Take Time

StacyGleaso · April 2008

Greetings, Everyone!

Lately, I have seen a wave a newbies on this site. Many of us "veterans" have been pretty silent and even more have either "gotten on" with their lives and don't come back to post anymore, or have flown under the radar to just "peek" but not post. Still, others have sadly left us, leaving a hole in our hearts. Admittedly, I feel like I've become one of those who is back to the bustle of rushing through life, and am forgetting to take time to "stop & smell the roses."

I found this site after I was already in the clear from Stage 4 with liver mets. I was searching for a way to "give back" to others who were facing what I had faced. Somewhere along the way, the further I got from diagnosis, the more silent I became. A lot of the familiar names aren't posting anymore. I am asking all the "veterans" from this site to come back to the group. I feel it's important to remember the bond we all had and regain it. If your experience can help just one person, than maybe there was a tiny bit of "good" this disease brings.

Happy Tuesday everyone! May you all have many more to come!

Hugs,

Stacy (first post 2003)

Unknown · April 2008

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

butterfly23 · April 2008

Hi, I am a new to the site, diagnosed w/stage 4 colon and lymph nodes, I am 38 yrs old, I have found this site sooo helpful, it's almost like being in group therapy!!! I think it's nice if you "veterans" would write in, you can give us newcomers some advice too!!!
in my thoughts and prayers!
Karyn

Sam725 · April 2008

Stacy,
I hope your call out to all the "veterans" on this board will touch their heart and they will come back so the newbies will be able to come here and get the information they are so despertly looking for from you people who are so positive and uplifting. If not for this board and all the "vetrans" the journey my husband and I traveled would have been a whole lot bumpier. You all told me to take a deep breath after my first post when I was so panic stricken when we learned my husband was dx with colon cancer in Oct. 06. You were all there each step of the way and it felt so good knowing I could come to this board and ask any question or just vent and it was okay. You were and still are my family because you were there through it all and I know you will be here each and every time I need you (those check-ups are killers on the aniexty meter!) So I will make it a priority to post more often, I check the site everyday but don't post that much so I will be more concious of that. Thanks Stacy for putting this out there. Sandy

Kanort · April 2008

Hi All,

I guess I am one of those veterans who has been negligent in posting. I will make it my goal to check in more and post when I think I may be of help to someone.

I was diagnosed in September of 03 with stage 3C colon cancer. My pathology report stated that my cancer was highly aggressive which is very unusual for our type of cancer. That being said, I will soon reach my five year mark and am so grateful to be doing so well.

All my best to each of you that are currently battling this disease.

Love,

Kay

tootsie1 · April 2008

As a mewbie to this world of cancer, I am very grateful for all the advice and uplifting comments. Right now I'm waiting for another colonoscopy after being hospitalized last week, and just reading that someone is 3, 4, 5 or even more years out from diagnosis is so wonderful. Thanks, "oldies!" *smiles*

Gail

nudgie · April 2008

I don't consider myself a veteran due to only be part of this family since July 06 and being cancer free since Dec 06.

Being told you have cancer is one thing, realizing you actually have it is another. It took me awhile to realize I had cancer, but onced realized, I put myself in the anxious / anxiety mode that would not stop. I drove my husband NUTS along with my Onc. Doc, but finding this board helped me in so many ways I can't explain them all, but it was great the speak with people who actually knew what I was going through, why I was scared, anxious and under so much anxiety.

But at last, like others, I find myself not posting much and providing support ocassionally. I keep telling myself I will not go back into the RAT RACE, but actually take one day at a time, smell the roses, feel the grass between my toes and I think I have pretty good.

I will try harder to respond to questions. I do read every day.

Love you guys

shmurciakova · April 2008

Hi Stacy,
I hope that your plea works because lately I have been wondering, where is everyone? Of course I know that my fellow survivors are getting on with life, as they should. Sometimes I feel like I need to stop looking at these forums because for some reason if I am still reading this and posting then I haven't "let go" of the cancer experience. However, I do enjoy being able to give a glimmer of hope to people just starting out on this journey, when they are so scared of the unknown. A lot of things have changed since I first started posting here ( I think it was in '02) including chemo regimens. I don't have experience with many of the drugs that people are using today.
I think I will always post from time to time. I start back to work on Monday and will inevitably look at this forum less but will be sure to post updates and words of encouragement when I can.
Invariably others will step in and take our places as "veterans" as time goes on....the newbies will become the veterans and new "newbies" will take their places until this disease is finally cured once and for all.
Take care,
Susan H.

