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Update
Had my last (I hope) radiation treatment to the brain today. Will do a head CT in a month. Radiation onc says the radiation will keep working for a month or 2, so doesn't make sense to get one now. Saw Onc yesterday. Will be doing camptosar and vectibix. Have done camptosar and erbitux without much success, but he thinks…
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results of 1st post-chemo ct scan
(As we say down here in Texas, Yeeeeeeee-haw!!!!!) On a more dignified note, I have received the results of my CT scan from my physician, and I have been pronounced free from any trace of cancer. I am quite happy. (Yeah, right! I'm goldarned elated!!!) God is good. Kathleen
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Hi All-
Well, we are back from Boulder, and my mom finished 8 of 10 radiation treatments. By the 8th one, my mom was having pain higher up by her kidney. We know that she has a tumor there, but they can not treat it with radiation. It would be best they say to start the chemo-CPT 11 and erbitux. My mom is still not willing to do…
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Surgery tommorrow
Hi all, My husband's surgery is tomorrow at 4:15, we are both antsy. The doc said he would do it laposcopic and hopes for the best that he can find it without opening him up. He is looking for a spot in the mesentary that lit up on the PET scan.Please keep us in your prayers that all goes well. Still worried about the lung…
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"Cancer Treatment Centers of America?
Hi. Has anyone had any experience with Cancer Treatment Centers of America? They seem to offer "alternative" treatments. Just wondering if this would be a better option for my father, who was just diagnosed with rectal cancer in June. A friend told him about "radiation seeding" and they offer it there. Does anyone know…
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Stage 4 survivors?
Hi, I am stage 4 with lymh, liver and lung mets. On chemo, 4 treatments so far. They wont operate unless the chemo shinks it.. I am only 46 years old. The survivor stats are scary. I think maybe the stats are so bad because this was an "older person" cancer? Anybody NED after stage 4 out there? thanks
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Welcome KPSeattle
Hi all CSN "semi-colons", I'd like to welcome KP to our club; earlier I posted about the NYTimes article and the woman featured in the "young mother diagnosed with colon cancer story" has responded to that thread...just drop down a few topics find it. Glad you found us, KP, your story was inspirational and brought tears to…
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squamous cell rectal cancer??
I've just joined this group and am wondering if there is anyone out there who has also been diagnosed with squamous cell rectal cancer? I'm in treatment now but this type of cancer is rare enough that there are no exact protocols to go by and I am, as I am sure many of you are, wondering how to make sure I get the best…
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Feel like giving up
Hi everyone. I started radiation to the skull. I ahd 5 treatments and 10 more to go. I meet with my oncoligist tomorrow to get blood work and talk about treatment. I am so tired between my chronic back pain and the tumor in the skull which throbs 24/7 I don't think I will be taking this chemo once radiation is completed.…
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has cancer really changed
Hi all, I was thinking about a comment that Kat made in a post about how cancer has changed. I wonder if more of us are surviving now or is it because of the net that we hear more about it. I had a form of chemo that was developed when chemo was first used,as did some others like Virginia(Foxy). Perhaps it is not modern…
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Something I found
I was cleaning out my den and came across a card my fantastic sister sent to me during my treatments. I thought it quite appropriate for many of us. Here it is: "I'll bet you've had about enough of people telling you how strong you are and how great you're doing during this awful, difficult period in your life. Maybe you'd…
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abdominal pain
I have had 20 treatments of radiation and xeloda, I have experienced the worst abdominal pain in my life. I was hospitalized due to dehydration and pain. I dont know if I am going to be able to finish the last 8 treatments. It really bums me up because I feel like a wimp. My onc said all my stomach lining was gone and…
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New York Times Articles
Hi all, this Sunday's New York Times has a front page story about a YOUNG colon cancer survivor and the complicated choices facing all of us with this disease. The feature article "Cancer Patients, Lost in Maze of Uneven Care" and the accompanying articles "Push Hard for the Answers You Require" and "Doing Battle with…
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Depression setting in
I'm feeling a little down and I can't figure out why. I only have 2 treatments left and I'm feeling so depress. I start out so gun ho and ready to beat this thing now I'm sleeping a ton and wonder how much time do I have left in this world. I cry all the time. Wondering how much of my children lives will I see. This chemo…
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Discuss the latest cancer research with the scientists
Hello everybody, I just joined this wonderful network. I have gone through the profile of many of the survivors here. All of them touch me and inspire me. I am still exploring around the website to learn more about the experiences of the survivors here. I also wanted to share this online resource with you: A group of…
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Thanks to all that are here!
