Exciting Plans

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SkiFletch
Posts: 6361
Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 3:39 pm
Facebook Username: Michael Fletcher
Location: Buffalo, NY

Exciting Plans

Postby SkiFletch » Fri Sep 26, 2014 1:03 pm

I'm almost as superstitious as a Hockey Goalie when it comes to these things, but I'm willing to say it out loud now. It appears that I will be adding one to the all mighty 5-year survival stats a month and a half from now. And regardless of how it is man-made and symbolic, Nov 13th 2014 will be one of the most important in my life. Gotta be top 5. I know many of you have been able to experience this day, and I know countless others are hoping and praying for it. And yet as it gets closer, I strangely don't know what to do with myself. I know for sure there will be thankful prayers and Scotch, but aside from that, I dunno what to do. Anyone have ideas based on what you've done, or what you hope/plan to be able to do? I always feel a twinge of guilt posting things like this since so many others are struggling and suffering more than myself. I post it anyway though because I remember when I was first diagnosed, threads like these kept me sane and I prayed to be able to return the favor. I was blessed with that honor, and so now I try to pay it forward. Anyways, thoughts? Comments? What would/did you do when you hit 5 years?
11/13/09 5cm Stage IV 9/25 lymph nodes w/2cm peritoneal met at 29 YoA
12/15/09 LA right hemi-colectomy
6/16/10 Folfox FINISHED
8/10/10 Prophylactic HIPEC
10/9/10 got Married :D
Still NED and living life to the fullest

"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life."

Don.in.Dallas
Posts: 179
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 10:43 pm
Location: Dallas, Texas USA

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby Don.in.Dallas » Fri Sep 26, 2014 1:20 pm

Can't comment on the five-year mark for another 4 1/2 years but I can say CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU for posting the update. Those of us fighting the battle can find solace in successes such as yours.

Best wishes for another long period of NED!
Male 56 at DX 05/14
05/14 Resection, 3.2cm sigmoid CRC Stage IIIb, 2/17 nodes, T3N1M0
06/14 PET scan clear, portacath install
06/14 Begin FOLFOX6 12x, End 01/15
09/20 Still NED!
----
Previous: Laryngeal cancer
33 x rad
NED since 12/09

mymom
Posts: 1299
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 11:07 pm
Location: Connecticut

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby mymom » Fri Sep 26, 2014 1:33 pm

Congratulations...you rock!
Stage 4 CC DX 5/11
colon/livr rsct 5/11(1 met)
Folfox July-11/11
NED to 5/12
New Primry BC-4/12,Stage 1
2 livermet 5/2012
Liver rsct,HAI 6/12,Folfiri
NED to 10/13,1 liver met,ablation, Folfiri
NED to 12/14, another spot
3/15 NED
Ablation 1 liver met 10/15
1/16-current NED
6/22- small spot liver again, ablation oct 2023

mungo
Posts: 154
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 1:43 pm

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby mungo » Fri Sep 26, 2014 1:47 pm

I had a big party for all my nearest and dearest -particularly my friends who stuck by me as opposed to those who melted away.....However, from what I remember of you, I can see you more climbing up the highest mountain you can find and yodelling from the top !!! Enjoy yourself with whatever you choose to do :D
Stage IV
Left hemicolectomy Dec 2006
Liver resection March 2007
6 months FOLFOX
Thoractomy to remove lung met Aug 2011
NED again
"Above all,what matters is not to lose the joy of living in the fear of dying"Maggie Keswick Jencks

ForDad
Posts: 84
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2014 4:13 pm
Location: California

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby ForDad » Fri Sep 26, 2014 1:55 pm

Awesome! This is my favorite kind of post. I'm very happy for you, and thank you for sharing the great news. Par-tay!
Daughter to Dad age 67 @dx, Dec. 2013 (now 73)
Stage IV cecum, 4 liver mets, CEA 21.8
MSS, KRAS mutant (G13D), MLH1 mutant (V384D), and TP53 mutant (G245S)
1/14 FOLFOXIRI, 2x
2/14 FOLFOX, 1x
3/14 Right hemicolectomy, 2/38 nodes
4/14 FOLFOX, 4x
8/14 Liver resection
9/14 Liver tumor growth: microwave ablation
10/14 FOLFIRI, 6x
1/15 NED
2/16 8 to 10 lesions in lungs
3/16 Avastin + 5FU, 72x
4/19 Growth in lungs, lymph nodes. FOLFIRI + Avastin, 4x (CEA 12.4)
7/19 Started Stivarga + Opdivo
10/19 Start Hospice

Cj51
Posts: 893
Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 5:58 pm
Location: Midwest

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby Cj51 » Fri Sep 26, 2014 1:55 pm

Congratulations, Fletch. I think it's wonderful that you're sharing your good news--it's much needed around here.

