Needing a little Encouragement if anyone is up for it - after 7 years of remission CC showed up in m

Options

Hello dear survivors.... I was stage three 10 years ago at age 32 . Surg and chemo - and I have been in reminssion for 8 years now. Two weeks ago shortness of  breath brought me to the ER. It was discovered Ihave a 5.6 cm tumor in my right lung. PET scan and biopsy - have cinfirmed it is colon cancer. It is a isolated mass, which is a silver lining. I know this makes me stage 4 - I will be meeting three new docs next week to see whats new and what we can do. But I wanted to reach out and just get some GOOD NEWS and stories from you survivors - I want to be reminded that this is treatable and hear from all you suriviors who are living after colon metatisis. 

If you would be so kind to share- I could use some stories of hope! Thank you thank you!!!!

Comments

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    Options
    Lumps and stuff

    Lumps and stuff

     

    Re:
    " I know this makes me stage 4 "

    If it makes you feel any better, it only makes you a stage 3 with Metastasis to the lung. The staging does not change from the initial stage.

    If you can, have it removed surgically. There are many other options, like RF Ablation, freezing, etc.... many options that do not require radiation or chemicals, or some chemicals injected directly into the tumor.

    Make sure you have a couple of qualified surgeon's opinions before moving ahead; it's not good to rely on only one opinion.

    You'll do OK..... But keep in mind.... You're a stage 3 with "mets" and you ain't goin' anywhere any time soon.

    Best wishes,

    John

     

     

     

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    Options
    Dear Friend,

    That must feel de visitations to get a recurrance after such a long time, but you seem to have the right optimistic approach. Hopefully the can remove that lesion and you can return to your normal life again. And that is what I wish for you.

    Laz

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    Options
    I have two spots in my left

    I have two spots in my left lung that have turned out to be colon cancer. I am right in the middle of radiation to kill them after having had two treatments and with two more to go. I posted on here and a few people mentioned ablation which sounded interesting but my onc thought radiation was the best option. I can't have surgery due to having had a blood clot last year and being on life long blood thinners. The surgery would have required a large area to be removed anyway. So I was sent to the radiation onc and he said that they've been doing radiation that's very precise and pinpointed for about five years now with great success and he thinks that it'll be the 'go to' treatment in the future rather than surgery, which has been the go to treatment for over 30 years. Just lie there and have a non-invasive procedure done rather than have a surgeon go in and take out half my lung? I like that. I'm told that they're radiating a very small area so much less damage than anticipated.

    I feel very positive about the outcome and amd looking forward to being NED again. The PET scan showed no other areas positive for cancer so that was a relief. I realize that it has to be a certain size to show up but still, I'm feeling postive about this. My cancer surgeon said that with the headway they're maiing in cancer research these days by the time I'd likely have to worry about any more mets, if any, there will likely be an even better way to deal with them.

    So please be positive and know that you do have options and this is just a bump in the road. My onc said that the mets in the lung do not secrete cancer cells so having them does not mean that it'll spread even more. He said that mets come from the original cancer only.

    Good luck!

    Jan

  • Helen321
    Helen321 Member Posts: 1,459 Member
    Options
    I don't have a story but I do

    I don't have a story but I do have some support.  You beat it once, you'll beat it again!  Nothing but good vibes!

  • mykidsmommy
    mykidsmommy Member Posts: 76
    Options
    JanJan63 said:

    I have two spots in my left

    I have two spots in my left lung that have turned out to be colon cancer. I am right in the middle of radiation to kill them after having had two treatments and with two more to go. I posted on here and a few people mentioned ablation which sounded interesting but my onc thought radiation was the best option. I can't have surgery due to having had a blood clot last year and being on life long blood thinners. The surgery would have required a large area to be removed anyway. So I was sent to the radiation onc and he said that they've been doing radiation that's very precise and pinpointed for about five years now with great success and he thinks that it'll be the 'go to' treatment in the future rather than surgery, which has been the go to treatment for over 30 years. Just lie there and have a non-invasive procedure done rather than have a surgeon go in and take out half my lung? I like that. I'm told that they're radiating a very small area so much less damage than anticipated.

    I feel very positive about the outcome and amd looking forward to being NED again. The PET scan showed no other areas positive for cancer so that was a relief. I realize that it has to be a certain size to show up but still, I'm feeling postive about this. My cancer surgeon said that with the headway they're maiing in cancer research these days by the time I'd likely have to worry about any more mets, if any, there will likely be an even better way to deal with them.

    So please be positive and know that you do have options and this is just a bump in the road. My onc said that the mets in the lung do not secrete cancer cells so having them does not mean that it'll spread even more. He said that mets come from the original cancer only.

    Good luck!

    Jan

    Thank you

    Jan - 

    Well thank you SO much! Thanks for taking the time to encourage me with your story. It worked.

    Glad your doing well, and the mets are being treated with the radiation. Isn't it crazy that I actually wish radiation was an option? Me no likely chemo. 

    We will know more next week after meeting with two new cancer centers here in San Diego. 

    Thank you for the reply and I look forward to staying in touch - As bummed as I am to talking about this again - I am happy to know I have my CSN friends again to talk to.

     

     

     

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    Options
    There's a word

    that begins with d and ends with n with an an between, which really fits how I feel when I read this post.

    I am so sorry you have had a reucurrance and after such a long time. 

    I'm approaching two years NED, and know that even now, getting bad news would sock me hard, so I can imagine how it is for you. 

    That is a large tumour, so hopefully they can take care of it soon. Any met is bad, but one met is good. Get that sucker taken care of and go back to being NED for another 7 years and more. 

