How many Stage 3 Rectal Cancer Survivors are there here?

Minnesotagirl
Minnesotagirl Member Posts: 141
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hey everyone...I find myself searching old posts to see what has happened to the Stage 3
Rectal Cancer members...finally decided this would be a better way and hopefully encouraging as well. I NEED TO SEE that there are many survivors out there. Please reply.

~Minnesotagirl
«1

Comments

  • neons356
    neons356 Member Posts: 57 Member
    #2
    Here's one
    Diagnosed stage 3, age 53, 1993. Permanent colostomy, chemo, radiation, and 2 more surgeries. One to remove another piece of colon damaged by the radiation, and the other to remove adhesions which kept causing blockages. 18 years later still NED, very little change in lifestyle or diet.
    Carl
  • valley
    valley Member Posts: 94
    #3
    MY HUSBAND WAS DIAGNOSED
    MY HUSBAND WAS DIAGNOSED STAGE 3 RECTAL CANCER JAN. 2006. HE HAD CHEMO AND RADIATION FIRST FOLLOWED BY SURGERY AND 4 MORE MONTHS OF CHEMO. HE HAS BEEN NED SINCE. HOPE THIS HELPS !
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    Stage III rectal...plus stage II breast....
    November 27, 2004 was the rectal.

    I was given 6 months to 'get my affairs in order'.

    At 6 months, not only did I survive, but I was well enough to start treatment for the breast cancer that was found during a PET scan for the rectal...different type cancer.

    I finished all treatment for both cancers 7/4/2006, except for Tamoxifen (breast cancer was hormone receptor positive) which I finished 12/12/2011...

    I am well. And living an entirely different life. I live in America (So Calif) and The Netherlands (Holland). Switch every 3 months, because I am a US citizen and the EU won't allow visits of more than 90 days out of every 180 days. I am retired, and my beau and I travel in whichever continent we find ourselves in...

    Dutch hugs, Kathi
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #5
    ME!
    ME! More than 9 years since my diagnosis. I've had some recurrences, I'm afraid -- but still alive and kicking and enjoying life

    Good luck!

    Tara
  • braelee2
    braelee2 Member Posts: 130
    #6
    Stage 3
    Hi, I am 38, I was diagnosed August 2010 with stage 3, I went through surgery and had a foot of my colon removed, and 6 months of chemo. Now I am doing real good. No cancer but being monitored.(go for blood work and cat scan.) And so far so good. Feel real good.
  • Minnesotagirl
    Minnesotagirl Member Posts: 141
    #7
    braelee2 said:

    Stage 3
    Hi, I am 38, I was diagnosed August 2010 with stage 3, I went through surgery and had a foot of my colon removed, and 6 months of chemo. Now I am doing real good. No cancer but being monitored.(go for blood work and cat scan.) And so far so good. Feel real good.

    So great to meet ou all...
    Thank you so very much for responding and so great to meet you. I was 49 when I was diagnosed...
    I certainly appreciate your courage and wisdom and insight. Kind of scary stuff but I feel better when I see people, as yourselves, who are doing well and fighting back. So greatful for all of you here~

    "Minnie"
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #8
    Stage 3C rectal 6/12 lymph
    Stage 3C rectal 6/12 lymph nodes...diagnosed June 2010. Radiation/chemo pump, resection with ileostomy then reversal, and 3 months Folfox, 3 months Folfiri. Ended treatment May 2011. NED now :)
    There are some others that are 10 years NED! Makes my day to know that! Thank you for the post asking...its a good reminder.

    plh4gail
  • zirotra
    zirotra Member Posts: 30
    #9
    Stage 3 with groin lymph nodes met. diagnosed Jan1-2011.
    had neo-adjuvant chemo/radiation. surgery for permanent colostomy.
    followed on by oxaliplatin and xeloda.. now trying to get a break from chemo
    but CEA is slowly climbing back up to 5.8
  • zirotra
    zirotra Member Posts: 30
    #10
    Stage 3 with groin lymph nodes met. diagnosed Jan1-2011.
    had neo-adjuvant chemo/radiation. surgery for permanent colostomy.
    followed on by oxaliplatin and xeloda.. now trying to get a break from chemo
    but CEA is slowly climbing back up to 5.8
  • zirotra
    zirotra Member Posts: 30
    #11
    Stage 3 with groin lymph nodes met. diagnosed Jan1-2011.
    had neo-adjuvant chemo/radiation. surgery for permanent colostomy.
    followed on by oxaliplatin and xeloda.. now trying to get a break from chemo
    but CEA is slowly climbing back up to 5.8

    Age 29.

    And sorry for multiple posts. Something wrong with the server and i don't know how to delete it.
  • Minnesotagirl
    Minnesotagirl Member Posts: 141
    #12
    zirotra said:

    Stage 3 with groin lymph nodes met. diagnosed Jan1-2011.
    had neo-adjuvant chemo/radiation. surgery for permanent colostomy.
    followed on by oxaliplatin and xeloda.. now trying to get a break from chemo
    but CEA is slowly climbing back up to 5.8

    Oh you are so young...
    Zirotra,

    I am so sorry that you are facing all of this at such a young age. Unbelieveable and to think you have also lost your mother. I am so very, very sorry. I see that you believe in God also from your bio...I will add you to my prayer list. I am hoping that the CEA is nothing but something definitely to take seriously`...take good care of yourself and make sure you ask lots of questions. Were you tested for Lynch Syndrome being you are so young or does your family have a cancer history? I am curious why they did not give you chemo prior to surgery? Well, enough questions from me...you can tell I am a mother at heart? I have three grown children and a 1 year old grandson.

