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Metastasis to lungs
Hey y’all. I am new to this site. Here is my story... may 2017 stage 1 colorectal cancer - surgery and colorectal resection. 30 lymph nodes removed and all were negative. Went to a follow up scan and had one lymph node outside my bLadder. Started oxiplaten and xeloda for 8 cycles. Did 28 cycles of radiation. Had my 6 month…
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Chemo costs
We meet with the oncologist tomorrow but I'm just curious what chemo and raditon cost. We do have insurance through my work. I know everyone's costs are different, but a ball park. Also, we are going to have to switch to the affordable health care insurance inAugust. Does anyone have insurance through them ? Is it good ?…
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The Problem with Statistics
An accepted philosophy on this board, and one that I endorse, is, “I am not a statistic.” I came across this study (link) a few months ago, and it stuck with me, but I was really not sure why. But with some further thought, it demonstrates that simple statistics can be misleading. As a preliminary matter, let me say that I…
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My angel at the cancer support meeting
I went to our local cancer support group meeting tonight and we always try to have an agenda. This time it was talking about 'green sleeves'. I don't know if this is a Canadian thing, an Alberta thing, a general medical thing, or what. It involves a plastic envelope with green borders that holds a bunch of our medical…
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My new mantra
I woke up with this repeating in my head as I was reflecting about the wisdom being shared here especially by the long term members. There IS life with cancer... and where there is life, there is HOPE. You all have taught me that. Thank you SK
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Introduction
Hi All After being here a little while I thought I’d share my experiences so far I apologize for the long post that Im about to write but hope it may help someone else as the experiences I have read from others has helped me. I had been experiencing various stomach issues for a few months that I thought were related to my…
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Dreams you'd given up because of cancer?
I'm feeling down today and focusing on this and I'm wondering if you all have the same feelings, too, sometimes. I'm not living my best life and giving up my dreams has been so hard. I'd hoped we'd live in the country again and I'd have my horse with us. But now I can't work and that will never happen due to money issues.…
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Liver Resection-Twinges and Tightness..
After having both the colon resection and liver resection done at the same time, I think I have been recovering exceptionally well. The surgery was in February and I am just a couple of months out. I was wondering if the tightness and twinges will eventually fade or is it something you learn to live with for the rest of…
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Treatment starts on Friday - Info appreciated
Hi, I have been reading the topics for a few weeks. I was diagnosed on March 28th with rectal cancer, Stage 3, two lymph nodes are iffy, not sure of but they are assuming they are affected. I have been through tests for five weeks and have been told they can treat and get me through this as there are no other areas…
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27 Rounds of Chemo!!
Hi, In January 2018, my husband was diagnosed with advanced stage 4 colon cancer. He had surgery and completed 13 rounds of chemo with oxaliplatin and a few rounds of irinotecan, 5fu, avastain, steroids......I feel like he's had it ALL. He tried xeloda in the fall but could not handle the side effects so he went back to…
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Cologuard Positive
I took one of the Cologuard at home tests. I had been seeing an older family doctor who retired recently and went in for my annual checkup to his replacement, a young woman of about 30. I had been getting negatives on the fecal blood tests he'd been having me do. The new Doc really pushed the ColoGuard test so I had it…
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Feeling like a crazy hypochondriac.
Hi all. Just looking for some unbiased opinions. I had an APR about 18 months ago. Followup CT scans show a ? fluid collection near my anastamosis site. It has been increasing in size. Also my CEA Which dropped slightly after surgery, has been increasing every 3 months and now is higher than before my treatment. I asked my…
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Manapart and Surgery
Just wanted to let you know that you have been thought of and prayed for all day today. I've been praying that all went well during surgery and hope you are able to let us know as soon as possible how you are doing and how everything went. I'm sure the doctor has briefed you in on his findings and has answered some of your…
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Update on scans
On my way to appointment but yesterday got the news that both of my scans are clear! :) The MRI of abdomen as well as cat scan on chest. I tried to post earlier and had issues so if this a repeat please forgive me. God Bless science! Floating on a cloud at the moment. May provide more details later Thank you for the…
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10 year survivor here
Hello all it has been some time that I have been on. I remember 10 years ago being told that I had stage 4 cancer. I turned to this group and meet a lot of wonderful people, that help me in the worse parts of my journey. i Hope the format helps you as much as it helped me.
