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Stage 4 NED 8 Years
Saw my onc yesteday for my annual visit. My CEA was 2.5 which is within my normal range of 2-3 so I am still cancer free. Eight years down and two to go before I can considernmyself cured. Just wanted to let everyone know in case you are following a similar program to mine. For those new to the Board I do the following to…
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CEA level up from 1.17 to 2.28 in 2 months
Hi, I am 63 year old and undergo last Chemo therapy in May. I had tested CEA in August which was 1.17 and in October it elevated to 2.28. Although normal range is less than 3.0 (I am non-smoker). Is there something i should worry about for elevated level ? is it normal ? Your advice will be really helpful. Thank you, A S
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Four years. Two years. NED
I was diagnosed four years ago this month. Surgery, chemo and radiation in that order, followed. The Cancer spread to my liver two years seven months ago. Thermal Microwave Ablatoin followed. Today, my blood work came back clean. I am naturally very happy. I recognise how very blessed I am. SUE
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Feeling Sad
Hubby dx about 1 yr ago with stage 3 (3 lymph node positive) rectal cancer He has done chemo/rad, surgery, adj chemo, and ileo reversal, currently clear from cancer per sept petscan and hopefully stay clean. At this time we should be enjoying our lives after 14 months riding on no fun roller coaster. Instead i just found…
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Checking in
So, it's been about a year since I last checked in. I'm surprised at the slow-down in postings that I see, because I don't see any slow-down of colorectal cancer diagnoses. I'll try to check in more often. My story? Dx stage IIb August 2006. Colon resection, 9 Folfox treatments. Dx July 2007 of another primary cancer, this…
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Folfuri + Avastin and Neupogen Shot - feeling awful
Hello Group - I have CRC with several liver mets. Chemo is folfuri + avastin, plus 5 shots neupogen for low WBC counts. I am experiencing so many abdominal side effects plus bone pain from WBC shots - possibly contributing to side effects is a small bowel intestinal stricture which causes painful spasms (partial…
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Great artical in Discover magazine
This artical tells the story of a leading edge researcher pioneering new and innovative cancer immune therapy cancer treatments. Definitely worth the read. http://discovermagazine.com/2016/nov/checkmate
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Thoughtless "Helpful" Comments
I saw the "We're all dying" thread and it brought to mind the crazy, thoughtless things people have said over the years...of course, trying to be helpful... if anyone has any good ones, feel free to add on. My faves: when I was down, "maybe it's time to stop fighting?" So helpful and uplifting! From a friend with cerebral…
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Depressed, just unloading here
I don't know why but my husband asking how long I have to live and the doctor saying maybe ten years and sounding like probably not has put me in a terrible depression. I can't stop thinking about it. I know that they don't really know and I know that there could be some new thing that comes up before then but I can't stop…
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TV show 'The Doctors' today
I never watch this show but I was changing channels and caught the tail end of them saying a certain fat (I think it was) had a tie to colon cancer. I didn't catch what it was supposed to be. Did anyone else see it or hear anything about it? Thanks! Jan
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Chemo & Radiation induced sexual dysfunction
It is not something that is talked about, is it. A friend of mine, who has finihsed treatment, told me that the chemo has left him unable to get an erection (my words, not his). It is not a side effect that I had heard of. I myself was 'damaged beyond repair' by the radiation. I was warned this could happen, before I went…
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Lonsurf - Anyone here been on it?
My good friend is about to start on Lonsurf. I know they give you a list of what to expect as far as side effects go, but there is nothing better than hearing it from 'the horses mouth' so to speak. So, I am asking for any of you here to share anything you can with me about your expereinces on Lonsurf. Thank you! SUE
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Hemicolectomy next week 11/8/16. What to expect after that? Getting back on feet, eating?
I have a hemi colectomy coming next week week. What can I expect when I wake up and the next several days? What does one eat? It's got to be different, how long does that go on? How about getting around? Is there discomfort, fatigue? Its not clear except for bowel changes that don't sound all that different from now and…
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My husband just diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer....
