Meeting with Oncologist Today (Monday)
So, Sharlene told me that she would follow up this week and find out what's going on, when the appt. will be, has he had a chance to review the PET and CAT scans and whether he thinks I would be a good candidate for the lung abalation (RFA - Radiofrequency Ablation for lung tumours). She also said she would be talking to my lung surgeon to have him on board as our back up plan should the RFA not work for the larger 16mm tumour (although that is still considered fairly small). IF I'm a candidate, then the interventional radiologist will go in and zap anything that looks like a spot/tumour and get rid of the whole works... which she said, would mean that she would not be giving me chemo and if he can get rid of everything, then I won't need lung surgery either! Yahooo! So, I'm not exactly sure when we will hear if I am a candidate or not... if he can say yes after reviewing my PET and CAT scans, or if he has to see my in person as well. But I'm asking everyone to please send some positive thoughts up here to Vancouver, in particular, to the Radiology Dept. at Royal Columbian Hospital, that I will make an excellent candidate for the RFA to burn up the lung tumours
For those of you who are wondering just what RFA is and how it works for lung tumours... a good explanation is at this site:
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=rfalung&bhcp=1
But, on the emotional side of things... no matter how positive things are looking (and believe me, I am soooo thankful for the options I'm being given), one can't help but stumble over reality every now and again. I mean, here I am thinking, "YES! Let's zap these tumours!", but at the same time, the fact that they have to be zapped is because the colon cancer had spread to my adrenal gland and now to my lungs (or maybe to both at the same time, no one knows for sure which came first). So, although I was diagnosed in Dec 2006 as a Stage 3 with the tumour having perforated through the intestinal wall, and 17 nodes were taken out but only 1 tested positive... I am now considered a Stage 4. That is kind of sobering, isn't it? To be running around like I always have... playing with friends, going out for dinners, movies, parties, doing my passion which is working in the theatre, doing volunteer work at my favourite theatre office and the list goes on and on... I have not had to stop ANYTHING I love doing. I must admit, I'm not going to work, but I don't even know how I'd fit work in because I'm so busy with "life in general". The picture of me in my avatar here on my posts, is a picture of me and my father... taken 2 weeks ago at the big Celebration of Life and Friendship that my friends had for me. Do I look sick? Frail? Ready to give in?? No... and sometimes I feel guilty because I really do think that I'm just fine and technically, maybe I should be going back to work, rather than just enjoying the heck out of every day doing things I love.
But then reality hits... I'm a Stage 4 cancer fighter. I seriously think that the reason I don't look sick yet am at the last Stage as far as staging goes... is because there is no pressure for me to work, so I don't have that stress thrown on me... having to juggle work and treatments. I am so darn lucky in that sense... I have the benefit of Long Term Disability Insurance and of course, don't have to worry about medical expenses. In the two years I've been fighting this beast, my total financial bills have totalled $112 for the two hospital stays when I had to pay to rent a tv
So, I seriously think that STRESS plays a HUGE role in how we are going to win this battle. The more stress one can eliminate, the better the healing goes. I never really understood that before. Stress is stress and we all have stress in our lives... throw cancer into the mix and we now have MORE stress than we can sometimes deal with. So I seriously think to help win the battle, we really do have to do whatever it takes to eliminate as much stress from from our lives as possible.I now have to think on this. It's like the first time I saw my doctor write the word "Mestaticized" Colon Cancer on a form of mine. The colon cancer I could accept... the M word put me into shock and a form of depression. Well, I've SORT of gotten used to that word.. not completely, then today the term "Stage IV" got the same reaction from me. What??? Who me?? I have to digest this, process it and then put it up on a high shelf.
Huggggggs,
Cheryl
Comments
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Positive Thoughts!
