How bout some good news
scouty
Member Posts: 1,965 Member
A brief history; 3 years ago dxed stage IV rectal cancer with 3 mets to liver and 1 to the left lung. Surgery was not an option at that time. Read my personal webpage here if you are interested in more specifics. I did 8 months of Folfox with Avastin but after a nasty bout of acute peritonitis that almost killed me a few months before my dx (yep the docs missed my cancer then), I was very weak and the chemo just got to me faster then it probably would have otherwise.
I felt like it was killing my spirit and knew I had to stop, but I also knew I had to keep fighting, just in a different way or the cancer would kill me for sure. After watching my CEA get to 5.1 (from 35 the first time it was taken)I found a Naturopathic Dr. with a PhD in Clinical Nutrition and followed her recommendations to the letter.
Long story short, 1 year later my rectal mass, 2 liver mets and lung met were not longer visible on the CT scans. That was in Nov. 2005.
My last testing in November of last year were the best ever, my CEA was only 1.2!!!! CEA was a good indicator for me. My oncologist said that since I had now gone 2 years without chemo with no recurrance that is was time to go 6 months between testing. I did not feel comfortable with that so we compromised with me waiting for scans 6 months but would have blood work (CEA) in 3.
That was done today and everything is still fine, and I am relieved. The most amazing part of the day was when my oncologist shared with me that in his 30 years in GI oncology, I am only the 3rd to be in a non-surgical remission and I am the only one to have found it with the path I have chosen to follow.
That was 4 hours ago and I am still letting it all sink in. After 3 years I am seeing a side of my oncologist I have never seen before. I cried on my way home as the emotions swept over me. I'm crying writing this but I HAVE TO write this.
EVERYONE, I don't care how you choose to fight the **** cells, you have to BELIEVE YOU CAN.
I hope this provides inspiration to many of you. It really CAN HAPPEN!!!!!!! Sorry this is so long but it's hard to put 3 years of very, very scary moments in a single paragraph.
Hugs to you all, Lisa P.
I felt like it was killing my spirit and knew I had to stop, but I also knew I had to keep fighting, just in a different way or the cancer would kill me for sure. After watching my CEA get to 5.1 (from 35 the first time it was taken)I found a Naturopathic Dr. with a PhD in Clinical Nutrition and followed her recommendations to the letter.
Long story short, 1 year later my rectal mass, 2 liver mets and lung met were not longer visible on the CT scans. That was in Nov. 2005.
My last testing in November of last year were the best ever, my CEA was only 1.2!!!! CEA was a good indicator for me. My oncologist said that since I had now gone 2 years without chemo with no recurrance that is was time to go 6 months between testing. I did not feel comfortable with that so we compromised with me waiting for scans 6 months but would have blood work (CEA) in 3.
That was done today and everything is still fine, and I am relieved. The most amazing part of the day was when my oncologist shared with me that in his 30 years in GI oncology, I am only the 3rd to be in a non-surgical remission and I am the only one to have found it with the path I have chosen to follow.
That was 4 hours ago and I am still letting it all sink in. After 3 years I am seeing a side of my oncologist I have never seen before. I cried on my way home as the emotions swept over me. I'm crying writing this but I HAVE TO write this.
EVERYONE, I don't care how you choose to fight the **** cells, you have to BELIEVE YOU CAN.
I hope this provides inspiration to many of you. It really CAN HAPPEN!!!!!!! Sorry this is so long but it's hard to put 3 years of very, very scary moments in a single paragraph.
Hugs to you all, Lisa P.
0
Comments
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Lisa: This is truly wonderful news!!! You are an inspiration and a beacon of hope. Monica0
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That's terrific Lisa. Congratulations. Thanks for sharing. God Bless.0
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Lisa-
I'll never be able to articulate what your posts mean to me. You are a true story of hope and inspiration and I often visit your webpage to help me push on and take care of my husband.
Congratualtions on such wonderful news. And congratulations on doing it your way with a winning spirit.
Cheers!
Kate0 -
You are my SHERO!
I have a dream........of showing my oncologist I can beat this beast, just like you have showed yours!
I also have such a strong since of purpose in my journey! I WILL BEAT THE BEAST!
Thank you for sharing and giving such inspiration!
God Bless,
Liz
www.runlizrun.com0 -
Excellent News!!! I Love reading posts like these. Your story is very inspirational, particularly since I was given 2 years to live 7 years ago and then 1 year 5 years ago with recurrence. This also gives those of us who have run out of surgical options a ray of hope.
Thank You for sharing.
Mike0 -
Hi Lisa,
Congratulations mate the survival instincts in some people are just so strong that even deadly diseases don't stand a chance. Perhaps the docs are getting it wrong. Perhaps instead of chemo they should be try to distil an essence of Lisa ,Tracey,Runnerz,Foxy,Emily to boost the survival instincts of sufferers. Lots of love and luck for the future,Ron.0 -
Hi Lisa.....congratulations on reaching the "almost" 3 year mark! My oncron50 said:Hi Lisa,
Congratulations mate the survival instincts in some people are just so strong that even deadly diseases don't stand a chance. Perhaps the docs are getting it wrong. Perhaps instead of chemo they should be try to distil an essence of Lisa ,Tracey,Runnerz,Foxy,Emily to boost the survival instincts of sufferers. Lots of love and luck for the future,Ron.
said the same thing about the start time for remission. That puts me at 3
years this month!
It is incredible that around 3 years ago you and I both were talking on the
phone together. Both full of much anxiety and worry and yet here we
are....so fortunate to be here.
There is much to remember from those sometimes worrying times and we all
have each other to thank for the support we have gained from each
other....including all our friends on CSN.
I have been away again and leave again tomorrow morning ...grrrrrrrr....I
hate being away from home...but what must be, must be. When I return next
week it will be my turn to front up for a CT....here's hoping all will be
ok.
Celebrate gal............you deserve to be.
I wonder if you could put it this way;
E(substitute remission)
M(substitute
miracle)
C(substitute
cancer)
E=MC squared
Calculate ------result..................................remission for
"infinity"!!!!!!!!
huggs..........Ross n Jen
ps.....your story IS an inspiration for all!0 -
Thank you for sharing your wonderful news.
I remember how I felt when my onc told me 6 mo. before a scan. Your safety net is suddenly gone. I'm so glad that yours recovery is going so well. I have my first 6mo scan in March. I feel so much better than I did last year at this time at the end of my chemo. Surely the CT will come out ok. I am not going to spend my time worrying. Life is far to valuable to waste. I am working out and having fun. Jo Ann0 -
Lisa,
It is so great to hear about this wonderful news!!! You are such an inspiration to me and my family. You are living proof that there is hope. I am so happy for you. You have worked so hard to be healthy and it is paying off. Thank you for sharing this wonderful news with us.
God bless,
-Lee-0
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