“Eight is Great” – A Reflective Commentary + Scan Results Are In

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Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    ron50 said:

    Nothing like getting an A in the test you thought
    You would flunk. Glad to hear it Craig,bring on nine,Ron.

    "Nine Will Be Just Fine."
    Hey, there's the title to next year's post, Ron:)

    I expected to get a failing grade alright - no doubt about it.

    I'm just like one of those Weebles - "I wobble but I don't fall down."

    LOL!

    -Craig
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member

    That is awesome news about
    That is awesome news about you and Kim. I couldnt be happier. I was a little nervous reading your post. What a relief. Your good news came at the perfect time for me.

    What does your onc think killed those 2 spots without any treatment. Is it possible that they werent cancer.

    Enjoy the moment. You and Kim both.

    The lion has roared back. Cancer and the rest of the world better watch thier backs.

    Your friend Jeff

    My Buddy Jeff...
    I knew you would appreciate this news - I hope it was worth the wait.

    The doc doesn't really know why...we just can't see the spots on the scans anymore. They were very tiny, just detectable on the scan itself...too small to biopsy though I would have declined. That was one of the reasons why I wasn't trying too upset.

    Easier to wait and check for growth on the next scan cycle...but they are gone and for now, I'm not worrying about the "X's and O's" of why...just to be is enough right now. I've got so much cookin' with all my dad's stuff and trying to hold onto our lives...

    I'll take this one...fought hard for it...and as far as the Chemo Wars post...I'm still dead even...it's still a draw...but somehow, right now, it feels like I'm just slightly ahead.

    I guess last year was worth playing for after all...

    Yeah, the Lion roars - and if Chicky were with us today...we'd be hearing from her about this one:)

    Take care, Jeff....I told you we would stand atop the podium...now, I'm just waiting on you...and I know you're coming...in fact, you are already there.

    -Craig
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member

    Awesome
    So glad for the news. Time for you to sit back and enjoy life for awhile. You both deserve it.

    Kim

    Kim
    Thank you, Kim!

    -Craig
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    Wooohooo
    Ye ha and all that jazz! Really happy for you bro!
  • mukamom
    mukamom Member Posts: 402
    Sundanceh said:

    WM:)
    There you are:)

    Hey congrats on your Graduation Day as well...3 months is a nice comfort zone.

    When he told me six-months between scans, I thought wow - I haven't been here in 8-years right back to the very beginning of all of it with my very first scan cycle and the one that followed....then there was trouble...

    And it's been all downill since. So, this was nice...six-months does not concern me...it will help my wallet...it will cut down an extra radiation or two every calendar year...and if something comes up, I like to watch to see if they grow before pulling the trigger.

    Now, if I ever get to the point where they say every 12-months...yikes, I can't even count that high:)

    Thanks for visiting and this was a nice reprieve, so that I can concentrate on handling all of my dad's affairs over the summer and the foreseeable future. It could not have come at a better time.

    Best wishes for continued 'clear' sailing for you as well.

    Love/Craig

    So nice to hear
    that you're beating the odds and have found your inner lion again.

    Enjoy your NED-ness with Kim.

    You deserve it.


    Angela & Robert
  • toyfox
    toyfox Member Posts: 158 Member
    Happy
    So happy for you...it's time for you to have a break.
    I agree with Son of Hal, exercise and eat healthy.
    Take care....Linda
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member

    Wow!!
    Fantastic news! You give hope to all here on this forum. What a great post for the newcomers to read! Hugs-Ann

    "To Ann: My Favorite Librarian"
    Thank you!

    Hugs/Craig
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member

    way to go
    lion i love to hear you roar.just keep the faith and you will be fine (((((HUGS))))....Godbless....johnnybegood

    There She Is...Hi JBG:)
    Just so very nice of you to take the time to respond...with all you've been going through, I really appreciate hearing from you. I'm just hoping so much for you and mom:) Wish you guys could get together for a visit.

    Hugs returned...(((JBG)))

    -The Lion
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    toyfox said:

    Happy
    So happy for you...it's time for you to have a break.
    I agree with Son of Hal, exercise and eat healthy.
    Take care....Linda

    Hi Linda!
    Will do:)

    -Craig
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Sonia32 said:

    Wooohooo
    Ye ha and all that jazz! Really happy for you bro!

    Hi Sonia:)
    That's "Yee-Haw" in Texan:)

    LOL!

    Thank you!

