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timing of chemo
I was expecting to start my chemo this week to "mop" up after my liver resection and for a "spot" on my lung. I met with the onc a couple weeks ago & got the chemo regimine sorted out. Then this week I met with the local doc at the cancer clinic in town- everything seemed set. Now my local surgeon has sent me to a thoracic…
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A little info on Eributux
Hello all, I am currently on Folfox and have 5 more treatments. Today I asked my oncologist if I would be elligible for Eributux. Since I am stage 3, my insurance would probably not cover it. However, he did say that either Eributux or Avistan (sp) would become the standard treatment in the near future to be given with…
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What to expect from colon surgery
I will be having my ascending colon removed in the next couple of weeks due to higrade dyspasia and the possibilities of cancer in the lining. They will be removing the end of the small intestines, including the valve that opens and closes to the large intestine, as well as about a foot or more of large intestine. I just…
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Started my web page!
After feeling pretty "down" last night, I decided to put together my web page. Before I did, I read a lot of other web pages and it really made me feel so connected to everyone. I especially enjoyed the ones with photos - a real face - so I added a photo to mine too. Thanks again everyone for all your support. Everyday my…
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What happens when the spouse quits?
Does anyone else have a spouse who could not handle the stress? I was diagnosed in Dec. 2003 with Dukes C1 stage colon cancer - I went through 6 months of chemo of 5Fu/Leukovorin/Camptosar with lots of nauseau, diahrrea, fever, gas, etc., but was able to take the whole treatment. I finished my treatment on July 9, 2003 and…
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Ellagic Acid a Cure?
Does anyone know anything about Ellagic Acid which is derived from raspberries and strawberries. Researchers at some prominent cancer research institutions have mentioned this acid and I wonder why if it has curative powers I've never heard about it before. Anyone out there with personal experiences to relate?
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Erbitux : is it worth it?
Hi all, I receive a wonderfully informative newsletter each week from a former researcher with Memorial Sloan-Kettering. These past few weeks he has been focusing on Colorectal drug treatments and their effectiveness. If I were more computer savvy I would just cut and paste it over here....but alas I am not. Nanuk tried to…
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Happy Upcoming 49th Kanga!!!!
Make it the best day ever!!! Got you beat...the big 50 coming up March 10...Sponge, I'll take any of the left-over Tiffany that you don't want. After all, you are just a young "wipper-snapper", still wet behind the ears, while a woman of my wordly knowledge and experience sure could use some of those pieces (hahahaha). For…
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Stage 4 Again - Erbitux
My hubby Hunt has stage 4 colon cancer. 17 out of 18 lymph nodes effected, large tumor removed from colon, mets to liver. He has had camptosar, clear 45 days, CEA count reach 24.9 with spots returning to liver, he was dx in Feb 2003, been one year, he is on oxaliplatin and has one more round of this before he is scanned.…
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Sorry I've Been Out of Touch
Hello Everyone! I've been gone a few days (celebrated our 29th anniversary) and will be gone again a few days next weekend (birthdays), but wanted to touch base with everyone just to say hi and hope you are all doing well. I've replied to some posts when I can, but NO WHERE near how much I would like to reply....ah well,…
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Thanks for the responses
Thanks to all who took time to respond to my question about working or not during chemo. The day I posted, I was home following another bout of diarrhea, and generally feeling quite lousy and fatigued. In the last 2 weeks I have received 2 procrit injections and my hematocrit has bounced back; I feel somewhat more…
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low temperature?
Hi everyone. A question: the onco warned to watch for high temperatures signifying the onset of infection. But mom's temp has been consistently low--97.5-98 degrees. Prior to the onset of this cancer her temp was a normal 98.6. Doctor is not concerned about this at all. Has anyone else experienced this? Should we be…
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Liver mets
My wife is stage 4 with many liver mets. Was diagnosed in December. They say the liver is unoperable, she will have to fight this as a chronic disease with chemo. She has spent 26 days hospitalized for side effects of the chemo, so she is not tolerating it well. No mention of radiation. I am hoping to find some positive…
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"thoughts"
We would like to leave you all with some "thoughts" which we sincerely would like you all to think about. Then as a family we begin to understand why we have such a big "family"--on this site and all about us. We are "touched" with a horrible disease that has changed all our lives in an instant. Consider; Realise that by…
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WOW, Look at all those web pages
Dear all, Thank you all for sharing more info about yourselves. Each of us is living our own journey, but it is so great to be able to come together like this. I don't know how I would manage without the support of you, fellow travelers. I feel blessed to have found you all here!!! Wishing us all continued hope, Regards,…
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holidays!
