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To work or not to work, revisited
Hi all, About sis weeks ago, after my first course of chemo was completed, I was so fatigued and debating whether I should continue work or not. After a week off, I felt better and went back. Now, after the second course, it feels like the fatigue is just growing, and my life has revolved around getting to and through my…
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we need a CURE!!
hi all, i need to get this off my chest! today, all over the canadian news is pat burns former hockey coach for toronto maple leafs and now for the new jersey devils. he has been diagnosed with colon cancer. he will be starting treatment on monday which consits of five weeks of radiation and chemo then surgery...just like…
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Chemo or Not for Stage IV rectal cancer
I was recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and the CAT scan showed mets on the liver and lungs. My surgeon was blunt, but still encouraging. My oncologist was very discouraging, saying all he could do is give me a few more months to live. Given the potential side effects of chemo, I'm debating whether or not to go…
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Stacy...For Probably the 1000th Time
Stacy, You are the "kick butt survivor", or so I have been told by very reliable sources. I am a real newbie. Stage IV, with only one chemo treatment thus far. I was hoping you would share the basic life lessons you learned and followed to get to where you are today. I understand each and everyone is different, but I am…
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How do you respond?
How do you respond when asked, how are you doing? Sometimes it is exasperating to be greeted by a co-worker, friend or family member with this question. I am curious how everyone responds, as I am sure you are all asked the same question. Thanks.
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Radiofrequency Ablation
First, thanks to all who responded to my first post. Reading through a number of past posts, I now have a more optomistic outlook. My new oncologist who seems open to any and all treatments available, had me do a MRI and PET scan and wants me to see a speacilist here in Portland, OR tomorrow. He said this speacilist will…
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Help! Just been diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer
My mother has just been diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer and we are terrified. She is only 69. We just lost our father to lung cancer. We just can't watch our mother go, too. She had surgery to removed the tumor, but it had attached itself to her pelvic wall and the surgeon was not able to remove it all. She also had a…
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update on problems
I just wanted you guys to know that the vaginal polyps that I discussed was nothing more than radiation damage. I am not sure about the liver spots or the lump on my pelvic yet. I have another CT Scan on Tuesday. I hope that everything turns out ok?
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Just diagnosed
I had a colonoscopy 3 weeks ago. It revealed a large "mass" in the cecum. A week later I was in the hospital having a Hemicolectomy. It revealed that one lymphnode was malignant. Everything else was fine. He called it a "carcinoid tumor" and also told me that all my other organs looked very healthy. I'm a 38 year old male…
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Latest news
Hi everyone, I have been posting every so often regarding my mother, who was diagnosed in Jan 03 with Stage III, (4 lymph nodes involved), and had a recurrence this March. Her surgery was on Monday, and the doctor said there were just a few cells at the joint where the operation was. He was very optimistic and said he did…
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Newcomer /caregiver stage 4
HI all.. I am new to all this so excuse me if I dont know all the lingo yet. Mynhusbadn age 41, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, 4 of 7 nosdes involved, with one met to the liver. He has had colon resected and is doing pretty well so far. We go tomorrow for a PET scan and friday for consult for mediport…
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Drugs
I am currently on the folfox 6 protocol-5fu, Oxaliplatin, Leucovorin, w/ Aloxi,decadron, Emend to prevent vomiting & nausea. Side effects are "chemo brain", no appetite, can't sleep, constipation & fatigue. Usually don't vomit, but constant queasiness day 3-6. They are going to take me off Aloxi next time, and substitute…
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My first posting
Been reading this site over the last fews days and have finally got up the courage to make a posting of my own. Not ever used support groups before but never been in this situation before either, so hey here goes! Some may know a bit of my story as my wife has posted a couple of times. I am a 31 year old kiwi living in…
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Honoring all Semi-colons!
