Latest CT Results

mp327
mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
in Anal Cancer #1
First off, I would like to welcome all the newbies who have joined this group recently. If I have missed someone, I apologize. I hope your journies will be as smooth as possible and that you find the support you need.

I had my 6-month follow-up scan on August 13th. and saw my medical oncologist yesterday to discuss the findings. Everything looks good--no evidence of recurrence or metastatic disease! The same little blips in my liver and lungs that have been seen on the last few scans are stable and unchanged, so that's all good news. My oncologist refers to them as "freckles" and is not concerned. However, he wants me scanned again in 6 months and I already have the date set and the contrast chilling! I really hate getting all this radiation and wish he would let me go a year between scans, which he will do once I hit the 5-year mark in September 2013--only one more year to go! I asked him how long he will keep following me and he said "for awhile." As much as I'd like to have no more scans, no more doctors appointments and no more lab work, I appreciate the fact that he is monitoring me so closely.

I will be a 4-year post-treatment survivor on September 9th. I hope this is seen as an encouraging example to all of you--it is possible to beat this disease! Of course, I don't have a crystal ball, but I am just appreciating life one day at a time and hoping that I will remain NED. Thank you to everyone who has given me so much support--I truly appreciate it!
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Comments

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #2
    Martha
    Great news! You know this gives me encouragement and hope to see you at 4 years ned. As you know I have scans every 6 months as a lung cancer was found and removed on 9-23-10. I have been scanned at 3 months then 6 months. Now the dr said I could go to a year and that would be next May. To be on the safe side I will have a ct scan at 6 months in Nov. After that one I will scan once a year. As you know the earlier cancer is caught the quicker we stop it. The scans are less damaging than the cancer would be. I wish you well. Lori
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #3
    mp327
    Congrats on your great news! Don't you just love NED!!! At my last 6 month appointment in May, my medical oncologist said I would have one more PET scan in November and then as needed. I have a lot more "following" since I'm just a little over a year post treatment.
    Speaking of radiation - when I went to the dentist this week for cleaning, the gal put the lead apron on me and I said something about more radiation. I had just had a full mouth x-rays the last time and told her. She looked at my chart - no x rays that visit! I know dental x-rays aren't as much radiation as the scans but I think I've had enough...
    Thanks for always offering words of encouragement! You are appreciated!!

    Ann
  • StruTanToot
    StruTanToot Member Posts: 126 Member
    #4
    I'm so happy to hear your
    I'm so happy to hear your news! I start treatment on August 27, and hearing that you've done so well strengthens my resolve to beat this thing.

    Best wishes to you.
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #5
    StruTanToot said:

    I'm so happy to hear your
    I'm so happy to hear your news! I start treatment on August 27, and hearing that you've done so well strengthens my resolve to beat this thing.

    Best wishes to you.

    Great news Martha!
    Congratulations! I feel the same way about the scans. I hate all the radiation but I'm glad I am watched so closely. I still go back every 3 months, scans and probes every 6 months. Going for my next scans at MD Anderson on 9/17 & 18th. My doctors said they will determine at that time if I go to 6 months. September 11th is my 3 year mark. Routine colonoscopy next week. Yuck. But at least I don't need to fly to Houston to do that test. A former colleage of one of my doctors at MDA is in Denver so I'll be seeing him. This doctor also worked at MD Anderson so I feel good about that. I'm already in scaniexty mode but we all know how that goes.

    I'm so thankful you are doing well! Wonderful news.
    Hugs,
    Liz
  • Angela_K
    Angela_K Member Posts: 374 Member
    #6
    Yes!
    You have been and remain such an inspiration to us all. Congratulations!
  • rds711
    rds711 Member Posts: 113
    #7
    I am so happy for you!
    Martha, this is such wonderful news! Time to celebrate! Wishing for you continued NED, after all you got more races to run :) Thank you for all the support you have given to me and may God bless!

    Randy
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #8
    rds711 said:

    I am so happy for you!
    Martha, this is such wonderful news! Time to celebrate! Wishing for you continued NED, after all you got more races to run :) Thank you for all the support you have given to me and may God bless!

    Randy

    Thank you!
    Thank you to everyone for the messages of congratulations and all the continuing support! It means a great deal to me, as you all understand why getting good news makes us euphoric!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #9
    lizdeli said:

    Great news Martha!
    Congratulations! I feel the same way about the scans. I hate all the radiation but I'm glad I am watched so closely. I still go back every 3 months, scans and probes every 6 months. Going for my next scans at MD Anderson on 9/17 & 18th. My doctors said they will determine at that time if I go to 6 months. September 11th is my 3 year mark. Routine colonoscopy next week. Yuck. But at least I don't need to fly to Houston to do that test. A former colleage of one of my doctors at MDA is in Denver so I'll be seeing him. This doctor also worked at MD Anderson so I feel good about that. I'm already in scaniexty mode but we all know how that goes.

