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Two Years
 |
Mar 18, 2019 - 8:31 pm
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. |
Joined: Sep 2012
Continue to march...
Buddy:
That is a military command, issued/said when you want the unit to continue forward in the same direction at the same pace and not be distracted by surrounding events. I think it best describes this situation. You have successfully stayed the course and damned the torpedoes.
Congratulations. May the wind be to your back and the sun to your face, unless you are standing on the precipice of the Grand Canyon.
Jim
Joined: Apr 2017
March
I will continue onward as long as I can.
Joined: Aug 2013
Great news, bud, and with
Great news, bud, and with that lifestyle of yours, good diet, supplements, and hiking, sounds like a clear trail ahead of you. I wish I had your wheels, lol. Keep on trucking.............................................Dave
Joined: Apr 2017
Thanks
Thank you.
Joined: Jan 2013
Happy, happy day!
That deserves a dance or two
Tru
Joined: Apr 2017
Happy Dance!
Ah, the happy dance. I have been hoping to qualify for one!
Joined: Apr 2018
Terrific News!
So wonderful to hear you are NED and the outlook is so promising! Hope to pass you one day in the Canyon!
Joined: Apr 2017
Hiking
I have committed to hiking the Canyon as often as I can for as long as I can. I'll see you on the trail.
Joined: Jul 2017
Great news Sandra.
Great news Sandra. Congratulations on continuing being NED. Keep on hiking!
Joined: Apr 2017
Thanks
Thank you.
Joined: Jul 2016
Congrats Sandia! Enjoy your
Congrats Sandia! Enjoy your posts here.
Joined: Apr 2017
Thanks
Thank you.
Joined: Feb 2009
Keep It Up
It is so wonderful to hear that your scan came out so good and that you can go to once a year. That's a big relief and milestone. Sounds like you are tackling all the passions in your life and enjoying every moment of it. Just love your Avatar picture, and shows your love for what is important to you in life. Continued health to you and thank you for your support on this board.
Kim
Joined: Apr 2017
Thanks
Thank you. I appreciate your support and posts as well.
Joined: Feb 2016
Wonderful!
i admire you so much. I had lung surgery last year and then 6 months of chemo. That ended in December. It’s March and I’m finally feeling closer to normal. I started walking and can do a mile and half. Lol. Not everyday but I try to get out there. I worked all through this mess and I finally retire May 1. Then I will have time to get out and do more. My next challenge is to go bike riding with my grandchildren.
again wonderful news. May you be NED forever!
k
Joined: Apr 2017
Bicycling
Thank you. I hope you are on the bike soon. After a while, it should be easy to build to longer rides!
Joined: Oct 2015
Congrats
Congrats on the great scan results and progressing to once a year scans! That is a significant milestone.
Also, thank you for all of the extremely interesting posts on current medical research.
May you be forever NED!
Joined: Apr 2017
Thanks
Thank you.
Joined: Sep 2014
That's wonderful news!!! I
That's wonderful news!!! I love that you're able to hike like that! I can't walk around the block. And I'm going to the Grand Canyon on April 22. But no hiking for me!
Keep up the good work and stay NED, you inspire all of us!
Jan
Joined: Apr 2017
Grand Canyon
I hope you will be able to do some walking on the rim trail--it is paved. I will try to send you a few Grand Canyon tips and my favorite viewpoints (accessible by car).
Joined: Sep 2014
That would be wonderful,
That would be wonderful, thank you! My friend has been before but she's not coming with us. She's staying in Phoenix while my daughter and I go to Sedona and then the Grand Canyon the next day. I have no idea where is the best place to go there or anything I might need to know. I'd really appreciate your help!
Jan
Joined: Oct 2016
So happy to hear the great news!
Sandia,
You have worked hard to beat this disease and deserve all the good things life brings your way!
I wish I could hike like you, but haven't hiked in the mountains for several years. Used to hike in Glacier National Park when I lived in Montana and took the Highline trail up to Sperry Chalet which burned in a fire a few years back. I live in the plains of the midwest now so not much opportunity. I'll have to travel more lol.
I truly appreciate all of your research and advice on this forum and hope you don't forget about us since you're doing so well.
I've been fighting for 3 years now this month and not in remission or even close. I do feel much better today than I did 3 years ago so that is an accomplishment in itself.
Like so many others I beleive each day is a gift.
Enjoy your day!
Joan
Joined: Apr 2017
Thanks
Thank you.
Joined: Apr 2018
I’m so happy for you! Keep
I’m so happy for you! Keep inspiring us!
i had my 6 month scan yesterday and praying for continued Ned!
Joined: Apr 2017
Six months
Six months is the first step. It is amazing how fast time passes. Here's hoping for continued health!
Joined: Apr 2018
My six month scan - continued
My six month scan - NED! Im so happy!
Joined: Apr 2017
Congrats
Congratulaions. Do a separate post, and Tru will give you a dancing man!
Joined: Jan 2013
I will indeed
Post on the fourm home page https://csn.cancer.org/forum/128 and start a new post. Not only will you get the Happy Dancing man, but everyone will be able to cheer for your happy news.
Tru
Joined: Oct 2010
Congratulations, keep on
Congratulations, keep on keepin' on. I might suggest more blood tests, more frequently to address gap issues and any potential lead times. 3x per year cuts 2 months gap off.
Joined: Apr 2017
Tests
I appreciate that advice. I think I will take this first six months as a break and then discuss with my doctors more frequent blood tests--they do not bother me in the least, but I am apprehensive of the radiation from the frequent scans. Thanks for all of your knowledge and advice over the past two years.
Joined: Jan 2017
Congrats
keep on keeping on.
Thaks for all your great informative posts.
P
Joined: Oct 2018
Awesome
Such wonderful news. You are such an inspiration to many. I admire that you are so active and alive!!!!
Kate
Joined: May 2013
I missed this
this is wonderful news I am very happy to see this!! I love your passion for life, enjoy!
Joined: Jun 2016
I almost missed this too
Congrats on getting to the 2 year club! That is awsome news!
Joined: Apr 2017
Thank you
Thanks to all of you.
Buddy