If you're looking for suggestions, I'd say spend the day doing your favorite things with your wife and daughter, whether it be biking or hiking or just hanging around the house watching Grace do cute things. Then order in your favorite foods for dinner (unless like me, cooking is recreational for you, then make your most fun dishes). Enjoy dinner with your beautiful wife and daughter. Watch your favorite movies, perhaps including your wedding video, and videos surrounding Grace's arrival and other fun times. In other words, just totally immerse yourself in the love and the comfort that is home and family. Lift a dram of good Scotch to all the good years to come, and a prayer of thanks for them, for you are well and truly blessed.

Love ya,
Cj and the gang.
DX Stage IIIb RC, T3N1M0, April 2010, 51
6 wks Xelox/rad 6/10
resection, temp illeostomy 8/10 Complete response!
12 rounds FOLFOX for clean up 9/10, Allergic to Oxi, started Xeloda only 12/10
Ileo takedown 9/28/11
4/2020 NED

skypup
Posts: 2598
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:12 pm

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby skypup » Fri Sep 26, 2014 2:07 pm

I passed my 5-year mark over a year ago, albeit with active disease. But 5 years is a big marker no matter how one gets there. I planned a small dinner with my nearest and dearest... and my best friend flaked out and got mad at me for texting instead of calling and got hissy about menu planning and... LOL, it was a fiasco... I mean, a learning experience! So my advice to you is... just open the gates to your imagination and celebrate!

NedPlease
Posts: 550
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:56 pm

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby NedPlease » Fri Sep 26, 2014 4:53 pm

Early congrats to you!

If I make my five yr mark, doing something for my medical team would be on my list. Not sure what exactly but something to think about. A donation in their honor?
I do like to annually-ish email surgeons that no longer follow me to let them know I'm still alive and thanks and always get an appreciative response.

My personal preference would be to go to some beautiful place with my spouse and child- where cancer felt far, far away.

The perfect idea will come to you. I'm sure of it.
Best to you,
N
F-54- St 4- Ascend Colon, 2 Liver mets, Poorly dif, Mutant
6/10- Folfox
9/10- R Liver Resect/Colon/Gall/Appendix
11/10-3/11- Folfox
11/11- R Lung, 1 met, VATS
3/12- 9/12- Xeloda
2/12- 6/18 Clear Scans
6/19- first time no scan
Today- NED

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elise
Posts: 1519
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:09 pm
Location: Ontario (Canada)

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby elise » Fri Sep 26, 2014 4:58 pm

I'd take the day of work, go for a long hike with my dogs and my husband. Go have a nice dinner with a glass of something. I'd likely get a tattoo. Regardless, I'd enjoy the day.

Thanks for sharing, you made me think of what I'll do when I hit 5 years... In 4.5 years! Or maybe in 3 years (original dx).

Have fun!!!
2012
Feb - Stage 2 (T3 N0 M0) CC @ 30
Mar - R hemicolectomy, 18 LN
May-Nov 6 - Chemo (8 Xeloda)
2013
Feb - NED
2014
Feb - NED
May - Stage 4 - 1 liver met @ 32
Jun - Liver resection
Oct - CLEAN SCAN
Aug-Jan - FOLFOX 5 rounds, 5FU X 6
2015
Ap, Oct - NED
2016
Mar - NED

Elizmed
Posts: 62
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2014 6:36 pm
Location: Georgia

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby Elizmed » Fri Sep 26, 2014 5:06 pm

Fletch, very happy for you!!!!!! :lol: :lol: :D :D
It's posts like this that give us stage IV people hope.

I still have 4 to go. The DX date coincides with wedding anniversary date, so probably would plan a big trip.
Last edited by Elizmed on Fri Sep 26, 2014 5:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
57 F DX 8/13 Colon/PancreaticIV
9/13- Surgery remove spleen,partial pancreas tail,partial left kidney
10/13- Gemzar+Abraxane
11/13- Avastin+FOLFOX 6
3/14- Hysterectomy
4/14- Avastin Xeloda
8/14- Folfiri-Vectibix
10/14-Gemzar Abanxane

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Bev G
Posts: 5856
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:19 pm
Facebook Username: Bev Golde
Location: Quechee, VT

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby Bev G » Fri Sep 26, 2014 5:06 pm

Well, Fletch, yeah. It's just about that time for both of us. There are pitifully few of us left from that time, making this 5-year mark somewhat bittersweet. Do you recall that we started chemo within a week of each other? I got through the first chemo just thinking about and praying for you.