Hi everyone, I received very good news today. My oncologist was shocked that my liver enzymes have almost returned to normal in just one week. He thought I would have to postpone chemo for a month, but I can start again next week. What a relief! For the Relay for Life at the end of the month, I decorated my luminary bag…
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Newly diagnosed family member looking for support
My 51 year old mother-in-law after having a colonoscopy was told that she had a large tumor in her colon. A CAT scan also showed that it spread to her liver and lymph nodes. The tumor was removed this week. Surgery showed several mets on both sides of her liver. The initial oncologist she saw told her she has 2-3 years to…
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Update and more thanks
Well, my dad went to the doctor today and we have good news. The PET scan was clear, as was the CT scan last week. The doctor even said that the spots on his liver that she had been concerned about are gone now. She said that the camptosar worked better than she had hoped. She said he is in REMISSION! What a beautiful…
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End of C & R pain effects for rectal Ca
I am finishng up with my 28th day of neoadjevant treatment for rectal ca today. Over the past week and a half I have been in increadible pain with my bowel movements. This pain is so intense it wipes me out for about an hour and a half to recover. I currenlty have been prescribed Vicodin and Ativan to help with the pain,…
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New to this, Surgery on May 4th
I'm also a new comer to all of this. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer about a month ago,It's very early stages, it's not in the nodes and doesn't look to be fingering out through the walls, we are not doing chemo or radiation at this time, but doing surgery. They are going to do whats called a Transrectal Surgery. Where…
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stage III rectal cancer
Hi everyone, I'm new to this site. My husband was diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer in Aug 2003. He had chemo/radiation treatment for 6 weeks, then had a colon resection with a temporary ileostomy. After surgery the dr told us that the tumor had shrunk down to the size of a ulcer. Everything looked really good. Then…
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port problems
I had a port put in to make my chemo easier. But I keep getting blood clots. They say it is from the port. Now I have to go get a needle in the belly every day for 10 days to deslove the blood clots. Anyone have the same problems? Jud
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Sugar????
I've been reading some replys and have been seeing negative comments about sugar. What's wrong with sugar,brownies or cola's? By the way I have colon cancer, the colon resection in June of 2001 and now have a met to liver and will be in surgery April 23rd. This is a great discussion group. Everybody keep up the fight. Mike
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avastin
Hi- My dad is being treated for metestatic colon cancer, failing leucovorin, 5-FU, c-platin. Anyone else on this treatment? Outcomes? Side effects?
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Another Thank You from me
Thanks so much everyone. I printed out your responses and took them to my dad last night. He didn't read them while I was there, but my mom told me this morning that they read them together last night and that they lifted his spirits tremendously. He is now agreeing to get a 2nd opinion. I'm suggesting both the University…
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Thanks!
Thanks for the positive comments on the poem. Of course, Kerry, you may copy it. I continue to pray daily for all of my Semi-colon friends. Hugs, Kay
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Hello
Hi everyone, Just wanted to catch everyone up to date. I have finished my chemo and radiation. Yippee!! I still have the port in. Does anyone know if they leave it until after surgery, or will I get this sucker out??? Doesn't really bother me, but I would love to take a long hot shower. I'm sure you all know the feeling.…
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Went to the Oncologist today
First of all I'd like to thank EVERYONE who has been replying to me. Your support means the WORLD to me. Today I went to the oncologist and he told me BASICALLY that the tumor they took out of my colon had properties of being both a carcinoid AND a carcinoma. He said that further tests would be required to determine what…
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A New Road to Travel
Hello everyone. Haven't posted in a few days as once again, I needed a cancer break and couldn't really talk about all the things that have been going through my mind. Tried to answer a few posts today and thought I'd fill everyone in real quickly (LOL...as if I could ever do that) on what's been happening with my mom. I…
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To Lisa Rose
Hiya Lisa--I tried to reply to your mail but the puta wouldn't do it! Tks for the welcome back--had a great trip but was tiring as we did over 7,000ks in all and it sure is a long way to do on a motor bike. Jen is ok --just really gets pissed off with the "hot flushes" as she is sure you are aware of them.We both hope you…
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Just A Note!!
I just want to thank everyone that answered my messages in the past. It helped me keep peace of mind even though things were getting difficult to deal with. My aunt after all did not win her battle, but she faught until the end. Many of you, survivors, I have a better understanding to what you went through or what you are…
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aloe vera juice, zyflamend, maitake
Hello! Has anyone used any of these along with their conventional treatments? My husband heard from a friend that the aloe vera juice is supposed to have something in it to shrink the tumor, and the other 2 are vitamins that work with the chemo. I am going to discuss these with my onc this week. He is very conventional in…