1 Year Survivor

kerry
kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I had my surgery on 12/ 21/02 and began my chemo on 1/15 and now am a 1 year survivor. My Stage was Dukes C1, I had 2 lymph nodes that tested positive, but I am feeling pretty good after all the chemo and after affects. My husband and I are becoming very involved in the American Cancer Association because we are so thankful for all the help and support we have received. Colon Cancer can be totally cured or prevented by early detection. I am not totally "out of the woods" yet, but I intend to put up a pretty good fight. I would love to hear from others that are survivors of this deadly and needless disease.

Comments

  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #2
    Welcome to the semi-colons Kerry! We're an odd lot, but we have fun and support each other. I have found it very cathartic to visit here daily and check in with all of my new friends I have met here. I think what everyone does here really helps a number of folks who come looking for info, passing along suggestions or just need to vent.

    Have fun!

    - SpongeBob
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #3
    spongebob said:

    Welcome to the semi-colons Kerry! We're an odd lot, but we have fun and support each other. I have found it very cathartic to visit here daily and check in with all of my new friends I have met here. I think what everyone does here really helps a number of folks who come looking for info, passing along suggestions or just need to vent.

    Have fun!

    - SpongeBob

    (not to mention proselytizing about the benefits of juicing)

    ;-)
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #4
    spongebob said:

    Welcome to the semi-colons Kerry! We're an odd lot, but we have fun and support each other. I have found it very cathartic to visit here daily and check in with all of my new friends I have met here. I think what everyone does here really helps a number of folks who come looking for info, passing along suggestions or just need to vent.

    Have fun!

    - SpongeBob

    (not to mention proselytizing about the benefits of juicing)

    ;-)
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #5
    2bhealed said:

    (not to mention proselytizing about the benefits of juicing)

    ;-)

    Hic cup! I think me sees double....eh SB what did you slip into my smoothie??!!
  • efw
    efw Member Posts: 20
    #6
    Hi Kerry,
    I'm about to officially become a 1-year survivor (on January 31). I was Dukes C2. I'm all about kicking some cancer a...umm, butt, too. I don't think colon cancer will ever be totally prevented, unfortunately. Doctors will never start testing people at an early enough age to wipe out the dreaded disease.

    Anyway, I'm happy to hear you and your husband have become involved in the cause! The ACS is a pretty good group.

    bug
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #7
    Hi Kerry,

    Two years ago Jan 22, I had my surgery to remove my tumor. I was stage 4, as it partially hit my liver as well. Today, I'm fine. I feel great, and was given the all clear with each CT scan. I still get my port flushed every 3 months, and plan on having it removed on my 5 yr anniversary. I agree with being full tilt on spreading the word about early detection and winning the battle.

    Congrats on your success, and a toast to many more years to come,

    Stacy
  • pattieb
    pattieb Member Posts: 168
    #8
    Kerry
    So glad to hear of your sucess I was dx june 2002 and still fighting off and on lately more on but determined to win.
    Pattie
  • Lisa Rose
    Lisa Rose Member Posts: 598 Member
    #9
    Hi Kerry,

    Welcome to the club!
    I am also a stage 3 or a Dukes C2 with 10 positive lymph nodes. I had my surgery on March 20, 2002 and so far everything is going fine. When I look back I can't believe it is almost two years since this all happened and how life can be so good again. Stay positive and have a great day!

    Lisa
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #10
    StacyGleaso said:

    Hi Kerry,

    Two years ago Jan 22, I had my surgery to remove my tumor. I was stage 4, as it partially hit my liver as well. Today, I'm fine. I feel great, and was given the all clear with each CT scan. I still get my port flushed every 3 months, and plan on having it removed on my 5 yr anniversary. I agree with being full tilt on spreading the word about early detection and winning the battle.

    Congrats on your success, and a toast to many more years to come,

    Stacy

    Hey Stacy! Congrats on your anniversary!!

    peace, em
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #11
    Hi Kerry:

    Glad to see you hear although I don't think any of use really want to be.

    I'm care giver to my husband diagnosed stage III or Dukes C2 July 2003. We've had out ups and downs since that time, but he's still fighting and so am I.

    Keep that positive attitude...it makes such a difference. Congratulations on your one year anniversary.

    Monia
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #12
    2bhealed said:

    (not to mention proselytizing about the benefits of juicing)

    ;-)

    Hee-Hee..
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #13
    2bhealed said:

    (not to mention proselytizing about the benefits of juicing)

    ;-)

    "proselytizing" (???)

    em, you are a veritable plethora of verbosity. your mastry of the lexicon and the multisyllabics thereunto pertaining is truly unparalleled. I am smote asunder.
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #14
    spongebob said:

    "proselytizing" (???)

    em, you are a veritable plethora of verbosity. your mastry of the lexicon and the multisyllabics thereunto pertaining is truly unparalleled. I am smote asunder.

    you brown-nosing again SB? hahahaha!

