New member checking in!

avargov

Hi everyone!  My name is Alan, and although I have been reading this forum for quite a while now, I just decided to sign up so I to can join in the fun!  

 

I was diagnosed with Stage 4colon cancer in October of 2016 after they found a rather large tumor blocking my intestines.  I waited nearly a year before I started any treatments.  I worked in a field where I couldn't receive chemo and be deemed fit for work.  I needed to get some personal and finacial affairs in order before I was comfortable with treatment.  I tried very hard to make it to the end of 2017 working, but was forced to stop on Octover 22nd, 2017 because of the intense pain from the liver sites.  All is well though.  I started the standard 5FU treatment in November and will go tomorrow for the 10th of 12 rounds.  Doctor is very optimistic.  He claims that my age (46), and the fact that other than the cancer, I am in good health, has really helped the chemo do it's job.  (As a sidenote, when he said that, my mind wandered to the old joke that roughly says, Aside from that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play.).  Had a scan halfway though, and they said of the 14 tumors, 8 weren't visible any longer, and 6 had reduced 50-66%.  I am truely grateful that I chose to get treatment.  The side effects, although they seem terrible, really aren't when I read some of the stories on here.  A little bit of nausea, terrible diarrhea, and a bit of tiredness.  Overall, not too bad!

I will not ramble any longer, just decided it was time to put my story out there.  I have been energized and overjoyed in knowing there is this support group.  I love reading through, gathering knowledge, and hearing of the the successes of fellow members.  The only advice I can give is STAY POSITIVE.  I truely feel that our mental state and outlook has tons to do with how are treatment fares.

 

Thanks for letting me be a part, and I hope I will be posting for a long time to come.

Alan

danker

Welcome!

We need all the success stories we can get. Good luck to you.

 

Trubrit

Welcome to the forum, Alan

Thats quite the story. I am sorry you had to wait so long. Finances are a terrible stress, and Cancer, as we all know, is not cheap. 

It sounds like you are doing very well, and that is happy news. Continue on that road and soon you will be NED. 

Tru

Ruthmomto4

Welcome Alan!

I am happy to hear how well your treatments are going! I hope you will be here posting for a long time too! 

Annabelle41415

Welcome

Welcome.  So glad that you found us but sorry that you had to.  It's a great place for us to help you. You have found us quite late compared to most after going through most of your treatments already.  Wishing you the best going forward and please feel free to come on the board anytime for concerns or questions.  Once again welcome the the best group here.

Kim

beaumontdave

Welcome to the blog, sounds

Welcome to the blog, sounds like your in a fairly good frame of mind for this battle, but this is a good place for expressions and discussions that most of the outside world doesdn't want to hear or have. You must have some very steady nerves to work until it hurt, before starting treatment. I was panicked over a two week delay. Anyway, glad your here..............................Dave

BRHMichigan

Thank you for sharing your story

I am so inspired by your courage, and that you waited all that time, but still experiencing success with treatments! 

Really appreciate you sharing as it increases my hope.  Stay positive. And the Lincoln joke cracked me up!

BRHMichigan

Annabelle41415 said:

Welcome

Welcome.  So glad that you found us but sorry that you had to.  It's a great place for us to help you. You have found us quite late compared to most after going through most of your treatments already.  Wishing you the best going forward and please feel free to come on the board anytime for concerns or questions.  Once again welcome the the best group here.

Kim

Beautiful

Kim, what a beautiful picture. You are rockin' that gorgeous spring dress! Thank you for always encouraging and inspiring all of us. 

Trubrit

Annabelle41415 said:

Welcome

Welcome.  So glad that you found us but sorry that you had to.  It's a great place for us to help you. You have found us quite late compared to most after going through most of your treatments already.  Wishing you the best going forward and please feel free to come on the board anytime for concerns or questions.  Once again welcome the the best group here.

Kim

Love the picture

I do love 'seeing' our members. 

Tru

lizard44

Welcome

Thanks for sharing.  It sounds like  you are doing well with your treatment, and that is wonderful. I look forward to seeing many more posts from you.

Grace/lizard44

 

 

Annabelle41415

BRHMichigan said:

Beautiful

Kim, what a beautiful picture. You are rockin' that gorgeous spring dress! Thank you for always encouraging and inspiring all of us. 

Thanks

You are very helpful as well.  You will get through this and we will help you.  Always here for you when needed.

Kim

plsletitrain

Welcome Alan

Thanks for telling us your story and providing hope.  Your positivity surely played a big role for you to overcome the treatments, here's to hoping we're all here for the longest time.  Without the cancer, but as friends.

avargov

Thanks!!!

Thank you all for the kind words and friendly inclusion to the groups.  Currently have my pump on finishing up round 10.  I know the CEA score isn't the be all end all, but I am ecouraged to know it dropped another 25% to 26.5.  When I started treatment, is was over 700, so I keep track as my little data point to better health.

 

Again, thank you all for the wonderful posts!

 

Alan