Cheryl, I'm sending positive thoughts your way! I totally understand your feelings about Stage IV. I was dx'd a year ago at Stage IV and there are still times when I get overwhelmed. I wish there were magic words to help or a magic wand or three wishes, etc. You get the idea. I'm NED right now, but there is such a fear that the beast will show up again. You are such a positive person and such a fighter--it's okay to take time to regroup. The RFA sounds like a great alternative-especially the no chemo part. That sounds close to magic wand territory!
Stay strong. You are a cancer warrior--positive thoughts are headed your way!
Rebecca0 -
Good Thoughts coming North!
Cheryl,
I will keep you and your team in my thoughts and prayers. I am having my very first oncologist visit this afternoon, and I will get the word on the actual 'staging' of Fred. Actually, we know it is stage 3, but I will find out more about the lymph involvement. I will feel so much better when I have a PLAN.
Hugging you tightly. Vicki0 -
Visualizing!
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for sharing your feelings with us. I believe like you that the lack of stress is very healing while battling this disease. I am now visualizing you in the radioligist's office and he/she is saying, "Cheryl, you are a perfect candidate for RFA, and I know this is your answer to complete healing!"
Hugs,
Kay0 -
Hey CherylKanort said:Visualizing!
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for sharing your feelings with us. I believe like you that the lack of stress is very healing while battling this disease. I am now visualizing you in the radioligist's office and he/she is saying, "Cheryl, you are a perfect candidate for RFA, and I know this is your answer to complete healing!"
Hugs,
Kay
I want to wish you all of the best wishes possible..You have helped me out so much with your advice and your own story of insperation and what has helped you that I can't thank you enough. You are a very special person to share your lifes struggles with a stranger.. God Bless and it's time for us to keep you strong and positive so hang in there. You have gone through so much that you can get through this too with flying colors...Keep the faith we all are praying with you and for you...
God Bless
Julie0 -
Thank You!
Rebecca, Vicki, Kay and Julie,
Thank you for your posts! That does help a lot... words given here have more impact than from folk who, although they really do feel for us, they don't understand what it is we are really going through. I don't complain about things like discomfort or even pain, if there is any from any procedures because to me, that's all part and parcel of using a procedure to get better. And pain/discomfort doesn't scare me because I know if it gets too bad, there is always some form of medication to take the pain away or make it easier to handle.
For me, it's the little things that just pop up that throw me... lately, it's been words or phrases. "Metastacized" (I can't even pronounce this word out loud and I know it's because my brain is saying "We aren't going there"), "Stage IV" is my current biggie, "Terminal Cancer" - Hello?? What's that?? Everyone, cancer victim or not is "Terminal"... because we all are going to die one day... so what do they mean "Terminal Cancer"? Is Terminal used with the word cancer any different than Terminal used on it's own? I don't understand that... but I do know when someone says "terminal cancer" that seems to be a lot scarier than "We all are terminal from the day we were born."
So, I'm pretty sure this is just my head playing games with me right now... and it really doesn't have to because I'm in a space where we are talking plans and options. My oncologist is well aware that I do extremely well as long as we have a "plan"... if there is no plan, then I seem to go into a panic mode. So she was a bit concerned that the radiologist office had not been in touch with me, because yesterday's visit was to now sit down and go over the fine details of the plan... but there was the missing piece, the radiologist! So she assured me that she would get it all straightened out this week and the plan would be back on board and I'm not to worry one little bit. So I think this was just my reaction to "What? No concrete plan today?" Instead of going into panic mode since I know we have a plan, we just haven't got it set in stone yet... I went off on a small anxiety attack over "words".