fedester · April 2008

stacy,
bruce present and accounted for.
yes you are right. alot of the oldies have been awol. i do check in everynite to read the posts.
i have been wondering the same thing,sponge,kanga,emily,scottie, and all the rest of my brothers and sisters. for the newbies i found this site while in the hospital after being dx stage 11 colon cancer. this site and my family here have been a big reason i am here today.
next month i will be celebrating my 4th year out.
please oldies let's help the newbies get thru this we owe it to ourselves to help them just like the brothers and sisters before us that helped us.
be well
never,ever give up!!
bruce

betina61 · April 2008

Hi Stacy,you are absolutely right,I don't know if I can consider myself a "veteran" dx July 06,but I come to this site to look almost everyday except for the last three weeks that I moved out of my house because of some remodeling I'm doing,but I miss all the names that were so familiar to me at that time,but I will promise to myself to come here not just to look but to give back something of what I received at that time.Thank you Stacy for the wake up call.

sladich · April 2008

Stacy,

I'm not considered a "veteran" but I read the posts everyday. By the time I read some posts the answers are already posted. I'm here to give support/help to anyone that needs/wants it. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet most of the veterans at the last Colon Palooza in Nashville. I was dx in September 2004 and have had many recurrences but hopeful that I too will be NED someday. Take care everyone,

Debbie

pamness · April 2008

Thank you so much for your message. I am a "newbie" I will be having my six month scan in May (and am, of course, terrified), I was diagnosed 3A in January 2007. I have come to the board regularly and posted help when I can, which is limited, I can talk about treatment and a few months post treatment but not much else. I see postings from people who look but don't post. God bless all of you who have been where many of us are going - share what you know it makes me, and I am guessing, many of us, feel that we are not alone.
Pam

p.s. it is really depressing to post something and get little or no response, no matter what the question.

tkd3g · April 2008

Well, hello there. Barb here. Stage 3 Rectal CA - diagnosed 3/04. Chemoradiation/surgery/more chemo.

Tis true. I have tried to "move on" with my life. I work full time in our school district, as well as care for my 17yr. old disabled daughter, my 10 year old daughter, 2 Newfoundlands, 1 cat, and 1 rabbit. And of course my wonderful husband. My eldest daughter is in college.

I feel lately that I don't have time to do much of anything that I want to do. I'm working on slowing down the pace and trying to rekindle my love of sewing, drawing and music.

I do check the boards often. Don't post much. Sorry about that. I'll try and contribute more. I know that when I was going thru my treatments, this board and all the fantastic people here helped me thru many a hard time.

Not sure why we stray from the boards. I didn't make a decision to do it, it just happened.

Well, I will try and give back.

So, I had a sigmoidoscopy today. Everything looks good. Sept my butt is killing me. Must be from the lovely hemmoroids and the prep! ( Where else can you say stuff like this!)

Next stop : Colonoscopy in July!

One word of advice : A soft toilet seat, plenty to read, and ( my fav) A&D ointment.

Ahhhhh, good to be back

Love to all,

Loofa Girl ( aka Barb )

ron50 · April 2008

G'day StacEy,
I'm still upright and breathing and yes veteran is applicable being from a time when oncs used candles and steam powered chemo. I still post though it is hard to give advice to those on modern regimes of chemo. When i mention drugs like levamisole nobody has heard of it. To all those newbies I was dx in jan98 with aggresive st3 colon ca into six lymph nodes. I was sliced up and poisoned for a year and have been ca free ever since. I have made some good friends on this site the only downside is that I live in Australia and have not been able to attend any of the fabulous events organised by Stacey and others. As usual Stacey(I'm the only one allowed to spell it with an E)has been spot on in rallying us oldies to give the newbies support. Sometimes the greatest aid to survival is knowing that you can. Cheers Ron.

juliababy · April 2008

hi there, quick recap, dad diagnosed july 04, stage 3, 6 positive nodes, colon cancer.

fast forward until today - dad is still (thank our good God) ned, living a healthy happy life.

to all you newbies, yes there is hope.

rmap59 · April 2008

Thanks Stacy! I truly dont know what I would have done without this site. It has brought me knowledge, compassion, humor, support, and a lot more. I was dx one year ago this week with stage 3 rectal. I check this site almost every day and try and give my 2 cents when I can. I hope that I can always be of service to the newbies.
Robin

Moesimo · April 2008

I have been wondering where everyone is. I first posted in late 2003 I think. It has been a long and rocky road. This site has been soooo helpful. Where else can you talk so much about poop? It has been 5 years for me. I sometimes wondered if I was going to make it and here I am. I still post sometimes because I remember how alone and overwhelmed I felt when I was first diagnosed. I wanted to hear from someone who had made it. I will continue to try and help whenever I can.

