Have you heard this remark?

kristasplace said:

Complacency
I used to think statistics were a bunch of crap. Now, after all the people we've seen die from this group over the last couple of years, i think the medical industry is very complacent about our plight. I worry that this is why we're dying. My next colonoscopy is scheduled for three years from now. I figure this is because i'm clear now, and this cancer takes it's time growing, but in three years, i could have a full blown tumor! It was only three to five years that the last tumor went from a stage I to III. Several us here have gone from stage I, or II to a seemingly instant stage IV! I don't think this is taken as seriously as it should be.

I did hear that.
I have heard the "80% of all recurrences occur within the first 2 years" remard (about stage III). I don't know if that is two years from completing surgery or if it's two years from completing adjuvant chemo.

Yep
I've read the same thing - 2 years out with no recurrence is considered the first good checkpoint to reach - your odds improve each year thereafter.

This rings true especially in the liver too - if you can get 2 years out of there, then your odds increase. That's where I'm at now - it's been 2 years and a month and liver is "holding" on with nothing abnormal. They swore the cancer would return within 1-2 years, guaranteed.

So, I take this as a major victory for me - "not out of the woods" by any means, but the first big hurdle passed. And over 5+ years of no recurrence in rectum, so also another scalp to hang on my war belt.

I know we hate statistics - but I on the other hand definitely respect them. And here's why: Stats have to come from somewhere, don't they? Each one of us is a stat - and stats are an indicator only based on actualy human patient results, not theory.

There was only a 33% chance of me surviving 5 years with liver cancer and I'm 2 of 5 now. Shocking odds to be sure, but 8 people out of 24 made it and the other 16....

I take stats as an indicator of information, but it does not predicate my outcome until I've succumbed - which ain't gonna' happen I plan to rw-write some medical journals while I'm here.

Anyway Diane, long story short, yes I've read this.

BTW, I would prefer our way in the USA, of continuing scans and not stopping after 2 years. I think to stop invites disaster. United Kingdom's way is a chancy way to go.

Of course, just thinking about that - that's exactly what I'm getting ready to do with my health now - just go CEAs and forget about scans - but only because I can no longer afford to be scanned as often as they like - I have to start taking risks now with my treatment plan.

But for me CEAs are good, so if they go up, then a CT would be warranted. Maybe they have it right after all - it's such a tough call, isn't it?

-Craig

-Craig

This is how you get your YEARLY SCOPES
You find a Gastroenterologist that shares your same basic ideas on quality of life. Shares your views on family, doesn't pass his patients thru his office like you are crossing the scanner at the super market. In turn You have to be willing to wait. Yes that means, if he is running an hour behind you can be when your time comes he is going to spend that same time with you. No I think 2 hours is a bit much unless he's had emergency surgery and the office should have let you know. My doctors office lets me know as soon as I walk in the door if there is going to be more than a 15 minute wait I might want to go downstairs to the coffee shop. If its an hour they ask if I have errands to run, etc. But we communicate and no one gets pissy. If you want someone that knows there stuff and cares and takes emergencies, including your emergency if it happens sometimes you need to flip the page look at both sides. Maybe share too much info with your doctor it gives him/her your lifestyle. I have had 2 and 3 colonoscopies first 2 years when they thought something wasn't right and I have had one a year ever since. Hope this helps. Not all of my gastro guys I have had to wait a long time but my first gastro dr that found my cancer. The first six years I waited for ever in his offices or errand running or what ever and I would do it all again!!!
Goofyladie (Cass) Sorry didn't mean to get so far away from your remark!

KATE58 said:

My doctor said 80%
My doctor said 80% recurrance within 2 years,
18% within 5 years,and 2% within 10 years.
The first 2 years NED
I would be scanned every 3 months,the next 2 years every 6 months,
and then once a year till year 10.He said one is not considered "cured"
untill 5 years with no recurrance.
After a year of chemo ,I was NED for 10 months,then after another year on chemo,
I was NED 6 months,no new remissions yet,but there is always hope

Why not
As soon as my doctor told me I was NED, I felt like I was out of the woods. It only lasted 3 weeks but it was a good three weeks. If I can beat it down again and the doctor says NED, I'll never be afraid of cancer again, I'll only be afraid of what the Dr is about to do to me.