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Gauging your cancer age
Hi everyone, I just responded to a post by Pete and it got me thinking about how you define a NED status. I was dx in June 2009, started chemo/radiation and then had the big surgeries in Oct. 2009. Currently I am NED, but would I say 3 years NED or 2 and a half years, since that's when the surgery was? Just curious. Much…
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I finally told my 81 year old mother I have cancer after 7 weeks!
Why is it always the hardest to tell your own mother??? I live in Georgia and she lives in Florida near my to older sisters. I told my sisters right away but couldn't tell mom, it was so hard. I am the baby of her 4 kids. There is no family history of cancer in our family, I have never smoked, just have always ate wrong.…
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Dreaded tests - Again
Hi Everyone, I haven't been on the boards for a long time so I doubt anyone will remember me. Short history. I was dx 2005 with stage 3 and on my birthday had it removed. I went through chemo and only was able to do 9 out of 12 because of my diabetis. Chemo plays havoc with that. I found out about a month ago that my CEA…
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Vectibix sideeffects after 1 and Folfiri sideeffects after 2 infussion
I cannot say I didn't know this would happen so quick 1 Vectibix infussion and the acne has already started..and it is itchy I thought I would at least have a couple of treatments before this would start up.. I asked earlier about the eyelashes that has started yet.. It is all on my face.. forehead, checks and around mouth…
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Why would I stop laughing? (VERY Good Video)
Why would I stop laughing?
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Thinking of you Phil64!
Just wanted to say I was thinking of you and saying a prayer for the best outcome and a speedy recovery. Catch us up when you can! Hugs Brenda
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Complete Colon Removal?
I met with my surgeon today...lots of good information. We are considering a complete colon removal; attaching the small intestine to the rectum...I will go to the bathroom 3-4 times per day (he says) for the rest of my life if we do this.. Has anyone had this done? Would you mind terribly to share your story (what day to…
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what a surprise
Today was "national survival cancer day" and the Indiana/Illinois area had a picnic for survivors in this region. The ocologists and nurses from the hospitals nominate and select the 2012 survivor of the year. By some miricle I was chosen that person! I couldn't believe it. I should have known something was up when…
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Stage IV rectal cancer with 1 liver mets
I am 49 with 4 kids -twins that are 14 and the best husband in the world. So scared that I won't see them graduate, go to college, get married. Diagnosed on April 11, 2012, started radiation and chemo 5FU for 5-6 weeks then surgery 2-3 weeks after. I feel like my life is on hold and everyone else is still living, I just…
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Hi mates it is FRIDAY, any interesting plan for the weekend?
Tomorrow cinema, Saturday dinner with my oncologist! Sunday family lunch, wife, mother and siblings . What about you?
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How much would we spend extra on ourselves?
"... Spending dollars on supplements and seminars may just not be possible, without some extremely good numbers on a success rate." - LoveKitties. Not to hijack Pete's thread, I have a question. I've seen total chemo cost rates from 50K - 500K+ per year posted, with various annual out of pocket caps. Total costs for some…
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Cracked fingers
There's been mention on various threads about cracked fingers and thought I'd open a new one with something that's worked for me. I had 8 cracks in various places on fingers, mostly at the tips at the "corners" of the fingernails. I've got them all under control -- at the moment. I used neosporin on the cracks before…
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I can't believe this is my life
I lost the absolute love of my life on March 24th after a 3 year battle with stage 4 colon cancer. He was only 42 he was the proud father of our 3 beautiful daughters. We would have celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary in August. I can't believe this is our life now. People keep saying it will just take time I think it…
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OUCH! mouth ulcers - suggestions?
I have really bad mouth ulcers. Well I guess it's mucositis really -- my whole mouth is very sore. Difficulty eating. Ouch! I'm using a rinse called Thymol gargle. And a soluble aspirin rinse -- about 4 x day both. And trying to rinse/sip room temperature water throughout the day. Not really getting better. Welcome any…
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Still angry after almost 3 years
I don't know why but I am still angry about all this cancer stuff after almost 3 years since my dx. I thought I had accepted and working on beating it. I keep having one set back after the other and I guess it is starting to get to me mentally. I miss me. I don't know how else to explain it. I am angry that I am not able…
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In need of emotional support
Hi, I am new to this. I was diagnosed in december with stage 4. I have just completed my 3 round of chemo. I was wondering if anybody out there could help me understand if what i am feeling is normal. I am feeling pretty hopeless, i cry alot and am wondering if anyone could give some advice on ways to cope.
