4 Years NED (no evidence of disease)

scouty
scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi to all you semi-colons!!!!

After a very tough several months of losing a few dear friends from this site, my father, and going through a few scares of my own I am pleased to be able to announce 4 years NED, a year behind one of my bestest buddies Kay.

I haven't updated my web page here yet but will soon, it is up to date for the most part if you want more specifics of a stage IV (mets to liver and left lung with no surgery options) survivor being at the 4 year non surgical remission mark.

I'll share my scares just so you all know that sometimes that is all they are. I had my semi-annual testing in June and was told I had a "new 4mm spot on the dome of my liver that we needed to keep an eye on so come back in 3 months for more testing". I did the first week of Sept. very nervous to say the least, to find out it was nothing, "probably just a blood vessel". I was happy but pissed a little too. Then I find out my CEA was the highest it had been in years, 3.5 up from 2.1, 3 months earlier (and yes CEA has always been a good indicator for me). So in a matter of days I go from relieved to worried again but at least this time I only had to wait 6 weeks to retest.

I went last week and it was down to 3.0 and my onc is no longer that concerned but I still am a little. Next testing is March 09'. I also had my annual colonoscopy last week and other then my first tiny benign polyp, it was very clean and almost enjoyable to witness (I don't like to be sedated for it so I watch).

I would also like to share that in July after my scare, my father's death, and the not good news about Kerry and Jana I knew I had to not let the negative energies get me down. I decided to sign up for a "coach potato to 5K" running school and to take ballroom and swing dancing lessons.

A few Saturdays ago I ran in my first 5K in 20 years and was very pleased with how I did. I have 2 more by New Years day (trust me Runner Z I am no threat, heh heh). My dancing lessons are going okay and now only have 1 and 1/2 left feet!!!

If you haven't gotten a healing bag from Kanort yet, get one, I swear by mine. I forgot to take it in June and think that is why I had my "scare".

Anyway, I am still pinching myself to make sure that my last chemo treatment was 4 years ago this week and things are going so well. I am very blessed, fortunate, and LUCKY. I am honored to be able to share it with you all.

Lisa P.
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Comments

  • crazylady
    crazylady Member Posts: 543 Member
    Yeah!!!
    Hi Lisa,

    Congratulations on being NED for 4 years! That's wonderful news. I think it's great that you are running and taking dance lessons. You are an inspiration! I really needed to hear something positive right now. Thank You!

    Take care,
    Jamie
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375
    Congratulations!!!
    Lisa... what a wonderful and inspiring post to read!! I enjoyed reading every word of it, other than about how you had to go through the scare for months before finding out that everything is ok. Phew!!

    You've done it girl!! One more year and you will have hit that 5 year milestone!! Fantastic!!!!

    Hugggggggs,

    Cheryl
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member

    Congratulations!!!
    Lisa... what a wonderful and inspiring post to read!! I enjoyed reading every word of it, other than about how you had to go through the scare for months before finding out that everything is ok. Phew!!

    You've done it girl!! One more year and you will have hit that 5 year milestone!! Fantastic!!!!

    Hugggggggs,

    Cheryl

    AWESOME!!!
    It is always so good to see NED visiting!

    You are such an inspiration. Here's to many more years of NED, running, and dancing.

    PS, what are healing bags?

    *HUGS*

    Tricia
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Woohoo!
    That's fabulous, Lisa. I'm sorry you had to be scared again recently, but I'm so happy for your 4 clean years. Here's looking for MANY more!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    chynabear said:

    AWESOME!!!
    It is always so good to see NED visiting!

    You are such an inspiration. Here's to many more years of NED, running, and dancing.

    PS, what are healing bags?

    *HUGS*

    Tricia

    Hey Tricia
    Check out Kanort's October 15, 2003 post about her 5 year NED mark and her offer to share her wonderful blessings (the healing bags) with us all. All you have to do is send her your address and trust me, your will not regret it and it is all completely safe and secure.

    Thank you so much for you kind words.

