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Oct 10, 2010 - 11:00 pm
I have an appt with another Onc to see how my protocol matches up with my wants against the Onc I now have here at home. I am now looking at maybe getting another opinion that gives me a wider range of choices in the longevity of my lifespan in case something comes back up and exactly how I can do more with less so that the long term quality is not diminished. I have gotta stick around here for another 40 years just to meet a deadline with a very dear acquaintance...so I am gonna have to get off my butt after a month long break from it all and start to relocate my game plan towards higher standards of care and disease interception. I have gotten my head wrapped around where I am going when I do pass away but I will not go gently, I never have been a quitter so most likely I won't start now. I will update when I get home.....if in fact I am placed on a maintenance chemo that will cause me to lose my hair I have already made arrangements at our church with our Childrens Ministry Leader to hold a drawing for strictly donations to see who gets to shave it off...and donations will help the outreach for children in need in our community...Although the kids won't know that it would come out anyway I can make it ok for all to get use to it, and get a smile to boot.............ya know, in life it makes no difference which way you go if you have your heart right, for every step will be uphill..........Love to you all, and good night...Clift **************UPDATE************ My "NEW" onc is a female at Vandy and when I asked her several questions about all going on... First off....I will not be doing any post op chemo....She is saying what I was thinking so we are pretty much in the same ballpark on treatment options....There were no nodes affected and all margins were clear so we both agreed that if there is nothing to treat then there should not be any adjuvant chemo. Yay for me !!! Secondly...She informed me that in her opinion that there could have been lymphatic drainage during and after surgery that expelled the cells into the system and placed them in areas then they simply went dormant ( there is a word for that but I didn't write it down so dormant will have to suffice). She explained also that this was an educated guess and not a fact but it was along the same thought process that I had, that this may arise again somewhere else, or it may never show itself again and simply stay dormant, or that there are no more cells out there........again, Yay for me !!! Thirdly.......I had a CEA Baseline done today at Vandy for my new Onc there and then I will not have to return until January for another blood draw...its back to square one on the 3 month interval blood checks (thats Ok also) but, she is going to do a CT scan in 6 months and then a CT once a year for a year or two and that is what my thinking was as well, for the most part one of the main reasons that I am changing Oncs is that CEA is not a good indicator for everyone and I was skeptical as to why a CT was never done..Maybe the pros and cons of radiation vs need, dunno, nevertheless, it will be a part of my regimen now. I do value what my first onc did for me, he was a great man with a great demeanor and wise, but I was at a point to where in my opinion I could maybe "leave my yard" for a bit and see what else is out there. Im glad I did... Fourth....I did learn that Colon cancer has the tendency to re occur more often in the liver and rectal cancer more often in the lungs...news to me but news just the same... Fifth...She asked me why I still had my port in, I said that my onc wanted me to keep it in until the end of the 5 year mark in case ...She told me that I should get rid of it, It does nothing but cause you to have to have it flushed every 3 months and if there ever was a need for it it was a simple task to put it back in...sooooo, its coming out...Yay for me again !!! and last but not least....one of the things most noted on this trip, she asked where all my knowledge and where all the questions came from...I informed her of this place and all my friends here and let her know that without this place, I would have never had the knowledge to even begin to know what to ask, much less take control of my treatment. I feel like this site (my mother hen) has kept me in the loop on treatments and precise protocols and questions and answers that make people stand up and listen when we go into appointments...Its much easier for us to understand what we need and for them to explain the reasoning behind their calls made and for the both of us to come to agreeable terms on treatment regimens. For that, and all of the other wonderful things that all of you do in here , I sincerely thank you, and so does my family. I really think this place I call my second home has saved my life, I will always think that........I love you all and I wish the best for all of us......"Yep, Life is Good" Buzz |
Joined: Apr 2004
You're a very good man Clift!
I love that you are going for a second opinion AND looking at the big picture. There is no doubt in my mind that I would be dead today had I stayed with my local docs. They understood, they just didn't have all the big guns that I needed. I also love your shave your head idea, can I bid?
Kind of like the old adage, you get lemons; make lemonade. And when you're all done with this, I will personally teach you how to juice. JK, but had to make you smile and I'll be sending positive vibes to you tomorrow at 1PM CST.
Love, Lisa P.
PS. When I made the post about my semi-colon friend FitLisa's Dad calling me Friday I thought about some on this site that will hopefully get calls/emails years from now out of the blue from people you have helped, you were one of the people that I feel confident will get one, so get this BS out of the way please sir!
Joined: Jul 2008
glad
Hi Clift,
I'm glad you have an appt for another opinion. You know that's a wise thing to do, so I'm glad you're pursuing it. Hope the fishing trip was nice and relaxing. Hopefully talk to you soon-
Lisa
Joined: Apr 2010
Monday
I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.
