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Thanks for the responses
Thanks to all who took time to respond to my question about working or not during chemo. The day I posted, I was home following another bout of diarrhea, and generally feeling quite lousy and fatigued. In the last 2 weeks I have received 2 procrit injections and my hematocrit has bounced back; I feel somewhat more…
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low temperature?
Hi everyone. A question: the onco warned to watch for high temperatures signifying the onset of infection. But mom's temp has been consistently low--97.5-98 degrees. Prior to the onset of this cancer her temp was a normal 98.6. Doctor is not concerned about this at all. Has anyone else experienced this? Should we be…
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Liver mets
My wife is stage 4 with many liver mets. Was diagnosed in December. They say the liver is unoperable, she will have to fight this as a chronic disease with chemo. She has spent 26 days hospitalized for side effects of the chemo, so she is not tolerating it well. No mention of radiation. I am hoping to find some positive…
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Can metastatic cancer be cured?
My doctor said there is a small chance of metastatic cancer being cured, he didn't give the number, but said he had one patient who had a "complete response", so I realize it must be a very small persentage. Then I posted a thread in Metastatic Cancer Forum and received a reply from a lady: "Metastatic cancer is VERY…
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WOW, Look at all those web pages
Dear all, Thank you all for sharing more info about yourselves. Each of us is living our own journey, but it is so great to be able to come together like this. I don't know how I would manage without the support of you, fellow travelers. I feel blessed to have found you all here!!! Wishing us all continued hope, Regards,…
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Stage 4
Hi, I am new to the group although not new to cancer. I have been a caregiver to my husband Hunt for one year. He was dx with stage 4, 17 out of 18 lymph nodes dieased, mets to liver. On campostar for 6 months, was clear for 45 days. Testing proved it was back, CEA reading 24.9 with liver spots. He has not been sick, no…
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cellular question
this may not be an appropriate question for this forum, but I can't talk to my Onc until the next appt., which is a little over 2 weeks away,an I'm afraid that if I bug the nurses too much, they'll take thier revenge on chemo day.. "chemo-brain" may also be taking it's toll..anyway, here goes; shortly before my lung mets…
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What Do I Do
OK gang, here's the story: My far better half has had the second colon surgery. Then the 5FU I think it's called. While taking that, it spread to the liver. Chunks of liver removed. Now on Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) every 21 days and Xeloda - 1500mg 2x day for 14 days after each treatment. What do I do to provide support…
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Have you heard.......?
There is a new symbol of hope for colon cancer cure. You can visit: www.nccrt.org and click on the Blue Star symbol on the right side of the page. It will give you info on the new symbol and how to purchase pins. I know I will be wearing one! Hope everyone is doing well, Carolyn
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Request for web pages
Hi, me again, I took the day off to be close to the BR, and the computer keeps beckoning! This board has gotten very busy with many new and old names contributing. I have a request....for those of you who haven't done a web page, please consider. It helps me to keep track of everyone...and it's easy to do, the format walks…
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To work or not???
Hi all, I am experiencing a dilemma, and look forward to your thoughts. I had my colectomy in Dec 03, which went well. I started chemo for stage III cancer, 1 small positive polyp, AND 1 microscopically postive node, my ticket to chemo. I started 5FU and leuco Jan 04, and completed the 1st course without too much…
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What should I expect?
After reading all of the messages in this discussion makes me feel like I'm not alone. But I know there is no hope for my aunt. She was diagnosed with colon cancer stage 3 back in July of 2002. She had surgery to remove 2 tumors that were the size of a small apple and a goose egg. She ended up with a colostomy. Two weeks…
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Giving a big hug
I just want to say something to all you parents with small childred and wives/husbands, I don't know how you do it my kids are grown so I don't have the problems you do. And I want to give you big hugs for doing what you are doing and going thru what you are. I love all you guys. You sometimes make my problems look mighty…
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Crazy Talk
I am here in tears and I do not know what to do. I feel like have no support just ideas of what everyone thinks that I should do. If I have to keep up with the treatment and not really get any answears why should I--I want to be a normal or as close to normal 29 year old as I can. I feel my marriage is slowly sufferig and…
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good news
Hi everybody I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Went to onc yesterday and he says I am stable now that not remission but I'll take it. He has stoppped all chemo for right now and told me to get my strenght back and when I do I can go back to work. The spots he was treating me for have done nothing not…
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"Blindsided"
"Welcome to my world, where I carry around dreams, a few diseases, and the determination to live life my way". In his newly-published autobiography, "Blindsided", Richard M. Cohen gives us a frank yet hopeful account of his battles with multiple sclerosis and two occurences of colon cancer. You can buy "Blindsided" today…
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Colon Blockage Questions!
