-
Update
Job update: Still looking for a new career. Had my 6 month CT Scan and bloodwork and according to my doctor's office all is good and clear. I have not received the reports yet. I am still dancing with NED :) , but right now I am not in the mood to dance or celebrate, but I am thankful to God that all is clear. I prayer for…
-
In memory of my brother, Mark
My brother, Mark passed away on September 10th after a long hard fight with this cancer. I knew it, but it did not come to me until afterwards what a good strong man he truly was. To me, he was my little brother who struggled in school and who was my inspiration for becoming an elementary school teacher. Mark celebrated…
-
kras genetic testing
Hi, How many of you are familiar with getting tested for a kras gene mutation? After emailing my liver surgeon on Friday about another issue on a recent scan and mentioning the chemo my oncologist has me on (Erbitux/Camptosar/Avastin), he asked me, "On a side note, have you been genetically tested to determine if you have…
-
NED Yippie Ki Yay!!!!!
Hello Everyone! I was stage 4 colon cancer with mets to liver. I completed my 12th and final chemo on the 13th of October. Pet and Ct scan on the 13th showed NED. I am truly, truly, amazed. Prayer is the best solution, I had many prayer chains going. Miracles do happen!!!!!!!! I am living proof and I vowed that I would not…
-
severe pain from gas
Hi wondering if anyone has had this type of issue. I am stage IV, tumors in my colon and in the perotenium muscles outside the colon. I have sever pain associated with gas that is bringing me to my knees. This goes on 20 hours per day and some days is so bad, I have had trouble getting out of bed. has anyone had this kind…
-
Finished first treatment
Ok, so my husband just finished his first chemo treatment. they admitted him to the hospital just to make sure he didn't have any major reactions from it. I and the oncologist think that he handled the chemo quite well. His only complaint was that his arm hurt from the IV. When he was finished his chemo he was scheduled to…
-
Assessing How You feel
Happy Friday Semi-Colons, I woke up this morning and was feeling quite fatigued. Each time that happens I get the willies because I relate that symptom to cancer. (for those that don't know- year and 6 months out from last chemo- currently NED) I have found as I go through this journey that symptoms abound that I think…
-
a few questions and thoughts...
Hi, A few different thoughts and questions... I just found out I have more in my lungs than I thought I did. Two scans ago prior to starting chemo end of August, the radiologist report showed just a 8 mm tumor, a 1 cm hilar node, and "several tiny subcentimeter nodes around the 8 mm tumor". Next scan, just last week a…
-
Does anyone have experience with 5-Fu, Leucovorin, and Eloxatin treatment?
Hi All, I had a colon reduction 5 weeks ago (stage II). I'm scheduled to start chemo on Monday. It will happen every 2 weeks over a period of 6 months (12 treatments). I will receive 5-Fu, Leucovorin, and Eloxatin in the hospital then walk 2 days with 5-Fu. I live by myself and wanted to know about the difficulty level of…
-
Scared Newbie
Hi everyone, Very scared about chemo...Had surgery on 10/18 to remove large mass from my colon. Mass and lymph nodes are cancerous. Going Friday for a second opion to Sloan Kittering. Very nervous and scared about chemo..Been reading to much and am getting freaked out... Any advice and help would be wonderful...Thanks
-
Surgery on Monday!!!
Hi I am 37 years old with 4th stage colon cancer also in lymth nodes, I have had 12 rounds of 5fu, I am now NED!!!! I will be having surgery to remove the rest of the tumor, It has shrunk quite a bit... Then some more chemo. My question is what can I expect pain wise with my surgery. My surgeon will try to do it…
-
New CSN Look
Hi - I was talking to a friend who is also a CSN member, and we were both commenting how we are having a harder time with the site since it has been revamped. I like most of it, but what is blocking my full approval is the fact that new RESPONSES go to the top of the list. Previously I would be able to go back exactly…
-
Radiation
HI all, A little history: My husband was dx'ed Jan 2006 withstage 1V Colon Cancer. 3 surgeries later, the first one to remove the tumor, then 3 months later another surgery to remove almost all of the colon, he ended up with a permenet illostomy, they did the hot chemo treatments to his abdomin as well. He was able to make…
-
What foods/drinks can't you STAND now because you consumed them during chemo?