    -Craig
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    mukamom said:

    So nice to hear
    that you're beating the odds and have found your inner lion again.

    Enjoy your NED-ness with Kim.

    You deserve it.


    Angela & Robert

    Wolf Brand Chili Once Said...."It's Been Too Long..."
    And it really has....been too long since I've seen you.

    I know you and Robert were enjoying a nice break there...and then I saw where he had recurred...I'm awful sorry about that....getting clear - and staying clear are just two different worlds. It's always difficult.

    Tell the big fella' howdy from me - and as always, will be rooting for the home team!

    Thanks for stopping by....I miss all of my old friends:)

    -Craig
  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    Wow,best news ever.You are
    Wow,best news ever.You are the man,you are the lion.Dance:)What a relief!I am going to shake my pony tail for you.I don't drink,but right this moment,I want to salute you with a beer!By the way,we are doing good,although a few times blockage happened to my husband,but he just got his third year CT scan which was clear,doctors were happy and me even happier.Finally finally I can push my jittery away.Thank you for sharing all these great news.After I read your post,I feel so excited that I might have a hard time falling sleep.:)
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member

    Wow,best news ever.You are
    Wow,best news ever.You are the man,you are the lion.Dance:)What a relief!I am going to shake my pony tail for you.I don't drink,but right this moment,I want to salute you with a beer!By the way,we are doing good,although a few times blockage happened to my husband,but he just got his third year CT scan which was clear,doctors were happy and me even happier.Finally finally I can push my jittery away.Thank you for sharing all these great news.After I read your post,I feel so excited that I might have a hard time falling sleep.:)

    Hi FFML!
    What an unexpected surprise to see you! It's always nice to see you stop by.

    "Shake that ponytail" for me:)

    You guys have done so well...so proud of you both. It's hard to believe it's been that long...it sounds like for the most part, all has been well, with a few challenges...but continued clear scans make all of that seem worthwhile.

    I'm not sure if I will ever catch your husband with repeated clear scans - but I will try to. Having not gone this long since my first year is pretty big news. It's not as easy as it looks.

    I'm hopeful that the next scan in six months will be clear and I can get another taste of what things might be like if I didn't have to always keep looking over my shoulder. I've never gone 18-months clear, so that would be a nice accomplishment.

    I'd like to do it - even I need a little gas in my tank in the form of hope, don't I?

    You've always been so kind and supportive to me...I've watched you fly away as you got on your feet and resumed your life - it's nice to see. They say that if you love something - that you have to let it fly away....

    ...with the hopes that someday they would return. I'm always glad to see you come back here and stop in...I like hearing from you...like to know how things are going. Always a chance I might get up to that part of the country...you will be on the list.

    Take care for now!

    -Craig
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    Hi FFML!
    What an unexpected surprise to see you! It's always nice to see you stop by.

    "Shake that ponytail" for me:)

    You guys have done so well...so proud of you both. It's hard to believe it's been that long...it sounds like for the most part, all has been well, with a few challenges...but continued clear scans make all of that seem worthwhile.

    I'm not sure if I will ever catch your husband with repeated clear scans - but I will try to. Having not gone this long since my first year is pretty big news. It's not as easy as it looks.

    I'm hopeful that the next scan in six months will be clear and I can get another taste of what things might be like if I didn't have to always keep looking over my shoulder. I've never gone 18-months clear, so that would be a nice accomplishment.

    I'd like to do it - even I need a little gas in my tank in the form of hope, don't I?

    You've always been so kind and supportive to me...I've watched you fly away as you got on your feet and resumed your life - it's nice to see. They say that if you love something - that you have to let it fly away....

    ...with the hopes that someday they would return. I'm always glad to see you come back here and stop in...I like hearing from you...like to know how things are going. Always a chance I might get up to that part of the country...you will be on the list.

    Take care for now!

    -Craig

    In Closing.....
    I just wanted to thank everyone for participating and sharing in this news with me. I appreciate all of your comments - and another special thanks for all of the folks who signed the guest book for my dad's funeral.

    It was really a sight to look through there and see the names and places where we all live...all reaching out from the vast corners of the globe to touch me and Kim and provide a degree of comfort in our struggles.

    New and old - you rallied to our aid - we thank you for your presence in our lives:)

    With respect,

    -Craig
  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    Fascinating
    Craig, I find your writing captivating and invigorating! Congratulations on your milestone in this fight and thank you for sharing your stories with us. I wish there was a way for Cancer survivors to help post data, so we could do some true statistical analysis on things like diet, supplements, exercise, baby aspirin, chemo treatments, etc… I always thought that the medical industry was doing these things, but based on the data gathered about me, I don’t see how they could possibly study any of the possible conditions under which cancer is beaten vs. thrives.

