Hello

Helen321

Hi all. Just popping in to say hello. 12 years NED. I never adapted to the new format so I don't come on much. It used to he user friendly. It's really hard to follow on my phone. I have a lot of post cancer issues, deal with a lot of pain from the botched surgery but I bet a lot of us can sat that. I just keep on trucking as do we all. Love to all. Hope everyone is or becomes NED. Helen

NewHere

Hey Helen

Nice to see you. I am about to start my 11th year of dealing with this. Never had been NED. Bouncing from one treatment to next one, radiation, drug trials (4) surgeries and the rest. Doctors are kind of shocked I am here. It was REALLY touch and go in 2022, but a drug trial worked and stopped most of the cancer. Have some I need to take care of in the lungs that are misbehaving, but then looks like just monitoring. It is wild to see the changes that have taken place the last decade. The next decade should even better with treatments that will be easier for patients and more effective. (The drugs and surgeries have taken a toll on me, but I keep going.)

beaumontdave

Hi Helen and New, nice to note your anniversaries here, and be able to cheer your individual survival stories, as mine just happened, as well. This place, as noted, isn't what it was, when I really needed my fellow fighters/survivors for support, which makes me sad for the new folk, but it is what it is. Glad your living your lives, I'm busy in mine with all the issues that being 66 brings, the accumulation of a life doing physical labor, and maybe some of the neuropathy, chemo brought, along with long-term, unrelated, genetic issues. Still, it's a good life, and those I love are well, and a reason for roadtrips. My best to both of you…………….

Trubrit

Congratulations, Helen! Like all the oldies, I don't post often. It is good to see some old names popping up, though. I just marked my 12th year since diagnosis a couple of days ago. Seems like yesterday, and it seems like forever.

I too have a list of side effects which are my daily companions - along with the fall-out from my heart attack. But, I am alive, and thankful for that, every single day.

Tru

newlease

Great to hear Helen and the longtimers on here. About to begin my 4th year since stage 4 rectal cancer diagnosis and dealing with a "recurrence." The unknown future gives me pause.

Trubrit

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1720595#Comment_1720595

Four years out. I am so sorry to hear about your recurrence. I can only imagine how hard that is - and I have imagined what I would feel like, and I can only say it is a devastating feeling, so to be actually experiencing it, my heart goes out to you.

Just remember, you fought this once, you can do it again.

I hope that it is 'an easy fix'.

I will be thinking of you.

Tru

Helen321

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1718163#Comment_1718163

Hello! So glad to see you on here and that youre making it work!! I have not figured out how to use the newer page so I didnt realize I had replies. So happy for you that treatments work. One of my doctors just came out wirh a new one. Inhave confidence that someone will come up with a cure soon or at least it will become more like dealing with a mild illness. They really are advancing. I have chronic pain and medical issues from al the treatment but its not the same mentally as dealing with cancer. I finally had to apply for disability which I did qualify for. I sure miss working. Staying home at 55 is boring as heck. And delaing with so much pain is the pits but im used to it. I hope that this year is the year of change for you. With AI, I think medicine is going to catapult forward.

Helen321

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1718319#Comment_1718319

Hey Dave. They sure did ruin this website. We had so much support and it was very personal. It really helped. Im now 55 and have serious medical issues from the chemo and radiation plus APR. I gonally got disability after trying to work for 8 years. I miss working. Im not good at staying home. It keeps me depressed. Im also single and my kids live in three different states. Who thought that this would be life. I had a lot of dreams and goals. Now my goal is to stay comfortable. I still do some fun stuff though.

Helen321

Hey Sue. I had no idea you had a heart attack. I am so glad youre still here with us. That had to have been scary. Im sorry for the late reply but I cant figure out this site anymore.

Helen321

Hey Newlease. I have faith that like my friend Kelly, your body will get you to the other side to health. Her tumors havent grown in years. Shes always going to be stage 4 but it just stays still. She's very vigilent with exercise, healthy eating and staying on top on her appts. I pray for the same for you. Four years is a pretty good sign that your body is able to fight back. One foot in front of the other until you get to the other side. Its the hardest time in life. We all know just how hard. Its exhausting.

Trubrit

So good to see you here, Helen. Alive and kicking butt - almost too literally 😂.

I am glad I get notifications, as I just do not visit here anymore. My heart does hurt for the new folks, looking for support, and I think I did well for a long time, but now I am having a forum rest - well, I have had for several years.

We were FB friends at one point, but you disappeared from my list. Made me sad. could have been me, though, as I am constantly hitting wrong buttons. Me and technology don't get along too well.

Keep in touch.

SUE