You were our baby then; I think perhaps the youngest one on the Board. You had great intuition. I can tell you now I prayed you would not proceed with the HIPEC...obviously you were so correct in doing so. CURED! Ah, thank God for that.

And Kelly and Grace, too. Wow, am I ever glad you beat the odds!

Love you, Fletch.

Bev
58 yo Type1 DM 48 years
12/09 Stage IV 2/22 nodes + liver met, colon resec
3 tx FOLFIRI, liver resec 4/10
9/10 6 mos off chemo, Neg PET&CTC CEA nl
2/11 finished total 10 rounds chemo

9/13 ^17th clean PET/CT NED for now

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chrissyrice
Posts: 1171
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:44 am
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby chrissyrice » Fri Sep 26, 2014 5:08 pm

It will be a great day no matter what you do or don't do.

I am just so happy you are still here to do it.

Happy 5 year milestone, my friend.

Chrissy
DX 10-31-09 Surgery 12-1-09 Sigmoid Colon
Stage IIIb T3,N2,MX; Chemo Feb 2010-Aug 2010; 4 rounds Folfox; 8 rounds 5FU +LV
12/2010 PET/CT Scan, Cancer Free
7/2012 CT Scan NED 2 years
10/2013 NED 3 years
8/2014 NED 4 years
Recurrence 6/2015: iliac lymph node(s)
8/2015 Surgery: 3 cm tumor removed+iliac artery graft
3/2016 CT Scan Stable
6/2016 Stable
9/2016 Stable
12/2016 Stable
3/2017 Stable
Recurrence 6/2017
12/2017 Surgery removed all cancer w/ clean margins
07-27-2018 Cancer-free for 7 months

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Rob in PA
Posts: 2022
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:16 pm
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby Rob in PA » Fri Sep 26, 2014 5:32 pm

Congrats to you Ski!

When i hit the five year mark I rented out a banquet hall in November (also the month i was diagnosed same as SKi) and held a big ass party for family and friends! Three kegs of beer, some wine, live music (my brother and nephew both play in bands so I get the fam discount!), roaring fireplace inside this beautiful brick laid fireplace inside the banquet hall which was very rustic (just my style).

I was surprised by a big ole sheetcake that had a really cool island beach scene and the words "don't worry, be happy!" written across it.

It was such a fun night that cancer seemed to disappear from my thoughts for an evening.

Hope you come up with something good ski!

Rob
dx 11/07 crc IIIb @ 39
Xelox/Rad/ temp colostomy
LAR/J-pouch/ temp ileo
Folfox-8
Failed reversal
2/09 liver mets; liver resect/ileo reversal
Folfiri/Avastin - 12
2/11 5 lung mets
Folfiri/Avastin 2011
SBRT 3/12
Lung met 5/13/ said NO to more chemo
SBRT 8/13
2 lung mets 5/14, VATS 8/14, NED

Delinda
Posts: 402
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2014 8:39 pm
Location: Washington state

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby Delinda » Fri Sep 26, 2014 7:28 pm

Congrats Ski!! I fully intend to join you in 4 1/2 years. Hubby & I think a tropical cruise would be a good way to celebrate, but hey, whatever floats your boat - enjoy! XXOXO, Delinda
62 yo wife & mom
4/14 dx stage IIIC colon cancer
4.5cm tumor, 9/28 nodes
temp colostomy, take down 6/14
7/14 start FOLFOX, 6 mo

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Frenchie's Wife
Posts: 959
Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 1:01 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Exciting Plans

Postby Frenchie's Wife » Fri Sep 26, 2014 11:48 pm

Yes, five years is worth celebrating !

I had a T shirt made proclaiming my official membership in the ' 5 % ' Club. That was our 5 year life expectancy back when I was first diagnosed. It is now my Avatar. My family and friends came over for supper and cake to mark the occasion. We pledged to get together every year at this date to continue the celebrations.
Caregiver to DH 59 yr, male, Stage IV at Dx
Dx Sept 2009
Liver,bladder mets, 5 surgeries
Lots of chemo
Inoperable lung mets nov 2013
Stopped all treatments in February 2014 due to QOL issues
I am in God's hands now !!
Feb 2015 - too many new mets to count !
At peace July 9, 2017


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