Heelllooo!

andreae
andreae Member Posts: 236
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
To my dearest CRC friends!

BIG HUGS AND MANY, MANY KISSES TO ALL! I have missed you so much and did not mean to worry anyone! I had to finish up my thesis to FINALLY graduate, and then I went to Florida, Prince Eward Island, les Iles de la Madelaine, a spa up North and California. I'm finally back and settling in. I have a friend visiting for a week in a few days so you know how that goes... I have to clean up like mad so it looks like I live in some semblance of order some of the time. Hmmm... I have been thinking of you all often and popped in a couple of weeks ago but was so saddened by recent losses that I couldn't bring myself to post. May all those that have passed on find their peace and ultimate healing.

I am, however, SUPER glad to hear the bunch of good news that has been going on (especially Lisa P!!!) and I am so happy that many have been flirting with our friend NED and kicking some serious cancer ****. WHOO-HOO!

Medically, things have been MUCH better. Back in June, things were not looking good as the Avastin and FOLFOX were failing, the cancer was progressing according to CT images and my CEA skyrocketed to 35 (from 11). Those were dark days, but I got busy e-mailing Bristol-Myers, discovered that they do have an access to care foundation, harassed the poor buggers, and I have been approved to receive erbitux on a weekly basis for 6 months! So now I'm doing week 1 erbitux, week 2 erbitux, week 3 erbitux/avastin/irinotecan based on an ASCO 2005 study. Thankfully, my CEA has been stable at 31 for the past two months and my doctors are positive that it is working. YOUPPII!

So, things are good. I really, really hope everyone has been enjoying the beautiful weather and life. I'll be back soon!

Love life, live life,
Andrea

Comments

  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #2
    SWEEEEEET BAAAAAAAABY GIIIIIIIIRL!!!!


    YOU'RE BAAAAAAAAAACK!!

    WOOHOO!!

    I'll bet you heard that yell all the way over the border on up to Canuk land!!!

    I am soooooooooooooooooo happy to hear from you!!

    As usual you are your cheery upbeat self!

    So good that no news has been good news!

    You are one busy bee and how delightful that you have been able to travel so much!

    Glad to have you "home" again!

    peace, emily who has missed you tons!
  • steved
    steved Member Posts: 834 Member
    #3
    WElcome back_ I understand your need for a break (had one myself earlier this year and feel good for it). We did however miss yor input and your particuar fervour for life that is agian so evident in your post. Glad to hear you are doign well and hope it continues for you,
    sTeve
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #4
    Andrea,
    Welcome back!!!! It's so good to hear from you and I am so happy that the treatments are working for you. Glad your dark days have passed. I can't believe how hard you had to work to get the right treatment. What a busy summer you've had. Your energy always amazes me. Even your messages have a way of giving off that energy... makes me feel more energized.
    Thanks for posting.
    Mary
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #5
    ANDREA!!!!!!!

    So glad you're safe. We're a bunch of old hens when it comes to not hearing from someone in a while! Sounds like you're quite the traveling gal! GOOD FOR YOU! You are so amazing and I am glad things appear to be falling right into place for you...you deserve it!

    Take care,
    Stacy
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #6
    goldfinch said:

    Andrea,
    Welcome back!!!! It's so good to hear from you and I am so happy that the treatments are working for you. Glad your dark days have passed. I can't believe how hard you had to work to get the right treatment. What a busy summer you've had. Your energy always amazes me. Even your messages have a way of giving off that energy... makes me feel more energized.
    Thanks for posting.
    Mary

    Struth Andrea!!!! You had us all in a tizzy here wonderin' how you were! There were quite a few posts lookin' out for your interests babe. Thank god you are ok and doing reasonably well.
    Lotsa luv n huggs sweetie....Ross n Jen
  • littlejulie
    littlejulie Member Posts: 311
    #7
    StacyGleaso said:

    ANDREA!!!!!!!

    So glad you're safe. We're a bunch of old hens when it comes to not hearing from someone in a while! Sounds like you're quite the traveling gal! GOOD FOR YOU! You are so amazing and I am glad things appear to be falling right into place for you...you deserve it!

    Take care,
    Stacy

    YOU'RE BACK!!!! I think everyone was anxiously waiting to hear from you. Sounds like you were too busy having fun - perfect reason not to post!!! Tme away is sometimes needed.

    julie :)
  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #8
    Whew!!! Are we ever glad to hear from you, Andrea. Yes, we are all like mother hens trying to gather our chicks.

    Sounds like you have had a full summer. I'm so happy to hear things seem to be going well for you. Keep us posted and don't stay away so long....

    Love,
    Kerry
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    #9
    Hey honey!!!!!!!!!!

    So glad you posted!!!!! We sure have missed you!!!! Hope you saved some energy for one more trip this year....VEGAS!!!!!!!!!! I have a hug to give you there!!!!!!! Well, lots of hugs actually.

    Lisa P.
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #10
    Hi,

    We missed you and were very worried about you. I am glad that you had a productive summer.

    Maureen
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    #11
    Hi Andrea,

    After I bubble in "All of the Above", I will add that your spirit always shines through in your posts! Congratulations on all your accomplishment both academically and those pertaining to your health. Please know that you are in many people's hearts and prayers around the world!

    Love,
    Kay
  • mindy10
    mindy10 Member Posts: 182 Member
    #12
    Andreae, I just want to thank you for giving me such hope. I have been reading your posts and you have such high spirits it amazes me. My father was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer with mets to lungs. He also has an unoperatable tumor in his abdomon. He has given up hope but reading all your post has given me such hope for him. The chemo has shrunk the tumor in his abdomon and the ones on his lungs are very small. He still is soooo depressed. I wish I could let him read your postings to lift his spirits. Your an amazing person. I cant even get my dad out of bed and your going through school during all of your treatments. I wish you the best and keep on going!!!!! Mindy
  • livin
    livin Member Posts: 318 Member
    #13
    Welcome back, glad to see you have been living life to the fullest and enjoying yourself. I am also glad you have another approach of beating the beast. Continue to enjoy yourself you deserve it, Livin.
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    #14
    ANDREA!!!!! Welcome back!!
    It was great to see a thread from you, and reading about your wonderful summer was an added bonus. I'm so glad that the treatment is working, that you finished your thesis, and that you are, as always, living life with gusto!
    Keep up the good work, we all get a boost from your energy. Thanks for checking in!
    Judy

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