Remission, under surveillance. Yeah!

Lorikat
Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
in Anal Cancer #1
Had all my scans at MDA these last two days and I am formally in remission, at 6 mths past treatment..soooo happy! Surgeon did 3 biopsies just for cautions sake. One at site of tumor, one of what appears to be scar tissue and one polyp removed. I watched the whole procedure on camera. Weird.

I, face to face, asked Dr. to explain again my kind of cancer, because I have been told both anal and rectal. So here goes.....I have Anal cancer that somehow ended up in the rectum. It most likely began in the Anal canal and grew into the rectum. Therefore I officially have Squamous cell anal cancer in the rectum. Ta da! I don't really know why it mattered to know but it just did.

This cancer is not genetic so my kids and gkids do not have to worry about the genetic risk.


And the really important happening this weekend was that I PETTED A SHARK AND A STINGRAY at the Houston aquarium Sunday and I went in the water at Galveston....seaweed and all.... May not sound like much but this is the first time I have EVER touched a fish! This is the first time I have EVER gone in the water at a beach.... I figure if I can "do" cancer it is time not to be scared anymore. (pat on back, LOL!)

Lorie.

PS. Still scared of fish a little

Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #2
    You Are Brave, Lorie!
    For a number of reasons....

    In 1975, Steven Spielberg (unknown then) released the blockbuster, "JAWS."

    It was about 25-years before I tried water again...went in briefly, came back out and hung up my cleats and called it a career.

    So, cool for you touching those.

    Second, you got in the water in Galveston? You are a risk-taker:)

    Congrats on a clean report and wish you much success with your new 'adventures.' And glad you finally got the scoop on what you have had to contend with...always good to know.

    Take care and have a safe trip back to your destination...leaving the door to the Lone Star State wide open for another visit for you.

    -Craig
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #3
    Lorie
    Great news!

    I know once I was dx I wasn't afraid to fly anymore. I don't know why it works like that, but maybe because we have been through a lot with the cancer, and nothing is as scary as that. I'm glad you were able to touch the shark and stingray and go in the water, good for you. I wish you continued great news. Lori
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #4
    z said:

    Lorie
    Great news!

    I know once I was dx I wasn't afraid to fly anymore. I don't know why it works like that, but maybe because we have been through a lot with the cancer, and nothing is as scary as that. I'm glad you were able to touch the shark and stingray and go in the water, good for you. I wish you continued great news. Lori

    Craig and Lori, thanks for
    Craig and Lori, thanks for "getting it". Dx does change outlook on lots of thing. Next? River rafting in Colorado in June.....
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #5
    Hi Lorie--
    Congrats on the great results--awesome news! As for fear, I have a lot less of it since I had cancer and have done things I didn't think I'd ever do. Good for you for going out of your comfort zone!
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #6
    Lorie
    Congrats on your remission!!! After seeing Jaws, I'm afraid to go in the ocean again...lol!


    Ann
  • Pattie13
    Pattie13 Member Posts: 47
    #7
    Congrats
    Lorie,
    Congrats on being 6 mths out! That is great. Wishing you continued clear scans and good health.
    Hugs and Prayers
    Pattie
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #8
    AZANNIE said:

    Lorie
    Congrats on your remission!!! After seeing Jaws, I'm afraid to go in the ocean again...lol!


    Ann

    Ankle deep in the water
    Ankle deep in the water only! It's gross....
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #9
    Pattie13 said:

    Congrats
    Lorie,
    Congrats on being 6 mths out! That is great. Wishing you continued clear scans and good health.
    Hugs and Prayers
    Pattie

    Thanks Pattie.... You will
    Thanks Pattie.... You will be here soon! I also had a large tumor..tennis ball size ...no mets ... In remission!!!!!! Lorie
  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #10
    Lorikat said:

    Thanks Pattie.... You will
    Thanks Pattie.... You will be here soon! I also had a large tumor..tennis ball size ...no mets ... In remission!!!!!! Lorie

    Congratulations!
    Congratulations!!! On both the diagnosis and the fish.
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #11
    RoseC said:

    Congratulations!
    Congratulations!!! On both the diagnosis and the fish.

    Good News Lorie!
    Hi Lorie
    So happy to hear your good news! I'll be at MDA next week. We need to try to coordinate our next appointments, maybe we can be there at the same time. I thought it was anal versus rectal because of the treatment plan you had. It's good news too because anal cancer has a good track record of not coming back.