Maureen

jsabol · April 2008

Hi Stacy and all,
Good to hear from you; and you are right, it is hard to keep up with the boards after getting back to life after cancer. I found this site in Dec 03, right after surgery for stage III and right before chemo. You were one of my "first responders" and you clearly stated that failure was not an option. I have been so impressed with the strength and caring of others here.
I am so grateful that I have been NED since surgery/chemo. My surgeon wants to take credit for a "surgical cure", my onc says she counts from the end of treatment. I have no idea why I may one of the lucky ones. I am at least 3 and a half years out, and due for my 6 month scans next month. I still get anxious with every check up, but remain hopeful and VERY grateful to this site and all my buddies here. Being in chemo, home and feeling blah, this site was my lifeline.
So, to all the newbies...stay strong and focused; get whatever help, info and support you can, and keep us posted.
All the best, Judy

Faith4Cure · April 2008

Hello All,
I first came to this site a little over a year ago. It was one of the positive things that come from this terrible disease that entered our lives when my husband was diagnosed with stage 3b cancer in September 06. This site has been a terrific source of information and encouragement. My husband is now cancer free and has scans every 3 months. It is still a habit that I check this site almost every day. I am more than ready to help the newbies get through this journey if there is any knowledge that I might be able to share through our experience. I have to admit though, we have started to get on with our lives(and that is a great thing!) I am sure as time goes by, we will come to this site less. I do know, that even though I have never met any of you, I think of many of you as though I have. Many of you have been a part of the recovery process--and I won't forget that!

Keep on believing!!

Faith

Lisa Rose · April 2008

Faith4Cure said:
Hello All,
I first came to this site a little over a year ago. It was one of the positive things that come from this terrible disease that entered our lives when my husband was diagnosed with stage 3b cancer in September 06. This site has been a terrific source of information and encouragement. My husband is now cancer free and has scans every 3 months. It is still a habit that I check this site almost every day. I am more than ready to help the newbies get through this journey if there is any knowledge that I might be able to share through our experience. I have to admit though, we have started to get on with our lives(and that is a great thing!) I am sure as time goes by, we will come to this site less. I do know, that even though I have never met any of you, I think of many of you as though I have. Many of you have been a part of the recovery process--and I won't forget that!

Keep on believing!!

Faith

I like many others have also been away from the board, moving forward I guess.....

Surgery March 20, 2002 at age 40 ~ Stage 3C rectal cancer with 10 positive lymph nodes.
I've had no recurrences and just celebrated my 6th anniversary in Punta Cana with my husband.

Great post Stacy!

Lisa Rose
aka Baby Lisa

first post also in 2003

scouty · April 2008

tkd3g said:
Well, hello there. Barb here. Stage 3 Rectal CA - diagnosed 3/04. Chemoradiation/surgery/more chemo.

Tis true. I have tried to "move on" with my life. I work full time in our school district, as well as care for my 17yr. old disabled daughter, my 10 year old daughter, 2 Newfoundlands, 1 cat, and 1 rabbit. And of course my wonderful husband. My eldest daughter is in college.

I feel lately that I don't have time to do much of anything that I want to do. I'm working on slowing down the pace and trying to rekindle my love of sewing, drawing and music.

I do check the boards often. Don't post much. Sorry about that. I'll try and contribute more. I know that when I was going thru my treatments, this board and all the fantastic people here helped me thru many a hard time.

Not sure why we stray from the boards. I didn't make a decision to do it, it just happened.

Well, I will try and give back.

So, I had a sigmoidoscopy today. Everything looks good. Sept my butt is killing me. Must be from the lovely hemmoroids and the prep! ( Where else can you say stuff like this!)

Next stop : Colonoscopy in July!

One word of advice : A soft toilet seat, plenty to read, and ( my fav) A&D ointment.

Ahhhhh, good to be back

Love to all,

Loofa Girl ( aka Barb )

Hey Honey!!!!!!!!!!!

I think about you all the time. Isn't it about time to open the pool?????????

Love, Lisa P.

Take Time

Comments

Discussion Boards