    Keep in touch...I want to make sure you are not alone on this journey. Prayers of healing to you Dear One and God Bless.

    Minnesotagirl
  • Minnesotagirl
    Minnesotagirl Member Posts: 141
    #13
    plh4gail said:

    Stage 3C rectal 6/12 lymph
    Stage 3C rectal 6/12 lymph nodes...diagnosed June 2010. Radiation/chemo pump, resection with ileostomy then reversal, and 3 months Folfox, 3 months Folfiri. Ended treatment May 2011. NED now :)
    There are some others that are 10 years NED! Makes my day to know that! Thank you for the post asking...its a good reminder.

    plh4gail

    So glad that you are NED
    Hi,
    So wonderful that you are NED:) I hope the "10 years NED" come out and introduce themselves once again...I need to be reminded of the good! Best wishes to you and thanks for responding.

    "Minnie"
  • mamalea333
    mamalea333 Member Posts: 27
    #14
    need to hear good survivor stories too...
    Thank you Minne for asking for these type of stories..we need to see these right now too...it gives us such hope..I am praying for you and for all I have seen here on this site. My husband is in the beginning of his fight ..today he will complete his first 2 weeks of 6 weeks of chemo/radiation. We count each step as a blessing and we know that God's hand is in this all the way...I have been envisioning the Savior with His Hand on my husband each time he goes in for radiation...It gives me peace to envision this..He is gently laying his hands on him and healing him...He is healing you too..and all those here who ask for His help. God bless you & stay strong in the fight!
    mamalea
  • rlridings
    rlridings Member Posts: 42
    #15
    still in it but making progress
    stage 3 - diagnosed as stage 2 in Jan 09 - have had spread to liver with first surgery march '10 and then april '11 - one tumor showed up on check up this August - chemo has shrunk it w recent CT showing NED - surgery for clean up scheduled hopefully for april - making progress and very hopeful
  • khl8
    khl8 Member Posts: 807
    #16
    rlridings said:

    still in it but making progress
    stage 3 - diagnosed as stage 2 in Jan 09 - have had spread to liver with first surgery march '10 and then april '11 - one tumor showed up on check up this August - chemo has shrunk it w recent CT showing NED - surgery for clean up scheduled hopefully for april - making progress and very hopeful

    Stage 3
    Stage 3 diagnosed 11/2008, Xeloda and radaition, resection,9 rounds of Folfox,temporary illeostomy, reversal of Ileostomy, hernia repair from resection surgical site, currently cancer free, clear colonoscopies and see the oncologist for blood work and monitoring every 6 months so far.

    Kathy
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #17
    Excellent question!
    It is so good to see these posts! I was dx Spring 2009, Stage 3 rectal cancer and am doing just fine right now.
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #18
    me
    diagnosed 3/17/2003. NED Wow almost 9 years ago. Where did the time go.

    Maureen
  • need support
    need support Member Posts: 40
    #19
    Moesimo said:

    me
    diagnosed 3/17/2003. NED Wow almost 9 years ago. Where did the time go.

    Maureen

    stage 3b april 2011
    6 months of chemo and no radiation, tough choice surgeon and oncology doctor wouldn't agree but I went with my surgeon's advice with no radiation. So far so good. Just 1 question how long does this numbness of the hands and feet last. I feel like i could stick a pin in my foot and not feel it. chuck
  • Minnesotagirl
    Minnesotagirl Member Posts: 141
    #20
    need support said:

    stage 3b april 2011
    6 months of chemo and no radiation, tough choice surgeon and oncology doctor wouldn't agree but I went with my surgeon's advice with no radiation. So far so good. Just 1 question how long does this numbness of the hands and feet last. I feel like i could stick a pin in my foot and not feel it. chuck

    You are all so awesome
    Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond ~ you are all great and inspiring too. I am so scared ~ just can't quite get over this daily fear thing. I lift it to the Lord everyday and night...but always lurking in my thoughts throughout the day. I think what I most struggle with is thinking about the future...beyond 1 year. I have a tough time when my husband asks me "where should we be 3-4 years from now", I just seem to freeze and usually get a tear in my eye of wondering what my response should be~

    I pray we will all still be corresponding together 5 - 10 -15 years from now!!!

    Oh "Need Support" ~ numbness in your hands and feet can last for up to 1 year from treatment or forever...I am still dealing with it in my ankles, feet, toes, hands...about 9 months out now from last treatment ~ be careful so you don't fall or burn yourself taking a shower/bath...been there and done that~ I take Vitamin B6 but I don't think it helps. I also did swimming prior to hip fracture and I think that kept blood flow going but hard to swim when you don't feel your ankles or feet ~ but it can be done! Good luck to you and I hope yours leaves quickly...

    Thanks again everyone, ~"Minnie"
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #21
    zirotra said:

    Stage 3 with groin lymph nodes met. diagnosed Jan1-2011.
    had neo-adjuvant chemo/radiation. surgery for permanent colostomy.
    followed on by oxaliplatin and xeloda.. now trying to get a break from chemo
    but CEA is slowly climbing back up to 5.8

    That was my dx in 2010
    There is a group at colontalk that call themselves the Olymphians. All with lymph only involvement.

    Two years later and it still seems to be limited to my lymph system. If the node gets bad be watchful for lymphedema. It did not strike me till year two, and seems to have been triggered by air travel, but it is probably the most debilitating thing I've suffered so far.

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