Scan: good news!

taraHK
taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I've been so worried about a couple of folk on our board (family!) -- but I know we all believe in sharing good news no matter what -- so here's mine:

Two weeks ago I finished 8 cycles of FOLFOXFIRI for multiple bone mets and I'm currently on a chemo break. I had scans yesterday (PET plus MRI bone) -- to evaluate the results of the chemo and also get a baseline for monitoring during the chemo break.

When I walked into my oncologist's office this morning (after, as usual, a somewhat sleepless night) he said "I have nothing but good news for you". (Ain't those sweet words?!).

Basically: no new mets, and all the original ones have other shrunk (and/or reduced uptake on PET) or disappeared. Also, the met I had Cyberknife for (which was kinda close to my spinal cord, therefore of particular concern) is GONE - totally zapped. Hoorah!!

My oncologist reminded me that we are not looking at a "cure" scenario, and I WILL need to go back on chemo at some stage (I'm just in that category). I know that and I accept it. No-one knows when I will need to restart chemo -- that will be determined by regular scans. But, he is now talking about the possibility of 4-6 months, rather than 2-3 months. Yeeha!

I can't stop grinning.

Oh (more good news). Have had very sore feet for what seems like a very long time. Had to give up walking for exercise -- and have been very restricted in footwear, etc. I had finally gotten to the point where I was accepting that "this was it" -- probably not going to improve further -- that was OK. But I seem to have turned the corner -- feet getting better. Tuesday night I went for a 45 minute brisk walk with a friend -- and feet feel fine -- hoorah!

I feel so blessed
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Comments

  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #2
    ps
    By the way, my oncologist wants me on aspirin during my chemo break. I don't tolerate aspirin well (stomach) but he's put me on a coated one, with something extra for my stomach.....says there is more new evidence of the effectiveness of aspirin -- I haven't seen any studies on this myself recently but I'm certainly willing to give it a try....
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #3
    Wowowowowow
    Hi Tara,

    This is a very good news indeed! When you are free, we can meet up for lunch or afternoon tea!!!!

    So so so happy for you!
    Dora
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    #4
    Congratulations on your good
    Congratulations on your good news and thanks for sharing to give us all a "shot in the arm". Lisa
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    #5
    taraHK said:

    ps
    By the way, my oncologist wants me on aspirin during my chemo break. I don't tolerate aspirin well (stomach) but he's put me on a coated one, with something extra for my stomach.....says there is more new evidence of the effectiveness of aspirin -- I haven't seen any studies on this myself recently but I'm certainly willing to give it a try....

    Yay!!!!!!!!!!
    Love reading about good news on our board, so happy for you.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #6
    Hi Tara
    That's wonderful news! Glad you can get a break too. Cancer is something we can live with if that's the option out there for you.
    -p
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #7
    taraHK said:

    ps
    By the way, my oncologist wants me on aspirin during my chemo break. I don't tolerate aspirin well (stomach) but he's put me on a coated one, with something extra for my stomach.....says there is more new evidence of the effectiveness of aspirin -- I haven't seen any studies on this myself recently but I'm certainly willing to give it a try....

    just fantastic news
    i am so glad you can manage a walk.
    hugs,
    pete
  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #8
    That is great news about the
    That is great news about the scans and that you have accepted where you are. More and more I hear people refer to colon cancer as a chronic disease and the longer we survive the more options become available. A life of surgeries and chemo is way better than no life.

    God blees you all.

    Jeff
  • very worried husband
    very worried husband Member Posts: 88 Member
    #9
    What a fantastic news Tara.
    Thanks for sharing.
    You are such an inspiration....
  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    #10
    janderson1964 said:

    That is great news about the
    That is great news about the scans and that you have accepted where you are. More and more I hear people refer to colon cancer as a chronic disease and the longer we survive the more options become available. A life of surgeries and chemo is way better than no life.

    God blees you all.

