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CEA is DOWN
Hi. Sorry I was away for so long... you all never left my heart. I just got some great news and wanted to share. I have both lung and newly diagnosed bone mets after dx with rectal cancer back in 2001. The bone mets were recently discovered - yuck. I started the xeloda, cpt11, avastin, erbitux & zometa (for bone strength)…
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update
Cat scan shows significant growth in all lesions on the lungs. No spread to the liver though. That's my good news. I will be resuming chemo in 2 weeks. I plan to stop most of the naturopathic supplements. Not only did they not stabilize things, but the lesions grew even more than when I was on nothing. I plan to continue…
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Need help making chemo decision - Stage 2A
Reposting this: somehow got buried as response to my first thread... Husband is now home recovering from Dec 14th surgery - which went pretty well. Saw the oncologist today for the first time and got the official word - Stage 2A, N0/T3/M0. She is recommending chemo but left decision up to us. Says it's a fairly new…
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It Can Happen!!!!!!
I was given the ole "you only have 2-3 years to live" almost 3 years ago with a stage IV, mets to the liver and left lung diagnosis. I was 49 at the time and had always thought I was "pretty healthy", NOT. If you want any more specifics of my particulars, read my web page on this site. Anyway, I researched, followed solid…
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Friday Giggles
Hi All: Here are some giggles to help getting the weekend off to an early start! Enjoy! Ying ================================ Hot Enough For You? After dying a grisly death in an Afghan cave, Osama made his way to the pearly gates. There, he was greeted by George Washington. "How dare you attack the nation I helped…
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First Colonscopy
I am asking for your prayers to help me through my VERY FIRST colonscopy ever. It is scheduled for Friday, 12 January 07. I finished chemo on 3 November 06 and have had NO scans or a colonscopy as of yet.
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Big Progress for ME!
Afternoon all: O.k., ususally I am the upbeat uptempo cancer survivor who encourages everyone to run, walk, bike, swim, bowl, golf, crochet..whatever it takes to keep or get moving. But 8 years post-cancer, after being doctored to death(almost literally at times LOL-as anyone who has experienced chemoradiation knows)- I…
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FOLFOX + Avastin
Would appreciate advice from folk who have been on this combo. I have done a course of FOLFOX previously (completed 11 of 12 cycles). Experienced many of the side effects associated with the oxaliplatin (o joy). What new can I expect with the additition of the Avastin? My oncologist has warned me of possible risks…
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Cost of chemo (!)
I'm about to start FOLFOX plus Avastin for a planned 12 round (6 months). I am also about to start 'negotiations' with my insurance company. I am living overseas and don't have a good sense of what the cost is in the US, Canada and other countries. I'd be very grateful if others might be willing to share this information.…
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A story to start the new year
As I was sitting getting 'infused' today, chatting with another young 29 year old who has crc at Stage II, I took a break to read from a book given to me as a gift over Christmas "Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul" 101 Healing Stoties About Those Who Have Survived Cancer" by Jack Canfield, Jack Victor Hansen, Patty…
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worried sick
hello everyone, wishing all the wonderful people on this board a happy healthy new year. A quick recap, Mike was dx. Sept. 05 with stage 2, had chemo/rad for 5 weeks, removal of tumor, temp. illiostomy, then 4 cycles of chemo. He has been ned since May 06. For the past 2 weeks his bowel habits have changed dramatically.…
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Lost job today; scan on Friday
Well, it happened. My position was eliminated thanks to the crappy economy in Michigan at this time. And get this? My employer wants me to do some of my work from home and bill them. Uh, I don't think so. Anyway, so now I'm looking for work and I have a CAT scan on Friday to make sure the beast isn't lurking anywhere. I'm…
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Sister's first scan
My sister had her first scan since beginning treatment (Avastin, 5FU, FOLFOX) and got what I consider to be good results delivered this am. The imaging showed stablization or slight reduction in all the metastases, and her blood tests were much improved. We are elated that there is a response, even if slight. Her doctor…
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Many questions
My father was diagnosed with colon cancer 2 weeks ago. It is stage IV. It has spread to his liver, stomach and all arround in the lymph nodes. He had surgery to remove it from his colon. There have been a few complications since. The plan was to get him out in 3-6 days and once healed to start chemo. They are planning to…
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illeostomy takedown
i had rectal cancer. i had radiation and chemo. i have had a ostomy and illeostomy. i had a takedown about 8 weeks ago. im taking imodium and benefiber. it seems to help sometimes. it's the number of bowel movements that is causing the stress. does anyone know how long does it take to get somewhat normal? any suggestions?