    So, here we are, cast into a maze, not knowing which way to turn, hoping to find the cheese?

    And within this confusion and darkness, I wish the force be with you all! I do have faith that the force is with me. “I can accomplish anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me!”

    I pray that the LORD bless you Craig, shower you with Love and bring healing to your body and spirit. And that one day I will read about your most remarkable victory over cancer.

    Phil
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    Congrats on 8 years!
    It hasn't been an easy 8 years, but you've come through them kickin' and fightin' - learning along the way. You're still here to fight on for a long while!

    I disagree with you on one matter though. One year treatment free IS something to be excited about! I am thrilled with my 6 month break - I just hit 6 months of no treatment, after having a 4 month break summer of 2010, and then constant treatments till December 2011. I am excited about each day, each week, each month stable enough to avoid treatments, and able to live life fully.

    I'm looking forward to reading the 18 month all clear report!
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member

    Congrats on 8 years!
    It hasn't been an easy 8 years, but you've come through them kickin' and fightin' - learning along the way. You're still here to fight on for a long while!

    I disagree with you on one matter though. One year treatment free IS something to be excited about! I am thrilled with my 6 month break - I just hit 6 months of no treatment, after having a 4 month break summer of 2010, and then constant treatments till December 2011. I am excited about each day, each week, each month stable enough to avoid treatments, and able to live life fully.

    I'm looking forward to reading the 18 month all clear report!

    Thank You, Kat:)
    Kat - if you happen to check back here....

    I'm so happy you're in a remissive period:) It's been a long hard road for you full of challenges that you've had to overcome - and you've done that!

    You're right...a year clear is significant...only happened in year 1 and 8 for me...that was the whole point of this post:)

    I think that was me just musing to myself....I put a year in that round - and I fully expected to get a year out of it, or I would know that it was trouble.

    I guess the one-year thing is still my own insecurity for not being able to attain the successes that I've seen so many others achieve. I would like longer periods of remission, but up till now, those have been very elusive.

    One year gives me a taste from the fountain that I aspire to drink from one day...I guess it boils down to what I've said a time or two...we can never truly understand a situation until we have walked a mile in those shoes.

    In six months, I will be in uncharted territory if things hold up...hopefully the 18-month clear period will still be - I already know that is already what it is, even right now.

    We'll be talking:)

    Thanks for stopping by to say hi...you keep up the good work too...may you have a continued break from the action...I hope all continues to go well for you.

    -Craig
  • k1
    k1 Member Posts: 220 Member
    So good to log on to good news for you
    I've been offline a lot lately due to going to the med center two or three times per week for physical therapy for an injured rotator cuff ... leftovers from a fall I had during chemo when numb feet from oxaliplatin made me lose my balance (happened twice, but apparently the second time it had serious consequences and I didn't know until weeks after chemo ended and the pain didn't go away in my arm and shoulder).

    Sure is a great thing to log on after a while and read somebody has good news! Congratulations and carpe diem!

    K1
  • eibod
    eibod Member Posts: 160
    Hi Craig, I still check on
    Hi Craig, I still check on the board sometimes to see how everyone is. Was so glad to
    see your news. My grandmother use to say "the sun doesn't shine on the same dogs behind every day". I am so very very glad it has chosen to shine on you a little. You deserve
    some good news, some peaceful and stressless days. Glad you are still writing and wordy.
    Enjoyed reading your thoughts. You sure helped me those last critical months. Brenda
  • YoVita
    YoVita Member Posts: 590 Member
    eibod said:

    Hi Craig, I still check on
    Hi Craig, I still check on the board sometimes to see how everyone is. Was so glad to
    see your news. My grandmother use to say "the sun doesn't shine on the same dogs behind every day". I am so very very glad it has chosen to shine on you a little. You deserve
    some good news, some peaceful and stressless days. Glad you are still writing and wordy.
    Enjoyed reading your thoughts. You sure helped me those last critical months. Brenda

    A break for you
    So happy for you. You deserve a break. Hope it lasts a long time. I've decided that most of this cancer stuff is luck but it helps to eat well and exercise to deal with surgeries and treatments to come - let alone other illnesses as mentioned above. Thanks for the good news. Best of health to you Craig.