    I'm so thankful you are doing well! Wonderful news.
    Hugs,
    Liz

    Hi Liz!
    I'm in agreement with you--more scans equal more radiation, but they also give us the peace of mind that we need! I'm glad you are being followed so closely and I think we can both feel fortunate to have doctors who are determined to not miss anything! I am sure you next trip to MDA will yield all good news for you. Hitting the 3-year mark is awesome! Too bad we don't live close to each other, as we could throw a big party! About the upcoming colonoscopy, I know the prep is not fun, but you'll get all good news and it will be worth it! Hugs!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #10
    rds711 said:

    I am so happy for you!
    Martha, this is such wonderful news! Time to celebrate! Wishing for you continued NED, after all you got more races to run :) Thank you for all the support you have given to me and may God bless!

    Randy

    Hi Randy--
    You are right--I have more races to run! My running partner and I are trying to talk ourselves into another marathon, perhaps early next year. We'll have to see how things go and if my knees hold out!

    And I thank you for all the encouragement and support you give to me!
  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    #11
    mp327 said:

    Hi Randy--
    You are right--I have more races to run! My running partner and I are trying to talk ourselves into another marathon, perhaps early next year. We'll have to see how things go and if my knees hold out!

    And I thank you for all the encouragement and support you give to me!

    Martha....
    Your support, encouragement, and knowledge mean so much to all of us. Several times I have gone back to re-read an old post of yours when I have had a question and you so often have had the answer or info on where to find it....thank you!!!!! Congrats on your results, and I pray the freckles remain just that for a lifetime (or fade away all together).
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #12
    eihtak said:

    Martha....
    Your support, encouragement, and knowledge mean so much to all of us. Several times I have gone back to re-read an old post of yours when I have had a question and you so often have had the answer or info on where to find it....thank you!!!!! Congrats on your results, and I pray the freckles remain just that for a lifetime (or fade away all together).

    Thank you!
    eihtak, you are very kind and I thank you so much for the congrats on my scan results. I'm glad we can be here for each other!
  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #13
    Congratulations!!!!!
    Yay Martha!!!

    I'm right behind you - I have my four-year-checkup in October.

    You are SO VERY HELPFUL and kind and courteous.

    What a blessing this site is!
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #14
    Inspiration
    From day one you were there for me and have been my inspiration. I can't thank you enough. I have had lots of cancer tests lately and they are all coming out good. With you running ahead of me, I have lots of hope this will continue. Thanks so much and congratulations.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #15
    sandysp said:

    Inspiration
    From day one you were there for me and have been my inspiration. I can't thank you enough. I have had lots of cancer tests lately and they are all coming out good. With you running ahead of me, I have lots of hope this will continue. Thanks so much and congratulations.

    Thank you, Everyone!
    I so very much appreciate the congratulations and kind words. I am very blessed to have all of you in my corner, cheering me on! Yes, even after almost 4 years of dealing with this disease and doing very well, I still need a pep talk now and then! Thank you one and all!
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #16
    mp327 said:

    Thank you, Everyone!
    I so very much appreciate the congratulations and kind words. I am very blessed to have all of you in my corner, cheering me on! Yes, even after almost 4 years of dealing with this disease and doing very well, I still need a pep talk now and then! Thank you one and all!

    W2Go!
    Congrats, Martha

    :)

    -Craig

    PS You too, Liz!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #17
    Sundanceh said:

    W2Go!
    Congrats, Martha

    :)

    -Craig

    PS You too, Liz!

    Thanks Craig!
    How are you doing? I hope all is going okay.
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #18
    mp327
    A belated congratulations on your 4-year post treatment! Your survivorship anniversary was the day before my birthday. The encouragement you provide to others is inspirational. I celebrated another birthday which is a blessing. My family gave me a wonderful surprise party. Two of the nurses who cared for me in the hospital attended. I'm 15 months post treatment.
  • shirlann54
    shirlann54 Member Posts: 162
    #19
    Martha
    Congrats,On your 4 year,s Martha.In Jan it will be 2 years for me.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #20
    AZANNIE said:

    mp327
    A belated congratulations on your 4-year post treatment! Your survivorship anniversary was the day before my birthday. The encouragement you provide to others is inspirational. I celebrated another birthday which is a blessing. My family gave me a wonderful surprise party. Two of the nurses who cared for me in the hospital attended. I'm 15 months post treatment.

    Hi AZANNIE!
    Thank you so much for the congrats and your kind words. I'm so glad you enjoyed your birthday celebration. How nice of your family to surprise you! I never used to get too excited about birthdays, but since having cancer, I see them as true gifts! I will soon be headed to 60 and I can hardly believe it. I'm so glad both you and I are here to celebrate our special days! Hugs!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #21
    shirlann54 said:

    Martha
    Congrats,On your 4 year,s Martha.In Jan it will be 2 years for me.

    Hi shirlann!
    Thank you so much! I hope you are already planning a big celebration for your 2-year anniversary. According to information I've read, after one hits the 2-year post-treatment mark, the chances of recurrence drop significantly. Now that is something to celebrate!

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