Hello everyone, my name is Kris. My husband Jason was just diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. I will tell you all what I know & would really appreciate any feedback you might have. He is 42, & has been experiencing digestive issues for about a year & a half now. We don't have insurance since he was laid off from work, so…
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After Lobectomy Pain & The Word Incurable
Hi, I haven't posted in quite some time. I'm stage IV and about 6 weeks out of a lobectoby and wedge on left lung. In short, the tumor is gone along with most of my lung...but there were cancer cells millimeters from my aorta. Radiation can't be done safely and there's nothing left to cut out. I'm left with chemo and the…
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First Folfox treatment yesterday, felt OK going into, nurses' info depressing
I had my first Folfox treatment yesterday, am at home with the rest of the treatment that runs for 2 days. Going into chemo after my first visit with my oncologist and his nurse, I felt fairly good about what I was facing. (51 years-old, laparoscopic sigmoid resection with 1 of 21 nodes positive). Being in otherwise fairly…
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Radiation Question for those who have had it
Hello Dear Survivors - My CC returned to my right lung in 2016. Original diagnosis was 2009. NED for 8 years. Here we are. In June of 2016 I had my right tumor removed, along with my entire right lung. I have done very well since surgery but those dam pesky cells are still growing in the area where my right lung was, and I…
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I have a question
I have a question for all... I had my first treatment of Chemo last Wed. I am feeling really good, some small side effects, but one that the nurse had not heard of, my saliva glands hurting. It seemed that no matter what I ate for the first three days I would have a lot of pain for the fisrt few bites, like when you take a…
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Great website... Signet Ring, Mucinous Adenocarcinoma, appendiceal cancers ,pseudomyxoma peritonei.
Just happened upon this website while at work(UPMC) and thought it was great. I know for those that have appendiceal cancer it seems as resources of info are limited...there is even a blog to connect with others and for those who might need HIPEC there is a listing of facilities and physicians that provide this treatment.…
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Long, long time on chemo..
My husband is in his second year of continous chemo. Started in September 2015 with Folfox w/Avastin then switched to Folfori w/Avastin. He has had 30 treatments so far and counting. Just had his 6th scan, hoping that the remaining spots left have not grown and that the cancer has not spread!
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I am dying! Am I dying? We're all dying!
I am having an issue with the 'We're all dying' phrase. I know for some its a great way to take the pressure off of the emotional issue of acceptance of death, to say 'You could get run over by a bus tomorrow' or 'We're all dying', and that is good for them, but for me, it does nothing but make me feel like they are saying…
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2 Chemo treatments under my belt
It feels so good to be underway with treatment since my stage 3 diagnosis in early September. I had the port installed and all is good with that and the pump is so much more tolerable then I thought it would be. I have been back to work and I am actually getting back to my weekly volleyball games and daily workouts and…
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New here
Hi all, just signed up for this site. I have locally advanced rectal cancer and had agressive chemo/rad at the same time which destroyed my body. Was supposed to have surgery within 4 months of treatment but didnt feel physically able to do this until 11 months later. They removed all my internal plumbing resulting in a…
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Patty Smith with the angels...
I just found out through facebook that our friend Patty Smith has passed away. I don't remember what her CSN user name was; maybe someone else will remember. She had only recenty begun being active again on fb, and she never whispered a peep about being sick again; if that is, in fact, what took her. I've noticed that…
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is anyone who has had an APR and/or radiation having lower spine issues?
Want to go into this appointment knowledgeable enough to help myself and get the right answer the first time. I'm finding with APRs in general, doctors outside of the cancer center are trying to figure it out.
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New Here
My mother ( 78 years old )was diagnosed with colon cancer . Stage 4 After having stomach issues all spring and summer. Having multiple test they did a cat scan that showed a mass on her right colon . Had a colonoscopy a few days later confirmed it . On Aug 30 she had the mass removed along with 24 lymph nodes . 7 of them…
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Neuprogen for low WBC - bone pain
I have had 4 shots of neuprogen to raise WBC (having 5 before next chemo), as my chemo has been reduced 20 and then 30% so far. Today when I got up (after 3rd shot yesterday) had some weird , fairly sharp spinal pain and in area of a hiatal hernia I have - especially when I laid down or sat. Better if stood up. Took 2 more…
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Pain Questions
Hello All, I am writing in concern for my sister. She started folfox and 5FU on 10/07/16, and she is still extremely fatigue. Her next treatment is this Friday, 10/21/16. She said she is so tired, she does not feel like getting out of bed. Granted, she is enduring a lot of pain from the obstruction and fistula and heavily…
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HIPEC for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Colorectal Cancer
I was diagnosed with IIIc colon cancer (6 lymps) in August 2013 and had surgery then folfox. A recent scan showed shadows in the peritoneaum and a recent lapo biopsy revealed cancer reoccurrence. Today I started 3 months of Folfiri after which I have a planned HIPEC surgery. I hear it can be rough. Any war stories out…
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Lymphodema and Spiking Fevers
Hi everyone. Robert actually asked me to reach out to you all tonight - get some feedback. He has not had chemo in 3 weeks - his last WBC count was 1.6. With all these kids going back to school and such he just keeps getting sick. Good news is he has had very little rectal pain the last few weeks - now it's just the…