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Chemo, radiation and sun spots on skin:
I spent years on the beach in summers without using lotion or sun screens and cultivated quite a number of spots as a result (two removed as precancerous maybe 8 years ago or so). Since Dx of COPD in 2000 I had cut down on going and eventually stopped beachbumming due to difficulty breathing in heat. However, since doing…
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What are the chances?
So my first port was put in on a Thursday, and I was in the ER Friday night with an infection. Admitted for the weekend on IV antibiotics and they removed the port. I was told I am the only case for this hospital or this surgeon group to have gotten an infection the day after insertion. Second port inserted - no problem.…
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CT Thursday
John's CT is Thursday. We see the Onc on Friday. I am scared and worried. I will post when we get the results. Paula
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Is it Ok to hope?
I've been reading the boards for several months and have just started posting, as for some reason I was reluctant to tell our story or ask questions; everyone here seems so supportive and caring so here goes My husband, Hank, was dx 10/09 with stage IV rectal cancer, with lymph involvement and liver mets in Oct 09. We has…
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Healing
I have been done with chemo for almost 1 year. I cute my finger back in Dec and got 3 stitches. This week it still seemed not completely healed and slightly infected. I see my Onc tomorrow and will tell him about it. Did you notice it taking wounds way longer to heal after or during chemo? Seems odd to me.
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Last round of chemo - CHECK!!!!!
Hello everyone, It has been a few weeks since I have been out here. I have been tired, sick, fatigued, busy, and oh yes ............... HAPPY!! Last week, on Tuesday to be exact, I finished chemo # 12 of 12! I cannot believe I made it all the way through! I was so ready to give up around #8. Even though I had kept a…
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Frustrated...
K it has been a while since I posted, brief history husband diagnosed Stage 11B Sept 2009. 6.5CM tumor found - removed Early September. He was offered adjucant chemo and refused (because his monther who had breast cancer told him that the chemo almost killed her after 2 sessions so she stopped and has not had a reocurrance…
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CT Scan looks good
I picked up the report today from my CT yesterday. It looks good. The largest lesion on my liver that was 7.6 six months ago has shrunk to 3.3 ! And nothing new showing up and no growth. Feeling relieved. I always pick up my own copy of my test reports, and my onc appointment is not till the 16th so glad I don't have to…
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PET scan looks great!
I had a PET scan last Friday and got a call from my oncologist's office today. They said everything looked great on the scan, no problems, no evidence of cancer! What a relief! I was diagnosed last August after a colonoscopy which found a tumor, and then colon resection surgery. I'm stage IIIb. I had 12 treatments of…
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In my drawer at work....
Some people have shoe polish or their favorite CD or snacks. I have that too - plus, extra underwear - thanks to anal cancer! Anyone else have extra underwear at work for "just in case"??? Please tell me I'm not the only one!
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At M D Anderson AGAIN for Serious Infection after Liver Resection
My husband David is back at MDA in Houston with a serious infection at the site of his extended left hepatectomy, bile duct resection, and hepataticojejunostomy he had March 25. He's been in and out of here numerous times with bile duct leakages and bile duct blockages. This time is very serious. We came to Houston Sunday…
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PET/CT 3 month check coming up Thursday
Yes it's scanxiety time again (actually been prime time these past two weeks) and I'm asking my support team here for all the best wishes, prayers, etc etc to help me through this week. Thanks in advance so much for your continued well wishing; it means a lot. all the best, Leslie
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Will my body
has finally told me I am getting up in age or it is getting back at me for putting it through so much over the last 4 years. I was told last week at the ripe old age of 45 that I am going through menopause, whoopi :) The only symp so far are the hot flashes throughout the day and especially at night. Constantly waking up…
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J-pouch and possible radiation damage to my BM issues
I am a 2-yr survivor of rectal cancer. My rectum was removed and I then my doctor gave me a j-pouch. It's been 2-yrs and I'm still having intestinal issues. Both constipation & loose stools....and a huge sense of urgency. Sometimes, I feel like I cannot empty...which makes sense because the rectum is a muscle to aide in…
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Need help for friend with Lower Rectal Cancer
My friend has cancer of the rectum very close to his anus (large mass). I'd appreciate any words from those out there that have/had this condition, treatments they are doing/have had, where they're at now and/or anything else that may be useful to my friend. He is not going to any support group which I think would be good…
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Sundance's DaVinci Surgery Date Now Set
