Stage 3 and 4 diagnosis

jazzy1 said:

Tethys41
I'd love to hear about her integrative therapies and high doses of Vitamin C. I do know so much of what we put in and on outside of our bodies has affect on our health.

Jan

Ladymonk said:

Stage IV Endometrial, almost 20 years & Counting...
For Jazzy1 and others, if it offers anything worthwhile:
I was diagnosed with uterine ca when I found a lump under left arm. Thought it was breast cancer, but biopsy showed it was not the primary. It originated in the uterus, spread to abdomen, chest, neck & left axilla. This was in the 1980s. I had a ton of chemo & radiation (a lot stronger and more primitive stuff then), achieved a partial remission. Repeated treatments several months later, and the remission attained was pretty promising, as far as could be determined. And yes, it returned- regularly, every few months, at least yearly, for nearly 9 years. I can't count how much chemo, radiation, surgery, etc, I've had without referring to the pages and pages of files in our attic. I think I've had most of the acronyms of the time- VBM, MOPP, etc. I've had "superradiation" for "hot spots", and a whole lot of other stuff that wasn't fun. But the point is this: after all those years of treatment, during the last round of chemo & radiation, it went into remission and just never returned. No magic bullet, it was really just one more round of crap, to achieve yet another remission. I have had no evidence of recurrence since 1992.

All that being said, I offer the following to you, although your cancer is different from mine, or the next person's- you are uniquely you: For a long time, you will question every ache, every cough, every headache, etc, that comes along. You will be in hyper-vigilance for quite a while. Embrace it- it's your body's way of protecting you. You may feel like the neighborhood neurotic for a while, but follow up on anything that worries you. In time, with each success, this will recede. But for now, it is really your brain's way of taking care of your body. If you learn some stress management techniques, it will help you to cope rationally with this markedly altered lifestyle. Networking with others who have walked your walk will help, as will prayer, massage therapy, yoga, hobbies, etc.

Do you remember when you were first diagnosed, when suddenly every moment became so much more precious? I recall getting up really early at times to sit on a rock at the ocean (I lived in Maine then), just to watch the sunrise over the water. I didn't know how many more I'd get to see, and each experience became a lot more special. I remember promising myself that, if I were allowed to live, I would never lose that sense of wonder again, that every moment would be savored, every relationship cherished. Unfortunately, after nearly 20 years, life has become "business as usual", and I take things for granted and gripe about stuff as much as anyone. Maybe that's a good sign... And yes, I've had a pretty fair amount of after effects from treatment, mainly pain issues and a few cardiac, thyroid, stuff, (lots of stuff to gripe about!) but the gifts far outweigh the disadvantages. I have seen my children grown, educated, launched, married, I have been present at the births of many grandchildren. 13 years ago I met and married a remarkable man who has been my rock. Life is good, whether it lasts for six more months or fifty years...

When I was in the early stages of "terminal", a dear friend came to see me and made all the difference. I was very angry, you see, striking out at anyone and everyone. I had three young kids and was in the middle of a divorce (ex hubby couldn't deal with a sick wife), and I was pretty ticked off at the world. I was angry at old people, because I would never get to grow old. I was angry at a friend attending her daughter's wedding, because I knew I wouldn't get to do this with my own. I was, most of all, angry at this evil thing eating at my body and robbing me of time. My friend came and sat me down and this is essentially what he said: "Yep, they told you that you probably won't live much longer. There are a lot of things you cannot control any more. But there is one thing over which you have total control: You can continue being a (bleep) and leave your kids with sorrowful things to recall of your last weeks or months together. Or, you can use this time to build beautiful memories to sustain them when you are gone from them. The choice is yours." I have never forgotten that day; it was my watershed. And it was the day that I decided to begin to fight this disease. And attitude, my dear fellow traveler, is absolutely everything.

Sorry this is so long. It's my first post. I taught nursing for years, don't know when to shut up (*grin*). I wish you well, and would be happy to communicate...

ps- don't be afraid to use complementary and/or integrative medicine, just don't abandon the scientific mainstream stuff. I have used Laetrile in Mexico, direct injection of chemotoxic drugs into tumors in Germany, yoga and reiki, massage therapy, visualization techniques, etc. Who knows what worked? Does it matter? Nutrition is imperative- even if you don't feel like eating, do. I lived on smoothies for ages, with organic yogurt, and lots of fruits & veggies, fresh seafood (hey, we lived in Maine!) long before we understood antioxidants and omega 3s. Just be sure that your physicians know everything you are taking.

tko683 said:

Stage 3 survivor of breast cancer
New here....I do love seeing survivors of stage 3 and 4 cancer also. I was diagnosed in 2004 and am doing well. I agree that nutrition is key. I take vitamins, drink green tea everyday, and try to exercise everyday. Managing stress is also very importand, sometimes easier said than done but I love getting massages whenever I can. My husband was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer so my stress level is very high right now. I try always read about new alternative treatments so I know what is going on in the world of cancer. Hugs to everyone.

AnneBehymer said:

you give me hope
Hi,

I am stage 4 ovarian cancer I went to the ER on June 4th because I had been sick for three months. I thought I had pneumonia and found out I had cancer and reading each of your post give me hope that I can beat this beast. Thank you all for sharing your stories.