Aren't our minds amazing?? "Ok, can't deal with this... let's pick something I can deal with!" and I go and fidget over words and the meaning of words . One thing I do know, I have been through quite a few major nasty moments in my life, so my mind has learned to cope, almost like a Scarlett O'Hara syndrome. "Oh, Fiddle-dee-dee... I'll worry about that tomorrow" or "Yes, I see... well, perhaps YOU can take this on to worry about, I'm actually kind of busy right now living my life and don't have time in my brain to take this on." Or one of my better techniques, that even I don't understand, my brain blocks it out of my memory. A good example... apparently the first PET scan I had (March 2008) the 16mm spot lit up like a Christmas tree, but no other spots did. Yet, in the CAT scan, there were these 5 other spots (a 6th one showed up on the last PET scan). Both my oncologist and surgeon said that we will definitely keep an eye on these 5 spots to see if they grow, change or possibly they are just scar tissue. I left that day and apparently I told my friends (caregivers) and my Dad about the 16mm spot and the fact I have these other spots that they will monitor... and then I promptly put it out of my mind. I could cope with having one spot... but the others, too much information. So all spring/summer as far as I was concerned I had one spot that we may have to have surgically removed. This past scan that showed the 5 spots still there, now a new one... but the growth on two of them has been so agonizingly slow, but 2-3 are growing... I was shocked! Hello?? Where did these come from??? Here I thought I had ONE spot and now I'm told I have SEVEN?? I'm dying!!! But doctors and friends calmed me down... no, no, no... all is exactly as we knew it from the first PET scan... and we are still in watch mode because they are growing so incredibly slow. But it just goes to show that my mind, at some point, had decided I had enough information... so it just closed it off.
And that is is why it is so good to have such a fabulous Team... as well as keeping my friends/caregivers informed, Our minds will do whatever it takes to keep us real and not off in na-na-land
Huggggggs,
Cheryl0 -
From the TDotCherylHutch said:Thank You!
Rebecca, Vicki, Kay and Julie,
Thank you for your posts! That does help a lot... words given here have more impact than from folk who, although they really do feel for us, they don't understand what it is we are really going through. I don't complain about things like discomfort or even pain, if there is any from any procedures because to me, that's all part and parcel of using a procedure to get better. And pain/discomfort doesn't scare me because I know if it gets too bad, there is always some form of medication to take the pain away or make it easier to handle.
For me, it's the little things that just pop up that throw me... lately, it's been words or phrases. "Metastacized" (I can't even pronounce this word out loud and I know it's because my brain is saying "We aren't going there"), "Stage IV" is my current biggie, "Terminal Cancer" - Hello?? What's that?? Everyone, cancer victim or not is "Terminal"... because we all are going to die one day... so what do they mean "Terminal Cancer"? Is Terminal used with the word cancer any different than Terminal used on it's own? I don't understand that... but I do know when someone says "terminal cancer" that seems to be a lot scarier than "We all are terminal from the day we were born."
So, I'm pretty sure this is just my head playing games with me right now... and it really doesn't have to because I'm in a space where we are talking plans and options. My oncologist is well aware that I do extremely well as long as we have a "plan"... if there is no plan, then I seem to go into a panic mode. So she was a bit concerned that the radiologist office had not been in touch with me, because yesterday's visit was to now sit down and go over the fine details of the plan... but there was the missing piece, the radiologist! So she assured me that she would get it all straightened out this week and the plan would be back on board and I'm not to worry one little bit. So I think this was just my reaction to "What? No concrete plan today?" Instead of going into panic mode since I know we have a plan, we just haven't got it set in stone yet... I went off on a small anxiety attack over "words".