Well, our reservations have just been confirmed for our annual “getaway.” We’ve won an all-inclusive “Staycation” package down at our local resort hospital, located on the UTSW campus in Big D. That’s right, friends - University of St. Pauls’s has more activities than your average lung patient can shake a stick at. Along…
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Graduation - Update
Hi everyone, I am very excited + proud - my oldest daughter is graduating with her undergraduate degree on Wednesday. We are leaving tomorrow afternoon; it is a 3 hour drive and her graduation is early on Wednesday. We are staying overnight in an inn + this is the first night I have spent away from home (except for…
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Heartburn and Chemotherapy
I just completed my third round of 5FU, Avastin, Eloxatin and Leucovorin and am experiencing strong heartburn, especially at night. I am taking Compazine for anitnausea and am curious if this is contributing to the heartburn? I stopped taking Compazine earlier with my first 2 rounds of chemo and did not experience similar…
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Make Fighting Cancer a National Priority
I received the following e-mail today from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and sent an e-mail to my Representative. All you have to do is go to the site below and fill in your name and address and it will be directed to your Congressman. The e-mail is already written, but I added a comment about…
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My Marrow is a Machine
I have been fighting an infection and have been getting chemo. My white blood cells have been working overtime for the last couple of weeks. Last week was my week off and my infection had cleared up. I'm currently getting abraxane and avastin. My CBC just came in and absolutely everything is in the high normal range.…
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refused care at cancer treatment of america because on cobra
Just got off phone with Cancer Treatment Center of America...talked with them the night of DH's dx. They were very sympathetic, spent lots of time talking w me about financials, insurance, tx options etc. DH laid off, cobra ends 10/20/10...no benefits w my job...they knew it all. Basically told me they were the best of the…
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Ya know, I'm just sayin
I can't freakin believe it. Here I go again, apparently, I have to have surgery again. On top of that they can't get my thyroid levels to level off, they are all over the place. My surgery is for a hiatal hernia, that I have had for sometime, but because of all my back problems/surgeries they put it off. Now they say I…
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abraxane and avastin results
I've had three treatments which equals one full cycle. This past week was my week off. My Dr called today and my CEA fell by almost 50%. Hopefully it will continue to fall, I look forward to treatment on monday. The side effects are bearable and only last a couple of days. Who knows, maybe I'll be ready for some form of…
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Bilirubin increase/ liver functions not great
So my Dad went in for his third treatment of Irinotecan today. We were felling pretty good as when we went back for the second treatment his bilirubin at gone right back into normal range and his liver functions had improved. Today we got set up and had the saline and anti nausea stuff pushed through the IV, then they took…
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Friday Riddle Answer
RIDDLE: You have 10 trees and you have to plant them in five rows but each row must contain 4 trees. How is this possible? ANSWER: I can't cut and paste, so you will have to visualize this one. Plant them in shape of a star (including inner lines). Each line includes 4 trees.
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Brooks is here and still pooping!!!
Hi guys, Sorry I havent checken in a a while. I'm moving to Oregon at the end of the week. Then last week my internet whent down for a few days. I've been packing and just got home yesterday from making my first load to Oregon over the weekend. I'm pooping great now that my wife started me on Metamucil 3x a day. Worked…
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Mucinous colon cancer - Dr. Lenz blog
Hi, Dr. Lenz just posted on his blog about surgery and hyperthermia and HIPEC. Here's the article. http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/dr_lenz/2010/05/surgery_and_hyperthermia_for_mucinous_colorectal_cancer#more-8616 Aloha, Kathleen
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cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC-- what is this?
I am a new-to-stage 4 patient. I just started chemo (FOLFIRI/Avastin) on April 2. I have to say it was rougher than I expected. When I did FOLFOX, I remember it wasn't that bad in the beginning. It took me almost a whole week to recover this time. Anyways.... my question. I am on a colon cancer list and received an email…
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Mmmmm Creamy Raspberry
Well, I am sitting here getting my creamy raspberry barium sulfate suspension down for my CT of liver and abdomen tomorrow morning. Hoping the spots on my liver have not multiplied or grown in the last 6 months since last scan. I always pick my report up the next day, my doctor appt. is not till the 16th. Wish me luck! Oh…
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PET question
So I was dx'd with stage II Rectal Cancer in late 2006. Went through treatment, surgery, all the good stuff that comes with this brand of fun. and frankly, having a great time with life. Every year since though, I've had a PET scan, primarily due to my age (41). This year, my Onc tells me that it's too high of a risk to…