SURVIVOR 5 YEARS PLUS!!

RunnerZ

Regular reader, irregular poster...just wanted to let you all know that I follow your postings, your struggles and your victories. I am a 42 year old and going on 6 year survivor of stage 3 rectal cancer. For awhile there I never thought I would see 42...and for the past two weeks I have watched my daughter run cross country races at my old high school. She's now 12, and was 6 when I was diagnosed. We can even run together now. Running helped keep me sane while recovering physically and emotionally from cancer, and I run almost every day. My strength continues to grow even after 5 years. The chemotherapy, radiation and surgery were no picnic, and I admire every one of us that endures these treatments for this disease. I just want to encourage everyone here....fight the good fight...I did, and my reward has been almost 6 years of beautiful life and perfect health since that time (I have not seen a Dr. other than an oncologist in almost 5 years!). Keep on movin' surivivors...we all have miles to go before we sleep!

tkd3g

Congrats Runner!! That's what I like to hear. I agree, that exercise is so important to feeling and BEING healthy.

Keep on keeping on!!!

Here's to you !

Barb

Unknown

Thanks for sharing that with us Runner. For many of us on this board, words like yours is exactly what we need to hear...both patient and caregiver alike. I, as a caregiver, definitely need to hear that for my stage III right colon cancer hubby who has more faith in his complete recovery than unfortunately, I do. He has always seen the glass more half full and I'm the half empty type...but I'm learning...learning....learning!

Thanks again and I wish for you and all on here many, many more happy and full years.

Hugs,
Monika

Kanort

Dear Runner,

Congratulations on your victory. I will soon celebrate my one year win with this battle so I know how happy you must feel.

I am glad that you are so healthy now and able to live life to its fullest.

Stay well.

Kay

alihamilton

There are presently some really sad posts just before this one and you are an inspiration to all those who are feeling hopeless and helpless just now. I do hope they read your post and are encouraged by it. It shows that there is hope and reality of recovery. Well done!

spongebob

Z -

Way to go. Thanks for sharing your success story - it's an inspiration to all of us. Run on!

- SpongeBob

livin

Congrats on your 5 year push. Thanks for sharing.

ron50

Hi Runner,
My sincerest congratulations,well done. In jan I reach 7 yrs as a survivor of st3 colon, I know what you have been thru and I really do understand how wonderful it feels to reach the end of the tunnel and once more bask in the light. It is a feeling that I wish for every member of the the semi-colons and hope that they too can share our good fortune , once again congratulations I am very glad that you are still with your family and friends,best wishes Ron.

kangatoo

ron50 said:

Hi Runner,
My sincerest congratulations,well done. In jan I reach 7 yrs as a survivor of st3 colon, I know what you have been thru and I really do understand how wonderful it feels to reach the end of the tunnel and once more bask in the light. It is a feeling that I wish for every member of the the semi-colons and hope that they too can share our good fortune , once again congratulations I am very glad that you are still with your family and friends,best wishes Ron.

Congratulations Runner!! No-one here I am sure minds that you post only occassionally. Your words of encouragement and reading our posts shows the sincerity in your message. We truly are one family. People like you and Ron posting here with such encouragement are what helping all our carers and sufferers is all about.
Thank you---keep running!!!!!!!!
luv kanga n Jen

kangatoo

kangatoo said:

Congratulations Runner!! No-one here I am sure minds that you post only occassionally. Your words of encouragement and reading our posts shows the sincerity in your message. We truly are one family. People like you and Ron posting here with such encouragement are what helping all our carers and sufferers is all about.
Thank you---keep running!!!!!!!!
luv kanga n Jen

Sorry--I should clarify my comment about Runner and Ron posting.My statement should have said--it is great that long term "survivors" are still with us posting encouragement. That really shows sincerity!

taraHK

Thank you for the post. I rejoice for you - and also want to let you know how much it means to me to hear stories of long term survivors. I'm 17 mos since surgery now -- and sure enjoying counting....
Tara

StacyGleaso

Thanks for those wonderful words of hope Runner! It IS a rough fight, but the rewards are priceless!

And WAY TO GO RON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Such achievements make us all realize that there ARE happy endings! (pun intended!)

Stacy

Philip437

Post 5 years

I just had my 5 year CT scan and got the "no sign of recurring disease" message from my oncologist.  I had colorectal cancer advanced stage III.  I know i should be jumping for joy , but for about the past 1 months of so, I have had problems with anxiety and depression.  Before i was struck down, I was ultra fit and athletic. I had multiple hobbies. I was living life to the full.  Now, it takes all my powers to climb out of bed in the morning.  Life seems to have lost all of its shine and I no longer feel happy.  Also, I have never ending bowel problems - constipation, diarrhoea, nausea.  I had a J-pouch constructed during my surgery to remove the diseased rectum.  I also have some very strange feelings in my head, as if I'm going to pass out sometimes - these strike out of the blue and are very firghteneing.  My blood pressure is normal.  Has anyone else had these sorts of feelings/problems that perist long afte the final treatment.  To give you a better sense, my treatment was, at the time, state-of-the-art (6 rounds of FOLFOX with 5-fluorouracil), followed by 4 rounds of brachyradiotherapy (very very painful), followed by resection surgery, followed then by 6 more rounds of FOLFOX/5-FU) and finally ileostoey takedown surgery.

danker

Congradulations

I too am a many year survivor, and probably the oldest( will be 86 in a few months). Occasional diarrhea is the only aftermath to my cancer journy.  May we all become NED forevermore!!!

