"there is LIFE after being dx'd!!!!!

Hello KangaMan!

DX March 2004 Stage 3 Rectal Cancer. Possible 2 Node involvement. 6 weeks Chemoradiation, Surgery to remove 95% of rectum, 1 foot of colon, ovaries and tubes ( oh my!), follow up 6 months of chemo ( 5FU and Leukovorin ).
NED ( no evidence of disease ) 1 year, 3 months and 28 days!

Feeling pretty good. Chemo sucks. Ruined my body, but I'm alive and loving every minute of it!

Barb ( who really wishes she could go to Vegas and meet everyone! )

Dx at the tender, yet experienced, age of 33, on Oct 3, 2001 @ 9:30 AM (details,details! lol) with Stage 4 colon cancer with 2 lymph nodes, and I'll raise you a liver mets. Rec'd pre-surgery chemo and radiation, successful surgery resulting in losing 40% of liver (STILL IN THE LEAD WHILE KEEPING 60% THOUGH!). 6 months additional chemo, ileostomy reversal Sept 13, 2002 (which was FRIDAY THE 13TH!)...

(there is a drumroll sound here)


NED 4 yrs as of Oct 3, 2005!

Stacy, who not only IS a pain in the butt, but also HAD one! lol

Dxed February 26th 2004 Stage IV rectal cancer with 2 mets to my liver and 1 to my left lung. Surgery not an option so 8 months of chemo (Oxil w/ Leucovorin, Avastin, and 46 hr drip of 5FU). Decent shrinkage of all tumors at first but the last 4 months of chemo nothing changed. I chose to stop chemo and found a naturopathic doctor to help me with alternatives. Started juicing, eating only organic and natural foods, and taking some vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements Nov. 14th 2004. NED July 22nd 2005, just 3 months ago. A flex sig with biopies showed the original rectal tumor to be completely gone with no surgery.......who'd have thunk!!!!!!!! Now, a year after my last chemo treatment a little sensory neuropathy left in my feet, menopause, and an occasional bout of chemo brain are the only obvious side effects of the chemo.

Lisa P.

Diagnosed May 11, 2005, 35 years old, with stage IV, two large colon masses and five liver mets. Had total colectomy and, so far, eight chemotherapy cycles (four more to go). After cycle six, a PET/CT scan showed the liver mets had disappeared and there are no new masses. Chemo continues to minimize the chances of recurrence (I hate that word).

I want for everyone's cancer to disappear!

Rodney

kerry said:

Dxd December 19, 2002, stage 3 with 2 nodes positive. Had surgery Dec. 21, 2002,(spent Christmas in the hospital), began chemo Jan. 14, 2003. Had 6 months of CPT 11, 5FU, Leucovorin. Was NED as of July, 2003. Had recurrance Nov. 2004 - no liver or lung involvement, just a few nodes showed on the PET Scan. Went back on chemo Dec. 1, 2004, Oxaliplatin and Zeloda for 4 months. Scans came back NED, but doctor kept me on a maintenance program of Xeloda/Celebrex. Still on maintenance as of Oct. 2005 and will be for approx. another year. Hoping to once again meet NED soon.

Kerry

Dxd October 29th, 2004 with stage II (tumor at appendix junction of colon); turned into stage III Nov 15th when surgery revealed three positive nodes(of 17).
Started chemo Jan 20, 2005 with 5FU bolus, Leucovorin and Oxalyplatin and 46 hr drip of 5FU. Stopped chemo in May when liver became impacted with chemo-drugs. Immediately started cleaning out liver with supplements and nutritional support; brought blood tests into awesome form within 6-8 weeks!!!
June CT/ Chest X-ray showed same liver spots (too small to biopsy and unchanged since Nov 2004) and lungs clear. June CEA very low and true for my body; July, Aug, and Sept ultrasounds show nothing in reproductive organs or abdomen; two of three spots on liver can now be categorized as fluid-filled cycts (and a possible hemangioma); July colonoscopy clear; ecco cardiogram showing no adverse effects from chemo (one hopes)......December MRI and CEA scheduled to continue this spy-process.
So, from dx, coming up on a year clean -- although, I don't think of my year beginning at my dx (chemo hit me so hard that I really doubt cancer cells could have really been doing much thriving -- I certainly wasn't); I really do think of my year beginning in mid-August and into Sept: my port removal, my liver-spots being characterized, my head clearing from ending a really bad relationship and a new life really beginning......
Now being recruited away for an incredible job (after not being allowed or able to work for a year); able to swim, hike and enjoy the gorgeous area where I live; and, in January, able to resume my graduate studies....
After a hard year.....I am finally takin' in some genuine enjoyment -- and lovin' it. All the best -- Maura

mikew42 said:

Diagnosed 2/04 with Stage 4 with 8/25 nodes positive and 2-3 small liver tumors. Colon surgery 3/04, seven months of FOLFORI and Avastin. Radiofrequency Ablation in October 2004 and NED since. Going for scans (PET and CT scans) tomorrow. Mike

Best of luck to you, tomorrow, Mike. Hope you can very soon post another NED.

scouty said:

Dxed February 26th 2004 Stage IV rectal cancer with 2 mets to my liver and 1 to my left lung. Surgery not an option so 8 months of chemo (Oxil w/ Leucovorin, Avastin, and 46 hr drip of 5FU). Decent shrinkage of all tumors at first but the last 4 months of chemo nothing changed. I chose to stop chemo and found a naturopathic doctor to help me with alternatives. Started juicing, eating only organic and natural foods, and taking some vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements Nov. 14th 2004. NED July 22nd 2005, just 3 months ago. A flex sig with biopies showed the original rectal tumor to be completely gone with no surgery.......who'd have thunk!!!!!!!! Now, a year after my last chemo treatment a little sensory neuropathy left in my feet, menopause, and an occasional bout of chemo brain are the only obvious side effects of the chemo.

Lisa P.

Lisa,I am very interested about the Dr/Alternative treatment you went through. I was Dx'ed Oct 2000 with stage III Colorectal at the ripe age of 32. Lung mets at 33 and again at 34. Went 2 years clean then just this past week discovered Liver and intestinal mets. Starting FOLFOX 6 with Avastin on the 1st of Nov. I want to augment the traditional therapy with homeopathic therapies. I welcome any and all suggestions!!! And remember...........Cancer schmanster

livin said:

Yes there is truly life after dx'd. Iam livin proof. Dx 1999 October 18th breast cancer insitu. Left lumpectomy no chemo or radiatioin started on Tamoxifen. Ned until February 2001 Colon Cancer stage 3 2 pos nodes, Left hemi-colectomy,6mos leucov 5fu and radiation treatment Ned- 2004 late August early September dx. Colon Cancer that metast. to my Liver- Large mass right lower lobe. Liver resection October 20th 2004 stayed 2 days in hospital 30 percent of liver removed. Started on Folfox 5fu leucov. oxailplatin for 6 months and Avastin added toward the end due to having had a bowel perforation in May 25th 2004 from a dialation of my intestines while having a colonoscopy. Dr. wasn't sure it was safe at first since there is a slim chance of bowel perforation with Avastin. So that how I ended up with my colostomy. Only been NED since August-2005 but it has been a long battle and I know I have fought a good fight. GOD IS GOOD. Just Livn

My mom was diagnosed March 2 2004 with Stage 3 rectal cancer. She had 5 weeks of radiation and chemo to be followed by surgery where they removed the tumor and one postive node. She then had 6 more session of chemo that was interupted by a blockage but she bounced back! Her surgery was July 8th so I consider her to be One year and 3 months cancer free! Her brother, my uncle died of colon cancer 5 and a half years ago. It took me a long time to learn that it's not always a death sentance. It can be beaten and my mom did it!

joanneire said:

My boyfriend was diagnosed with colon cancer in Nov 04- had 6 inches of colon removed and temporary illiostomy.Started chemo- 5FU and CPT 11. Scan on June 10 05 showed mets to liver and possible lung met.Upgraded to stage 4. Started Erbitux combined with CPT11. Scan at end of August 05- NED!! Doc couldn't believe it. Still on Erbitux combined with Xeloda. Working full time and feeling great.

Diagnosed Dec 2002 with rectal cancer. Age 44. Stage 3, 1 lymph node affected. Chemoradiation followed by surgery followed by chemo. I was NED for 2 yrs but then had a small lung tumor in April 2005. Had surgery, now on chemo. I have been NED this time for 5 mos (counting since lung surgery). LIVE STRONG.
Tara