Aren't our minds amazing?? "Ok, can't deal with this... let's pick something I can deal with!" and I go and fidget over words and the meaning of words . One thing I do know, I have been through quite a few major nasty moments in my life, so my mind has learned to cope, almost like a Scarlett O'Hara syndrome. "Oh, Fiddle-dee-dee... I'll worry about that tomorrow" or "Yes, I see... well, perhaps YOU can take this on to worry about, I'm actually kind of busy right now living my life and don't have time in my brain to take this on." Or one of my better techniques, that even I don't understand, my brain blocks it out of my memory. A good example... apparently the first PET scan I had (March 2008) the 16mm spot lit up like a Christmas tree, but no other spots did. Yet, in the CAT scan, there were these 5 other spots (a 6th one showed up on the last PET scan). Both my oncologist and surgeon said that we will definitely keep an eye on these 5 spots to see if they grow, change or possibly they are just scar tissue. I left that day and apparently I told my friends (caregivers) and my Dad about the 16mm spot and the fact I have these other spots that they will monitor... and then I promptly put it out of my mind. I could cope with having one spot... but the others, too much information. So all spring/summer as far as I was concerned I had one spot that we may have to have surgically removed. This past scan that showed the 5 spots still there, now a new one... but the growth on two of them has been so agonizingly slow, but 2-3 are growing... I was shocked! Hello?? Where did these come from??? Here I thought I had ONE spot and now I'm told I have SEVEN?? I'm dying!!! But doctors and friends calmed me down... no, no, no... all is exactly as we knew it from the first PET scan... and we are still in watch mode because they are growing so incredibly slow. But it just goes to show that my mind, at some point, had decided I had enough information... so it just closed it off.
And that is is why it is so good to have such a fabulous Team... as well as keeping my friends/caregivers informed, Our minds will do whatever it takes to keep us real and not off in na-na-land
Huggggggs,
Cheryl
Hey Cheryl,
Positive vibes coming to you from Toronto. You are a strong personality and that is in your favour. Plus we Canuks are tough! I totally hear you as far as your reaction to stage 4. I am stage 3 and hope to stay that way but you never know. I will have to deal with any issues as they present themselves. It is great that you are staying involved in all you interests. You are inspiring to us all.
Cheers, Lance0 -
I hear you...but not the doctors!
Cheryl,
I understand about blocking out what we don't (can't) process. My husband has told me several things about my cancer. I asked "Where did you get that?" and, of course, he said the doctor told us both. That is why I am taking my wonderful SIL with me today. As an anesthesiologist he understands all the 5 dollar words they will use!
Hang tough...you are a fighter! Fight hard now.
Vicki0 -
Stage FOUR? ME?!!!!
Cheryl, I can TOTALLY relate! I was initially diagnosed stage IIIB back in 2004. My recurrence put me into stage iv, but my family just can't hear that term! So, we discuss my recurrence, but that's that! I have never mentioned to them directly that my recurrence means I am stage IV! As far as I am concerned, it doesn't put me any closer to the end of my life, just changes the journey that will take me there! There is so much out there that can be done to bring us back to NED; even if it is a tad bit hard to swallow! Some days I envy those who have never been touched by cancer, the 98 year old who just celebrated another birthday, the 74 year old who is still in apparently good health even while smoking like a chimney. But we never know what another's life truly is like! This is the life journey I have been given and I plan on doing the best I can for as long as I can! I just got back from another week long visit with my new grand daughter, so I am TRULY blessed! She is getting so big, my daughter is really settling comfortably into her new role and I get a glimpse into heaven! I am praying for you and am looking forward to your post when you can celebrate being a candidate for RFA!
mary0 -
Hi Cheryl,
HI Cheryl,
I guess I just want to be encouragement to you, too. You know as well as I do from being on this board the number of other patients that have done well. And those are just the patients who have done well who have bothered still to post on this board. I'm convinved there are many other longer term survivors that have just done son well and don't even have to think about their cancer anylonger- so that's why we don't hear from them- they've moved on with their lives again! So many of your postings have been of encouragement to me. It's natural to get down and feel overwhelmed at times. So many people in my life who have told me I was "amazing" or "of great encouragment to them" have recently taken on the role of being the onces trying to cheer me up lately. It's normal to change roles every now and then, and the encouragement of others has worked for me again- I'm doing pretty well again, both emotionally and spiritually, I believe. So many people here a pulling for you and I am too- I will definitely be lifting your name before the Lord in my prayers.
Take care and keep in touch here on this board. I was tempted for a while to drop out of sight from it and another board, but then I log on again and know it's good for me.
