For those who have NOT had recurrance whatever the stage

[nicola smith]

GLG and I are sort of cancer buddies - although she was always several months ahead of me and doing things 'the hard way' (in joke). She's right that we look for our special topics...mine appear to be butt burn and bidets

As to recurrence, my signature tells my story.

[GreenLakeGirl]

Ha haa, Nic! I did seem to be the case of "here's what to watch out for"! I'm dealing with a case of pouchitis right now and am looking into talking to my insurance about VSL#3. I think it's still a hard sell even eight years later. I need to pop over to Sucks and check in there too...

[nicola smith]

GLG, there's a version of VSL3 called VSL#3-DS (double strength) that requires a prescription and is covered by some insurance companies though I understand it's a struggle. It's stronger than the OTC version - contains 900B cells as compared to the OTC version which has 450B.

Here are the drug codes for VSL3DS

NDC (National Drug Code) is 54482093001.

GCN (Generic Code Number) is 97109.

DIN (Drug Identification Number) is 00903105

My insurance company refused to cover the regular VSL and since the double strength version is not available here at all, I can't test that option. I can, however, claim the expense for regular VSL on my tax return.

I did read of one person who bought the VSL DS and used it to make her own VSL DS yogurt. I guess that would work...certainly it would be cheaper.

N

PS. some nice pix on Sux lately

[Lee]

I was diagnosed in April 2004, stage IIIC coming up on 9 yrs since diagnoses. In August of 2013, I will be 9 yrs in NEDville. I was fortunate, no mets or recurrence. I look forward to my 10 yr mark.

I don't hang out as much as I once did, but I still check in every so often.

Lee

[adina91]

Yay Lee! Coming up on 10 years! That really makes me feel good.

[justin case]

I probably don't count much. I was done with surgery, march 2012. I had 2 tumors, 1 sigmoid, 1 rectal. 12 weeks adjuvant chemo, and no problems at all.
I'm still here for information, and my friend Rix, asked me to keep an eye on things.
Regards,
Michael

[tobasco39]

I was stage iia. Just had my 5 yr 2 month ct scan two weeks ago. NED. I still visit colon club every day!

Tobasco39

[Patience]

My husband is free of CC after nearly 10 years, stage 1 (resection, no chemo/radiation). Unfortunately, he now has primary stage IV lung cancer.

From what the pathology has shown, it is not CC mets. Side comment, off topic: But as for pathology, he had a misdiagnosis on the type of lung cancer, so after that, I've learned that there is room for error in pathology, even when they profess to know the disease.

[tallyho]

I am 2 1/2 years out from a stage I diagnosis. I had a 13 cm partially obstructing tumor in the sigmoid colon.

This fall I had a clean CT scan and won't need another one unless I have symptoms of recurrence. I also had a clean scope, so I won't need another colonoscopy for 3 years, and I am on a twice yearly schedule with the oncologist.

[Grace14]

So far so good for me too! I will find out on Jan 31 if I am still NED!! It's been almost 3 years since I was diagnosed! Crossing my fingers. I'm trying so hard not to think about these scans yet. At my last appointment I told my Onc that I was very nervous about these scans and she said that she would fall off her chair if she saw anything on these scans! Boy I hope she's right.

She also said that if my scans were clean I would be on a 6 month schedule instead of 3 months! Wouldn't that be awesome!

[SusanNore]

Dx summer 2005 stage III rectal; been NED since finishing up with surgery, chemo, rad in early 2006. Still checking in every few days to see how everyone is doing; to quietly celebrate your successes and to grieve our losses here. Happy New Year to all.

[lorrainem]

Diagnosed age (10 days shy of) 47 in 2007
Surgical cancer removal January 2008
NED since. I celebrated my five years in 2012, my surgeon wanted me to wait until January 2013. I asked if there was nothing changed, and there are some thingies lurking, could I just graduate in August 2012. We agreed. So...five years for me...for now, but I'll take it and run with it!

[wwroam]

Happy New Year lurkers and posters.
I'm now well past my 5 year NED mark, and apart from a T2 Diabetes diagnosis, I have nothing "interesting " to report. Were cancer as easy to control as diabetes.
Wayne

[RayGirl]

Diagnosed Feb '10, wow, almost three years ago!?!? where did the time go. I lurk a few times a week or less nowadays, and only post randomly, usually on new/about-to-be-new reversal. Treatment days are getting fuzzier as time progress, guess I don't feel the need to retain how that felt. My days are so overbook with trying to cram so much living in, that sometimes I do go a long bit between logging on. As some have said, that's a good thing!

Good

[mymaria]

Great topic! Diagnosed Nov. 19, 2009 with stage 2A colon cancer, which was preceded by a uterine cancer diagnosis in June, 2009. Continue to remain NED, get annual colonoscopies and CT scans every six months. After my January scan he's going to push me back to a CT once a year.