G'day

[AussieAssCancer]

Finally got off my butt and actually registered, having found this place some time ago and spent more than a few hours stalking the various posts.

I was diagnosed last October and have just completed my 2nd (of 9) adjuvant FOLFOX cycles, due to me having 3 prior to surgery, which from what I've read is a little different to what most of the other butt cancer peeps here have experienced. My docs were worried that it had already spread but wasn't showing up on CT/MRI etc and so decided to pull out al the stops.

Fortunately the neoadjuvant treatment worked a treat and I had a complete pathological response, and other than overdosing on morphine following surgery, I've been pretty fortunate side effects wise throughout this whole fiasco.

My first Rd of 'mop-up' chemo was a shocker though, but we worked out that it was because they gave me the same dose as previously, but now I was 10kg lighter, having become considerably svelte thanks to my ileostomy. I finished my 2nd Rd (reduced to match my new weight) three days ago and other than fatigue, I seem to be travelling as well as the first 3 rds so that's at least promising. Provided the body holds up, I should be finished chemo at the end of August.

Anyways, I just wanted to introduce myself and say hi, and more importantly, thank you for sharing your stories. It really made a difference when I was initially diagnosed, particularly reading about people at the same stage, or worse, who remain NED.

Wishing all of you, and your colons/rectums/ostomys, all the best.

GK

[midlifemom]

GK, welcome!

[Lee]

G'day to you too and welcome. Glad you came out of lurking mode.

I was diagnosed with stage 3C rectal cancer 12 yrs ago and am doing great today. There are many people beating this, and you will too.

Remember, one day at a time,

Lee

[justin case]

Finally got off my butt and actually registered, having found this place some time ago and spent more than a few hours stalking the various posts.

I was diagnosed last October and have just completed my 2nd (of 9) adjuvant FOLFOX cycles, due to me having 3 prior to surgery, which from what I've read is a little different to what most of the other butt cancer peeps here have experienced. My docs were worried that it had already spread but wasn't showing up on CT/MRI etc and so decided to pull out al the stops.

Fortunately the neoadjuvant treatment worked a treat and I had a complete pathological response, and other than overdosing on morphine following surgery, I've been pretty fortunate side effects wise throughout this whole fiasco.

My first Rd of 'mop-up' chemo was a shocker though, but we worked out that it was because they gave me the same dose as previously, but now I was 10kg lighter, having become considerably svelte thanks to my ileostomy. I finished my 2nd Rd (reduced to match my new weight) three days ago and other than fatigue, I seem to be travelling as well as the first 3 rds so that's at least promising. Provided the body holds up, I should be finished chemo at the end of August.

Anyways, I just wanted to introduce myself and say hi, and more importantly, thank you for sharing your stories. It really made a difference when I was initially diagnosed, particularly reading about people at the same stage, or worse, who remain NED.

Wishing all of you, and your colons/rectums/ostomys, all the best.

GK

I had 3 Folfox prior to Radiation, and Folfox all through the radiation experience, then surgery, and 12 rounds of 5 FU to seal the deal. Finished almost 4 years ago, good luck !
Michael

[Ron50]

G'day Aussie,
Sorry you have to be here but welcome. I am a st3c colon cancer sufferer or was , I have been clear over 18 years. I'm up on the Sunshine coast in Qld. All the best with your treatment, Ron.

[jhocno197]

G'day! Your name is fantastic . Hope your treatments continue to go well.

[del]

Sounds like you are coping very well, GK. I'm in Sydney and had ULAR surgery around the same time as you. I agree that this forum is an amazing resource and source of inspiration and it has helped me a lot. Wishing you all the best with your treatment!

[DarknessEmbraced]

G'Day to you too Aussie and welcome to the board! Glad you are doing so well!*hugs*

[chrisca]

Welcome, mate. I've been to Oz twice. Great country, and great people. I hope to get there again someday. Keep us posted and we'll help out any way we can. I'm having my last CT scan in two days and if it's clear, will be declared cured. Other than the nasty LAR syndrome, things are doing pretty well but even at five years, I'm learning about things such as folic acid deficiency that are just now being treated and hopefully will help a bit. Get some extensive blood work after a year or two and check everything, including the kitchen sink to be sure anything out of the ordinary is caught and addressed.

[AussieAssCancer]

Thanks for the welcome guys! Great to hear from each of you, particularly the great news from Lee and Ron.

Chrisca - I hope your CT scans came back clear.

Rd 3 starts on Monday, can't say I'm looking forward to it but it will be nice to cross it off the list