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My 4th Birthday...
Today is a very special day here in our little household as it marks the fourth anniversary of Lisa's surgery to remove the diseased portion of her colon. When we look back 4 years it seems like a lifetime in some ways as they were very dark days with no light at the end of the tunnel. When Lisa had her surgery we had not…
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avastin
Hi everyone, I'm a little worried about the new chemo drug (avastin) that my dad's onc will be starting him on today. I've just been reading about some negative side effects associated with the drug. I know that it increases chances of blood clots and strokes in addition to bowel perforation. I'm mainly concerned because…
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Results are back
Hi again. Well. I got my CT results and PFT (pulmonary function tests). Basically - I kick serious butt!!! My PFT's are all greater than 100% for someone my age!! Yahoo. I have had a total of 6 wedge resections and my surgeon said the CT showed that my right lower lobe tumor has grown a tiny bit - it is now cutting off a…
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POSITIVE LIFESTYLE
I just wanted to share some thoughts that might be pertinent to other survivors. I always took good care of myself before being diagnosed with rectal cancer at the age of 36. I ran almost every day, did not smoke, drank only moderatly and ate healthy foods. I felt so ripped off when I was diagnosed with cancer, like why…
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Remember
This experience just popped into my head reading Kathryn's post. We have to remember, or should I say, make the doctors remember that we are people first and patients second. This has nothing to do with cancer, but doctors. I have a pediatrician for my three girls. When she opened up her practice we were one of her first…
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CT Scan today
Best wishes to everyne. I have had a good weekend away to cleebrate St Patricks day. Went to a place called Wexford, backed a few horses in Cheltenham and won and watched Irelands rugby team beat England in the Triple crown championship, but best of all was to be away from people who know my condition, for a little bit of…
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Preps
Hi everyone, I have to go for my yearly colonoscopy this Tuesday and I was just wondering what kind of preps you guys take. I have the gallon of Colyte with the 4 flavor packets. I so dread this. It just brings me back to when I went for my operation and had to drink the same awful stuff. Last year I had the fleet with the…
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Is a pic line and a port similar?
Thanks so much once again for all the great posts regarding the port. I think I misunderstood - I thought the port and and pic line were the same thing. Has anyone had the pic line out there and were there any complications, discomforts or anything else I can tell my friend to relieve some of his anxiety? Someone mentioned…
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Thank you!!
Hi again, Wanted to thank all of you for your input in regards to the damn prep..:) So many of you are new here. I am always reading about everyone but I don't often post myself anymore. I pray for so many of you. I am doing well. I still cannot work due to complications from radiation and chemo and surgeries. But I am NED…
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Need to gain weight FAST!!
Thanks so much for all the posts for my question below regarding "too skinny for chemo?" I will definitly get Patrick's book and have already taken note of the great tips. The last trip to the oncologist was scary for my friend Mark. I mentioned he has not gained one single pound since his rectal surgery on Feb. 2nd (121…
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sad day
Hullo dear friends.This morning I was in the midst of writing an email to Emily and I was telling her about 2 dear friends of mine over here that have cancer.At that very moment I rcvd. a phone call that one of these friends, Janette, has passed away.I wanted to share this with you because we do share everything. So sorry…
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Good News/ Bad News
Dear Semi-Colons, I first want to apologize to Kanga for missing his birthday. Happy Birthday, sweet man. I hope your day was one to remember. For my new semi-colon friends I will give you a little quick background. Stage 3 with 3 out of 31 nodes positive; diagnosed 9/03; Folfox completed 7/04; stable lung nodules since…
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HELP! Worried about installation of line (or port?)