Winter Marie
Joined: Oct 2009
Clift:
We wish you nothing but the best with your second opinion. You seem to have thought this through thorougly and have taken control of your disease and treatment options and are leaving no stone or opinion unturned. Good for you.
Take Care - George and Tina
Joined: Jul 2009
Clift - I LOVE your spirit.
Clift -
I LOVE your spirit. Please bottle it up and send out iv bags to all of us!!!
Peggy
Joined: Dec 2009
Sounds like a great plan
Clift,
Sounds like a great plan. I am doing the opposite in that our regional hospital is now becoming a regional cancer center. They brought in a new Onc that I am going to give a shot at me.
I have not seen an Onc for over 2 years. I fired the one I started with. Then I had a real dips&*t Onc in STL. I told the liver surgeon that hooked me up with him to tell him I croaked. That well educated idiot could not pour piss out of a boot if the directions were on the heel. The only doc that I trust completely is my colon surgeon.
Kerry
Joined: Oct 2009
Hey Clift
I am happy to hear you are getting a second opinion; that can really help your 40 year plan stay in play. I really like your head shaving idea to; very innovative! All the best to you, Clift.
Joined: Feb 2009
Opinion
Hope that this doctor will give you many options to choose from and that you are happy with him. You deserve the best. Like your hair cut idea too. Good luck.
Kim
Joined: Jun 2006
best luck buzz
all best of luck tomorrow Clift.....hope you like the new onc and get some answers
maggie
Joined: Aug 2008
been updated with good news
"life is so good right now"
Joined: Jan 2010
Wonderful News!
Dear Buzz,
It sounds like you and your new doc have a great raport.
I don't know that you could have gotten any better news.
You are absolutely right LIFE IS GOOD...enjoy every day of it!
Hugs,
Marie who loves kitties
Joined: May 2008
Excellent news!
I agree; getting the port out ranks right up there on the "yay" scale.
So happy for you Clift!
Love, Leslie
Joined: Jul 2009
hurrah believe it or not,
hurrah
believe it or not, the port removal was a HUGE deal for me. Right up there with clear scans, low CEA and final surgery. And I got mine out, "because I could".
Joined: Apr 2010
Good news, I'm very happy
Good news, I'm very happy for you! I'm so glad that you got another opinion. Best wishes, and take care, Cynthia
Joined: May 2009
Bravo Buzz! I am so happy
Bravo Buzz! I am so happy for you! Hugs!!
Joined: Feb 2008
Yay!
Well, Buzz.
That's really great news! I'm so glad you decided to go to Vandy, and it looks like you are going to get excellent care! I bet you feel tremendously better now, because all of this is so positive!
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!
*hugs*
Gail
Joined: Apr 2010
OMG CLIFT
I am sooo thrilled for you. My happiness know no bounds at this moment about your news.
I have tears of joy in my eyes as I type this for you.
HOW ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!!
My words can't express how Happy I am for you.
Winter Marie
Joined: Jun 2010
Glad you got the information
Glad you got the information you were looking for.
Joined: Jun 2009
Just Buzzin' I Bet
Great news, Clift
Really, really happy for you - the worm has certainly turned for you:)
-Craig
Joined: Oct 2009
Sounds like your onc is a "keeper"!
Clift,
I am so happy for you. It sounds like your onc is wonderful I think having the CT done is a good thing. All the best to you, you certainly deserve it! Maybe you should be an honourary Canadian, you have lots to give thanks for on Canadian Thanksgiving!
Joined: Jul 2008
re. your update
Clift,
It sounds like your appt today went very well & I'm very glad, as you are, that you went and had this other opinion and have a new onc! Sounds like a good plan and one you can live with. I'm also glad you're getting the port taken out- why keep it if you really don't need it? That will be very liberating to get it out, I'm sure!
Hugs to you, Clift!
Lisa
Joined: Dec 2008
Hey buzz
It's been a while but I've been checkin in and this is great news! My husband did not do follow up chemo after lung surgery. He's feeling great and has been focusing on health and nutrition, staying positive, and creating an environment in his body than cancer simply wants nothing to do with!! Nothing over the top, but has been on supplements, juicing, cut out most sugar, lots of veggies, working out a little more, etc. He did folfox and folfuri the first time around and with no evidence of disease at this point, we decided with our oncologist that chemo was not our next step. The few options that we had, we decided to kerp "in our back pocket" just in case. He had his port removed too and is so happy about that! CEA has never been reliable for him, so he's actually had 2 PET scans since his surgery in march. Both clean! He'll get one more in December then wait 6mo. It does sound like your CEA is somewhat reliable though right? Didn't it go up before you had the scan? Either way, it's just great to hear you have a DR you trust and a plan! AND, best part, you get to go back to lovin life!! Just wanted you to know that my husband was in a similar boat, and chose the same path. We are very happy with our decision, and it's great to hear your doc agrees with this plan.