Joan M

Phillip, Sorry to hear your having problems

It can be difficult at times.  I've heard of  others on this forum that have had similar problems.  I'm only guessing but believe it may be related to the 12 rounds of Oxaliplatin you got all those years ago.  The platinum based chemo kills cancer cells but also damages our bodies and seems to damage our nervous systems and hearing especially.  They have learned alot about the negative side effects over the years from people such as yourself who continue to suffer long after the treatment has ended.  Some people report improvements over time.  I recieved only 8 rounds, and have noticed that my hearing suffers and I get dizzy at times. I use a shower stool in the shower.  

You may get better answers to your question if you start a new post asking about the reduced quality of life after treatment.  This forum is very helpful but your responses seem to be based on the subject line on the thread.

It is good to hear that you have survived for 5 years!  I am going on my second year of survival so am happy to still be here.  I am stage 4 and considered "incurable".  I've had Folfox, then maintainence chemo of Xeloda and Avastin, then had ablations on liver and lung and also had Y90 theraspheres on right lobe of my liver.  I will be starting on Folfiri tomorrow.  I am also on a waitlist for a clinical trial involving immunotherapy at MD Anderson in Houston. 

When I was first diagnosed, everything I read said that only 5% of stage 4 colon cancer patients survive for 3 years.  The last I read said the average survival for stage 4 colon cancer is 5 years.  there have been many improvements in the chemo and other treatments that help to increase survival time.

Praying that I can make it at least 5 years.  Actually I'm praying for a cure and to live another 50 years!  

I hope your doctors can figure out how to help improve your health so you can enjoy life to the fullest again!

Joan  

 

thingy45

It's going on 7 years for me

its going on 7 year survivor stage IV for me.  Healthy eating, boring food, but it works for me. Next month my 7 year check up with colonoscopy and endoscopy. Praying for good results . 

Trying to live each day to the fullest and enjoying my grandkids growing up and finding their own place in the world.

side effects are still present and sometimes challenging, but life is worth living.

one day at a time is still my motto also a day not laughed is a day not lived. It works for me.

Phil64

Congratulations Runner! I‘m

Congratulations Runner! I‘m so happy to read your post. Time on this preacious Earth is a gift and your post is inspiring. I was diagnosed Stage IV colorectal cancer in spring 2012. Seven surgeries and fifty three chemo treatments later I’m still here. And for me that meant being present to walk three daughters down the isle and to hold two new grand babies. Love and Life has been abundant and I am truly Blessed. 

That being said, here I lie in my bed, at 2am, two days before my 54th birthday. I just put hand warmers in my whool socks to try and relieve throbbing toes from neuropath. Also took an extra strength Tylenol and hoping that kicks in soon. 

***

To the other Phil that posted. I too am Phil and I can totally relate to your post as well. Dizzying, bowel challenges, neuropathy, weakness. Ugh. Depression on occasion.

I guess that means that we are still battling the ugly disease. Although we are NED there are still challenges. I hope we might continue to recover and improve.

Love and Light to all of you! I’m going to count some sheep and hope the throbbing toes subside. God Bless!

NewHere

RunnerZ Has Not Logged In Here since Feb 2010

This is an older thread that was bumped up.  Philip437, you may want to start a new thread introducing yourself to the boards.  As others mentioned, this is a good place to be, with some tips.

I have some after affects from chemo, but unfortunately had a mets to a lung.  Then mets to lungs and then lymph nodes.  Chances are I won't make 5 years myself it seems, though I am trying my best to beat them. I am active and started exercising a lot the last month or so, which may slow the growth of things, help with sleep and the rest.  If you can get back into doing something, once you start, shaking off the rust may help.  Just take your time and do what you can.

 

plsletitrain

Phil64 said:

Congratulations Runner! I‘m

Congratulations Runner! I‘m so happy to read your post. Time on this preacious Earth is a gift and your post is inspiring. I was diagnosed Stage IV colorectal cancer in spring 2012. Seven surgeries and fifty three chemo treatments later I’m still here. And for me that meant being present to walk three daughters down the isle and to hold two new grand babies. Love and Life has been abundant and I am truly Blessed. 

That being said, here I lie in my bed, at 2am, two days before my 54th birthday. I just put hand warmers in my whool socks to try and relieve throbbing toes from neuropath. Also took an extra strength Tylenol and hoping that kicks in soon. 

***

To the other Phil that posted. I too am Phil and I can totally relate to your post as well. Dizzying, bowel challenges, neuropathy, weakness. Ugh. Depression on occasion.

I guess that means that we are still battling the ugly disease. Although we are NED there are still challenges. I hope we might continue to recover and improve.

Love and Light to all of you! I’m going to count some sheep and hope the throbbing toes subside. God Bless!

Wow 7 surgeries and 53 chemos

I don't think I could make it that far but I salute you! 

Annabelle41415

This post is really old and many treatments have changed since this post.  It would be good to start a new post.  I'm always wondering how these posts come to the forefront when you post a question in the search bar.  Anyway, much has improved so good time to start a new thread.

Kim