Madre's post reminded me of the things I can no longer eat because of the dreaded cancer! First, I can no longer drink Ginger Ale because I made the mistake of using it for prep one time. Next, I can no longer eat tomato soup or even stomach the idea of having a can/box of it in my pantry! My last chemo rounds the one…
-
Question about follow ups
Since this is my first post, I'll give you some background. I was 66 then and had annual physicals every year, but not one of my PCP even suggested getting a colonoscophy until I had gotten enemic and started to pass some blood. I was dx on Dec 11th 2007 with cc. Had surgery on Dec 21st during which my surgeon remove all…
-
Jana 11
It is with great sadness that I share the news that Jana passed away today. She was diagnosed seven years ago at the age of 32 and up until the last few months lived life to its fullest. In fact, I saw her at the end of May, and she was as bubbly and as beautiful as ever. Jana and her husband, Pete, were both doctors and…
-
potassium
So, I was feeling pretty good after my CEA count, and I had just decided I was feeling FABULOUS. Then I got home today and there was a message from the oncology nurse, asking if I am taking potassium, because my bloodwork showed I'm a bit low on that. Turns out I am taking a potassium supplement, because my high blood…
-
Genetic markers and insurance...YEA!
After posting about redlining by insurance companies, based on family history or genetic testing results, I researched on.... This is now in the PAST!!! There is a new law, GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) that makes not only this illegal, but also an employer firing a person based on these results!!!! YEA…
-
Mother and Son diagnosed!!
Hello, everyone. This is Valerie, dx'd 4/08, stage 3, 1 positive node. I' had surgery in May and is now on round 9 of chemo. I went to the Dr. with my son this morning and to our amazement, the prognosis was colon cancer. He just turned 31 in Aug. We don't know the staging yet, but he's pretty devestated. Any advice for a…
-
Hereditary Disease- Please inform family members
I just wanted to see how many found out that there was a significant amount of kin that had colon cancer in your family that you never knew about until you were diagnosed. I found out after my diagnosis that my grandfather had it at 74, but died from a heart attack at 76, and my G G grandmother died from "bowel blockage"…
-
Can't start FOLFOX until ins company approves!
My father has had "stable" liver mets for the last 3 years. Unresectble. Has been on FOLFIRI + Avastin 3 years. Most recent CAT scan on Oct 1 said new lung nodules (6cm mass) This is totally new...his lungs have been clean and he has scans every 3 months last 3 years. Doctor said he will need to be switched to FOLFOX to…
-
need help quick about chemoradiation
Hi, i am just wondering if all of you who got chemoradiation got continous 5FU 24/7 with radiation. I have one week down and my pump is getting disconnected on Fridays for the weekend. I have never heard of this and the NCCN guidelines say it should be 24/7, so i am concerned about this. Everyone else i have talked to has…
-
Lymph nodes in neck
Background: I'm stage iv. My last PET scan was Sept. 17 and NED. Friday before last, I had a slight sore throat, tender to the touch at the base of my neck. Last Monday, I went to my PCP and he said I had drainage, but no infection. My lymph nodes were swollen, so he prescribed an antibiotic and said if they didn't work,…
-
pamness...
Hi, I read that you were treated at Mass General. I'm going there for my reconnection surgery sometime at the beginning of 09. I was wondering who did your surgery? I've been referred to Dr. Cusack (sp??). Thanks, Elizabeth
-
Just got back from
Well, just got back from a 4 day vacation to Lake Placid with my husband. It was great, for a little while I had my old husband back. He was given the clear from the surgeon to resume his eating (was on a low residue diet from surgery for 2 weeks). It was nice to see him eating again, and enjoying his food and not feeling…
-
Is there a difference?
Is there a difference between Lung Cancer and cancer in the lungs that stem from colon cancer?
-
Need your prayers
Sorry for not posting the Friday Riddles the last two fridays, but I have lost my job and my main focus has been on find one. My last day was Wednesday, 1 October 08 right after I returned from our anniversary get-a-way. All prayers are welcome and I will do my best to try and post the riddles, but I am on dial-up at home…
-
new to the game, not fun
I hope everyone out there is doin fine, I'm tryin my best I hope. it's a bummer, but I guess it's the luck of the draw. I'm havin a hard time adjustin to my condission, and the money issues, well, it makes you insane, barley or not makin it month by month. damn, sounds like I'm beggin or something. didn't want to do that I…
-
Diet for the "New Normal"
Hello Semi-Colons, Hope everyone is doing well! My question for the day has to do with dealing with gastric issues now that I am a year and a bit out from last chemo and surgery. (Stage 3 - took out ascending part of colon plus 6 months chemo) I find that there does seem to be a new normal. My stomach seems to be very…
-
rectum cancer
Hello All, My 83 year old Dad has rectum cancer. His tumor is about 5cm. and up in the rectum. He will be starting rad. and chemo within a week or so. He is a very healthy and wonderful 83 year old. The cancer seems to be contained. We are all scared about how he will handle the rad. and chemo. He has to do it for 5 weeks.…