9 Years NED Today

Congratulations! Hope you have many more years being NED.

Andyb111 said:

Congratulations

Im just starting this cancer journey, was diagnosed on 20th Dec 2020 with stage 4 colon cancer. Was training for a duathlon, had some discomfort in upper chest, taken to the emergency department. told all my signs were great until the blood results then "boom" you have cancer.

Im into my second cycle of chemo. which is not realy an issue, but psychologically im all over the place. Sometimes upbeat, sometimes shattered with doubt. How do you get past that. Ok, im 59, but hell I have so much to live for and so much to do.................

I am sorry you have found yourself part of our every growing club. 

It sounds like you are a young, healthy chap, and that is a bonus when it comes to fighting Cacner. 

Can I suggest you visit our forum homepage here  https://csn.cancer.org/forum/128  and you could either copy and paste your post or start a new one. That way you can introduce yourself to the community members, and we can all give you adivice on 'How do you get past that?'

There are many Stage IV who are surviving. I myself am a Stage IV, and with a bit of luck (scans & blood work next week) I will celebrate SEVEN years NED - No Evidence of Disease - in April.  See, it can and will be done. 

Look forward to seeing you pop up on the forum home page. 

Tru

And firewoks of course

NewHere said:

Andyb111 - I Am Stage IV 6 Years Next Week

Welcome to the boards, sorry you have to be here.  But it is a great place with a lot of support/

When my cancer came back for the third time in three years, inoperable, in late 20017 (after having colon surgery, then part of lung removed), I started Triathlon Training.  Did one IM 70.3 then into radiation for tumors in spine two weeks later (they caused me to cramp durng the race), another one a year later while on chemo, with over 72 tumors in lungs  (I swam in high school.  Hate running my entire life and never did that, and biked occassionally.)  To be fair, I am BOP slow.  LOL.  Have done a bunch of sprint tris, a couple 1/2 marathons, bunch of 5ks also.

Each yard, mile I swim, bike or run is a middle finger to the cancer.  It is normal to get down.  But the best I can recommend is try to kick it off.  Do somethng for yourself.  Watch a silly comedy.  Grab a cup of coffee. Chemo can also mess with your head a bit (variation on chemo brain) and I get emotional certain days, finally figured out pattern.  This is my third different chemo, since i started. 

I will write some more, just got back from a scan, so catching up on things.

You can also introduce yourself to the group is you like by a post at the link below.  (Your question may be spotted by more to give some tips.)

https://csn.cancer.org/forum/128

 

Just wanted to say thank you for your reply and inspiration. I have just had my third round of chemo and if I’m honest it’s not the reaction to the drugs that’s an issue, its just on that day when I return to the hospital and get hooked up. To me I just have to develop an tunnel vision and shut down completely with head phones on and trying to keep everything in check. Then when im done, just head home and jump on the spin bike and truly hammer it while the tears and emotion pour out. I guess it like you say, its that finger up to cancer. Just through reading your reply, I can see you have been through so much. So before I crash for the night, I would just like to say thank you, you are a true inspiration.

You may look at the time of this post and think, crash for the night? I’m based in New Zealand, originally from the UK where my family are. Although I have a beautiful wife and two fantastic adult children here and I have no intention giving into this beast.