Stage IV Good News
mom_2_3
Member Posts: 953 Member
Today was the day I met with my oncologist to receive the results of my three-year scan. Everything was clear.
I said to my doctor that I knew I wasn't out of the woods yet but I was so happy. Her response to me was, "I think you're out of the woods but there could be a few trees here and there." Ok, I will take it. I also told her I could hug her, that I was so grateful for her. Her response was a smile and a "no hugs so I don't catch your virus." (I had a stomach virus over weekend.) Those that have met her can appreciate her response.
Three years ago on 2/20/09 I had a colon resection, liver resection and HAI pump implantation. I have had an amazing medical team of my oncologist (and her staff), my liver surgeon and my colon surgeon. I thank God that He gave them the intelligence and skills that brought me to this point.
Another doctor at a another hospital had told me I was not then and would not ever be operable when I presented with disease. He told me to expect to live 22-24 months. He told me that my current oncologist was a dinosaur and used out-dated technologies (HAI pump). He said it would be a waste of time to get a second opinion from MSK. Had I listened to him I don't know where I would be today.
While at the clinic today I met up with an old friend. This friend had an HAI pump implanted the same week I had my liver resection so we were near each other in the hospital ward. Let me tell you more about this man.
When diagnosed he had over 40 mets across his liver. His local hospital opened him up to do liver surgery and closed him up again telling him he would never be operable. He had already done a year of systemic chemo. While in the waiting room his wife picked up a pamphlet detailing HAI therapy at MSK. She brought it to her doctor's attention. He told her that putting in the pump would kill my friend and wouldn't it be better for him to die home in Ohio than in NYC away from his children. The doctor said to them, "Be happy with the extra year you have been given." It was fate or divine intervention that brought that pamphlet to the wife's attention, but she got her husband on a plane and to NYC to our oncologist.
After 5 months of the HAI pump treatment this man had a liver resection. All traces of those 40 mets were removed. He got his scan results today. 2 1/2 years NED and off chemo 2 years. I cry tears of joy for my friend. It was so great to get my good news and share his as well. Another man in the waiting room asked us about our histories and we found out he is 3 weeks out from surgery to place the HAI pump. It felt so wonderful to have this man look at my friend and I and see how much hope our success gave him.
If you are currently inoperable (liver mets), please consider a second opinion at MSK. Additionally, our oncologist will work with those with mets in liver and lung. If you need contact information for her or other information, please PM me.
Jasminsaba...I did ask Dr K about whether complete response in liver tumors from chemotherapy alone necessitates liver resection. Her answer is that she believes (and said that studies have show as well) that true remission or complete response from chemo alone is very very rare and that she would resect the liver tumor's former locations to ensure removal of any microscopic cells. She said the only time she has seen complete response "stick" was when the HAI was used in conjunction with systemic therapy as well.
I pray for health and happiness for all those here,
Amy
I said to my doctor that I knew I wasn't out of the woods yet but I was so happy. Her response to me was, "I think you're out of the woods but there could be a few trees here and there." Ok, I will take it. I also told her I could hug her, that I was so grateful for her. Her response was a smile and a "no hugs so I don't catch your virus." (I had a stomach virus over weekend.) Those that have met her can appreciate her response.
Three years ago on 2/20/09 I had a colon resection, liver resection and HAI pump implantation. I have had an amazing medical team of my oncologist (and her staff), my liver surgeon and my colon surgeon. I thank God that He gave them the intelligence and skills that brought me to this point.
Another doctor at a another hospital had told me I was not then and would not ever be operable when I presented with disease. He told me to expect to live 22-24 months. He told me that my current oncologist was a dinosaur and used out-dated technologies (HAI pump). He said it would be a waste of time to get a second opinion from MSK. Had I listened to him I don't know where I would be today.
While at the clinic today I met up with an old friend. This friend had an HAI pump implanted the same week I had my liver resection so we were near each other in the hospital ward. Let me tell you more about this man.
When diagnosed he had over 40 mets across his liver. His local hospital opened him up to do liver surgery and closed him up again telling him he would never be operable. He had already done a year of systemic chemo. While in the waiting room his wife picked up a pamphlet detailing HAI therapy at MSK. She brought it to her doctor's attention. He told her that putting in the pump would kill my friend and wouldn't it be better for him to die home in Ohio than in NYC away from his children. The doctor said to them, "Be happy with the extra year you have been given." It was fate or divine intervention that brought that pamphlet to the wife's attention, but she got her husband on a plane and to NYC to our oncologist.
After 5 months of the HAI pump treatment this man had a liver resection. All traces of those 40 mets were removed. He got his scan results today. 2 1/2 years NED and off chemo 2 years. I cry tears of joy for my friend. It was so great to get my good news and share his as well. Another man in the waiting room asked us about our histories and we found out he is 3 weeks out from surgery to place the HAI pump. It felt so wonderful to have this man look at my friend and I and see how much hope our success gave him.
If you are currently inoperable (liver mets), please consider a second opinion at MSK. Additionally, our oncologist will work with those with mets in liver and lung. If you need contact information for her or other information, please PM me.
