What is the outlook?

toddpern
toddpern Member Posts: 16
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I have a friend who is 26 yrs old and just completed 6 months of chemo (3 drug regimen) for stage III colon cancer (5/8 lymph nodes positive). What is his expected outlook? Can someone at this stage live a healthy, long life or is this stage pretty advanced? Please advise. Any comments would be helpful.
Shane

Comments

  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #2
    Hi Shane I was 48 ,stage three with 6 of 13 nodes affected and undifferentiated tumour (all cancer and no good cells,extremely aggressive) I had 12 mos chemo ,had problems with the 6 mos schedule. It has now been five years since the op and I have no signs of recurrence as a matter of fact my cea level is barely detectable at 0.7,so yeah there is plenty of reason for optomism. I don't plan on pegging out for some time yet! Good luck for a long future Ron
  • maura
    maura Member Posts: 7
    #3
    Dear Shane,
    Yes, I have one big comment....let your friend finish living before you have him begin dying. I am a stage 3 cancer survivor! It has been 2 long years and I am still here! Okay, put this in God's hands and find peace with this heavy cross. The outlook for me is Great because it is God's will. I thank him daily for my remission. I will pray for your friend. Jesus I Trust in You...........Maura
  • maura
    maura Member Posts: 7
    #4
    Dear Shane,
    Yes, I have one big comment....let your friend finish living before you have him begin dying. I am a stage 3 cancer survivor! It has been 2 long years and I am still here! Okay, put this in God's hands and find peace with this heavy cross. The outlook for me is Great because it is God's will. I thank him daily for my remission. I will pray for your friend. Jesus I Trust in You...........Maura
  • kalel1138
    kalel1138 Member Posts: 3
    #5
    I have also been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. I was 24 when I was diagnosed. I had 2 out of 16 nodes infected. I had very aggresive treatments for 8 months. They were a difficult 8 months. It has been nearly a year since my last treatment now and I have had nearly 10 months of good health. Each case is different, however. The important thing is to not allow the cancer to rule your life. Make sure that your friend is still doing as many of the things he/she likes to do as he/she can. Now that the treatments are done, he/she should try to get back into a normal rythm of life as fast as possible. This will help. The doctors really know what they are doing. I know I look forward to a great "normal" life and expect to live for at least 70 more years :)
  • arntn
    arntn Member Posts: 15
    #6
    I had six nodes with cancer at age 46, got a colostomy, had 6 weeks of radiation, 6 months of chemo (24 hrs/day via pump & cathader) and now I'm 53, working full time. bergy_1999@yahoo.com
  • stephens630
    stephens630 Member Posts: 4
    #7
    Dear Shane, Have your friend read one of Bernie Seigle's amazing books. Dr. Seigle is an oncologist who firmly believes that no one should recieve a prognosis. There are many examples of people who were told their cancer was untreatable or they were so full of cancer the doctors offered little or no chance for them, but dispite these incredible odds some of these people not only survived but their cancer disappeared altogether. Doctor Seigle is a reputable oncologist and his books were a God send to me at a very scary time of my life. These books would make a wonderful gift for your friend. Celia

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