checking for lights in the darkness–stage 4 survivors

lesvanb

Hello everyone

Though I don't post much, I do check in periodically just to bear witness to all, and to me, who are on this cancer path. I'm posting a link to a NY times article from today that pretty much sums it up for me as to why I do this. I hope you enjoy it too.

P.S. My CEA yesterday was 1.5 and my every 2 month check-up with my oncologist is tomorrow. Next PET/CT is June 11. So far, so good though yesterday before I knew the blood test results, it was very difficult to just keep breathing, one breath after the next.

17 Years Later, Stage 4 Survivor Is Savoring a Life Well Lived
By KATHERINE RUSSELL RICH
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/health/27case.html

all the best, Leslie

dx 5/08 stage 4 rectal cancer; 1 met to liver; resectable at dx
radiation 28 tx xeloda/oxaliplatin 6/08
LAR surgery 9/08
R Hepatectomy 10/08; NED after surgery
FOLFOX 10 tx 1/09-5/09
baseline PET/CT after surgeries/chemo 8/09; still NED after 3/10 CT scan!

lisa42

thanks for sharing
Hi Leslie,

Thanks for sharing your continued great news!! We need to hear from people who are doing well!! I wish you many continued blessings!

,
Lisa

Paula G.

Loved it Leslie. Thanks.
Loved it Leslie. Thanks. Paula

SueRelays

WOOHOO....from another stage
WOOHOO....from another stage IV, that is so GREAT to hear!!!

THANK YOU and CHEERS TO MANY MORE YEARS!!!

AnneCan

Les,
Thanks so much for
Les,

Thanks so much for sharing your good news; it truly is inspiring + thanks for sharing the other story too.

sheri22

GREAT NEWS
Leslie
Thanks for sharing news like that always give us more hope

Sheri22

Sundanceh

Ride On:)
Hi Leslie

Lookin' good:)

-Craig

JDuke

Sundanceh said:

Ride On:)
Hi Leslie

Lookin' good:)

-Craig

Leslie
Thanks for sharing your message of optimism. Continued health to you!

mom_2_3

Good News!
Good news Leslie! We are all rooting for you and cheering you on!

Amy

Brenda3.16

mom_2_3 said:

Good News!
Good news Leslie! We are all rooting for you and cheering you on!

Amy

Leslie,
Thanks for sharing
Leslie,
Thanks for sharing your story and the other story too . It is always inspiring to hear stories like this.
Brenda

Kerry S

your PET will be clear
Leslie,
My sister is a 25 year stage 4 breast cancer survivor. They told her she had 6 months. I will copy the article and send it to her.

My bet, with your attitude, your PET will be clear.

tootsie1

Great!
Wonderful results! I'm so glad for you.

*hugs*
Gail

biglaur

I'm stage IV
With a recurrence diagnosed June of '08 (they really think it was in my liver all along...since initial dx Sept '06) with mets to liver and lung. I did 11 rounds of Folfox with Avastin and a clinical trial at UCSD. Opted for cyperknife radiation instead of surgery halfway thru chemo. Started Xeloda after chemo and continued for 6 months. My CEA has been undetectable since August, 2 Petscans and 3 ct scans since August have all been negative. So, I go for blood work every 6-8 weeks, ct scan and onc visit every 4 months...I'm a happy camper for 3.5 months, then get a tad nervous, but I don't dwell on things until the day or so before. This is my normal for now and I'm having a ball!

thready

loved the article
First congratulations on the 1.5 CEA! Also thank you for the article, I enjoyed it
Take care,
Jan

ruggersocks

The future is bright
I don't post here much, but wanted to say I'm also a Stage IV survivor going on 2 years NED. For the first time, I'm looking forward to my future...beyond a few months.

Here's to long-term NED!

Good luck to all of us.

xoxoxo, Cheryl

Jesterg

Colon Cancer Stage Four IV with Mets to Liver & Handicap
Hi Mr. Lesvanb,

This is great to hear. My brother is currently battling Colon Cancer Stage Four with mets to liver but what complicates this for doctors is the fact that he has Cerebral Palsy. He is 48 years old and on nothing since he was diagnosed They prescribed Xeloda but we are afraid of side effects. What were some of our side effect on Xeloda, if any? Thanks. God Bless to all!!!

Jesterg

biglaur said:

I'm stage IV
With a recurrence diagnosed June of '08 (they really think it was in my liver all along...since initial dx Sept '06) with mets to liver and lung. I did 11 rounds of Folfox with Avastin and a clinical trial at UCSD. Opted for cyperknife radiation instead of surgery halfway thru chemo. Started Xeloda after chemo and continued for 6 months. My CEA has been undetectable since August, 2 Petscans and 3 ct scans since August have all been negative. So, I go for blood work every 6-8 weeks, ct scan and onc visit every 4 months...I'm a happy camper for 3.5 months, then get a tad nervous, but I don't dwell on things until the day or so before. This is my normal for now and I'm having a ball!

Did you have any side
Did you have any side effects from Xeloda. My handicap brother with Cerebral Palsy has the same Cancer Stage FOur with mets to liver and we are esperate but want to hasten his demise. Thanks.

AnneCan

ruggersocks said:

The future is bright
I don't post here much, but wanted to say I'm also a Stage IV survivor going on 2 years NED. For the first time, I'm looking forward to my future...beyond a few months.

Here's to long-term NED!

Good luck to all of us.

xoxoxo, Cheryl

Congratulations on your NED
Congratulations on your NED status, Cheryl. Thanks for coming in to post on this thread.