Joined: Jan 2009
Fantastic News
So glad to hear the news. We loved Vanderbilt. They really know there stuff there and are so caring, helpful, and on top of everything. Is your new onc. Dr Laura Goff?? She is Frank's doctor and she did everything possible to stop his cancer. She truly gave us two years. She tried everything. Now that he is in Hospice, my only wish was that we had gone to Vanderbilt when we first found out about Frank's cancer. Keep us informed and we will be praying that you have that 40 years and alot more.
Anna
Joined: Aug 2008
Anna.....
It is Dana Backlund but they all work as a team of 4 for the best treatment option...
Joined: Aug 2005
I am dancing, and dancing, and dancing!!!!
MORE than once for each of your 5 pieces of news!!!!
YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA!!!
Naked happy dance!!!!
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: Aug 2008
LOL......
Naked Happy Dance with all my scars is getting less and less appealing all the time..but I might just try it behind closed doors....... :)
Joined: Nov 2001
Poor Fish
Just when they thought they were safe:):):) Ron.
Joined: Aug 2005
So, what you are saying, Ron,
Is that fish have, like, voodoo dolls for fisherman? ROFL!
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: Jul 2007
fine lingcod
Where you catch it?
Joined: Aug 2008
Not as long as you and I are alive......
They have no clue as to the peril that lurks behind our poles.......LMAO......Have a great day Ron.....and BTW tomorrow......they are in trouble...(pics to follow)......
Buzz
Joined: Aug 2005
Clift, If I can go topless in Spain....
With all of my lumpectomy scars, and the BIG scar from the bowel resection...and me being a 'lady of age'....lol....
Then YOU can dance naked, my friend!!!! You have earned the dance!!!!
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: Dec 2009
You made my morning with the great news
Clift,
You made my morning with the great news. The info on the lungs picked up my sprits as my lungs were clear in the last PET.
Kerry
Joined: Jun 2006
good good good
allgood news Clift....
mags
Joined: Oct 2009
Wonderful!
You made my day! What great news!
Tashina
Joined: May 2009
So happy for you, Buzz!
So happy for you, Buzz!
Life is good!
Lizzy
Joined: Jul 2009
You got a "Yay" story out of a "boo" Story!!!
Yippee Yahoo..so glad you followed this path and found some good information, confirmation and peace....
Peggy
Joined: Aug 2010
gongrats so happy
for your good news!
Joined: Sep 2009
Hooray for good news!
Thanks for the update. Everything sounds promising, and not having to do post-op chemo is fantastic!
Joined: Sep 2010
What great news!! I also
What great news!! I also hope that reading and listening to all of you I can learn what questions to ask, I'm sure I could learn a lot more from all of you than I could from any doctor.
Joined: Jul 2007
great news!
Just what I needed to hear before I go in for my appt when we have to discuss treatment options for my second recurrance :(
Joined: Aug 2006
Great news!!
I am very very happy for you Clift
Joined: Apr 2010
What great news, Clift. The
What great news, Clift. The mets fact was interesting; it sounds like your new oncologist is with it! I Love this place too. I haven't been on the board for a couple of days and missed everyone!
Erin
Joined: Jul 2010
Congrats Buzz!!!
What fantastic news!!! I am so happy for you and your family!!! Sounds like you found a great doc that was thinking along the same lines as you. Go and enjoy your beautiful life!
Hugs,
Sara
Joined: Jun 2010
Amen
YOu are a big contributor to all the great info on this site. Congrats on the good news.
Joined: Jun 2009
Great news and Great Questions
You did good Bizz... Great questions!! So when does everything start?
Brooks
Joined: Aug 2008
Yipee
Seems like a celebration is in order. The right doc can make all the difference and it sounds as if you have found her! So happy for you.
Smiles,
Dawn
Joined: Aug 2008
Immediately Brooks, as of today I belong to Vanderbilt solely...
I canceled both of my appointments with my Onc here today and my port I am going to call tomorrow for the exorcism (LOL) to be done asap.........
I started blood draws (CEA) Monday to get baseline 0-3 hopefully....and then get checked out every 3 months as before with CT at 6 months then CT each year for a few years ...Blood draws every 3 months for a couple of years then go to 6 month intervals..All of this now being done at Vandy...2 1/2 hrs away...not to bad, a nice day trip...If you re occur according to her the 5 year mark begins again...Which doesn't matter to me 5-10-15, I will still look over my shoulder but I WILL live large.........Buzz
Joined: Sep 2010
Buzz
I'm so glad that things went well for you. How it must have felt to hear her say you can take that darn port out! AND no chemo! I am so happy for you.
Joined: Sep 2010
life is great
I'm so happy for you.it looks like god is on your side
Joined: Aug 2008
Tina and Jorge............
God is alongside everyone....all you have to do is ask Him for help as Im sure you have...He gives me all peace and calm.....Love to you and yours.....Clift
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