4 Years NED (no evidence of disease)
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.
Comments
-
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,
Cheryl0 -
AWESOME!!!CherylHutch said: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
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*
Tricia0 -
Hey Triciachynabear 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
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.0 -
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.
Rebecca0 -
Kanort's healing bagsscouty 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.
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.0 -
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.
Sandi0 -
Healing Bag from Kanortvchildbeloved said: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.
send her an email from your login page on this site with your address.........0 -
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,
Kay0 -
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!
Faith0 -
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.0
Discussion Boards
- All Discussion Boards
- 6 CSN Information
- 6 Welcome to CSN
- 121.7K Cancer specific
- 2.8K Anal Cancer
- 446 Bladder Cancer
- 308 Bone Cancers
- 1.6K Brain Cancer
- 28.5K Breast Cancer
- 395 Childhood Cancers
- 27.9K Colorectal Cancer
- 4.6K Esophageal Cancer
- 1.2K Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine)
- 13K Head and Neck Cancer
- 6.3K Kidney Cancer
- 670 Leukemia
- 792 Liver Cancer
- 4.1K Lung Cancer
- 5.1K Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
- 236 Multiple Myeloma
- 7.1K Ovarian Cancer
- 59 Pancreatic Cancer
- 486 Peritoneal Cancer
- 5.4K Prostate Cancer
- 1.2K Rare and Other Cancers
- 537 Sarcoma
- 727 Skin Cancer
- 652 Stomach Cancer
- 191 Testicular Cancer
- 1.5K Thyroid Cancer
- 5.8K Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
- 6.3K Lifestyle Discussion Boards