Hello again,
I have one more addition to my background information. The type of cancer cell I have is squamous cell cancer which some of you may be familiar with as a skin cancer cell. It is also found in cervix cancer besides the cancer I have. It is interesting that my surgeon asked me if I had ever had any irregular pap smears which I did about 32 years ago. He said this was probably some dormant cells from that which have become active. He also said for me to be sure to get a pap every year even though as you get older it is not recommended.
If you are interested in the new method of radiology I will be going through go to www.stjohns.com/cancer/therapies and go to tomotherapy (or type it in). It describes how it is used and why it is better than the traditional therapies.
So I will be adding to this for sure after Monday because I have another exam with radiation dr. and my first meeting with my chemo doctor, Dr. T (she has a long name). Hope you have a great weekend and fathers day. I will be watching the Open of course and trying to kick back and rest. Love to all

Rest of the history

So far I have had a CT scan and a visit with my radiology oncologist (who is awesome). AT this time it is thought I have stage 1 cancer although that could change after I have a PET scan on Wed. On Monday I meet again with my radiology oncologist and also my chemo oncologist. My radiation doctor said she will be using tomography (I may be correcting myself on that one later) a fairly new machine that is much more accurate and specialized in treatment than the older machines. I understand there are only 2 of these in MO. I believe the other one is in St.Louis. There are none in Ark. There is a waiting list for this treatment. However, since I got to her so quick after my surgery I still need some time to heal and she needs time to get more tests and develop a very specific plan of attack. So it is looking like I will start treatment sometime mid July. It will be a 5 day a week treatment for 5-6 weeks. Also, I want to emphasize that without my having gone to the doc when I did this could have gone a lot further. Right now everyone is positive that I will be cured as long as I can keep the therapy going.
I plan on posting some pictures along the way. I have been told by everyone I will lose my hair. Again, those of you who know me know I keep my hair short for care purposes. This will be the ultimate for me. My surgeon who is also awesome, has said he will bet it will come in thicker and possibly with some curl. Won't my beautician love that!!!
So, this blog was longer because of catching some of you up on everything. I plan to keep you posted as I have appts and ups and downs. keep in touch either thru the blog or at my email address. Love you

This is for all my friends and loved ones (most of you are both) who will have questions but won't know what to say or ask. I have already felt uneasiness from some of you who want to say or do something and don't know what. Thank you for all the love and care and concern you have already sent my way.

The intent of this is to keep you informed of how I am doing and to give you some insight into my mind and feelings during this time (whoa that might be dangerous for all of us!). Hopefully, it will also give you some insight into this particular type of cancer because as I am starting to understand it is not a common form of cancer.

So, let me start by giving you some history. I don't mean to gross anyone out. But my type of cancer can be considered gross as it is anus cancer. Not rectal cancer, or colon cancer but anus cancer.

I have had a history of hemorrhoids. When I started having a little spotting I was concerned but waited. When I had more blood than what I thought was safe, I went to the internist. The internist quickly sent me to a colonrectal surgeon who in turn quickly found an anal tumor. He then scheduled surgery.

For those of you who know me you know I am an avid golfer. With my biggest tournament of the year coming up and the surgeon already telling me if it was cancerous it would mean chemo and radiation both at the same time I opted for the latest date possible to schedule the surgery.
Surgery was done June 9. This is June 19. I am recooping well. On June 17 I received the news that the whole tumor could not be removed and it was cancerous. I would begin my session with more tests and oncologists and chemo and radiation.