Keep the chin up and God bless you-
Lisa0 -
Onward...lisa42 said:Hi Cheryl,
HI Cheryl,
I guess I just want to be encouragement to you, too. You know as well as I do from being on this board the number of other patients that have done well. And those are just the patients who have done well who have bothered still to post on this board. I'm convinved there are many other longer term survivors that have just done son well and don't even have to think about their cancer anylonger- so that's why we don't hear from them- they've moved on with their lives again! So many of your postings have been of encouragement to me. It's natural to get down and feel overwhelmed at times. So many people in my life who have told me I was "amazing" or "of great encouragment to them" have recently taken on the role of being the onces trying to cheer me up lately. It's normal to change roles every now and then, and the encouragement of others has worked for me again- I'm doing pretty well again, both emotionally and spiritually, I believe. So many people here a pulling for you and I am too- I will definitely be lifting your name before the Lord in my prayers.
Take care and keep in touch here on this board. I was tempted for a while to drop out of sight from it and another board, but then I log on again and know it's good for me.
Keep the chin up and God bless you-
Lisa
Thanks, everyone! I'm back to my normal self where, no matter what and no matter how edumacated the doctors are, I just can't believe they can put a label on me that I am a Stage 4 and although we will try and get rid of any current cancer spots... chances are more will come at some point. I know that's the way they are trained to believe and I guess it would work against us if they didn't, because they wouldn't keep a close eye on us if they thought they had cured us.
BUT... I refuse to believe this is how it's going to be for me. I think they are going to clean up the nastiness and if something comes back and we do have to go the chemo route, then so be it... whatever it takes, we will do and we won't let the monster take over
Hugggggs,
Cheryl0 -
Cheryl,CherylHutch said:Onward...
Thanks, everyone! I'm back to my normal self where, no matter what and no matter how edumacated the doctors are, I just can't believe they can put a label on me that I am a Stage 4 and although we will try and get rid of any current cancer spots... chances are more will come at some point. I know that's the way they are trained to believe and I guess it would work against us if they didn't, because they wouldn't keep a close eye on us if they thought they had cured us.
BUT... I refuse to believe this is how it's going to be for me. I think they are going to clean up the nastiness and if something comes back and we do have to go the chemo route, then so be it... whatever it takes, we will do and we won't let the monster take over
Hugggggs,
Cheryl
I have never met you
Cheryl,
I have never met you but I love you!!! Your spirit and kindness is an inspiration to us all. if anyone can fight this you can because you have that fighter spirit. I know you will beat this because even over the internet without meeting you in person your positive, strong, kind personality comes through. I know you will be ok. I pray to god every night and not only do I pray for my mum but I pray for you and all the other kind people i have met on this site. You are amazing and kind and lovely and I know you will get through this!!! You probably don't know how much you have helped me but you really have.. when I was feeling in despair you made me strong again. I know you can beat this because you are a really strong lady. I feel a lot of love for you and I know you will beat this thing. Love Keeley xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx0 -
Awwww Keeley!!Keeley200 said:Cheryl,
I have never met you
Cheryl,
I have never met you but I love you!!! Your spirit and kindness is an inspiration to us all. if anyone can fight this you can because you have that fighter spirit. I know you will beat this because even over the internet without meeting you in person your positive, strong, kind personality comes through. I know you will be ok. I pray to god every night and not only do I pray for my mum but I pray for you and all the other kind people i have met on this site. You are amazing and kind and lovely and I know you will get through this!!! You probably don't know how much you have helped me but you really have.. when I was feeling in despair you made me strong again. I know you can beat this because you are a really strong lady. I feel a lot of love for you and I know you will beat this thing. Love Keeley xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Keeley, my friend... you have just said magical words yourself... so that puts YOU in the category of a lovely, kind, strong and inspiring person yourself... and don't you ever forget it!! Just by sharing your words from your heart, you have no idea how inspiring those are in itself. If I have said anything to take the fear/panic away... even for a few minutes, then I am thrilled that I have been of help to you. You are a strong person yourself and it's just too bad you are soooo far away! Otherwise, I'd hop on over to your place and have a cuppa tea with you, your mom and your sisters. And we'd have a couple of good laughs, let me tell you!!! (OK, it might mean I'd have to bring my spoilt, precious, diva miniature schnauzer, Bridget with me as well).
