NED NED NED

Hi to my dear friends,

Inhale, exhale is pretty much what I keep telling myself today. A little history for those that don't know, for those that do, fast forward to the next paragraph. Dx March 04' rectal cancer with 2 known mets to 2 different lobes of my liver (confirmed by biopsy) and 1 to my left lung (never confirmed). Surgery was not an option so I did 8 months of chemo (Oxiliplatin, Leucovorcin, Avastin and the 46 hour drip of 5FU). Chemo was really wrecking my brain and my spirit. In the meantime, I starting listening to our favorite Emily (2bhealed) and read and researched lots. I found a local naturopathic doctor (PhD in clinical nutrition) and chose to stop chemo and completely changed my diet and ultimately my lifestyle in Nov of 04. Surgery was still not an option and all the tumors had shrunk at first but were stagnanted then. My only choices were continue with the horrid chemo or make other changes so I chose the latter. I juice and only eat natural and organic "things". I also do some vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements. All natural, no medicines. The only caffeine I get is from natural chocolate and green tea. I do drink a beer or two on occasion and could not kick one nasty habit, smoking. I cut way back but that is another story. My last testing in April of this year showed my lung tumor was basically healing, my 2 liver tumors were changing and trying to heal, but they were still there (I saw them). My bootie tumor was not mentioned and quite honestly, I didn't ask about it. It was not bothering me and the concern was always the liver mets. That is what could kill me.

I went back today and got something I never ever thought I would hear.....NED (no evidence of disease). I was totally caught off guard and had to ask my 2 oncs to repeat it several times. I asked loads of questions and then saw the CT scans myself (the before and after shots). It was so wonderful to see the change of the organs in 16 months. My lungs are clean as is my liver. I have a colostomy bag (from a near fatal bout of acute perontinitis and it's subsequent very nasty infection caused by my rectal tumor). I am very guarded about my bootie tumor since I thinkg the "bag" can impact the CT results, so we are doing a flex sig first thing monday morning to see how that bad boy is behaving.

AND then we might be able to talk about reversing my bag!!!!!!!

I don't want to get too excited, but having a clean liver and lungs is huge to me. My lymph nodes have never shown any oddities, so my oncs were just beside themselves today. I must admit, it was the most fun I have had in a doctors office in 2 years!!!!!!!!

On my 60 mile drive home after my appt (mostly on good ole country roads where a cell phone does not work) I listened to a few good tunes, thanked God multiple times, cried, laughed, but mostly looked to the sky and thought of my family, friends, and all of you (my loved ones). Not just the ones with us today, but the ones that were here with us yesterday too. It was a very special day. I just had to share.

I only have a half million phone calls left to make and my phones are recharging so I will stop now (bet you are glad).

THANK YOU ALL. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE NEW TO THIS BOARD, I ATTRIBUTE MUCH OF WHERE I AM TODAY TO THE PEOPLE, ENERGY, LOVE, AND RESPECT I GET FROM HERE.

Like Emily, I love you all too but mostly today, I thank you, my esteemed friends.

Lisa P.