scared I had just had the colonoscopy when I first posted my results is malignant partially obstructing tumor at 10cm proximal to the anus. I am trying to be strong but I get waves of fear I don't know what to expect I wish I had someone to talk too We...

Kelly, Thank you so much for the thorough and very thoughtful response. I just started Neurontin last week .... I will be sure to take it as well as my zofran. Sometime I forget I have them..... I concentrate on the 8 other meds I must take for my bipolar disorder..... I'm so scared of all the meds...