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Newbie
Happy New Year! 2007 will be an AWESOME YEAR!!! I have posted a few times as responses, but I thought it was time to officially say Hi! After about 8 months of going back n forth on what my diag was GYN or Colo/Rectal. I am officially have rectal cancer, should have been no surprise since my entire dad's side of the family…
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ARTICLE - Cancer's Unrecognized Toll: Time Lost
http://my.earthlink.net/article/hea?guid=20070102/4599e6d0_3421_13345200701021275130134
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Two Years
Hi all, I'm at the two year point and so far, so good. I had a follow-up with my oncologist on Friday and he said all looks good so he "graduated" me from 4 month visits to 6 month visits. I guess I should be ecstatic...my wife is. But I don't seem to feel that way. I'm feeling a bit more guardedly optimistic. As a recap…
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Another avastin question
Hi. I, too, have a question regarding avastin after surgery. My initial chemo regimen consisted of folfox and avastin. I had this for three rounds followed by chemoradiation and surgery in October. I'm now in the middle of my eight rounds of post-op chemo which is just folfox. My oncologist said that I would not receive…
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Done with chemo
Hi All, I was diagnosed in August 2006, had a resection and was staged at 2a. After a brief hiccup due to a lower bowel blockage which sent me back to the hospital for a week and an introduction to the NG tube (very special experience), my recovery has been very good. After my fourth infusion I developed a gi infection…
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Good Food Choice
I began trying these products when I was DX in July 06 and was told to eat more fiber. So far the Heart-To-Heart cereals and the TLC breakfast bars are really good. Now they make entrees, waffles and organic foods. If you go to the website, go under "partners" to see their organic partners. http://www.kashi.com/
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Need some help - doctor question
Hi everyone- I've posted once or twice before - my husband is Stage IV, several mets to liver and abdominal wall. We're very positive - we're the ones who are doing the card challenge. We're up over 600 cards! Anyway - my question is this: We live in Wisconsin. We've been working with a local doctor that we feel is…
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LYMPH NODE ISSUE
Hi everyone. Happy New Year. Sorry to complain. As I read everybodys messages and feel for each and everyone of you. As you know from my previous messages I have been incapacitated with my back due to spinal compression fractures. I am currently home, severely depressed. During the months on November and December I was…
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Stage IV Survivor
I am new to this. Just wanted to connect with other people. Was diagnosed in May, 2005 with Stage IV Colorectal Cancer w/ mets to liver. Had Surgery to remove tumor in colon in July, 2005. Chemo from Oct. to Feb. 2006 to shrink tumors in liver. Liver re-section surgery in April 2006...had to remove left lobe, section of…
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First Chemo Treatment Wednesday
Hi Everyone, I was wondering if anyone could share their experience with my husband and I what the first chemo treatment will be like. I know the doctor said it would be about 3 hours but we would both like to get an idea of things they do before its started, is there questions I should ask, I was wondering if they give…
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Happy Birthday Kerry !
Hi Everyone, First I would like to Congratulate Kerry on the marriage of her daughter Kourtney that took place yesterday. May the newly weds celebrate many happy years together. Now let's all join together on this New Year's Eve and wish Kerry a very Happy Birthday. Kerry may the New Year bring good health and happiness to…
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what is causing the weight loss?
My dad was diagnosed w/ reccurant colon cancer 3 wks ago (mets to lungs, abdomen, and lymph nodes). He was admitted to the hospital b/c of kidney failure then a bowel obstruction. They fixed the obstruction w/ an ileostomy. He has been home for about a week and a half. The drs say he needs to gain weight to start chemo in…
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Happy New Year to All and a Thank You Too!
Hi, Just wanted to say Happy New Year to all of you, and also say "Thank You" for all the great info you all have given my husband and I as we wade through this adventure. It is great to know that I have a sounding board and a wealth of information at the tip of my fingers. Thanks everyone and may you all have a very…
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concern
Hi all, I had been noticing lately that my pants were tending to slide down and I had to cinch up my belt. I thought it was from a change in shape of my colostomy but then, finally, realized I should weigh myself. To my surprise I have lost about 7 lbs from what I thought I weighed. That may be one reason why the…
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Some really good URLs for a healthier 2007!!
Semi-colons, I recently found a few web sites that have some really good (and free) info if you are into eating healthier and smarter. The first is http://www.ewg.org (a non profit organization). Most don't know that there is a list of fruits and veggies that absorb and keep pesticides more then others based on thousands…