    Jeff

    Tara
    that is so great.i maybe one of those that has to live with cancer im just having a hard time accepting it.thank you for your news it gives me hope....Godbless....johnnybegood
  • smokeyjoe
    smokeyjoe Member Posts: 1,425 Member
    #11
    taraHK said:

    ps
    By the way, my oncologist wants me on aspirin during my chemo break. I don't tolerate aspirin well (stomach) but he's put me on a coated one, with something extra for my stomach.....says there is more new evidence of the effectiveness of aspirin -- I haven't seen any studies on this myself recently but I'm certainly willing to give it a try....

    Tara that is wonderful news,
    Tara that is wonderful news, google aspirin and colon cancer, there seems to be great benefit from what I read just recently.
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    #12
    johnnybegood said:

    Tara
    that is so great.i maybe one of those that has to live with cancer im just having a hard time accepting it.thank you for your news it gives me hope....Godbless....johnnybegood

    Great
    Great news Tara! Thanks so much for sharing. You are a shining example of living with cancer! I love your attidude, too!

    Smiles,
    Dawn
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #13
    Great Response!
    Wow, Tara

    You're really gettin' it done out there - very happy for your success story today, makes me smile.

    You have such an indomitable spirit and your attitude is contaigous to say the least. Glad for all of the good news and for a well deserved break. I can't believe you've done the 8 already, seems like you were just getting started as I was finishing up.

    Nice story about the feet - a real pain when you can't stand on them, huh? Great turnaround for you. Keep up all the great work!

    -Craig
  • laurettas
    laurettas Member Posts: 372
    #14
    Sundanceh said:

    Great Response!
    Wow, Tara

    You're really gettin' it done out there - very happy for your success story today, makes me smile.

    You have such an indomitable spirit and your attitude is contaigous to say the least. Glad for all of the good news and for a well deserved break. I can't believe you've done the 8 already, seems like you were just getting started as I was finishing up.

    Nice story about the feet - a real pain when you can't stand on them, huh? Great turnaround for you. Keep up all the great work!

    -Craig

    Thanks so much
    for the great news. We needed that! Enjoy your break--I'm sure you will be flying high!
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #15
    yay for you and yay for the
    yay for you and yay for the walk---felt good I bet. Keep shining :)
  • sasjourney
    sasjourney Member Posts: 395 Member
    #16
    Wonderful News!!!
    I am so happy for you and hope you get a nice long break! You have always been such an inspiration to me and I have read your story over and over again to give me hope that I can live with this disease. Thank you for sharing your good news--it means the world to us and we rejoice with you.

    Hugs,
    Sara
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #17
    tommycat said:

    yay for you and yay for the
    yay for you and yay for the walk---felt good I bet. Keep shining :)

    Awesome news!
    How many mg
    Awesome news!

    How many mg of aspirin? Was it just the shoes and no walking that got your foot better? Some folks are taking over 300 mg. That is way too much for the liver!!

    Very happy for you!!
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #18
    sasjourney said:

    Wonderful News!!!
    I am so happy for you and hope you get a nice long break! You have always been such an inspiration to me and I have read your story over and over again to give me hope that I can live with this disease. Thank you for sharing your good news--it means the world to us and we rejoice with you.

    Hugs,
    Sara

    I like good news Tara!
    Huuuuuuuugs!
  • lesvanb
    lesvanb Member Posts: 905
    #19
    taraHK said:

    ps
    By the way, my oncologist wants me on aspirin during my chemo break. I don't tolerate aspirin well (stomach) but he's put me on a coated one, with something extra for my stomach.....says there is more new evidence of the effectiveness of aspirin -- I haven't seen any studies on this myself recently but I'm certainly willing to give it a try....

    "I have nothing but good news for you". Ain't those sweet words?
    indeed they are. Congrats, and enjoy your chemo break and walking!

    all the best, Leslie

    PS I take one regular aspirin/day too on oncologist's suggestion
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #20
    pepebcn said:

    I like good news Tara!
    Huuuuuuuugs!

    tara
    that is the best news....good for you and little break too.....yay

    mags
  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    #21
    Good for you,Tara.I am so
    Good for you,Tara.I am so happy for you.

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