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5 years NED for this stage IV survivor............cancer free/cured?
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Oct 05, 2009 - 8:46 pm
I recently had my semi-annual testing and everything looked great. My oncologist was pretty animated (very rare for him) with trying to figure out what and when to test with me going forward since I am in non-surgical remission. It seemed to freak him out that he can't "explain" my NEDness which strikes me as strange. You would think that after 30 plus years in GI oncology that he would have seen enough things that he can't explain that he would just admit that there are things out there that docs can't explain (DUH!!!). He came across as uncomfortable until I said I'd like to some back a year from now for testing so we agreed to that. I was disappointed I didn't get to hear him say the word CURED but he just wouldn't do it. He did say cancer free so I will take that until the day I force him to say I am cured!!! My emotions are all over the place as I remember some dear friends I have lost to this monster and watch so many others fighting for their lives. I will take them all with me to Key West in a few weeks to celebrate live and lives @ ColonPalooza 7!!! For you newbies out there, I was given 2-3 years to live in March 2004 with mets to my liver and left lung. Surgery was not an option so I did chemo for 8 months but stopped it once I felt it was attacking my spirit and soul. I did lots of alternative things and my situation just got better and better over the last few years. I do pinch myself to make sure I really am still alive. Don't stop believing and as fedester says never give up!!!! Ironically while we are in Key West, I will celebrate the 5th anniversary of my last chemo treatment!!!! We will send cyber toasts to you all!!! SEMI-COLONS ROCK!!! Lisa P. |
Joined: Aug 2009
SEMI-COLON CHEERS
Congratulations. Hugs and as my kids always laugh and tease me thinking its sooooo funny. Party like its 1954!!!LOL
Happy Day!!! Stage IV colon cancer suvivor 11 years Goofyladie (Cass)
Joined: Apr 2004
Cass I was born in 1954!!!!
How ironic!!! I love that I hit my 5 year mark in the year of my 55th year on this earth.
11 years girl!!!! That is amazing and thank you so much for being here to cheer everyone on.
Joined: Aug 2009
Oh how funny!!!!
Well, we know that you were too young, being just born to know exactly what they were partying like in 1954!!!!LOL I am sure the stories history could tell. I am so glad to hear such awesome news, we don't get to hear it enough!!! Hugs
Cass
Joined: Sep 2009
Thank you
Outstanding this is great news!!
Thank you for sharing a story of hope.
It gives the rest of us hope.
Congrads, don't be shy go ahead and do the happy dance!!!
Jeff
Just happy to be here!!
Joined: Aug 2008
Scouty.........
Just for the short time I have spent on here it seems that when I got here you were everywhere in here like a teacher after school kids, giving advice, showing the way for all who lended an ear, countless hours of posts to patients scared to death just to calm them down, and then I scan other threads in here and other cancer places in here and there you are again, giving all types of support for the masses, emotional, medicinal, or just plain ole "hold it and I will cry with you" support. I have yet to see another (although there are many great ones on here) individual with more unselfish support to others than you give, even when it seemed hopeless. You are the top of the mountain in my eyes and cancer patients,caregivers, and families have been blessed for your presence in here and the support that you have bestowed upon them......simple congratulations just doesn't seem enough to someone that has devoted so much to the patients and partners of cancer...Your NEDness is a just reward for such a remarkable individual...........congratulations again, it is certainly well deserved........Bless you, Clift
Joined: Apr 2004
WOW
Clift that was very touching. Thank you your amazing words.
Made me cry!!
Joined: Apr 2004
Me shy!!!!
No way Jeff!!! You can go back and read one of my posts from a few years ago when I actually went out in my front yard (I live in a very secluded house and we had just had a drought for a few years) and did the happy dance butt naked in the pouring rain in broad daylight. I have no idea what posessed me that day and I will never forget the looks on my dog and cats faces as they stared out the glass door at me.
Ironically the next day I got the first good news ever in my cancer journey so happy dances have become habit for me.
Joined: Feb 2009
Awesome
That is just wonderful. I am glad to hear that you are doing so well. You keep up the great spirit as I know that contributes to it.
WooHoooo
Kim
Joined: Apr 2004
Thanks Kim
I'm with you for your upcoming scans!!!!
You'll be just fine.
Joined: Nov 2008
Heroine
Lisa,
You are my heroine. As Buzzard said your posts have been very supportive of others on the board. When I was first diagnosed I went back many years reading posts and your story gave me hope then when I needed it so, and continues to give me hope today.
Congratulations to you!!
Amy
Joined: Apr 2004
And now
You are providing that same support to others!!!!
Thanks Amy
Joined: Feb 2008
Woohoo!!!
Lisa,
Your recovery is nothing short of a miracle! I love to read stories like that!
*hugs*
Gail
Joined: Jan 2009
Thanks!
