Two Years

Two years ago I faced surgery for an obstructive tumor in my colon.  I did not know if I would live to see another Spring (my favorite season, despite the allergies).  After surgery, the results came back stage IIIb, and I did a single treatment with oxaliplatin, which I discontinued, and four months of capecitabine (Xeloda).  Chemo was no fun.

Today, I got the results of my CT scan and blood work and there is no evidence of cancer.  My peak chance of recurrence has passed, and the doctors suggested reducing to twice a year blood tests and once a year CT scans, which sounds good to me.

Overall, my quality of life is very good.  I am able to pursue my passion for hiking, having just completed a 20-mile day-hike to the bottom of Grand Canyon two weeks ago, and planning another one this weekend.  Come May, I plan to try a rim-to-rim hike in a day, if weather and health permit.  Yes, there are scars and pain and lingering issues from chemotherapy, but they are not debilitating.  I say this to encourage those on the front-side of this disease to realize that there will be adjustments, but that life can be good.

I recognize that my chances of recurrence are still high and I believe that I have made peace with mortality on both a rational and emotional level.  I therefore strive to live life to its fullest every minute of every day.

I appreciate all of the help and support from the members of this forum for the past two years.