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is it working?
How do i know its working? I finish 5FU this week then wait 6 weeks for follow up exam with surgeon then 2 more weeks til surgery. I have done really well on chemo/radiation - just diarrhea and burn pain (ouch!) And im really tired. But thats it. I worry that "its not working because im not sick enough." Is that warped or…
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Scan Results
I just got the call and the results continue to show no evidence of disease. I was sweating the last few weeks. I pretty much talked my brain into believing I would get bad news. Wow what a load off the back.So I guess thats officially one year NED. When I read of the suffering that goes on hear I almost feel guilty…
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CEA
My husband has just done his 18th chemo, still going well, has any one since dx cea has stayed at 2? His onc said some tumors don't respond to cea markers. Anyone else experienced this?
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Woke up with cold symptoms - started chemo Friday/please help
Guess my body must be a little broken down from the surgeries I had. Started chemo Fri., Oxalyp., Folfox, Xeloda and today I have a swollen gland under my right jaw and feel like a cold is coming on. They drew my blood but I don't know what my cell count was. It was ok three or so weeks ago. I guess this was bound to…
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5 weeks radiation & 5FU - now rectal surgery
I see there are many ways to take rectal tumor out - what way is the most common, successful, less painful? I am meeting with surgeon June 1st, scared to death. I also have 1 liver mets, has anyone heard of them doing that the same time. I just want it gone before I go totally crazy. Then I start on the folfori for 24…
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Is anyone else foating adrift?
That's what it feels like since there really isn't anyone directing my care. I haven't seen my oncologist in almost two years and my surgeon has been doing my scan requests the last year or so and said he'll continue for now but he's a VERY busy guy. My GP is clueless and just goes along with whatever I say. Here's the…
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Holidaying in Mallorca on Chemo and picc lines
Hi everyone. I have just had surgery for cancer of the colon - dr's say they don't believe it's spread, but are giving chemo for 24wks anyway - although the drugs they're due to give me are for 'advanced colorectal cancer'!..I'm assuming they think my body can take the onslaught as I'm (only!)41! - so are going for the…
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How does anyone work with cancer and. All the appts and chemo?
I am a nurse on med/surg and work 12 hour shifts, or used to. Since my diagnosis on 4/11 I haven't been able to work, now with surgery coming up and chemo for 24 weeks after, I don't think I will be able to work again. I would love to be back at work, I miss it so much. How does everyone else work? Also all the bills…
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Buzzard, John23 and any others who haven't posted in a while
We sure would like to hear from you and find out how you are doing. As always sending good vibes, prayers, or whatever makes ya feel better. Hugs, Marie who loves kitties
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Weird scan results--anyone else?
Pet results this week. Lung nodules about the same with small increase in uptake. Same on bone mets. Not really surprising since my chemo has been hit or miss because of side effects. Surprise was a met in my shoulder muscle. Had an MRI yesterday to confirm and it's 10mm x 16 mm so I'll go to the radiation oncologist next…
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Tumors
Hello all, It has been awhile since I have posted. I have a new diagnosis that I would like to figure out. My cancer is colon cancer but has acted very strange. It has spread to my muscles. I do have a very small met in my lung but the other tumors are in odd places such as in the muscle around my spine which responded to…
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Number of posts
Has anyone else noticed how many posts colorectal has. Over 19000. Ovarian cancer has 5000+ posts. Is it there are more of us with colorectal or are we just more concerned with each other?
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Colonoscopy
Well, my surgeon did my colonoscopy....normal.....now this even has me more confused about my situation. I could see me getting this friggen disease if I was prone to polyps or if I had some kind of bowel issues...colitis, irritible bowel disease or something. But, nothing. I had this one friggen polyp that developed into…
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Believe
Hi Everyone, Although I have not written as much as I should, everyone is still in my heart. This website gave me so much encouragement and I am thankful to be going strong today. I would like to write today for a dear friend, Michael, who was just diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer with mets to the liver. He is now…