The Colon Club

Just a reminder to those who are feeling low, i am a stage 4 , 5+ year survivor originaly given real 1% chance of 5 year survival, even had a recurrance,,now cancer free 3 1/2 years.
When i was first diagnosed the most important thing i craved was hope and a chance.
Of all the things that helped me through i think the most encouraging boost was reading of survivors who made it through inspite of the odds..
Now told i am technicaly cured after almost 2 years chemo and 5 surgeries (2 HIPEC)
Sometimes it takes longer to reach the light at the end of the tunnel

That's amazing!!! We need those kind of miracles!!

Hah, I was just wondering about you the other day Scott. So glad to hear you're still doing well and providing a beacon of hope for us with similar situations. Congrats

Scott you are an inspiration to all of us. Did you have any lynph node involvement? I am so confused about node involvement and cancer spread and people who do not have node involvement and still have cancer spread. Can you or anyone on this board explain to me that if there is no node involvement does that mean that these people do not have microscopic cells in their blood?

I know some people probably think this is a somewhat silly question, as I asked it once before and received not one response. The reason I pose the question is because some people have to stay on chemo for life and others just wait and watch with good results.

NO question on this forum is ever silly eve, and yours about "lymph and blood" doesn't have a simple answer, even from the experts...OR...none of US would ever have to deal with CRC mets and spread from the original site.
....IF the "experts" really knew ALL the answers...none of US would even have to be here !

I don't know if you saw this thread HERE where some of this was discussed ???? BUT maybe WE should set up an appointment with OUR Onc (you know who ! ), and put him on the spot !!

Cheers
CRguy

Thanks CRguy, I did not see that posting. It was explained very well. It still does not answer fully the question I want answered and I will hit our ONC. with this question in Feb.

Congrats on the success Scott, that is awesome news. Here's to you remaining cancer free for many years to come!

Georgie

Congratulations!
Thank you for posting your story.

Here's to another 5 years! Cheers!

Rick

Hi Scott, So pleased to hear that you're a survivor! I'm stage IV adenocarcinoma, but have been refused HIPEC. You mentioned you have had 5 surgeries, and I wondered what the three non-HIPEC ones were? Do you think that HIPEC is what has saved you? What chemo did you receive? Poppy

Wow,

Love to hear these stories, where did you get your treatment if you don't mind me asking? Or can we ask that on this forum?

Congrats on your NED.....

Lisa

Hi,

Wow. You inspire me. My husband was just diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer. 4 out of 23 nodes affected. They didn't look enlarged upon removal, so I'm not sure if there was a lot of cancer in there or not. Trying to read about that, and should probably ask the Onc. (we have yet to choose one). It truly is a roller coaster. After surgery we were encouraged, because no cancer was seen on outside of colon and the nodes "looked" fine. Then we get the devastating call. Then we get the report further explained to us, and find that there are some things in our favor. First Onc. we saw said we have a 50-70% chance of beating this, closer to 70 - because of favorable conditions (highly differentiated cancer, young - 43, and generally healthy, good blood work, lots of nodes taken), and and increase in survivability up to 85% if chemo is taken, which is all that was suggested.

Some people seem to get radiation too. I wonder why some do and some don't?

Anyway, we are remaining quite positive, but I get these horrible waves of panic that we will never beat this. It will always be a struggle and we will always worry about every little thing we put in our body, and worry about each test result. Cancer does change your life, and not for the better. I am so scared at times. We have little kids who need their Father. I need their Father. How do you deal with it?

I will pray for you.

Anyway, what is (HIPEC)? Just wondering. Is it a treatment?

That's wonderful news! Thank you for sharing with the board.

chards wrote:Hi,

Some people seem to get radiation too. I wonder why some do and some don't?

It was explained to me by my oncologist that for colon cancer it is difficult to target the colon as it is not in a fixed position. The rectal area is much more stationary and a good target for the radiation.

thank you for such an uplifting post! keep them coming!!

Fantastic. That is great!