    (and that's a danger zone with semi-colons)


    Hey is it Happy Hour yet? I just guzzled my afternoon smoothie.....

    peace, the blue babe
  • andreae
    andreae Member Posts: 236
    #15
    Hi Kerry,

    I would love to get more involved in the cancer society. I have a burning desire to alert ppl. to this "taboo" cancer. Let's face it, nobody likes to talk about bowel patterns and ****. In January of 2003, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer at 20 years old. No family history of colorectal cancer, no previous bowel disease. Four doctors missed my cancer because "I was too young". It took 8 months to be diagnosed despite being highly symptomatic (rectal bleeding, weight loss, constipation, diarrhea, the whole nine yards). My tumor has been declared highly aggressive so who knows what would have been the outcome had I been promptly diagnosed. I'm still fighting the good fight although the prognosis is not looking so hot. If anyone could be saved by my experience, however, it will have made my life worth living. Congratulations on the year survivor status! That's absolutely awesome!

    Andrea
  • rainman
    rainman Member Posts: 2
    #16
    That is a most fantastic thing. I'm going on almost two years. This is actually my first time doing this, so I'm a little lost on how this works.
    What I'm trying to find out from anyone out there is how do you get the "plumbing working". If anyone can help me that would be great.
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #17
    rainman said:

    That is a most fantastic thing. I'm going on almost two years. This is actually my first time doing this, so I'm a little lost on how this works.
    What I'm trying to find out from anyone out there is how do you get the "plumbing working". If anyone can help me that would be great.

    Hi rainman,

    I use herbs to get the plumbing going. They encourage parastalysis (sp?) of the colon---the muscle movement to move things along rather than a laxative effect (which is harmful to your system in the long run) which just flushes you out.

    I use a product called Cleansemore by a company called RenewLife. They make many colon products since the founder is a colon therapist.

    Hope this helps!

    peace, emily who likes to stay clean as a whistle
  • mcgurk19
    mcgurk19 Member Posts: 3
    #18
    Great news on one year. That was the toughest for me but I got through it. I have over 4 years since surgery and chemo (not the best time of my life) and everything's just fine. Still a little bowel irregularities but I've accepted that. I don't have an ostomy bag and I'm grateful for that. Hang in there and you will look back on that first year as a teacher, I'm sure.
  • rainman
    rainman Member Posts: 2
    #19
    2bhealed said:

    Hi rainman,

    I use herbs to get the plumbing going. They encourage parastalysis (sp?) of the colon---the muscle movement to move things along rather than a laxative effect (which is harmful to your system in the long run) which just flushes you out.

    I use a product called Cleansemore by a company called RenewLife. They make many colon products since the founder is a colon therapist.

    Hope this helps!

    peace, emily who likes to stay clean as a whistle

    Hi 2bhealed,
    Thanks for the suggestion. I'm definately going to try that cleansmore. This has been such a problem since my 2nd surgery and I'm just at the end of my rope. I have such a crazy work schedule that I don't get to eat right and I never know when "the big movement" is going to take place. So a lot of times I'll work real late to make sure I'm covered in the mornings or it gets embarrasing when I have to get up and leave a room, not knowing when I'll return and having to explain to people what I'm doing in the bathroom for 2 hours. Nothing seems to be working, so lately I have been living on Senna tabs just so I can at least predict my next "BM" so I try and keep to some sort of schedule.
    I'm sorry to be whinning and I know I should be thankful, but know one seems to understand, family, friends, etc... So that's why I'm here. If you or anybody out there can suggest any kind of diet or any literature for someone on the go who wants to be able to "GO", that would be great.
    Again, I apologize for my ranting.
  • Cully
    Cully Member Posts: 8
    #20
    rainman said:

    Hi 2bhealed,
    Thanks for the suggestion. I'm definately going to try that cleansmore. This has been such a problem since my 2nd surgery and I'm just at the end of my rope. I have such a crazy work schedule that I don't get to eat right and I never know when "the big movement" is going to take place. So a lot of times I'll work real late to make sure I'm covered in the mornings or it gets embarrasing when I have to get up and leave a room, not knowing when I'll return and having to explain to people what I'm doing in the bathroom for 2 hours. Nothing seems to be working, so lately I have been living on Senna tabs just so I can at least predict my next "BM" so I try and keep to some sort of schedule.
    I'm sorry to be whinning and I know I should be thankful, but know one seems to understand, family, friends, etc... So that's why I'm here. If you or anybody out there can suggest any kind of diet or any literature for someone on the go who wants to be able to "GO", that would be great.
    Again, I apologize for my ranting.

    Rainman, I know where you're coming from. Check out the reply's on 1/18/04 (a few pages back) under CULLY. Several other semicolons gave me some great websites and suggestions.

    Travel arrangements are also a pain due to the question of timing....I SOOOO understand what you're saying! We'll get it straightend out though, our **** depend on it! Cully

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