    I know that saying 'welcome back' is probably not apporpriate, but you're here now, so, welcome back. 

    Sue - Trubrit

     

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    Options

    Thank you

    Jan - 

    Well thank you SO much! Thanks for taking the time to encourage me with your story. It worked.

    Glad your doing well, and the mets are being treated with the radiation. Isn't it crazy that I actually wish radiation was an option? Me no likely chemo. 

    We will know more next week after meeting with two new cancer centers here in San Diego. 

    Thank you for the reply and I look forward to staying in touch - As bummed as I am to talking about this again - I am happy to know I have my CSN friends again to talk to.

     

     

     

    Radiation isn't an option for

    Radiation isn't an option for you? Only chemo? Ugh, I hated chemo. I can't have it anymore because the blood clot likely came from my last bout of chemo. Anyway, you've beaten it once and that's an inspiration for all of us. My onc said that mets can show up for over twenty years, unfortunately, so we may have some touch ups to do from time to time but as long as the docs keep on top of it we should be okay.

    Jan

  • impactzone
    impactzone Member Posts: 551 Member
    Options
    dx stage 4 when my kids were

    dx stage 4 when my kids were in 4th and 6th grade. One is junior at University of California and other a sophomore in college. That was almost 10 years ago. I have had 4 lung recurrances after initial colon and liver surgery. I am still teaching and doing well. 4 years NED right now but every year I get scanxiety. Still here and doing what I can when i can. I wish I had some great advice or program but everytime I could, I opted for surgery... I even fibbed a little telling the thoracic surgeon that the onc at Stanford had said great things about him and the ability to get these things out...that was before I even talked to the onc and then told him that the surgeon said he could get this met. They probably did all knew this but I wanted to be very proactive.

     

    All my best

     

    Chip

  • DaveHereInFlorida
    DaveHereInFlorida Member Posts: 48
    Options
    A post i just made to another

    A post i just made to another in the Forum , for you   :     "You must fight this on 3 grounds :  Emotionally , physically, and spiritually. You need to live for yourself to remain alive , for the sake of your kids and grandkids , your loving friends, and your siblings.  You must keep in mind that many millions on earth today have a form of cancer they are dealing with and that you are not alone in the process.  Finally, if you so choose to access it, you have the love of our heavenly Father who is the Creator of the universe and creator of each of our anatomical members --- read Psalm 139 for great comfort and just how much you mean to him.  So i hope you will never cave in to the pressure and choose each day to really live  ----   there is a time when we shall all pass from this earth and its troubles....but its not time yet.  You walk with many Cancer companions in this Forum and in daily life.   Bless you as you become victorious more each day. "  Dave

  • mykidsmommy
    mykidsmommy Member Posts: 76
    Options

    dx stage 4 when my kids were

    dx stage 4 when my kids were in 4th and 6th grade. One is junior at University of California and other a sophomore in college. That was almost 10 years ago. I have had 4 lung recurrances after initial colon and liver surgery. I am still teaching and doing well. 4 years NED right now but every year I get scanxiety. Still here and doing what I can when i can. I wish I had some great advice or program but everytime I could, I opted for surgery... I even fibbed a little telling the thoracic surgeon that the onc at Stanford had said great things about him and the ability to get these things out...that was before I even talked to the onc and then told him that the surgeon said he could get this met. They probably did all knew this but I wanted to be very proactive.

     

    All my best

     

    Chip

    Thank you

    Thank you Chip - I SO happy for you and happy to read your story. This is a pretty big bump in the road , but I'll be determined to get on top of it again. I want to get back to teaching and to see my kids in college too! Thank you for your words of encouragment - 

     

    To all who took the time to reply and lift me up - I thank you.

     

  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    Options

    Thank you

    Thank you Chip - I SO happy for you and happy to read your story. This is a pretty big bump in the road , but I'll be determined to get on top of it again. I want to get back to teaching and to see my kids in college too! Thank you for your words of encouragment - 

     

    To all who took the time to reply and lift me up - I thank you.

     

    Hi MKM

      All I can do is to add to the wellwishers.   I take no credit for surviving stage 3 c colon cancer. This Jan I ended year 18 of survival and started year 19. Right from the start I was given no hope by my surgeon. Too aggressive , to many lymph nodes he said . I asked how long and he replied straight away , three years maximun based on what I have seen with similar cancers. I knew Leo well ,he had been my dads surgeon. He was not being nasty or negative he was just giving me a chance to live my bucket list. Fortunately or unfortunately I could not afford to die so I didn't. I had surgery and 48 weekly sessions of 5fu enhanced every fortnight with levamisole ( banned in 2001 for often fatal side effects). I have had lots of issues since cancer some of which are as life threatening as cancer. But now at 65 going on 66 I live alone and still work four days a week ( to pay for my prescription drug habit.) I see absolutely no reason why you won't get rid of those pesky mets and to keep on with your productive life. You have my best wishes..Ron.

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,280 Member
    Options
    I read on your bio that you

    I read on your bio that you had a lung spot zapped with RFA in '09, just made me wonder how often they were scanning you, a 5.6cm mass doesn't just pop up? Anyway I was 3b in Sep '07, a mass on the sigmoid section. Resection, took my appendix[was swollen], 2 of 17 nodes, full Folfox treatment, 2-3 years NED but a rising cea number, three spots on the liver, resections, 2-3 years, damn cea starts up again, one spot[3+cm], liver resection, now 18 months NED, but with my lowest cea number, so here's hoping. It's a long road we travel, with some rough sections, but you'll get clear of this rut, and get back to counting the NEDness  again. It's what we do...................................Dave