At the last visit to my friend's oncologist (the Dr. with the personality of a rock) he was told he would have to get a line for the upcoming chemo treatments (port?) Monday (tomorrow). The Dr. was so blasé when telling Mark "there are some risks - bleeding, some pain, and oh yeah, you may have a stroke since it is going…
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my husband stage IV
I have been reading some of the posts through the years and would like to share my story and ask a question. My husband was diagnosed 1/03 with colon cancer. Prior to surgery his cea was 24. during surgery to remove colon tumor they found small tumor in liver which was also removed. He went through two rounds of Chemo but…
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thank you
Hi, it's Lee (Pink 05) again. I just want to thank all of you that responded to my message. You don't realize how much you have all helped me and made me feel so much more encouraged. I definitely plan on keeping in touch with all of you and letting you know how things go with my dad. Your support and prayers mean so much…
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where to turn for screening
hello! i have been reading all of you all amazing stories for a couple of years now........and had many laughs thanks to spongebob......hey sponge! dont know if ya remember me! well anyway..... my story goes....my mom died of colon cancer almost 4 years ago at the age of 46. I am 32. we do not have health insurance. I have…
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PT-11, 5-FU and Avastin side effects
Hi everybody!!! Because we talk about everything related to chemo and side effects, has anyone had problems with constipation with these drugs? I was expecting the opposite!!! Talk about being backed up!! Ouch!!! Fiber seems to make it worse. Just wondering. It is nice to be able to talk to people without being shy. You…
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Chemotherapy first timer
I am worried about starting Chemo next Monday following surgery to remove colon cancer 8 weeks ago. The Reasons? (1) my weight dropped to 112 pounds after surgery (I am 5'6" tall) and has not recovered one jot (2) I have Emphysema (FEV1 33%) and am just pulling out of a 3-week flare-up after a course of Prednisolone and…
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belated happy bday to kanga!
Sorry I missed it! Hope it was great! Mary
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Dear Family...
I'm Mary from Wisconsin and I just wanted to say "hello" to my new family. I hope everyone is safe and well always. I thank God everyday he lead me to all of you here on this site. I had a not-to-good day yesturday... my mom went for her first chemo treatment. I was a crying reck driving there; and when I got to the clinic…
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WHAT CSN IS ALL ABOUT
Fellow Semi-Colons - I just read the latest posts to Jimmy and Jerri ("DAMN THIS MENACE") and it made me say to myself: This (in my mind anyway) is EXACTLY what the Cancer Survivor's Network is all about. Everyone is writing in with words of support and encouragement, even if they don't have a specific answer to Jimmy's…
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Damn this menace!!!
This has been the second worst day of my life, only outdone by the day my wife (Jerri) was originally diagnosed with Stage IV (ovarian mets and a few lymph nodes) back on October 27, 2004. We met with Jerri's oncologist today, and the cancer is back. Damn it all! I hate to have to post this. Jerri has new tumors on her…
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CT scan this thurs
Hi again. Well, my marvelous recovery continues. I am feeling so good. Thank goodness. I have a CT scan schedule this Thurs to check my right lung tumor.... the last CT looked really good. My surgeon thinks he may be able to preserve the right upper lung. (please oh please). One of the side effect from taking erbitux (also…
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Many Thanks
Jana, thank you for the great welcome home post! Yes, this last week was a doozy...or should I say woozy.. Each morning was difficult getting up and going to yet another "zapping". Then to add insult to injury on my last day the nurse pulled off the tape from my tummy where I was being radiated and pulled off pieces of…
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cat scan
Hello everyone!!! Well I just got home . I received my 7th treatment today , and yes i have my little fanny pack friend . Iam just a little hyper and probably wont sleep well tonight!! The movers were here this week and my house is quite empty except for some lender furniture that the military provides. Its going to be a…
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Medical Supplies
Hi all, I'm not sure if anyone can help me, but here's my dilemma. I have 2 boxes of medical supplies from when Scott was doing chemo...Saline, Heparin, syringes, alcohol swabs, IV tubing, etc. Does anyone know where I might be able to donate these supplies, or put me into contact with someone? I also have meds (Zofran &…
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Kerry completes radiation
Just want to wish Kerry a HUGE congratulations!! Radiation was completed today. I hope it kicked the cancer out of your body!! Stay positive!!! jana
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ANOTHER VIRTUAL POST CARD
Aloooo-Haaaa! Greetings from (rainy) Honolulu. Just a quick note to say howdy, let y'all know I am thinking of you, and let you know I met Debra and her husband Joe last night. Had a great dinner at the Honolulu Hard Rock Cafe (she had salmon, by the way - VERY healthy)! Anyway, hoping you aer all doing great. Cheers -…
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Happy Birthday Kanga. . .
March 16th our good Aussie friend Ross Jones will be celebrating his Birthday. Happy Birthday Mate we will see you in April in AUSTIN!!!! Your Canadian Mates Andy & Lisa
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Neuropathy - Chemo Decision
Hi all, I have completed 11 rounds of FOLFOX spread out over the last year in between 2 surgeries. I am finally getting neuorpathy in my feet. It is pins and needles sensation when I move them or put pressure on them as when walking. Also more disconcerting was a cold sensation I got on Sunday. My feet felt cold even…