The one thing about the Cancer Beast... it really does bring the best out in people, doesn't it?? The great thing about the internet, is we can all talk to each other from the comforts of our own homes... all comfy, cozy in our jammies if need be! The downside about the internet... we forget how far away we are physically from each other, so it's not as if we can just hop into the car and head over to each other's houses (now wouldn't THAT be kewl???) (grin)
Anywho... thank you for cheering me up, Keeley!! Your words are so wonderful and beautiful because I know you are typing them right from your heart!! Huggggggggs!!!
Now... I have 1 hour to get myself in a classic black cocktail dress, throw some makeup on to make me look sophisticated, yet girly, and (ack!) flat iron my hair myself since my friend, Jenn is at work!! Heaven help me... me with a blow dryer or a flat iron is NOT a pretty sight!!! (grin). I'm off to a 30+ Year Awards Ceremony for work... which does make me giggle. I am in my 35th year of service, yet I've been on leave for 2 years.... so I do feel like I'm a bit of a fraud (chuckle)... but what the heck! It's a party and I get to practice being la-di-da... for at least an hour, before I turn back into my usual laughing, giggling party animal self
Huggggggs,
Cheryl0 -
Stress is the variable
Hi Cheryl! I've posted on the subject of stress before. I completely believe it's why i got my cancer at this age. Bit of a coincidence that i got it during my long, trumultuous divorce! I can almost pinpoint the moment it happened because i felt a physical change one day, and it wasn't a good feeling.
Stress is a killer.
During my chemo, i had to go to the ER for a complication that arose, and the doctor there came into my room after the emergency was done, and he took up a seat beside me and said, "you're the same age as me...how did you get this?" When i told him it was stress, he shook his head and said he didn't buy it, and that lots of people have stress. Of course i did have other risk factors, and as soon as i told him about those, he decided those were the cause.
I wasn't expecting his reaction to be so unwilling to realize the mind/body connection, and how important it is for the health of one to affect the other. I wanted to tell him that lots of people do have stress, and lots of people have heart disease, strokes, and cancer. These days are more stressful for people than any time in recorded history, and so are these serious illnesses on the rise.
So i believe you! The less stress, the healthier we'll all be!
Many hugs,
Krista0 -
Stress hurts!kristasplace said:Stress is the variable
Hi Cheryl! I've posted on the subject of stress before. I completely believe it's why i got my cancer at this age. Bit of a coincidence that i got it during my long, trumultuous divorce! I can almost pinpoint the moment it happened because i felt a physical change one day, and it wasn't a good feeling.
Stress is a killer.
During my chemo, i had to go to the ER for a complication that arose, and the doctor there came into my room after the emergency was done, and he took up a seat beside me and said, "you're the same age as me...how did you get this?" When i told him it was stress, he shook his head and said he didn't buy it, and that lots of people have stress. Of course i did have other risk factors, and as soon as i told him about those, he decided those were the cause.
I wasn't expecting his reaction to be so unwilling to realize the mind/body connection, and how important it is for the health of one to affect the other. I wanted to tell him that lots of people do have stress, and lots of people have heart disease, strokes, and cancer. These days are more stressful for people than any time in recorded history, and so are these serious illnesses on the rise.
So i believe you! The less stress, the healthier we'll all be!
Many hugs,
Krista
Krista, you are SOOOO right! I believe my cancer managed to get a foothold because of my stressful marriage. I ended it shortly before the cancer was discovered and have not looked back a day since! I just wish I had come to my senses earlier so I wouldn't be causing so much grief for my loved ones! However, on the flipside, they are able to watch me fight with everything I have and I believe that is a VERY important lesson for each of us to learn, just wish I didn't have to be the teacher! LOL!
mary0 -
Not Impossible...
