Stage 3B, now 11 years Out!

So very sorry for your situation. Others have suggested writing cards or letters to your child and I highly recommend you do this. Writing him will be something you can do for him now and will be so meaningful to him as he grows up. God bless you and your family.

Want to share good news...May 2016 Five year scans of chest, abdomen and pelvis, NED. Just passed my five year anniversary as a survivor of Stage 3B colon cancer adneocarcinoma...Was not sure this anniversary would come, so grateful. Like many of you experienced depression after treatments were over...

My two rescue cats were constantly by my side on chemo days, my black cat would sniff me thoroughly, and as if he knew would snuggle up at my side until feeing better. One on right the other on left.

Most hospitals and endoscopy centers use a machine called an automatic washer-disinfector. If they follow procedures, should be safe. I had my year 4 colonoscopy yesterday at an outpatient surgery & GI center. I do not remember anything after first injection for sedation until waking in recovery...

TeamDRA Sounds as if you have learned a lot already. I am sure having you as an advocate is reassuring to DRA. As I understand, survival rates are calculated based on stage at diagnosis, a metastasis changes staging. Others can speak up if they see it differently. 5 year survival rates are by defini...

My surgeon handled surgery, staging and referral to Oncologist. Then oncologist was in charge of testing and chemo. Skill is important with surgeons. Communication with oncologist is essential you will spend a lot of time with them and their staff.

I wish you the best on your scans. Was diagnosed in May 2011 with 3B colon cancer, I have scans on April 24 and the anxiety is starting. Not sure we ever get past that. CEAs run around 4, before surgery when I had the tumor was 2.5 go figure... Hope we all get positive results. I use temazepam to he...

Hope your treatment goes well. Do not think emend was available then. I used Benadryl and phenergan with FoLFiri both are very inexpensive. I could not use steroids for most treatments because of diabetes. Zofran did not help me though others find it helps and Ativan sometimes helps too.

I agree with above post. Words are not very helpful as the generically cover a wide range of survival probabilities. The published survival and recurrence rates apply to an aggregate of patients surviving at 5 or 10 years. I think we are all a bit shocked when reading for the first time. My oncologi...

Jim, It was scary for all of us, so you are not alone. Good that you found this forum early in treatment, it really helps to talk to others who understand. First, the port is not a big surgery, I had mine using moderate sedation and did not remember a thing about insertion and had my first chemo the...

Please encourage your Mother to take medication if needed to help her during this time. When she no longer needs medication, antidepressants can be tapered and discontinued by her physician. I have taken antidepressants over the past few years. Finding the right med is important. I wish I had starte...

You may want to ask for case manager with your insurance to see if phone or interactive counseling is available. I first used my employee assistance program to talk with a counselor by phone ( Value Options ) then, I looked for a therapist I could talk with in person. I found the therapist very help...

Hi Kristin. Ports are usually flushed every 4 weeks when not using, more often if infusions. Best of luck to you in the New Year!

Hi my understanding is that Duke C1 is comparable to stage 3A in the TNM staging system usually distant metastasis is Duke D or stage 4. In any case many stage 3 and stage 4 individuals here. I am stage 3b currently NED. A number of people have been treated for liver metastasis. Has your Dad seen an...