7 Years and Still Here Stage 4

PamPam2
PamPam2 Member Posts: 370 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Well It's been 7 years ago today I had my emergency colostomy done. My tumor had my intestines totally blocked and they were ready to burst. Had the "big" surgery a couple months later after I was healed enough and built back up. The tumor had grown through the intestinal wall and an overy was totally engulfed in tumor, and lymph nodes tested positive in abdomen. Had a total hysterectomy, lymph nodes in abdomen, half of colon removed and appendix removed for good measure. Did 7 out of 12 chemo treatments, my colostomy had prolapsed and I quit chemo early to have the reversal, my choice. I have had lesions , very small, too small to biopsy, show on CT and MRI's on my liver, at first showed growth and more appearing, now over past 2 years are showing shrinkage, and disappearance, for what ever reason, no treatment involved. 7 years ago I fully expected to not make it this long, or that I would have re occurrence and be in treatment the rest of my life, but that was not my karma. It just goes to show, no how matter how dire it seems when you are first diagnosed, you really do not know for sure what your fate is to be. When I knew I had cancer my first thoughts were, well, I'm done for, I always thought I would never go through all that Chemo, and surgery and stuff, but when you're staring it right in the face, that changes too. Life has a very strong hold on us.

Life is not easy, I am changed, I am older, poorer, slower and I hope a little wiser lol
And glad to be here!!!

Just wanted to share a little survivor story with you all.
Pam

Comments

  • janie1
    janie1 Member Posts: 753 Member
    #2
    WOW.
    Thanks Pam. I'm feeling pretty low...that helps. Then how long has it been since you've had any treatment? Curious about your diet, supplements, juicing? What the heck are u doing? :) Thanks.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #3
    So Much for Those Silly Stats!
    Hi Pam, glad to hear that you are here.
    You're right, it's not easy but hopefully it is all worth it.
    -phil
  • jasminsaba
    jasminsaba Member Posts: 157 Member
    #4
    This is FANTASTIC!
    Congratulations!!! ... and thank you for being an inspiration and a bright ray of hope through my newly embarked journey.

    I wish you many MANY more years in good health and lots of joy.
  • laurettas
    laurettas Member Posts: 372
    #5
    A beautiful birthday present
    Pam,
    Thank you so much for sharing your story. My husband was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer just days before his 58th birthday in April. This past week he has had a major allergic reaction to oxalyplatin and yesterday we discovered that he has blood clots in his leg, anticipating that he may be taken off Avastin. He just completed his sixth treatment out of twelve and we were wondering how much more chemo he was going to be able to handle.

    Today is my 56th birthday and your story was so wonderful to hear. Gives so much hope even when things seem to be going south rapidly. If you have any tips that you think may have helped you make such a marvelous milestone, please share them with us!

    God bless and many thanks,
    Lauretta
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #6
    hugs Pam
    Best wishes for future good health ,Ron.
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #7
    Happy Anniversary!
    Thanks for sharing all this wonderful news with us. You bring hope and joy to so many of us.

    I know what you mean about older, poorer, slower -- and also what you mean about being glad to be here!

    May you celebrate many, many more 'anniversaries'!

    Tara

    (8+ year survivor)
  • PamPam2
    PamPam2 Member Posts: 370 Member
    #8
    janie1 said:

    WOW.
    Thanks Pam. I'm feeling pretty low...that helps. Then how long has it been since you've had any treatment? Curious about your diet, supplements, juicing? What the heck are u doing? :) Thanks.

    what am i doing? nothing
    I had my chemo as soon as healed up enough from the surgery over 6 years ago. I do nothing special, I eat and drink what I want. vitamin D3 and multivitamin. I have meat potatoes vegetables rice noodles bread soda sugar just like i always did, so I have no advice about any special diets or regimen, though I don't think it hurts to eat as healthy as you can, I just don't do it. lol
    Best
    Pam
  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #9
    butterside up
    An inspiring comeback reminder. Thanks.
  • TMac52
    TMac52 Member Posts: 352
    #10
    taraHK said:

    Happy Anniversary!
    Thanks for sharing all this wonderful news with us. You bring hope and joy to so many of us.

    I know what you mean about older, poorer, slower -- and also what you mean about being glad to be here!

    May you celebrate many, many more 'anniversaries'!

    Tara

    (8+ year survivor)

    Nice story
    Thanks for sharing!!!!
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #11
    tanstaafl said:

    butterside up
    An inspiring comeback reminder. Thanks.

    Congratulations Pam, hope we celebrate for many years!
    hugs!
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #12
    Update
    Thanks for the update and letting us know how well you are doing. You are right, until we face something like this personally, we never think we can handle and then we do. Glad you are still here too.

    Kim
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #13
    Date
    Forgot to mention, isn't it something how you remember every date of your journey, but then can't remember more important ones. Oh well LOL.

    Kim
  • pscott1
    pscott1 Member Posts: 207 Member
    #14
    Pam...what a great success story!
    Being in my first year of fighting this, your story was such an encouraging one. It gives me even more hope hearing how you're doing. I pray you have many more healthy years ahead of you and thanks so much for sharing this with us!

    Best,

    Pam
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #15
    Thanks!!!!!
    I wish more people would pop on to lift the spirits of those battling. Congrats!!!!! what a special birthday gift! Steph
  • daBeachBum
    daBeachBum Member Posts: 164
    #16
    That is Awesome Pam!
    I tip my cap to you Pam! Congratulations on seven years, I hope you have dozens more :-)

    Thanks for taking the time to share your story. Its really encouraging and a real testament to how tough you are.

    Stregth and Love,

    Ray
  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    #17
    Very Glad your here too
    and thank you for for sharing your story, it is very much appreciated and needed. Long term survivors are such an inspiration to us all.

    Heres to continued good health, take care and keep us posted.

    HUGS
    Beth
  • sasjourney
    sasjourney Member Posts: 395 Member
    #18
    Thanks for sharing!
    I will never get tired of hearing the success stories and I thank you so much for sharing your story. I wish you many, many more wonderful years.

    Hugs,
    Sara
  • biz
    biz Member Posts: 60 Member
    #19
    COOL!
    That's fantastic.
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    #20
    One thing I have learned is
    One thing I have learned is that the gift of hope is the most precious gift of all. Your post gave me this gift. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Lisa

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