Remission. How many out there?

Dx: 4/2007 Metastatic Appendiceal Cancer
Colon resection, 7/2007
NED since colon resection
IP Chemo: 7/2007-11/2007
"Adjuvant" chemo (Folfox plus Avastin) 1/2008 - 4/2008
Hernia repair: 6/2010

Feeling great. Trying to live a healthier lifestyle, but ...

I'm here because I hope that I can help others going through similar stuff.

Nana b said:

I do the treadmill and
I do the treadmill and stretching exercises. I also dance for about an hour with or without my granddaughter. Lol I also massage all my scars daily. When I get in bed and out of bed. Just rub, rub, rub! I have never been a sit up person. I do lift the shoulders off the ground for a semi situp. More of a side to side stretching. To answer your question. I am doing fine, but do get sore when using a differt muscle. Take it slow.

**Don't know how a hernia affects this exercise but the "plank"
is a rather effective stomach move (keeping torso straight,belly tight, support body by forearms and toes and hold position as long as possible-google it for examples and variations)Need to get back to this myself......Study after study have concluded that exercise is extremely important in our situations....

** just a footnote to the conversation

Feel scared to say
in remission in case I jinx myself, hate cancer.

Next scan 14th March
In remission since March 2009 (if you count after surgery) or after final chemo Dec 2009
Stage 3, 10/11 lymph nodes infected
Still here because I love everyone, your all my second family and I wamt to help if I can.
Take vitamins, try and eat healthy, and exercise when I can.

colon71 said:

What makes you able to say you're NED
DX Feb 2010 Stage 4
Colon Resection March 2010
Liver Resection August 2010
Finished 12 rounds of chemo and as of CT scan results from last week my oncologist feels that I am cancer free. Although they did see two small things on my lungs one 3mm and the other 5mm but he said that is just tiny and NO way of knowing what they are. He said they could be nothing at all but now he knows they are there and he will watch them like a hawk.

Colonoscopy next week with blood work in 4 weeks to check the CEA number currently 2.6 but it was down to 1.5 about 4 months ago. Again he said this was still a good number and within the normal range. Said he would worry if it goes above 3.5 if it does not then CT in three months.

Now I have a very small hernia from the liver surgery but that can wait as I am sick on being around doctors as I am sure we all are.

DX 03/25/08............
surgery 7/15/08....................clear until August 2010 then surgery for a lung met removed 09/07/10.......Went from Stage 2 to Stage 4 with the lung met.......Long as I don't go to stage 5 all will be well...............buzz

Questions berries etc
Hi, In 2009 I was told that I had colorectal cancer stage 3 cat b. So in March 2009 had surgery they removed the tumor, had an ilescotmy(sp) bag until Jan 2010. I also had a feeding tube for about 3 to 4 months last years. I had the radiation and chemo. Couldnt finish all the chemo because I had alot of issues with it. Had numerous surgeries where they removed parts of my colon due to the radiation. I had a surgery back in March 2010 where the surgeron reconnected my colon a different way because I was throwing up alot. I couldnt hardly eat and drink. Sorry but cant remember the name of the surgery. . Still have been in and out of the hospital since all this began, plus numerous trips to the ER. I also had C diff this yr and last yr. So far this month only had 1 incident of it. I went down to 69 lbs currently at 87lbs. I try to eat fish, chicken and nothing really fried in oil. Been trying to stay everything oven baked etc. Since all this I have been wearing diapers since Jan 2010 due to my bowels not being able to be controlled. I wear them 24 hrs 7 days straight. I am remaining positive. I was wondering what kind of berries do you eat? Can you email me some more information on what receipes you pretty much follow?.

Its been chanllenging(sp) to change the eating habits etc. I am doing better about it now.

Thank you Barbara

And now, from the 'old lady'....lol! (GREAT thread!)
Dx 11/2004 stage III rectal cancer.
Chemo/rads pre-surgery. Oxiliplatin and 5FU.
J-pouch surgery, removal of rectum and sigmoid colon, with total hysterectomy 5/2005

Dx 8/2005 stage II breast cancer. Second primary site.
Lumpectomy, chemo/rads.
Last rad 7/03/2006.

Total small bowel obstruction 8/2005, and surgery for, 2 weeks after lumpectomy. 8 more for the next year I cleared myself.

Remission on both since.

I am lactose intollerant from the chemo. Rads damage my heart (bc) and left hip (crc). Osteoporotic, taking Actonel and calcium to reverse.

I avoid dairy products, but 'sin' occasionally...it's hard on the toilet after...lol! I have cut back on my red meat. I always ate fresh fruits and vegies, so that hasn't changed.

My life has changed completely. I am now semi-retired, living in 2 countries. In The Netherlands, we bike alot, and walk daily. In America, we walk daily, but don't bike as much.

I see each day as a gift, given that I was told I had 6 months to live, 6 years ago. I live life to the full extent, keeping in mind that my 'someday' is now. I find something every day to laugh or be happy about. Some days are harder than others...but I laugh frequently. I always say "I cannot do anything normally. Everything is always an adventure!" (My recent experience at the airport when they threatened to deport me.....lol!)

I try (not always sucessfully) to be kind to people. I do stand up for myself more now than I did. Cancer taught me that in the final analysis, I stand alone. And so, I like myself alot more...

Hugs, Kathi