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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
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Thanks for the welcome!
Thanks, Emily for your message. I salute you for taking the alternative route. I have chosen chemo, but try everything else possible to supplement the chemicals! Before I was diagnosed, I taught ESL to Korean children and adults. I love that culture. One of my Korean students brings me green tea from Korea and she also…
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thanks for your help
Hi everyone, I wrote a couple of weeks ago about being nervous about my first meeting with the oncologist. Couldn't believe the response I got. I want to thank every one of you for answering back, you helped me so much! Some of you wanted more details, so here goes: Have stage 3 with one of seven lymph nodes involved. The…
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New to Group!
Hi, I have been reading this forum for several months and am impressed by the support and positive energy that is displayed here. I was diagnosed with colon cancer, Stage 3, in October 2003. I had a resection and they found 3 out of 31 lymph nodes that were positive. The unusual thing was that the cancer was confined to my…
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ABETHM: Irritable Bowel Diet
As promised here is the diet outlined in my book Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Balch and Balch. High fiber with plenty of fruits and veggies plus whole grains (esecially br. rice) and legumes. Use supplemental fiber--psyllium powder should be used daily. Use oat bran and ground flaxseed daily on alternating…
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Rx
Every time I have received any kind of prescription for a controlled drug, it is always accompanied by a list of side effects, interactions and general information regarding that drug. Anybody out there ever receive such a list for your chemo drugs?
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Doctors
I would like to think that there are some enlightened Oncologists and other cancer health professionals lurking on this site. If we all gave the address to our oncologists, and even a few of them participated, the doctors and thier patients would benefit..it's unfortunate that the fear of litigation and profit motives…
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Xeloda Problems!!!
Hi everybody, I sincerely hope yall are having a fabulous Friday night! I am having some Xeloda complications and I need some advice. My Xeloda dose was reduced from 3300 to 3000 in January when they upped my oxaliplatin from 85 to 135. I finished my Xeloda dose last Tuesday and was scheduled for a new cycle this past…
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Fear
I have a question for all you "experienced" people. Does the fear of recurrence ever go away? I know I've only been in remission for four months, but I feel the fear is there 24/7 and I really would like to move past it, but does a person really ever move past it? Melody (formerly Mel in other posts, but I decided to use…
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When is enough????
I have been on chemo since Sept. 2002. If you have read my past postings you know that my last colonoscopy showed only 9 polyps left which were removed and my PET scan showed only dead tumors. My Dr. never says when the chemo will end. Just wondering what the situations for you all have been. Now I just feel like the chemo…
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FIlling the maestro's boots
Training manual for Sponge Bob wannabees: 1. Act like the world's biggest drunk. Mention liquor every chance you get. Store your Stolii in the freezer. End all posts with "I need a drink! A dry martini. Shaken, not stirred. And just a whisper of vermouth." 2. Talk like a pirate. Teach your parrot to sound like a sailor on…
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support group
I just wanted to say thanks for welcoming me to this site. I am starting to go to a suppot group tonight and I am not sure what this will be like. Do any of you attend a support group other then this web page? Well wish me luck. Judy
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When your time is up...
Surfing the news last night I was struck by the concomitant coverage of the opening of Mel Gibson's new movie. The many-headed Hydra that is the media was in high dudgeon as it reported on the public hysteria surrounding the premiere of "The Passion of the Christ." The real story was the frenzied reporters fanning out over…
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Kanga!
Kanga, congrats on 30 wonderful years! For Bert and I it will be 29 on March 7...and I wouldn't trade one day of any of them. Hugs back at you and Jen, Monika (and Bert) who got your handshake and sends greetings your way.
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Lisa
Got told by Jen I gotta be meself Lisa!! Pity you guys-ha "Who's Micky--enlighten me?"
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after surgery
Evenin/mornin guys--whatever--hey, I was wonderin if any of you have any adverse effects re; your wounds / healing of same.My onc. told me that it would be quite some time b4 it would heal properly. I was "knifed" from just above the "pubic" bone(can I say that in here?--lol) to just below the breast bone. I have heard…
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Kanga: Your CEA Question
Kanga, CEA is the abbreviation of some lengthy words that basically are tumor markers in your blood. I know there are some folks out there who know what these words are but for the life of me, I can't remember them right now. Something having to do with carniogenics...yada, yada, yada. Anyway, not all tumors give off this…
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What can nurses do to better help you?
I am an RN student and I would like to know what the nurses who care for you could do to better help you? I'm anxious to get your feedback! Please reply!