Your story gives hope to us all, I been feeling so doubtful lately, that I have to turn here and glad to see a veteran of the board, who been here awhile come and still support us. Most have gone it seems, and it's sad not hearing from the others anymore, when we need them too, but life goes on for all, I miss everyone, and hope everyone is ok and happy who used to post here as well, but there old posts still give hope to all, and I just hope to be able to be here to watch my kids grow, thanks so much for the inspiring post!
Hugsss!
~Donna
Joined: Apr 2004
Thank you so much Gail and Donna
Donna, it's great having you back!!
Gail, we still need to meet up at Short Sugars one Sat.
Joined: Feb 2008
Let's Meet!
Just let me know! I'd love to meet you.
*hugs*
Gail
P.S. But not this weekend, because we're taking our grandson to Myrtle Beach!
Joined: Dec 2001
Myrtle???
I grew up every summer at Pawleys!
Joined: Jan 2009
Lisa - U rock!
Lisa,
Thank you so much for sharing with us. You are an inspiration! I love your gentle spirit and the way you encourage everyone on this board.
Aloha,
Kathleen
Joined: Apr 2004
You're always so sweet too
Kathleen, you are always so supportive yourself.
Keep on keeping on!!!
Joined: May 2007
Rock On!
Lisa,
Congratulations on another milestone! You continue to be an inspiration to those of us on the journey!
Please bring my greetings to the Colonpalooza crowd. I would love to be there. My folks will be in St. Augustine as of mid-October. It would have been nice to have planned a combined visit. But alas!!
Be well... Rob; in Van
Joined: Apr 2004
Hey Rob
We would love to have you too but maybe next year!!!
I will gladly pass on your greetings in person!!!
Joined: Dec 2001
YOU GO GIRL!
Lisa I am soooooo proud of you! What you have accomplished is no less than amazing and I look forward to the next five years with you! Even when your doctor tells you you're cured it's hard to receive that anyway......
I hope you do some awesome celebrating in Key West (wink wink) embracing your NEDness!
I think of you every time I put cabbage in my juicer (which is every day).
KEEP JUICING GIRLFRIEND!!
peace, emily
Joined: Apr 2004
What, no beets!!!!
You wimp!!!
Just kidding my triathlon hero and mentor!!!!
We'll talk next week. I'm curious how you are doing lately!!!
Much love my dear friend.
Joined: Dec 2001
Steamy subject
I've been steaming my beets and juicing my cabbage!
I've been doing really well on this anti-fungal, low histamine/low allergy regime. Feeling good and back to running! YEA! Yes, let's talk soon!
peace, emily who loves you!
Joined: Sep 2009
What Great News!!!
Hi, Lisa!
It makes my hair stand up reading your post! I'm SO happy for you!! We'll be drinking a toast to your continued good health here in California!! Have a great time in Key West!
warmly,
Adrian
Joined: Apr 2004
Thank you Adrian
Toasting new friends is so much fun!!!
We'll do the same right back at cha sir.
Joined: Sep 2009
We really did too! With
We really did too! With champagne!
incidentally, we have a boxer too...
Have a blast in Key West!!
A
Joined: Sep 2009
so happy for you
i am so overjoyed for you right now... to have something like this be cured is truly a miracle.. and a blessing congrats.. and enjoy your life every sec is so precious..
i no i lost my mom in Aug but her favorite place in the whole world was key west.. it was her Lil piece of heaven... take lots of pics and enjoy your self... what the heck if you are brave enough go get body painted... go wild in the key
i am so happy for you and i don't even know you but this place gives me comfort and i have found a few friends
hugs
Heather
Joined: Apr 2004
I'm sorry to hear about your Mom Heather
She obviously had good taste loving Key West. It is such a relaxing place.
I won 2 Halloween contests many years ago after letting a friend paint my body. I remember it took hours and the paint was not made for human skin so I got really hot and couldn't sweat. I don't think I will be doing it again......too durn old and not hat adventuresome or broke anymore!!
I know what you mean about this place. I have many dear dear friends that I've met here. Some will be with me in Key West too!!!
Joined: Aug 2003
You rock!
Lisa,
You rock! I remember 'meeting' you, so many years ago....Thank you for being such an importance presence on my path -- you have been an inspiration, and a great friend.
I can understand some mixed emotions as you go through this momentous landmark. I hope that, as it soaks in, you will take more and more deep pleasure. Our friends who have passed would certainly be wanting you to.
Sorry I won't be with you in Key West -- but I will in spirit!
love,
Tara
Joined: Apr 2004
Hey Sweetie!!!
I was cleaning up a few weeks ago and found the piece of paper I wrote everyones addresses on when I sent out the Lance bracelets 5 years ago!!! Can you believe it was that long ago!!!
You are always with me in spirit and hope you know I am with you too!!!