    Take care,
    Lisa P.
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    what great news!
    Thank you for sharing your story with us, Lisa! You show hope for us all! I am so sorry for your losses, but also so glad for your celebrations! I am looking forward to receiving one of Kay's healing bags!
    Mary
  • changing2
    changing2 Member Posts: 118
    Happy for Great news!
    How encouraging! Good to hear you're enjoying your life to the fullest!
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    wonderful news!
    Thanks for sharing your wonderful news!! It's news like that that gives the rest of us hope to go on and believe that we, too, can be cured! God bless-
    Lisa
  • CanadaSue
    CanadaSue Member Posts: 339 Member
    So sorry yet so Happy
    Lisa,

    So sorry to hear about your dad, it is never easy losing someone so close.

    So happy to hear you are NED, I sure like that word!

    Happy running and dancing!



    Hugs,

    Sue
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    To the original....
    NAKED HAPPY DANCE!!!! YEA!!!

    This part (middle) of our lives stinks. Even if we make it through, there are so many 'goodbyes'!

    Thank goodness all is well with you, my dearheart!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    Thank you
    I really needed to hear such inspiration today. You are such a joy and offer HOPE.

    Kimby
  • rrob
    rrob Member Posts: 158
    4 Years NED
    Lisa,

    Congratulations! You are such an inspiration. Your story was one of the first I remember when I joined the board and you have been such a ray of hope. Thank you for sharing with us. I'm sorry for the scares you've had and the loss of your father. What a way to fight the negative--I'm so impressed that you are now a runner and a dancer!! Enjoy your NED. Celebrate! Great dog, by the way.

    Rebecca
  • vchildbeloved
    vchildbeloved Member Posts: 133
    scouty said:

    Hey Tricia
    Check out Kanort's October 15, 2003 post about her 5 year NED mark and her offer to share her wonderful blessings (the healing bags) with us all. All you have to do is send her your address and trust me, your will not regret it and it is all completely safe and secure.

    Thank you so much for you kind words.

    Take care,
    Lisa P.

    Kanort's healing bags
    Hello, Valerie here. Wishing all a very happy Friday. I have heard a great deal about those healing bags. I do want one for myself. How do I send her my address? Just post it hear on this site?

    Thanks a heap.
  • Sandi1
    Sandi1 Member Posts: 277
    Just Starting
    First of all, I would like to say congratulations on 4 years NED. My husband and I are just starting down this road of treatment for Stage 4 colorectal cancer. He has had the tumor removed from his colon, and is now on chemo - had his first one and did quite well, #2 starts on Wednesday and will go every other week for six months. He is not a candidate for surgery on his liver or lungs as he has 40 - 50 spots on his lungs, and just a few on his liver. So, we pray every day that the chemo does it's job and he too can someday be NED.

    Again congratulations and go out and party and have fun -- CELEBRATE -- !!! I can't wait for that day for my husband - I am planning on having a great big party for him.

    Sandi
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member

    Kanort's healing bags
    Hello, Valerie here. Wishing all a very happy Friday. I have heard a great deal about those healing bags. I do want one for myself. How do I send her my address? Just post it hear on this site?

    Thanks a heap.

    Healing Bag from Kanort
    send her an email from your login page on this site with your address.........
  • sladich
    sladich Member Posts: 429 Member
    Congratulations
    Lisa,

    Congratulations! We will definitely celebrate in SF!!!! Less than 2 weeks away.

    Love ya,

    Debbie
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    Honored!
    Dear Lisa,

    I am honored and blessed to call you my friend. Congratulations on your milestone....knowing there are many more to follow. Those scares took our breath away, but, thankfully, all is turning out well. I am visualizing your next CEA at an all time low. I think your marker was just out of whack with all that running and dancing!!! Tee Hee!!!

    Your story is just what our fellow stage 4 semi-colons need to hear. You did it and they can too! BELIEVE!

    Congratulations and keep dancing and running.

    Love,

    Kay
  • Faith4Cure
    Faith4Cure Member Posts: 405 Member
    Awesome
    Congratulations Lisa, you are awesome. Sorry you had to go through those scares, but happy that you are where you are now! Your story is a great one for inspiration. Celebrate and enjoy life!

    Faith
  • betina61
    betina61 Member Posts: 642 Member
    So Happy!!
    Oh Lisa I'm so happy with your news,CONGRATULATIONS!! we really need to hear these good news to continue in our journey, as you said we have lost so many dear survivors that make us feel so sad but we need to enconurage ourselves that we will conquer this desease, and what a better way that one onother survivor shares their happy news. Lots of hugs to you.
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