HI I am Beth, Stage 3 colorectal cancer, dx may07, had surgery to remove the tumor, now just finished my second round of chemo. I have posted a few times and I read alot of those who post here. I did do a web page that was fun. I just really want to say thank you to all those out there that post such wonderful support,…
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Home again, home again....
Hi All, Just popped in to say HI after the latest surgery. The hysterectomy went well, and it IS Stage I. Had a few complications so I'm just getting home, and how wonderful that is! Thanks to all of you for helping me get past all my irrational fears and giving me courage. I thought about all of you while hitting the…
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Never, Never Give Up...
Many of you will be familiar with the story of Terry Fox, the one-legged young man who set out to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research in 1980. He suffered a recurrence half way through his run and died about a year later. But his dream and legacy live on. To date over $400 million have been raised for…
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Steriods & weight gain
Does anyone else here have the weight gain from the steriods, mainly Decadron given at infusion time? I've put on a lot of weight since I started chemo. I have lots of bloating in my upper abdomen, does anyone know if this is typical of steriod usage? I'm so disgusted, I look fat, feel fat and it depresses me. I've never…
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60+
How many of us are over 60 and using the internet. I think there are a lot of retired people who have a lot of computer skills and who just happen to also have colon cancer. Age 62 Jo Ann
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Barbs results Skewed?
I was looking at Barb's survey results and that while it looks like a vast majority are under 50 at diagnosis (like myself), I think it might be that people under 50 are more likely to network on the internet. We see very few folks in their 60s here, and I think that is because many folks of that age do not use the…
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Neuropathy
OK.....it's time I stopped lurking. The doctors won't give me any straight answers, but I know my friends at CSN will. History: Dx: Stage IIIa colon CA, October 31, 2006. Started FOLFOX (oxaliplatin & 5-FU) December 12, 2006. Had to discontinue after 9 tx, d/t neuropathy (April 16, 2007). Had 2 rounds of Xeloda. Finished…
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Healing Meditation CD's or MP3's
Does anyone have one that they would recommend? I am looking for something to listen to that will help my body repair itself. Thanks Marianthy
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wide awake
Hi Everyone, It's the middle of the night and I'm wide awake. For some reason every time I have surgery I end up backwards, awake at night and wanting to sleep all day! Does anyone have any idea as to why this happens and does it happen to any one else? I'm trying to make myself go to bad at the same time every night and…
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Juice Plus+
Anybody use it or know anything about it? I have a friend (of a friend) who just started selling it after using it herself for 2 years. She is also a RN BSN and is sold on the nutritional value. Friend just started taking it and noticed an increase in energy already.
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how do i get pass this
Hello all! I read here daily adn have posted every now and then. First of all A BIG CONGRATS Spongebob ;) A breif history........ My great grandmother died of colon cancer My grandmother had it but it was caught in time My mom died at age 46 5 years ago :( I had a scope done last September, only problem was that when they…
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Scoped @ 40, not 50
In looking at Barb's post, it seems that 40 is the new 50... A colonoscopy should be performed @ 40 based on the data from those that replied to the "survey"." Seems to me that insurance companies would benefit from paying preventative (screening, scoping, prodding, etc) costs than combative (chemo, surgery, etc) costs. I…
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Quick Survey
My lovely husband won't get a colonoscopy cause he isn't 50 yet!!! @*#$*&@!!!! please post your age at diagnosis - cancer stage- and a yes or no to family history. Forgive me if this is like a previous post. Chemo has truly robbed me of my memory. Please, everyone, this is something we can all print out and bring to our…
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Had first post-chemo CT scan
I had my first CT scan yesterday after finishing chemo earlier this month. They are making me wait a whole week for the results! I am ticked off, because I finished chemo, by golly, and why do I still have the lingering side effects!? I know, I know. It takes time. It's funny how your brain knows something but just doesn't…
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Semi-Naked Happy Dance :)
Hello all. My PET/CT was negative!!! Yea!!!! I will dance the full happy naked dance next week after my colonoscopy!! 3 years cancer free - stage 3 rectal cancer. Never give up! Believe! Pray! Laugh and Dance! Can you tell I'm relieved? Barb