    The nervousness continues but with each good check up we get a little stronger and a little calmer. One day at a time.

    Hugs,
    Liz
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #12
    lizdeli said:

    Good News Lorie!
    Hi Lorie
    So happy to hear your good news! I'll be at MDA next week. We need to try to coordinate our next appointments, maybe we can be there at the same time. I thought it was anal versus rectal because of the treatment plan you had. It's good news too because anal cancer has a good track record of not coming back.

    The nervousness continues but with each good check up we get a little stronger and a little calmer. One day at a time.

    Hugs,
    Liz

    Hi Liz!
    Good to hear from you! I would LOVE to coordinate appts! I now fly back and forth by myself, hubby stays home and dog sits!

    My next appts are in August.....when u know when yours are scheduled let me know. Maybe we could coordinate or I could (and would) make an extra trip to Houston just to have a meal and visit! (Sante Fe might be more fun!) I'm actually coherent this days....LOL! Let me know the outcome of your scans......they are still doing them every appt right?

    Wishing you the best...Lorie
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #13
    Lorikat said:

    Hi Liz!
    Good to hear from you! I would LOVE to coordinate appts! I now fly back and forth by myself, hubby stays home and dog sits!

    My next appts are in August.....when u know when yours are scheduled let me know. Maybe we could coordinate or I could (and would) make an extra trip to Houston just to have a meal and visit! (Sante Fe might be more fun!) I'm actually coherent this days....LOL! Let me know the outcome of your scans......they are still doing them every appt right?

    Wishing you the best...Lorie

    MDA
    I am scheduled to see Dr.Chang next week for a proctosigmoidoscopy. Then I go back to Dr. Eng on 9/18 for all my scans. She still has me coming every 3 months, but the scans are every 6 right now. Dr. Chang sees me every 9 months. Frankly I think they just like my company lol! When I see Dr. Eng in Sept that will be my official 3 year mark since my last treatment was on 9/11/09. She said she will let me know if we move to every six months at that time. Since I had lymph node involvement she said she prefers to keep a close eye on me for now. So I do what she says, she's the boss!

    Liz
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #14
    lizdeli said:

    MDA
    I am scheduled to see Dr.Chang next week for a proctosigmoidoscopy. Then I go back to Dr. Eng on 9/18 for all my scans. She still has me coming every 3 months, but the scans are every 6 right now. Dr. Chang sees me every 9 months. Frankly I think they just like my company lol! When I see Dr. Eng in Sept that will be my official 3 year mark since my last treatment was on 9/11/09. She said she will let me know if we move to every six months at that time. Since I had lymph node involvement she said she prefers to keep a close eye on me for now. So I do what she says, she's the boss!

    Liz

    Hi Liz!
    I wanted to wish you the very best with your scope next week! May everything be clear!

    My colorectal doctor told me in December that I could go to 6-month checks instead of 3-month. However, I told her I preferred to be seen every 3 months until I hit the 5-year mark, so she will continue to follow me every 3 months until September 2013. I am having a colonoscopy on June 5th. at her request, since it's been 2 years since my last one.

    I hope you are doing well! Keep us posted on how things go.
  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #15
    lizdeli said:

    MDA
    I am scheduled to see Dr.Chang next week for a proctosigmoidoscopy. Then I go back to Dr. Eng on 9/18 for all my scans. She still has me coming every 3 months, but the scans are every 6 right now. Dr. Chang sees me every 9 months. Frankly I think they just like my company lol! When I see Dr. Eng in Sept that will be my official 3 year mark since my last treatment was on 9/11/09. She said she will let me know if we move to every six months at that time. Since I had lymph node involvement she said she prefers to keep a close eye on me for now. So I do what she says, she's the boss!

    Liz

    Liz,
    I am on the same schedule as far as appts....every every 3 months Dr. Eng and Dr. Das (rad). Dr. Chang every 6 mths for scopes. Not having CT or scopes this trip, just bloodwork and see the Docs. I have asked if I can have the bloodwork here this time and results sent to MDA. Then can Skype or e-mail or whatever. Not sure this is smart, but then they haven't said ok yet either! I will have my two Dallas grandsons for the last three weeks in July and want to DO something with them, have a vacation. One is a teen and one is preteen.. Won't be long before summer with Gma andPapa will be a thing of the past!

    If MDA says "not a good idea" I of course will head to Houston!

    Wishing you the best on your trip. Please let up know.... Lorie

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