Anne

Ladymonk said:

Stage IV Endometrial, almost 20 years & Counting...
For Jazzy1 and others, if it offers anything worthwhile:
I was diagnosed with uterine ca when I found a lump under left arm. Thought it was breast cancer, but biopsy showed it was not the primary. It originated in the uterus, spread to abdomen, chest, neck & left axilla. This was in the 1980s. I had a ton of chemo & radiation (a lot stronger and more primitive stuff then), achieved a partial remission. Repeated treatments several months later, and the remission attained was pretty promising, as far as could be determined. And yes, it returned- regularly, every few months, at least yearly, for nearly 9 years. I can't count how much chemo, radiation, surgery, etc, I've had without referring to the pages and pages of files in our attic. I think I've had most of the acronyms of the time- VBM, MOPP, etc. I've had "superradiation" for "hot spots", and a whole lot of other stuff that wasn't fun. But the point is this: after all those years of treatment, during the last round of chemo & radiation, it went into remission and just never returned. No magic bullet, it was really just one more round of crap, to achieve yet another remission. I have had no evidence of recurrence since 1992.

All that being said, I offer the following to you, although your cancer is different from mine, or the next person's- you are uniquely you: For a long time, you will question every ache, every cough, every headache, etc, that comes along. You will be in hyper-vigilance for quite a while. Embrace it- it's your body's way of protecting you. You may feel like the neighborhood neurotic for a while, but follow up on anything that worries you. In time, with each success, this will recede. But for now, it is really your brain's way of taking care of your body. If you learn some stress management techniques, it will help you to cope rationally with this markedly altered lifestyle. Networking with others who have walked your walk will help, as will prayer, massage therapy, yoga, hobbies, etc.

Do you remember when you were first diagnosed, when suddenly every moment became so much more precious? I recall getting up really early at times to sit on a rock at the ocean (I lived in Maine then), just to watch the sunrise over the water. I didn't know how many more I'd get to see, and each experience became a lot more special. I remember promising myself that, if I were allowed to live, I would never lose that sense of wonder again, that every moment would be savored, every relationship cherished. Unfortunately, after nearly 20 years, life has become "business as usual", and I take things for granted and gripe about stuff as much as anyone. Maybe that's a good sign... And yes, I've had a pretty fair amount of after effects from treatment, mainly pain issues and a few cardiac, thyroid, stuff, (lots of stuff to gripe about!) but the gifts far outweigh the disadvantages. I have seen my children grown, educated, launched, married, I have been present at the births of many grandchildren. 13 years ago I met and married a remarkable man who has been my rock. Life is good, whether it lasts for six more months or fifty years...

When I was in the early stages of "terminal", a dear friend came to see me and made all the difference. I was very angry, you see, striking out at anyone and everyone. I had three young kids and was in the middle of a divorce (ex hubby couldn't deal with a sick wife), and I was pretty ticked off at the world. I was angry at old people, because I would never get to grow old. I was angry at a friend attending her daughter's wedding, because I knew I wouldn't get to do this with my own. I was, most of all, angry at this evil thing eating at my body and robbing me of time. My friend came and sat me down and this is essentially what he said: "Yep, they told you that you probably won't live much longer. There are a lot of things you cannot control any more. But there is one thing over which you have total control: You can continue being a (bleep) and leave your kids with sorrowful things to recall of your last weeks or months together. Or, you can use this time to build beautiful memories to sustain them when you are gone from them. The choice is yours." I have never forgotten that day; it was my watershed. And it was the day that I decided to begin to fight this disease. And attitude, my dear fellow traveler, is absolutely everything.

Sorry this is so long. It's my first post. I taught nursing for years, don't know when to shut up (*grin*). I wish you well, and would be happy to communicate...

ps- don't be afraid to use complementary and/or integrative medicine, just don't abandon the scientific mainstream stuff. I have used Laetrile in Mexico, direct injection of chemotoxic drugs into tumors in Germany, yoga and reiki, massage therapy, visualization techniques, etc. Who knows what worked? Does it matter? Nutrition is imperative- even if you don't feel like eating, do. I lived on smoothies for ages, with organic yogurt, and lots of fruits & veggies, fresh seafood (hey, we lived in Maine!) long before we understood antioxidants and omega 3s. Just be sure that your physicians know everything you are taking.

Ladymonk, I have started to stray from the gynecological cancer boards and see what else is out here. At the first gyn/onc appointment after finishing all my treatment I asked to speak to the chemo nurse who originally walked me through the chemicals and then had taken a leave to have a baby.  I waited for her to show me the pictures of her new little baby and his big sister.  (Even though I don't have any of my own, babies are always such a sign of HOPE for me)  Before I left she had some wise parting words to me, "GO OUT AND LIVE LIFE!"    

She is right and your words are spot on too.

    Colon cancer back in 1998. I have had no recurrance since and am into my sixteenth year of survival. I may not have had cancer but my treatment insured a host of medical problems of an auto-immune nature. I have severe motor-sensori peripheral neuropathy,severe psoriatic arthritis and nephrotic syndrome. Ron.