Hi Cheryl,
I'm one of the "veterans" on this site and have forgotten to check back in as often as I used to. DON'T be discouraged! I was (key word WAS) stage 4....7 yrs ago! I've been clear ever since. Do NOT let doctors' words make you feel defeated. There are PLENTY of us stage 4 survivors, and no reason why you can't be also. Mine was liver mets. Today, I'm a big ZERO and I couldn't be happier. You, too, will soon have this same status to add to your cancer resume.
HAPPY THURSDAY!
Hugs,
Stacy0 -
Not ImpossibleStacyGleaso said:Not Impossible...
Hi Cheryl,
I'm one of the "veterans" on this site and have forgotten to check back in as often as I used to. DON'T be discouraged! I was (key word WAS) stage 4....7 yrs ago! I've been clear ever since. Do NOT let doctors' words make you feel defeated. There are PLENTY of us stage 4 survivors, and no reason why you can't be also. Mine was liver mets. Today, I'm a big ZERO and I couldn't be happier. You, too, will soon have this same status to add to your cancer resume.
HAPPY THURSDAY!
Hugs,
Stacy
Thanks so much, Stacy, for coming in and telling me this! I take heart big time every time I hear someone say that they were staged at a IV and are here posting saying they have been clear ever since they went through their journey of treatments.
I figure... once you have been diagnosed with cancer, you become a statistic. The question being... what kind of a statistic? There are good statistics and there are bad statistics. It seems the minute we hear the C word we can only think of the bad statistics.
Well, always being slightly different than the crowd , I have decided (and it's taken me awhile to come to this decision and understand what it means) that I'm going to be a good statistic. I want to be one of those names that doctors bandy about in their conferences--- "Well, you know there is that Cheryl Hutcherson. She was a Stage IV and really should have succumbed to blah, blah, blah... but she didn't. Now what did we give her or do for her that changed this for her? Or what did she do?" Hey, if I could bottle that answer, I could become rich as well!!
So gang... you heard it hear!! I wanna be one of the stories where I can say "I WAS a Stage IV and I'm now NED for over 5 years!" and continue to be so
So keep those stories coming Stage IV semi-colons!!!
Huggggs,
Cheryl0 -
Hang in theredixchi said:Best
I'm a little late posting but my thoughts and prayers are with you and
hope all is going ok. You are an inspiration to all of us so hang
on to that wonderful oulook.
Stage 4 here and I hear you. You are not alone and the sweel of good thoughts, prayers and hope that does exist is out there. I know it is tough and I'm so sorry but you and others are all insopirations to others and help us all stand up when we want to lie down.
All my best
Chip0 -
I hear you on being the one they talk about!CherylHutch said:Not Impossible
Thanks so much, Stacy, for coming in and telling me this! I take heart big time every time I hear someone say that they were staged at a IV and are here posting saying they have been clear ever since they went through their journey of treatments.
I figure... once you have been diagnosed with cancer, you become a statistic. The question being... what kind of a statistic? There are good statistics and there are bad statistics. It seems the minute we hear the C word we can only think of the bad statistics.
Well, always being slightly different than the crowd , I have decided (and it's taken me awhile to come to this decision and understand what it means) that I'm going to be a good statistic. I want to be one of those names that doctors bandy about in their conferences--- "Well, you know there is that Cheryl Hutcherson. She was a Stage IV and really should have succumbed to blah, blah, blah... but she didn't. Now what did we give her or do for her that changed this for her? Or what did she do?" Hey, if I could bottle that answer, I could become rich as well!!
So gang... you heard it hear!! I wanna be one of the stories where I can say "I WAS a Stage IV and I'm now NED for over 5 years!" and continue to be so
So keep those stories coming Stage IV semi-colons!!!
Huggggs,
Cheryl
I also plan on being one they tell stories about, trying to figure out what they or I did different that allowed me to survive so long! If nothing else, they better cure me so i can get out of their hair!
mary0
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