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5 Years!
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Oct 31, 2011 - 10:11 pm
Wow, it's been 5 years since I was diagnosed with stage II rectal cancer. I can't believe it. Treatments, surgery, Treatments, ileostomy, some more surgery, recovery....seems sooo long ago. I reflect back and realize that I'm a survivor, a lucky one. I realize that this discussion place helped me through many dark nights and that others are still facing this beast. Please know that it can be beat. Five years ago - so much changed in my life. As you all well know, nothing is ever the same. What I've learned since... 5 years...Wow...it's been so long. Be well my friends. |
Joined: Sep 2011
Very well said
I really like what you had to say...that today is what matters. There are those days that seem like they will never end with all the pain but somehow a good one comes along. Thanks.
Jeff
Joined: Aug 2010
Thanks
Thanks for sharing Funnyguy thats awesome.......It's good to see survivors coming back to give hope. Congrats on 5 years!! Tom
Joined: May 2005
Great Story to Hear
Way too often it takes a situation like yours, or what many of us have had, in order to realize what you've come to realize.
Even then, some still don't get it.
Thanks for checking in (and not checking out!)
;-)
-p
Joined: Oct 2011
Very well. They are such
Very well. They are such true points. It is said that most people won't evan get half of what you are saying unless they face cancer to wake them up. It took cancer to wake me up and believe it or not it took a recurrence to wake me up again.
thanks
jeff
Joined: Aug 2011
Thanks for posting! I too
Thanks for posting! I too was dx with rectal cancer, Stage 3, in 2009, and had all the trtmts you had. In Oct. 2011, my onc said I was NED :)
Question for you: The radiation really did a number on my bum, and even now from time to time I experience severe pain. Does this get any better with time, or is it something to live with?
Joined: Feb 2009
Awesome
Congratulations. This board likes to hear success stories like that.
Kim
Joined: Jan 2009
Funny guy
Great words funnyguy. Thanks for sharing.
Aloha
Kathleen
Joined: Sep 2009
*throws confetti*
Congrats to you, 5 years is an amazing accomplishment, you have a lot to be proud of.
It is such a journey and it is good that you have taken the best out of this situation and applied those things to your life
I raise my glass to you!
Joined: Oct 2007
Congrats!
I love hearing survival stories!
Joined: Jan 2007
Thanks!
Thanks everyone for the kind words of encouragement!!!
What strikes me about this crazy disease is the apparent rising number of "younger" people diagnosed. I was 38 at the time and I noticed many here that are in the same range - give or take a few years.
What's the deal with that? Doesn't this disease realize that insurance companies don't begin to recognize the potential problem until age 50???? Someone is not playing fair???
Is it the disease? the insurance companies? or Both???
Joined: Aug 2010
Congrats on 5 yrs. Do you
Congrats on 5 yrs. Do you still have to get scans? and does the numbness in feet/hands ever go away?
Had last round of chemo in april and still habe nueropathy in hands and feet.
Joined: Jan 2007
scans
For me, the last scan I had was earlier this year and there are no plans for any in the next year. Following up now with scopes & blood tests is the plan now. Not sure how I feel about not having a scan. There was always something reassuring about getting the results. I can say that the docs would not hesitate with another scan should any symptoms appear.
As far as neuropathy...haven't had an issue in awhile..maybe 2 years...but still very sensitive to cold temperatures..more lasting effects from radiation...skin is very sensitive and easily breaks down...