checking for lights in the darkness–stage 4 survivors

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lesvanb
lesvanb Member Posts: 905
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello everyone

Though I don't post much, I do check in periodically just to bear witness to all, and to me, who are on this cancer path. I'm posting a link to a NY times article from today that pretty much sums it up for me as to why I do this. I hope you enjoy it too.

P.S. My CEA yesterday was 1.5 and my every 2 month check-up with my oncologist is tomorrow. Next PET/CT is June 11. So far, so good though yesterday before I knew the blood test results, it was very difficult to just keep breathing, one breath after the next.

17 Years Later, Stage 4 Survivor Is Savoring a Life Well Lived
By KATHERINE RUSSELL RICH
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/health/27case.html

all the best, Leslie

dx 5/08 stage 4 rectal cancer; 1 met to liver; resectable at dx
radiation 28 tx xeloda/oxaliplatin 6/08
LAR surgery 9/08
R Hepatectomy 10/08; NED after surgery
FOLFOX 10 tx 1/09-5/09
baseline PET/CT after surgeries/chemo 8/09; still NED after 3/10 CT scan!

Comments

  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #2
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    thanks for sharing
    Hi Leslie,

    Thanks for sharing your continued great news!! We need to hear from people who are doing well!! I wish you many continued blessings!

    :),
    Lisa
  • Paula G.
    Paula G. Member Posts: 596
    #3
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    Loved it Leslie. Thanks.
    Loved it Leslie. Thanks. Paula
  • SueRelays
    SueRelays Member Posts: 485
    #4
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    WOOHOO....from another stage
    WOOHOO....from another stage IV, that is so GREAT to hear!!!

    THANK YOU and CHEERS TO MANY MORE YEARS!!!
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #5
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    Les,
    Thanks so much for
    Les,

    Thanks so much for sharing your good news; it truly is inspiring + thanks for sharing the other story too.
  • sheri22
    sheri22 Member Posts: 273
    #6
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    GREAT NEWS
    Leslie
    Thanks for sharing news like that always give us more hope

    Sheri22
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #7
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    Ride On:)
    Hi Leslie

    Lookin' good:)

    -Craig
  • JDuke
    JDuke Member Posts: 438
    #8
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    Sundanceh said:

    Ride On:)
    Hi Leslie

    Lookin' good:)

    -Craig

    Leslie
    Thanks for sharing your message of optimism. Continued health to you!
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #9
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    Good News!
    Good news Leslie! We are all rooting for you and cheering you on!

    Amy
  • Brenda3.16
    Brenda3.16 Member Posts: 209
    #10
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    mom_2_3 said:

    Good News!
    Good news Leslie! We are all rooting for you and cheering you on!

    Amy

    Leslie,
    Thanks for sharing
    Leslie,
    Thanks for sharing your story and the other story too . It is always inspiring to hear stories like this.
    Brenda
  • Kerry S
    Kerry S Member Posts: 606 Member
    #11
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    your PET will be clear
    Leslie,
    My sister is a 25 year stage 4 breast cancer survivor. They told her she had 6 months. I will copy the article and send it to her.

    My bet, with your attitude, your PET will be clear.
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #12
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    Great!
    Wonderful results! I'm so glad for you.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • biglaur
    biglaur Member Posts: 72 Member
    #13
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    I'm stage IV
    With a recurrence diagnosed June of '08 (they really think it was in my liver all along...since initial dx Sept '06) with mets to liver and lung. I did 11 rounds of Folfox with Avastin and a clinical trial at UCSD. Opted for cyperknife radiation instead of surgery halfway thru chemo. Started Xeloda after chemo and continued for 6 months. My CEA has been undetectable since August, 2 Petscans and 3 ct scans since August have all been negative. So, I go for blood work every 6-8 weeks, ct scan and onc visit every 4 months...I'm a happy camper for 3.5 months, then get a tad nervous, but I don't dwell on things until the day or so before. This is my normal for now and I'm having a ball!
  • thready
    thready Member Posts: 474
    #14
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    loved the article
    First congratulations on the 1.5 CEA! Also thank you for the article, I enjoyed it
    Take care,
    Jan
  • ruggersocks
    ruggersocks Member Posts: 78 Member
    #15
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    The future is bright
    I don't post here much, but wanted to say I'm also a Stage IV survivor going on 2 years NED. For the first time, I'm looking forward to my future...beyond a few months.

    Here's to long-term NED!

    Good luck to all of us.

    xoxoxo, Cheryl
  • Jesterg
    Jesterg Member Posts: 2
    #16
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    Colon Cancer Stage Four IV with Mets to Liver & Handicap
    Hi Mr. Lesvanb,

    This is great to hear. My brother is currently battling Colon Cancer Stage Four with mets to liver but what complicates this for doctors is the fact that he has Cerebral Palsy. He is 48 years old and on nothing since he was diagnosed They prescribed Xeloda but we are afraid of side effects. What were some of our side effect on Xeloda, if any? Thanks. God Bless to all!!!
  • Jesterg
    Jesterg Member Posts: 2
    #17
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    biglaur said:

    I'm stage IV
    With a recurrence diagnosed June of '08 (they really think it was in my liver all along...since initial dx Sept '06) with mets to liver and lung. I did 11 rounds of Folfox with Avastin and a clinical trial at UCSD. Opted for cyperknife radiation instead of surgery halfway thru chemo. Started Xeloda after chemo and continued for 6 months. My CEA has been undetectable since August, 2 Petscans and 3 ct scans since August have all been negative. So, I go for blood work every 6-8 weeks, ct scan and onc visit every 4 months...I'm a happy camper for 3.5 months, then get a tad nervous, but I don't dwell on things until the day or so before. This is my normal for now and I'm having a ball!

    Did you have any side
    Did you have any side effects from Xeloda. My handicap brother with Cerebral Palsy has the same Cancer Stage FOur with mets to liver and we are esperate but want to hasten his demise. Thanks.
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #18
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    ruggersocks said:

    The future is bright
    I don't post here much, but wanted to say I'm also a Stage IV survivor going on 2 years NED. For the first time, I'm looking forward to my future...beyond a few months.

    Here's to long-term NED!

    Good luck to all of us.

    xoxoxo, Cheryl

    Congratulations on your NED
    Congratulations on your NED status, Cheryl. Thanks for coming in to post on this thread.

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