Does five years mean five years?

I am hoping to have a liver resection (or two) in the next few months.  I know that people survive for years (cured?) after.

The numbers are averages and old. 

lizard44 said:

Statistics are numbers and averages, but

cancer patients are people.  My doctor won't give survival times.  She won't  use the tern "cure"  for stage 4 patients, either, but she does emphasize that today, with modern treatments, Stage 4 cancer can be managed like any other chronic condition, that every patient responds differently to both the disease and the treatment and she wants to keep her patients around and in good condition for a long time. I appreciate that, and about  hearing from long-term survivors on this board. Having lost both my parents to cancer I  know the odds and the survival figures, too, but don't pay that much attention to them. I don't particulary  worry about death and realize it's inevitable at some point. But my goal is to spend my time, however much time that is, living, instead of  thinking about the possibility of dying. I realize that  may not be an easy thing for many people, especially those who are much younger than I am, to do, but  no-one, either with or without cancer,  is guaranteed  any time here past the present moment. I try to make the best of  each moment and try not to let cancer  dictate my every thought and take away my joy in living. Although I will admit that  this current chemoradiation has  stolen some joy- I could swear  that my diet  is composed mostly of  habanero  peppers cooked in  molten  lava and seasoned with fire ants!! Ouch!

Grace

         Check on my friend Foxy. She had colon cancer and a liver met. She had colon surgery and a wedge resection of her liver. I got to know her well because we shared the same regime of chemotherapy, 5fu and a drug called levamisole. Levamisole was banned in 2001 because it had fatal side effects with some patients. This christmas Foxy (Virginnia) is out to 21 yrs (I think). I will be at the end of 17 yrs in jan. So that is a late stage three and a stage four both cured. We have issues but no cancer, Have a good Christmas Ron.

yes I'm also reaching the 5 year dreaded line Coming April 2016. Every ache or pain is analyzed . I am just diagnosed with skin cancer, slow growing, they are on top of it, so nothing to get to exited about. Life is good besides the limitations of food and knowing where every bathroom is in a 50 MiLe radius. i hope it continues this way. As always .... One day at a time ....

wishing all of you a blessed merry Christmas but most if all  a healthy 2016.

Back in February 2004 I was given 6 months by my first oncologist. I would never even think of asking my current Onc that question and she would probably answer "How should I know?". Too often I've heard that people are given the 6-9 months, or 1-2 years left nonsense. I find it to be very offensive to say the least.

Unless the oncologist is planning on popping a cap in your a$$ after you've reached your "Expiration date" I don't see how they dare to say that to people. One thing I learned early on is that the data that is out there is old. It often lags by a few years which in research time can be a long time. But even when I saw that 5% lived another 5 years I've always thought "why can't I be part of that 5%?". 
On a side note, two therapies came out for me just when I needed them. I'm lucky for sure. 

While there certainly are cases where a person's cancer may have spread beyond what's considered normal and the likelihood they will survive is very slim, taking away a person's hope when it's not certain is despicable to me.

Just a reminder, any one of us can get in a car accident today or tomorrow or the next day. Waiting to die is certainly not for me. All it does is make a person stop living...Have a nice day 

I'm still here...stage IV...mets to liver and lung...after chemo, gamma knife radiation, clinical trial...etc etc etc...I'm living a great life.  I still think about cancer...but it doesn't have a hold on me anymore. Good luck to you who are in the middle of the fight...it's horrible and barbaric...but you can come out on the other side.

Laurie

jalusa said:

I am hoping to have a liver

I am hoping to have a liver resection (or two) in the next few months.  I know that people survive for years (cured?) after.

The numbers are averages and old. 

is def a possibility for stage 4 patients.  Good luck!

don't have much to add or a personal story per se as I am a caretaker.  Guess about the only one on here sometimes or so it seems like it.  As a caretaker the five year mark is always "there" for me.  Not so much my wife or as near as I can tell.  After her first post treatment CT scan came back clean, as she says "I'm done with cancer and have moved on. I wish these side effects of treatment would though."  We were at a drugstore the other day and the cashier asked if she would like to donate a dollar to Stand Up To Cancer fund raiser.  She said sure.  Look at the lady as said "I'm a cancer survivor."  Like she just battled the flu instead of cancer.  I'm truly amazed by her.  She never asked her oncologist about survival rates or her chances of re-occurence and etc. 

9 years here after stage 4 dx. Nevr know what might happen. All my best to all.

Chip