Karen How are you?

Kumar
How nice of you to ask. I am doing GREAT! Yes, I finished chemo in December 2008 and am so happy to have been NED since and hopefully for another 30 years!! My oncologist released me from his care in May and my GP will do pap smears every 6 months and I will have a yearly chest x-ray. No other tests are being done. CA-125 was not a marker for me.
I try to make wise choices in what I eat, exercise a bit more, keep stress low and live life to the fullest every day! It is working!

And how is your dear Mother doing? Am hoping that she is doing well and remains NED!

Best to you!

Karen

Debz said:

You're an Inspiration!
Hi Karen,

I too was diagnosed with endometriod adenocarcinoma although mine was stage 2, grade 2. I had surgery May 2010 and also had 25 external and 3 internal radiation therapies. I did not have chemotherapy. I will be seeing my gynecologist oncologist and my radiation oncologist for 5 years. I have a pap test every 6 months for the first two years and 1 a year thereafter. I am so inspired by your NED status and hope that you remain that way forever!
Have you changed anything about your life in terms of diet, nutrition, vitamins and exercise? If you have, what exactly have you done differently? Do you have any residual problems from the radiation therapy? If so, how do you cope with them?
I have been reading the anal cancer discussion boards and after pelvic radiation seem to have some of the same after effects that they have.

All the best to you - Deb

Hi Deb
I had 30 external radiation treatments, no brachy, and then had 5 chemo (carbo and taxol)
treatments. Yes, I have to say that the radiation does seem to have impacted my colon and some days I don't venture too far from home....and then some days are quite o.k. Since I had a "pre-cancerous polyp" some years ago on my colonoscopy, I have to have one every 3 years....am due in October so will be interested to see if my gastroenterologist can see any radiation changes.

The biggest change in my life is less stress....I retired a short time before my diagnosis and am so thankful that I did! I didn't realize how stressed I had been. I pretty much don't do anything I don't want to do and do lots of more of the things that I enjoy. I am taking 2 yoga classes (both restorative) and I love that...and think it has had a positive influence on my life.

I don't take any vitamins except fish oil, Vit D and Calcium but am thinking about dropping the calcium and try to just rely on my dietary intake. I try to buy organic for those vegetables and fruits that are considered "the dirty dozen" if I can find them and afford them. I rarely do milk/milk products, beef or pork. I do think that the turmeric, black pepper and olive oil is a good addition as well as the green tea. (you will find reference to these items in other posts on this board.)

Am glad to hear that things are going well for you and wishing you remain NED ALWAYS.

Best to you!
Karen