Stage II, w/NO & MO Colon Cancer

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nudgie
nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I would like to hear from anyone who has been disagnosed and/or survived the cancer I have which is Stage II w/NO & MO. The tumor was removed by surgery on 10 July with an ostomy. I started the FLOFOX Regime (Oxiplation w/Lecavoron & 5FU) on 18 August. Regime is every other week for 6 months.

The reason I am asking is that I have been part of this network for only a few weeks and I have to admit that some of the stories and discussions are really scary and I know everyone is different, but it help me to speak with someone that is in my same situation.

Thanks for reading

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • HowardJ
    HowardJ Member Posts: 474
    #3
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    Hi Nudgie,

    I'm also stage II, N0, M0 colon cancer. Actually, stage IIa (there's a difference between IIa & IIb). I had surgery only, no chemo. December will be 2 years since diagnosis for me.

    While everyone is different, the survival rates for stage II are good. There is research information on the ACS home page which give the details if you're interested.

    Howard
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #4
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    Nudgie,

    I am Stage II, N0, M0 just like you. I had the surgery in July and am now doing chemo as part of a study. I am doing Folfox 6 and the dosage was adjusted downward because on the first infusion I had a rare reaction. My second infusion went well. Just 10 more to go!

    I feel hopeful about the future. A great many stage II patients are cured with just surgery alone (perhaps you and I are both already in that category!). Chemo is now being offered as extra insurance because there are some who have our same stage of diagnosis but who, for whatever reason, have a recurrence down the road.

    The recurrences are why the oncologists watch us so closely, so they can catch anything that might crop up in a year or two down the road.... but you know what? I'm not dwelling on that. Until they tell me otherwise, I consider myself well. I have too much to do in the meantime to worry myself about something that might never happen.

    Stay positive. At Stage II, N0, M0, there is no reason not to be positive!


    Email me here at CSN anytime you need to talk.
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #5
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Hello,
    Thank you for sharing your story. It gives me hope for my mother. Her case is similar except that the tumor spread to the bladder but they were convinced that it only happened because the tumor was very close to the bladder.

    I am still waiting to clear the situation with my mother's lungs nodules found in last week CT scan. I hope these nodules are there because she had very severe pneumonia. I am waiting for the oncologist to call me.
  • worldbned
    worldbned Member Posts: 1
    #6
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    Hi nudgie, i am Stage 2 NO MO also. I had surgery on Jan. 31, 2005, and started the Folfox regime (same as you) in March and completed in Sept. I didn't have an ostomy, (colon resection). I just had my second CT scan since my surgery and am pleased to report that I am still NED. Yes some of the people on this site have made miraculous recoveries. This gives hope for the rest of us! We can beat this beast! There are many caring and knowledgeable people on this site,you have come to the right place for gathering information or just venting. Be positve it will get better. Email me if you would like more info.
  • JADot
    JADot Member Posts: 709 Member
    #7
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    Hi Nudgie:

    I am a stage IIB, N0, M0, diagnosed the day after Christmas last year, at 39. Had surgery and 6 months of FOLFOX. Now I am happier and healthier than I've been in a long time.

    In general, the prognosis for Stage II is good. But there is no guarantee. What you read about what happens to others may or may not happen to you. Just can't tell really. So you've just got to live one day at a time and do the right thing for yourself and remember to put points in your karma bowl.

    Yes, some of the stories here are scary but more are inspirational and some are darn right miraculous.

    You've done the right thing by coming here and let us help you deal with anxiety. What many of us did to channel our energy away from anxiety is by taking up healthy living - we juice, we eat healthy, we exercise, we help other in need. But more than anything, we just try not to dwell on fear and uncertainty, and learn to take concrete steps toward healing, and really really believe in it.

    You might want to go and get hold of the book "Spontaneous Healing" by Dr. Andrew Weil. It helped me a lot in the beginning.

    Best of luck in your journey. We'll be here to cheer you on!

    Cheers,
    Ying
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #8
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    nudgie....
    I was stage III. Notice the 'was'. I have been without any sign of the rectal beast since May 2005. All I had was pre-surgical chemo/rads.
    Please don't measure yourself by other's yardsticks. We are ALL different. I agree with Ying, some of the stories are miraculous!
    Yes, we all walk with the beast 1 foot behind us. BUT, we do not dwell on it. I HATE to lose, so I fight to win against the beast whenever I have to!!!!!

    Remember, you are a survivor from the day you are diagnosed!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Puddy
    Puddy Member Posts: 14
    #9
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    JADot said:

    Hi Nudgie:

    I am a stage IIB, N0, M0, diagnosed the day after Christmas last year, at 39. Had surgery and 6 months of FOLFOX. Now I am happier and healthier than I've been in a long time.

    In general, the prognosis for Stage II is good. But there is no guarantee. What you read about what happens to others may or may not happen to you. Just can't tell really. So you've just got to live one day at a time and do the right thing for yourself and remember to put points in your karma bowl.

    Yes, some of the stories here are scary but more are inspirational and some are darn right miraculous.

    You've done the right thing by coming here and let us help you deal with anxiety. What many of us did to channel our energy away from anxiety is by taking up healthy living - we juice, we eat healthy, we exercise, we help other in need. But more than anything, we just try not to dwell on fear and uncertainty, and learn to take concrete steps toward healing, and really really believe in it.

    You might want to go and get hold of the book "Spontaneous Healing" by Dr. Andrew Weil. It helped me a lot in the beginning.

    Best of luck in your journey. We'll be here to cheer you on!

    Cheers,
    Ying

    I have the same diagnosis. The only concern was what cells were in the blood vessels leading to the lymph nodes--we don't want any stray cells out there. This discussion and your reply has been helpful to me as I am trying to get comfortable with the chemo decision of 5-Fu, Leucovorin, and Eloxatin. Hearing that so many have been down this path and have handled it comfortably makes it easier to move forward. I have been procrastinating on the chemo decision. I have a subtotal colectomy with small intestine connection to rectum on Aug 3. I went back to work on week 6 and have been feeling so great I didn't want the chemo to set me back. But, this dicussion has set me straight. I will call my oncologist on Monday and schedule the mediport implant. I should have my first chemo on Oct 10. Thanks for the help.

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