Stage 4 NED 8 Years

Randy,

Thank you so  much for sharing your health and diet routine.  I was diagnosed at stage 4 the end of February.  All doctors I have seen say that they cannot operate on me at all due to the number of tumors in my liver.  I have been on chemo since March 2016. I had 8 rounds with Oxaloplatin, 5FU, leucavorin and Avastin, now am on a maintainence regime for the rest of my life.  The scans all show that the tumors continue to shrink and the CEA has been  under 5 since June 2016.

I have increased the amount of exercise. It has been hard for me to follow a strict diet such as you do, but I will try much harder seeing how well it has worked for you. 

Look forward to your updates!

Joan

Good for you! It makes me so happy when someone has cheated cancer of another victim. You have a very strict treatment regimen. I wouldn't be able to stick to the Mediteranean diet at all. Its almost impossible to keep sugar ou of our diets and many things turn into sugars once consumed. I wish I could get more exercise but I've had a majoy health issue since the cancer and just walking around is really tough, my stamina is very low. I'm hoping to get into yoga soon, possibly whatever they call it- chair yoga? sitting yoga?- something like that because if I do too much I pay for it for days afterwards.

Anyway, thank you so mush for sharing your story of hope and what you're doing about it. Best wishes for the future!!!!

Jan

Bellen said:

Joan M - Maintenance Regime

Hello Joan M - Would you tell us more about your maintenance regime - what chemo cocktail and how often you would have it.  I am having folfuri + avastin (3 treatments so far for CRC + several liver mets) - will have CT scan after 3 mos.  Wishing you well.  Bellen

Bellen, I sent you a private message but will post here too.

I recieved a total of 8 rounds of Oxaliplatin, Leucovorin, Avastin, and 5FU began in March 2016, had chemo every two weeks and finished first part of July.  The end of July I started on the maintainence chemo:  a 30 minute infusion of Avastin and then 2500 mg of Xeloda split in morning and afternoon doses for 14 days and then 7 days off. 

This chemo schedule was prescribed by Dr. Axel Grothey at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  My first doctor told me that I would have 12 rounds of  Oxaliplatin, but Grothey said they have found that more 8 rounds can cause permanent neuropathy and other side effects, and that the curative benefits from 10 or 12 rounds is not statistically significant.  He felt that looking at my overall health and reactions to the chemo that I would likely live for "many years".  I am trusting him because I have done well so far with chemo with minimal side effects.  My tumors continue to shrink and CEA levels keep going down. 

My doctor here in Fargo said he wants me to go to MD Anderson for targeted immunotherapy if (he actually said "when") my cancer gets worse.  I would like to get the hope they will find a cure soon, so I don't have to be on chemo forever. 

I pray for many more years of life!

Joan

Thank you for the tip.  I dont know how to do an "about me" page either.  Could you please me send a private message explaining how to I can do that or how to start a blog?

Awesome news indeed!  Happy dance for you. I hope you continue with clear scans.  Traci