Does anyone know how long you can live with a COMPLETE Colon blockage? My Fathers best friend that is 83 years old has a complete blockage of the colon and they are NOT going to do surgery due to his age, heart and general health for the the fear that if he ever even wakes up they will not be able to take him off the…
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Trying Not To Panic
Hi everyone, I will NEVER, EVER complain about my life being boring! When I live through this, I want to have the calmest, most predictable and dull life know to man... Went to see my doc yesterday to make sure that all signals were a go for my chemo on Thursday. I was due to start last Tuesday but had to be hospitalized…
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Afraid of the future
Diagnosed 09/11/03. Operated on 10/28/03. Nearly died following surgery and had to remain in hospital all of November. No oncologist would start chemo because I was in such bad shape. Scheduled to start the Roswll Park treatment of 5FI and Leucovorin on 03/03/04 (tomorrow) with 6 weeks on and 2 weeks off in 3 cycles. I'm…
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about me
I was 29 when I was diagnosed with colon caner. They took my whole large intestines and did a hysto on me as well to prevent the spread. I had my surgery in Oct 2003 and they told me I would be back to work on 5-6 wks. Well here it is March 2004 and I'm no way able to go back to work yet. They did not give me a bag so I am…
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Speaking of reading ....
Hi all, Don't know if any of you have read any of Jerome Groopman's stuff. He has been excerpted in the New Yorker, and has written "Measure of our Days" and "Anatomy of Hope". Both books I found riveting; I picked up "Measure of our Days" while recuperating from my colectomy. Family and friends thought it odd that I was…
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Inner Peace
The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you've started. So I looked around the house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished.... Before leaving the house this morning I finished: 1. A bottle of red wine. 2. A bottle of white. 3. The Bailey's. 4. Kahlua. 5. Dregs in the Tequila bottle. Ate the…
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Ok, Back to the CEA Level
I think we've had this discussion before, but I can't help but worry myself sick over Bert's CEA level. It's consistently around 6.0. If you will recall, he was at 0.9 from August to December last year and then jumped to 7.7. That's when all the test were done...first CAT, then PET Infusion and all test were absolutely…
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All those with stage 4!
Hi guys, I'm seeing my oncologist tomorrow to discuss the possibility of changing protocols. Wanted to have a description of other stage 4 treatment to have an idea of what's out there - I think the doctor is entertaining the idea of 5FU fanny pack. Presently, I'm on a 3 week cycle doing 135mg/m2 of oxaliplatin drip once…
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Thank You
I just wanted to write a quick note to thank everyone for their replies to my message. I was in a dark momment and all of you helped me feel better by letting me know that we all have bad days. Thanks again
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After right collectomy surgery
Hi Guys Mom's surgery was 4 weeks ago tomorrow (2/3/04). She is recovering slowly, but is experiencing a few things she wanted me to post about and see if you guys have had similar experiences. She will occasionally have sharp pains in her mid-section that don't seem to be related to the diarrhea (which is not quite…
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AN E-POST CARD!
Ahoy and avast ye Scurrvies! Greeting to you from the US Coast Guard Academy in beautiful New London, CT - a quaint little New England Hamlet nestled along the Thames River near Mystic. I am having a lubber-ly time (freezing my arse off) hanging out in class, drinking coffee and spiced rum and trading salty talk with my…
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Surgery Anyone?
I have stage 1 rectal canceer and was diagnosed 12/2003. I have just finished 6 weeks of chemo/radiation and tolerated that pretty well. I am supposed to have surgery in 6 weeks to take out the bad patch. I am not sure what to expect as far as recovery goes. I am 37 and in good health. (besides the cancer). I was told that…
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Nonspecific lung changes
Hi, I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced this scenario w/ a positive outcome. I was first diagnosed 2 years ago at the ripe old age of 31 w/ Stage III colon cancer and had a sigmoid resection followed by 6 mos. of 5-FU/Leukovorin.......at my first followup it was discovered that I had a liver met, luckily for…
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new kind of treatment
Hey guys I was told about a new drug that has been approved by the FDA. It is called Avastin, I don't know if I would be open to this but some of you might. the web site is www.webmd.com Let me know what you think Pattie