Today is my 5th anniversary since my diagnosis with state IIIB colon and stage I kidney cancer. My doctor will be firing me after my scan in October I am thankful for each an every day. I still visit the site often.

My last CT I was told that they put a laxative in the barium, otherwise it can be very constipating.

Does it happen when you drop your head sharply? I noticed that I got a sensation down into my shins when I dropped my head sharply. My neurologist said it was Lhermitt'es sign.

John,

http://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/

Karen

Linda, I am 20 months post-Folfox. In my case it is getting better but very slowly. This time last year when I was looking for a job (I'm an accountant), I could barely type and forget buttons or earrings. My hands are much improved. The feet and calfs are coming more slowly. I noticed the other day...

Have you had your vitamin D level checked? I was having pain in my lower left back to hip area and in my groin. The CT scan picked up activitiy in the area and the bone density testing was interpreted as osteoporosis. My oncologist ordered a bone scan and refered me to a endocrinologist. They found ...

I would participate if masked data were shared with the participants. I am 18 months post-Folfox. My hands are mostly back to normal except for tingling. My feet and legs are a problem still. A few suggestions: Vitamin D level and high foot arches. Believe it or not, my neurologist says that people ...

Nanette, I had colon cancer and they treated it with 6 months of Folfox and then 28 radiation treatments to the pelvis. My tumor had grown through the colon wall and involved my left fallopian tube and ovary (I know that some consider that stage IV, but my onc says stage III...that's his story and I...

Holly, My hip started hurting just before Thanksgiving. I mentioned it to my onc at my 3 month checkup at Christmas and he ordered a bone scan in mid January. The scan results showed a fracture of the sacro-iliac. The onc says it is pelvic insufficiency caused by the pelvic radiation. Your post has ...

During surgeries and treatments I lost 23 lbs. I have gained every pound back since treatments ended in May and no matter how I try to alter my diet/activity, I too can't shed the pounds. I wonder if the chemo alters your wiring or if your body goes into survival mode after all the trauma. Karen

Juliepie,

A good scarf to cover your mouth will become your friend. Several times in our Wisconsin winter I got the terrible sensation that I couldn't catch my breath when I sucked in too cold air!

Karen

Things we used to take for granted....

Using nail clippers, flipping the pages of newspapers and magazines and using a curling iron without serious injury.

Karen

I had it too. The Neurologist said it was from nerve damage where the nerves for the arms and legs branch out from the spine. My neuropathy started in my feet and fingers and spread upward to my elbows and well past my knees. The doc said the nerves would heal in reverse order starting at the spine ...

Holly,

At my six month CT scan they did chest, abdomen and pelvis. I too would push it with your doctor.

Karen

I have thought often about the options available to me if heaven forbid my cancer reoccurs. I would never qualify for a trial because I had two different cancers, colon and kidney. So, a big thank you goes out to those of you who are participating in these trials!

Karen