Jasminsaba...I did ask Dr K about whether complete response in liver tumors from chemotherapy alone necessitates liver resection. Her answer is that she believes (and said that studies have show as well) that true remission or complete response from chemo alone is very very rare and that she would resect the liver tumor's former locations to ensure removal of any microscopic cells. She said the only time she has seen complete response "stick" was when the HAI was used in conjunction with systemic therapy as well.
I pray for health and happiness for all those here,
Amy
0
Comments
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YAY
YAY Amy I'm so very happy for you and your famliy0 -
Amazingtina dasilva said:YAY
YAY Amy I'm so very happy for you and your famliy
Amy, Thank you so much for sharing your own incredible story and that of the patient you met. It is so inspiring and hopeful. I will pray that you both have years and years of NED!
Cathleen Mary0 -
Great news!
Your story should be a terrific inspiration to all the stage 4 folks out there!0 -
thank you againk1 said:So inspiring!
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story of hope.
K1
Congrats to you, Amy!!! It's amazing that they could remove remnants of 40 tumors from that man's liver. That gives me hope that maybe I can get through this. I try to not think about "not getting it all out", during January's surgery, and "why".....but it is a challenge. Have a few questions for the surgeon in 2 weeks. But, Dr. K did say "we'll take care of it".......so I'm hanging everything on that one statement.
Thought about you yesterday, so thanks for the update.
0 -
Congratulations ... and thank you
Amy - I am very pleased to hear your great news ... congratulations on 3 years NED. I am wishing you many, many more happy and healthy years ahead.
Also, THANK YOU so much for remembering and bringing up my question with Dr. K ... it's greatly appreciated.
Your great news has just put me in a bright mood ... here's wishing everyone a beautiful Tuesday.
- Jasmine0 -
AMY!!!
Way to go! Great news...
"Another doctor at a another hospital had told me I was not then and would not ever be operable when I presented with disease. He told me to expect to live 22-24 months. He told me that my current oncologist was a dinosaur and used out-dated technologies (HAI pump). He said it would be a waste of time to get a second opinion from MSK. Had I listened to him I don't know where I would be today."
Who knows but my guess would be "Up with THEE above".
There are too many quacks/hacks out there telling people they have no chance, it's VERY frustrating to say the least. Are their egos that big???
I go for chemo tomorrow, CT scan the following Wednesday, then see Dr K the following Wednesday (2 weeks and a day from today).
Hoping for continued shrinking of tumors and lowering of CEA.
Can't stress it enough, GET A SECOND OPINION...(from a respected Cancer Center and ask about HAI therapy)
Hugs Amy
-phil0 -
Stories of Hope...k1 said:So inspiring!
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story of hope.
K1
The problem is that too many people don't have oncologists who know enough about other treatments.
It's a Great Story but it's even BETTER when it becomes one's reality...
Choose your Oncologist Wisely, it's YOUR **** on the line, not theirs.
-p
(Impressive Amy but I'm not surprised, Dr K is A-OK!)
:-)0 -
Congratulations on your great newsPhillieG said:AMY!!!
Way to go! Great news...
"Another doctor at a another hospital had told me I was not then and would not ever be operable when I presented with disease. He told me to expect to live 22-24 months. He told me that my current oncologist was a dinosaur and used out-dated technologies (HAI pump). He said it would be a waste of time to get a second opinion from MSK. Had I listened to him I don't know where I would be today."
Who knows but my guess would be "Up with THEE above".
There are too many quacks/hacks out there telling people they have no chance, it's VERY frustrating to say the least. Are their egos that big???
I go for chemo tomorrow, CT scan the following Wednesday, then see Dr K the following Wednesday (2 weeks and a day from today).
Hoping for continued shrinking of tumors and lowering of CEA.
Can't stress it enough, GET A SECOND OPINION...(from a respected Cancer Center and ask about HAI therapy)
Hugs Amy
-phil
Thank you for sharing it.0 -
Hi Amy, That is truly a
Hi Amy, That is truly a remarkable story - and I'm so glad that you shared it with us. And a big congratulations on being NED!! Great news. :-)
Cyn0 -
Hope
It's so wonderful to hear stories of success. Too many of us are losing our lives, it seems almost hopeless. I needed to hear this story today. Thank you
Hugs,
Krista0 -
so glad
Hi Amy,
You cheer me up today!
My mom's oncologist told us if my mom could survive 3 years with NED, she is cured! So you are a normal healthy subject now!
I wish everyone, including my mom, could be as lucky as you are!
Gary0 -
Great news and inspiration!
Amy:
I am a "newbie" posting and everyone's stories are inspiring and keep me going
on a day to day basis.
I am stage IV colon cancer and will be having a right lung wedge and liver tumor removed, hopefully by first week of April. I am recovering from have a left lung lobectomy - ouch!
I see the liver surgeon for a consult on 3/15.
Wishing you the best and hug those darling kids! (Mine are 20 and 22 now......)
Sincerely - Barb0 -
Wonderful news!
Amy,
I am so happy to hear this amazing news!!!!! We all needed to hear your story. I pray that you do not encounter any trees and you are out of the woods forever. Hugs to you and your beautiful family.
Love,
Sara0
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