Hiya guys--just a short note to say our long awaited holiday(waited 10 years) is about to begin.Jen and I are off on a 5 week adventure on our touring motorcycle from Adelaide in South Australia via Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane then home again. It is now 3 weeks since I finished my chemo and am gradually regaining my strenght…
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Have you heard.......?
There is a new symbol of hope for colon cancer cure. You can visit: www.nccrt.org and click on the Blue Star symbol on the right side of the page. It will give you info on the new symbol and how to purchase pins. I know I will be wearing one! Hope everyone is doing well, Carolyn
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Rectal Cancer Suvivor-Question
I'll try to make a long story short. Oct 31, 2003 husband was dx with rectal cancer. Dr told us he would have 6 wks chemo and rad, rest time to recoup and then surgery which would result in rectum being removed and permanent colostomy. Dr said 0% chance of not having the above surgery and colostomy. Did the chemo(Xeloda)…
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cellular question
this may not be an appropriate question for this forum, but I can't talk to my Onc until the next appt., which is a little over 2 weeks away,an I'm afraid that if I bug the nurses too much, they'll take thier revenge on chemo day.. "chemo-brain" may also be taking it's toll..anyway, here goes; shortly before my lung mets…
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Colon Blockage Questions!
Does anyone know how long you can live with a COMPLETE Colon blockage? My Fathers best friend that is 83 years old has a complete blockage of the colon and they are NOT going to do surgery due to his age, heart and general health for the the fear that if he ever even wakes up they will not be able to take him off the…
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CEA Tests
My dad was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in May 2002. He had part of his colon removed and one spot removed from his liver. He began chemo in August 2002. He finished his treatment in September 2003. He has had clean pet and cat scans since his operation. Every month, his doctor monitors his CEA. In December 2003,…
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Request for web pages
Hi, me again, I took the day off to be close to the BR, and the computer keeps beckoning! This board has gotten very busy with many new and old names contributing. I have a request....for those of you who haven't done a web page, please consider. It helps me to keep track of everyone...and it's easy to do, the format walks…
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To work or not???
Hi all, I am experiencing a dilemma, and look forward to your thoughts. I had my colectomy in Dec 03, which went well. I started chemo for stage III cancer, 1 small positive polyp, AND 1 microscopically postive node, my ticket to chemo. I started 5FU and leuco Jan 04, and completed the 1st course without too much…
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Speaking of reading ....
Hi all, Don't know if any of you have read any of Jerome Groopman's stuff. He has been excerpted in the New Yorker, and has written "Measure of our Days" and "Anatomy of Hope". Both books I found riveting; I picked up "Measure of our Days" while recuperating from my colectomy. Family and friends thought it odd that I was…
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Trying Not To Panic
Hi everyone, I will NEVER, EVER complain about my life being boring! When I live through this, I want to have the calmest, most predictable and dull life know to man... Went to see my doc yesterday to make sure that all signals were a go for my chemo on Thursday. I was due to start last Tuesday but had to be hospitalized…
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What Do I Do
OK gang, here's the story: My far better half has had the second colon surgery. Then the 5FU I think it's called. While taking that, it spread to the liver. Chunks of liver removed. Now on Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) every 21 days and Xeloda - 1500mg 2x day for 14 days after each treatment. What do I do to provide support…
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"Blindsided"
"Welcome to my world, where I carry around dreams, a few diseases, and the determination to live life my way". In his newly-published autobiography, "Blindsided", Richard M. Cohen gives us a frank yet hopeful account of his battles with multiple sclerosis and two occurences of colon cancer. You can buy "Blindsided" today…
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Stage 111 on 5FU/leuko
I should be grateful for anyone who has come through this nightmare having had stage 111 with lymph node involvement and who was treated with 5FU and leukovorin. My husband has had 3 cycles where treatment was given every day for five days, then two weeks off and then 1 cycle of treatment once a week while he was receiving…
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about me
I was 29 when I was diagnosed with colon caner. They took my whole large intestines and did a hysto on me as well to prevent the spread. I had my surgery in Oct 2003 and they told me I would be back to work on 5-6 wks. Well here it is March 2004 and I'm no way able to go back to work yet. They did not give me a bag so I am…
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Afraid of the future
Diagnosed 09/11/03. Operated on 10/28/03. Nearly died following surgery and had to remain in hospital all of November. No oncologist would start chemo because I was in such bad shape. Scheduled to start the Roswll Park treatment of 5FI and Leucovorin on 03/03/04 (tomorrow) with 6 weeks on and 2 weeks off in 3 cycles. I'm…