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New treatment round one
It has been two days since my treatrement for Stage 4 Rectal Cancer (met liver). It consistent of Irinotocan, Oxaliplatin and Luccovarin? + Avastin and a take home 5FU. I mainly feel the extreme fatigue and have seen substansial hair loss. The PICC install was painless, and doesnt bother me at all. I had a reaction from…
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Ulcers, Fever and Bleeding....OH MY
So Jims ulcers are still bothering him. He is not eating much and has lost several pounds. He will be meeting with my GI to do another EDG to see what can be done. Now this evening he has spiked a fever of 102. He flat out said he will not go to the ER tonight, that he has to go into his office in the morning! (That stupid…
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Ritalin?!
I had three rounds of Avastin, oxalyplatin & 2 day pack of 5-FU. I could not handle the extreme neuropathy symptoms I was having. Once said only thing to do was to take me off it. So then they changed the protocol to Avastin & Xeloda. I don’t know if it’s the xeloda, particularly, or the cumulative effect of what is now…
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ran across this does anyone know of trials
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-proposed-decision-memo.aspx?NCAId=291 it goes along with this article https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321716.php these are two articles on CAR t-cell therapy and how quickly the cms has proposed payment of trails.
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Smart Mosquitoes..lol
Hello to all of you beautiful souls. Hoping life is catching you all with gentl hands. I had to share this. I worked in my flower beds and yards all day today. This evening, my neighbor walked over and we were chatting. I didn't even pay attention to her swatting and hitting her arms and legs until it finally got the best…
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Folfox, why do so many people get it?
I'm so sick of hearing how people are put on this chemo. It's the worst for side effects and is just a miserable chemo to be on. Yet it sounds like almost every onc has it as their main go to chemo. Some people mention that their onc says they'll be on it for months. Months! I was ready to cut my wrists after a month and a…
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Really scared I might have something..
25 year old male here. I'm going to get checked I think, but I wanna share my story and get opinions of others here. Around Christmas I started having loose or mushy stools every morning. It started after a few months of really bad eating, late work night and stress. I was working my normal job 10-7 finishing up a big…
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Sigh...I think I have made my decision.
Hi gang! Been a while since I have checked in. I think I have made the decision to stop aggressive therapies, and switch to palliative care. My Onc wants to start chemo again in a few weeks. I do not want chemo again. We tried Cyberknife on one of the liver mets, doesn't seem to have worked. The other, larger met, is in a…
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No beer during chemo?!?
Here is a heartbreaking article for beer drinkers suggesting you abstain during chemo: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/4/879/htm (Actually, my tastes changed and I could not drink beer during chemo even if I tried. Fortunately, I have returned to normal and enjoy a glass or two regulalry) Beer, the most popular beverage…
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New to this forum advice needed
I have stage 3c colon cancer. I had large tumor removed (colectomy) and gallbladder removed on the 24th of April I will be starting chemo in 2 weeks FOLFOX for 6 months not sure of radiaton yet meeting with radiologist in 1 week 12 of 38 lymphnodes were positive for Cancer cells. Getting nervous port will be put in next…
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Fatigue
Okay, I'm having a bad day and I'm so sick of the fatigue. Most days I push through it but today it's so hard although I'm still trying. I'm low on megnesium again so that doesn't help. I take 4 tablets a day but it doesn't absorb well so that affects my energy level. The food that have it in are mostly things I'm unable…
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Dandelions (More Than A Weed)
I have always been a supporter of natural supplements and nutrition..even more so now. All of us are different and at different stages of dealing with our cancer diagnosis. For me, my liver was the first place the cancer traveled. Dandelion leaves and tea are part of my diet. A simple weed that you can consume from flower…
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POST COLORECTAL TREATMENT
Hello to all CSN Members, I am in search of recommendations/suggestions that the community may be aware of with regard to discomfort from bowel movements as detailed below: Background: * Diagnosed with CR Cancer Stage III on Jan 4th 2018. CT Scan and follow-up biopsies taken during Colonscopy confirmed Low Grade…
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New here
Hi All Ive been lurking for a couple days and am so glad to have found you guys. I was diagnosed in July 2018with colon cancer.. Started chemo in August with the plan to have the 6 months of folfax oxiplatin etc. 6 mos came and went and I’m still getting the chemo every two weeks. My doctor has not discussed an end date…
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Kayak On The Water
The profile pic I uploaded was from my first kayak trip today. Boy, can I tell my energy level has changed.. lol Muscle tone wasted away over the past few months but I paddled thru.. lol.. The pic shows a momma duck and her babies. They came right up to me.. such a beautiful day. I am so grateful for this “moment”...Hope…