Needing a little Encouragement if anyone is up for it - after 7 years of remission CC showed up in m

Lumps and stuff

Re:
" I know this makes me stage 4 "

If it makes you feel any better, it only makes you a stage 3 with Metastasis to the lung. The staging does not change from the initial stage.

If you can, have it removed surgically. There are many other options, like RF Ablation, freezing, etc.... many options that do not require radiation or chemicals, or some chemicals injected directly into the tumor.

Make sure you have a couple of qualified surgeon's opinions before moving ahead; it's not good to rely on only one opinion.

You'll do OK..... But keep in mind.... You're a stage 3 with "mets" and you ain't goin' anywhere any time soon.

Best wishes,

John

I have two spots in my left lung that have turned out to be colon cancer. I am right in the middle of radiation to kill them after having had two treatments and with two more to go. I posted on here and a few people mentioned ablation which sounded interesting but my onc thought radiation was the best option. I can't have surgery due to having had a blood clot last year and being on life long blood thinners. The surgery would have required a large area to be removed anyway. So I was sent to the radiation onc and he said that they've been doing radiation that's very precise and pinpointed for about five years now with great success and he thinks that it'll be the 'go to' treatment in the future rather than surgery, which has been the go to treatment for over 30 years. Just lie there and have a non-invasive procedure done rather than have a surgeon go in and take out half my lung? I like that. I'm told that they're radiating a very small area so much less damage than anticipated.

I feel very positive about the outcome and amd looking forward to being NED again. The PET scan showed no other areas positive for cancer so that was a relief. I realize that it has to be a certain size to show up but still, I'm feeling postive about this. My cancer surgeon said that with the headway they're maiing in cancer research these days by the time I'd likely have to worry about any more mets, if any, there will likely be an even better way to deal with them.

So please be positive and know that you do have options and this is just a bump in the road. My onc said that the mets in the lung do not secrete cancer cells so having them does not mean that it'll spread even more. He said that mets come from the original cancer only.

Good luck!

Jan

mykidsmommy said:

Thank you

Jan - 

Well thank you SO much! Thanks for taking the time to encourage me with your story. It worked.

Glad your doing well, and the mets are being treated with the radiation. Isn't it crazy that I actually wish radiation was an option? Me no likely chemo. 

We will know more next week after meeting with two new cancer centers here in San Diego. 

Thank you for the reply and I look forward to staying in touch - As bummed as I am to talking about this again - I am happy to know I have my CSN friends again to talk to.

 

 

 

Radiation isn't an option for you? Only chemo? Ugh, I hated chemo. I can't have it anymore because the blood clot likely came from my last bout of chemo. Anyway, you've beaten it once and that's an inspiration for all of us. My onc said that mets can show up for over twenty years, unfortunately, so we may have some touch ups to do from time to time but as long as the docs keep on top of it we should be okay.

Jan

A post i just made to another in the Forum , for you   :     "You must fight this on 3 grounds :  Emotionally , physically, and spiritually. You need to live for yourself to remain alive , for the sake of your kids and grandkids , your loving friends, and your siblings.  You must keep in mind that many millions on earth today have a form of cancer they are dealing with and that you are not alone in the process.  Finally, if you so choose to access it, you have the love of our heavenly Father who is the Creator of the universe and creator of each of our anatomical members --- read Psalm 139 for great comfort and just how much you mean to him.  So i hope you will never cave in to the pressure and choose each day to really live  ----   there is a time when we shall all pass from this earth and its troubles....but its not time yet.  You walk with many Cancer companions in this Forum and in daily life.   Bless you as you become victorious more each day. "  Dave

mykidsmommy said:

Thank you

Thank you Chip - I SO happy for you and happy to read your story. This is a pretty big bump in the road , but I'll be determined to get on top of it again. I want to get back to teaching and to see my kids in college too! Thank you for your words of encouragment - 

 

To all who took the time to reply and lift me up - I thank you.

 

  All I can do is to add to the wellwishers.   I take no credit for surviving stage 3 c colon cancer. This Jan I ended year 18 of survival and started year 19. Right from the start I was given no hope by my surgeon. Too aggressive , to many lymph nodes he said . I asked how long and he replied straight away , three years maximun based on what I have seen with similar cancers. I knew Leo well ,he had been my dads surgeon. He was not being nasty or negative he was just giving me a chance to live my bucket list. Fortunately or unfortunately I could not afford to die so I didn't. I had surgery and 48 weekly sessions of 5fu enhanced every fortnight with levamisole ( banned in 2001 for often fatal side effects). I have had lots of issues since cancer some of which are as life threatening as cancer. But now at 65 going on 66 I live alone and still work four days a week ( to pay for my prescription drug habit.) I see absolutely no reason why you won't get rid of those pesky mets and to keep on with your productive life. You have my best wishes..Ron.