Much love, Lisa
Joined: Nov 2001
Hi Lisa,
Hi Lisa,
Hugs darlin. Hey If you want to hold your doc down ,I'll beat the cured out of him. You ,Cass ,Emily,Stacey ect ect are better than medicine ,you inspire hope where none exists. Best of luck for the future,Ron.
Joined: Aug 2008
You deserve it!!!
Congratulations Lisa.
You have worked so hard at healing your body and your mind and have continued to give back to us here. I am very grateful that you have shared your story and encouragement with me. On Sunday it will be 2 years (Stage IV) for me - that was my first milestone to get to then look out 5 years- Here I come.
Celebrating with you in mind and spirit my friend.
Smiles,
Dawn
Joined: Apr 2004
Thanks Dawn
It'll be fun doing the master cleanse with you in Jan. I promise we will laugh while we pretend like we aren't hungry!!!
Joined: Apr 2004
RON!!!! CYBERHUGS
I would pay to see you "beat the cured" out of my oncologist with that big ole fish of yours!!!!
You made me laugh out loud and you are so right about all the others that are such great "medicine" here. There are so many wonderful friends we have here isn't there!!!
Joined: Aug 2006
WOW!!!
5 years!!I am so happy for you Lisa,yours is an incredible story of survivorship, you bring so much needed HOPE to this board... can't wait to give you a hug at Key West.
Joined: Apr 2004
Thanks so much
Key West is going to be so much fun. It's not long now!!!
Joined: Aug 2009
Inspiration
Congrats! They should post your story for all Stage IV and doubters out there. Now go celebrate.
Joined: Apr 2004
thank you
I'll try to remind as many as I can. It is very humbling.
Joined: Jun 2009
Lisa P. :)
Mornin' Lisa
Let me be the next in line to say CONGRATULATIONS on a monumental achievement! You reached out and grabbed the "brass ring" that everybody wants to hold!
5 years is the timeline we all aspire too and no matter what your doctor told you, I think you know yourself that you have already beaten the odds and whether he says, remission, NED or cured - you know that you already are that...I tip my hat to your accomplishment.
I've read all about SCOUTY, the Legend. I've heard from the vets on the board about your stories and how well regarded that you are here...and I think it's great that you stay in touch just to shine the light and let everybody know that good things can and do still happen. So, thank you for that.
Hopefully, we'll touch base on a post or something - it's nice to meet you BTW.
Have the best of times in FL - sounds like it will be wonderful :)
Continued health for you!
-Craig
Joined: May 2008
Lisa
That is just great. keep up the good work, take care
hugs
michelle
Joined: Apr 2004
Thank you Craig
I been keeping up with you too especially when you and my buddy Phil go back and forth and make me laugh.
You'll all hear all about Key West, well maybe not ALL but you will hear about some of our good times.
I will never forget what the people here meant to me years ago when I really needed inspiration, a shoulder, a laugh, or just to get away. I like to think of what I do as paying it forward like that movie talks about.
Joined: Jul 2009
Woo-HOO!
Congratualtions Scouty. Your post gives me hope. I too am stage 4, with many mets to liver.
lIVESTRONG MY DEAR!
Peggy
Joined: Apr 2004
Thanks Peggy
Kick butt girlfriend!!!!
Joined: Aug 2005
I'm dancing with you!!!
I was just asked the other day if I knew of any stage IV survivors that were cured...and I said "Yes, and I count them as friends!!!!"
Good for you, Lisa! And as far as 'cured'...well, even my stage III self, with no reoccurance, going on 5 years, can't get that precious word to come from my doctor's lips...
SOOOOO.....out of retirement.....
YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA!!!!
Naked happy dance!!!
Hugs, Kathi
(give everyone a hug for me at CP7....I miss all of you!)
Joined: Apr 2004
Hey Kathi!!!
We will miss you too.
We'll be sure and get you some photos. I don't think there is one of your favorite bars there. What was the name, you know that one where they hung up your bra............
he he...............
Hugs back at you.
Joined: Jul 2007
Great News
I am so glad to read this post this morning, as i await my 3 month pet scan. Last year it came back at the 3 month mark so I am a bit scared this time, however I have alot of faith that God will see me through this. You are an inspiration and thanks for sharing, its exactly what I needed to hear this morning.
God Bless
Beth
Joined: Apr 2004
Thanks Beth
I can't wait to hear your good news!!!!
I know you'll be fine, I can feel it.
Joined: Mar 2009
congrats lisa
...on being cancer free on your 5 year mark hugs
Joined: Apr 2004
Thanks Sonia
And I've been meaning to add to your post that I am still losing the pounds I gained from eating too much chocolate a few years ago.
Joined: Apr 2009
Great News Lisa
Great News! I think about you all the time. You have been and are such a great help me and others. Your story gives all of us hope. Cancer Free is good. Thanks for being here for us.
You ROCK Lisa! Love and best to you. Paula
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