looking back 4 years

jsabol
jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all,
I'm one of the veterans at this site, stage 3, hemicolectomy 12/03, 6 months chemo with 5FU and leuco, which I completed 4 years ago this week, NED since.
Looking back, it is starting to feel unreal, and I never thought I would feel like myself again... chemo hit me hard with fatigue and loss of appetite and weight. I shot a clot to my lung from my port, had 1 in my neck, went on coumadin for that...all resolved OK. Towards the end of chemo, my high blood pressure was way out of control and my potassium levels dropped to dangerous lows regularly; we worried about kidney damage, but it was some unusual, unrelated adrenal problem, now resolved, too.
My last day of chemo, my boss called to tell me thay couldn't hold my position open for me any longer. I was too tired to care. I had 2 kids in high school that I worried about.
So...4 years later, life is good and I am more than back to myself.
New job is great; health is good; I'm at the gym regularly. Both kids are in college and doing fine.
I am so grateful for reaching this day; I never thought it would come. I pray each day for all of us here; this survivorship is hard work, and the battles many of us face are formidable. I weep for the friends I've lost and wonder why I have been spared. This site has been a lifeline for me; thank you all for your involvement here.
Stay strong and focused, all the best,
Judy

Comments

  • nudgie
    nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
    #2
    It's great to hear stories like yours :) Keep plugging and chugging !!
  • valley
    valley Member Posts: 94
    #3
    Thank you Judy for that wonderful news! My husband was stage 3 diagnosed Jan.06. Two years from treatment Oct. 2 still NED! Love stories like yours. Thanks for posting.

    Val
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #4
    Judy,

    You are SO right about everything in your message. Everything from survivor's guilt to disbelief about how the time flies. My heart is simply aching for Kerry right now. She is really really not doing well. Barely strength to wake up. So sad.

    Survivors need to press on for people that are facing obstacles that they cannot seem to overcome. I am proud of you Judy for how far you have come, and how bright your future looks.

    Hugs,

    Stacy
  • RunnerZ
    RunnerZ Member Posts: 185
    #5
    Judith, Congratulations on your four years of life after cancer. You truly are a survivor. Also, awesome that you are back at the gym. I remember your struggles with treatment. This site can prov ide so much hope for those new to the disease of in the midst of treatment. You can get your life back, really back, but it comes with occasional pieces of baggage! Keep doing so great and keep posting your words of honesty and encouragement!
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #6
    Judy,

    WOOOHOOO!!!

    You go girl. I am so happy for you----- From another "sister" on this site. We need to get together together again. You are the only one from this site that I have had the pleasure of meeting.

    I also wonder why I have been spared, but it is not up to us. I sometimes share my story to give others hope.

    Congratulations!!!

    Maureen
  • ldot123
    ldot123 Member Posts: 272
    #7
    RunnerZ said:

    Judith, Congratulations on your four years of life after cancer. You truly are a survivor. Also, awesome that you are back at the gym. I remember your struggles with treatment. This site can prov ide so much hope for those new to the disease of in the midst of treatment. You can get your life back, really back, but it comes with occasional pieces of baggage! Keep doing so great and keep posting your words of honesty and encouragement!

    Thanks Judith for your story. It mirrors mine somewhat as I was stage 3, same chemo, but only finished a year ago in August. It gives me hope that I will start to feel "normal" again. I had a lot of fatigue over the year but it has gotten better. I am back at the gym trying to gradually get back into it. I have days when I am not sure what my body is telling me. So many weird aches and pains that come and go, always woorying about recurrence. It comes with the territory I know. I went through treatment for Hodgkins disease 20 years ago and it took me a while then to get back to feeling better. Interestingly enough, they say my colon cancer might have been caused by the radiation I received over my abs. Anyhoo, thanks for writing and giving us all a lift before the weekend.
    Cheers, Lance
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #8
    Yea!! Thank you for sharing your story like this -- it was like a ray of sunshine in my day. Wonderful.
    Tara
  • rmap59
    rmap59 Member Posts: 266
    #9
    Judy,
    Thanks for your post, exactly what we need to hear. Like someone said it is not up to us but God gives us a huge Will to Live. I am only one year NED but pray for many more. Take care.
    Robin
  • claud1951
    claud1951 Member Posts: 424 Member
    #10
    Judy,

    What wonderful news to hear. You inspired me.

    Claudia
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #11
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #12
    (((((((Judy)))))))) Well done mate, surviving survival is not esay . It sounds like you have made it out of the tunnel and into the light. My best wishes to you and your family.
    Ron(slipping back into the tunnel.)

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