One of the weird things about chemo is that you meet people and develop a friendship, and then you never see them again. This always leaves me wondering what happened to them. Sometimes it's easy to guess, as in the case of my friend, Pete Sweeney. He was clearly near the end of his journey, but we had some acquaintances and experiences in common, so we had some nice chats. He was a soldier in Iraq and at one point, came into contact with some chemicals known to cause liver cancer. The problem is that he never developed the symptoms, so he was never examined or treated until it was too late. It spread to his colon, and he was pretty much out of treatment options. The other day I Googled his name and found his obit from early April. I was not surprised, but saddened. I feel bad for his wife and young son. RIP my friend, Pete. Many, many friends have gone before him. Why I'm still here, I have no idea.
One of my theories is that this is all an elaborate dream. You don't kill yourself in your own dream, or at least I don't. Proof that it really is a crazy dream came to me this morning on my way into work. Clearly, this year's presidential campaign cannot really be happening. Therefore, it must be a figment of my fertile imagination.
Lost a Chemo Buddy
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BrownBagger
- Posts: 7954
- Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:56 pm
- Location: Central NYS
Lost a Chemo Buddy
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
Sorry for the loss of your friend BB 
One of the things I dislike most about online friends, they disappear and you have no contact information available to locate them.
Living the dream/nightmare here...
One of the things I dislike most about online friends, they disappear and you have no contact information available to locate them.
Living the dream/nightmare here...
70yo Fem DX: 1/21/2016 RC Stage IV-Nodules lungs
MSS-Kras Wild-Lynch Synd Neg-Lung Biopsy 1/27/16-Port 2/19/16
MRI 7/7/16 Endometrial polyp found, watching LAR 7/19/16, No Ileostomy, Stage ypT3 N1
CT 11/7/16: Most mets stable,1 shrunk,1 new??
CEA Tests: 1/21/16=20, 12/22/16=5.3, 1/20/17=4.8, 2/15/17=6.2
9/20/16-1/24/17 Folfuri & Avastin #10/10 Done
PET/CT 2/10/16-1/31/17=Some shrunk & growth to 2, Avastin failing ???
2/21/17 Folfuri & Avastin
MSS-Kras Wild-Lynch Synd Neg-Lung Biopsy 1/27/16-Port 2/19/16
MRI 7/7/16 Endometrial polyp found, watching LAR 7/19/16, No Ileostomy, Stage ypT3 N1
CT 11/7/16: Most mets stable,1 shrunk,1 new??
CEA Tests: 1/21/16=20, 12/22/16=5.3, 1/20/17=4.8, 2/15/17=6.2
9/20/16-1/24/17 Folfuri & Avastin #10/10 Done
PET/CT 2/10/16-1/31/17=Some shrunk & growth to 2, Avastin failing ???
2/21/17 Folfuri & Avastin
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Jack&KatiesMommy
- Posts: 640
- Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:08 pm
- Location: Columbus, OH
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
So sorry about Pete, BB. But glad you are still here.
Cynthia
Cynthia
Cynthia
Mommy to Jack (8) now (18) and Katie (4) now (14)
(My Most Precious Things)
Dx 8/11 Stage IV CRC (liver mets) CEA 2,600+
9/11 Folfiri 2/12: Failed Liver Resection
5/12 HAI pump/removed primary
4/13 Liver Resection
8/13-12/15 (10) RFAs lungs
5/17: Upper Left Lobe of lung resected.
02/18: 3 new lymph mets lung
05/18: Keytruda (MSS w/Intermediate TMB): NED CEA: 66.4, 39.2, 23.8, 13, 3.5 1.8, 1.0, 2.8 3.9, 5.0, 5.6, 1.5, .8,
Mommy to Jack (8) now (18) and Katie (4) now (14)
(My Most Precious Things)
Dx 8/11 Stage IV CRC (liver mets) CEA 2,600+
9/11 Folfiri 2/12: Failed Liver Resection
5/12 HAI pump/removed primary
4/13 Liver Resection
8/13-12/15 (10) RFAs lungs
5/17: Upper Left Lobe of lung resected.
02/18: 3 new lymph mets lung
05/18: Keytruda (MSS w/Intermediate TMB): NED CEA: 66.4, 39.2, 23.8, 13, 3.5 1.8, 1.0, 2.8 3.9, 5.0, 5.6, 1.5, .8,
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
Hi BB,
I remember my mum trying to contact her chemo buddy and wondering why the phone line had gone dead. She wondered if she had maybe moved!!!!! Possibly.
I have to say your elaborate dream theory made me laugh. I try not to comment on other countries politics as we have just had quite a political shift ourselves but I have found myself wonder lately if we are suffering from poor reporting or is it for real.
My mum is seven years a stage 4 patient today. A consultant picked up her file the other day and realised he had seen her as a junior Doctor and I could see him scanning the room to see her. A big smile came across his face to see her fit as a fiddle , happily encouraging other patients to press on. The reality of it all hits me hard when we are at the hospital , not for my mum , but for the younger people . My mum has a friend who lived through the breakthrough for his cancer type. Surely its in the pipeline now.
Take care
Court
I remember my mum trying to contact her chemo buddy and wondering why the phone line had gone dead. She wondered if she had maybe moved!!!!! Possibly.
I have to say your elaborate dream theory made me laugh. I try not to comment on other countries politics as we have just had quite a political shift ourselves but I have found myself wonder lately if we are suffering from poor reporting or is it for real.
My mum is seven years a stage 4 patient today. A consultant picked up her file the other day and realised he had seen her as a junior Doctor and I could see him scanning the room to see her. A big smile came across his face to see her fit as a fiddle , happily encouraging other patients to press on. The reality of it all hits me hard when we are at the hospital , not for my mum , but for the younger people . My mum has a friend who lived through the breakthrough for his cancer type. Surely its in the pipeline now.
Take care
Court
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
DH - dx Dec 2014, stage IV with bladder & peritoneal involvement - non-resectable
Colostomy
FOLFOX failed
FOLFIRI failed
Tumor actually distending pelvic skin
Not a candidate for last-ditch pelvic exenteration
Stivarga finally begun 2/19/16
Tumor growing/fungating
Lonsurf started 11/18/16
Died 3/10/17
Colostomy
FOLFOX failed
FOLFIRI failed
Tumor actually distending pelvic skin
Not a candidate for last-ditch pelvic exenteration
Stivarga finally begun 2/19/16
Tumor growing/fungating
Lonsurf started 11/18/16
Died 3/10/17
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
It does seem like a crazy dream, doesn't it? Friends materialize and disappear like some awful nightmare where you are trying to get home but can't quite.
Jane
Jane
R.C. 12/23/11 at age 52 T3N0M0
3/1/12 completed Xeloda and radiation
5/4/12 LAR & Ileostomy
6/7/12-10/4/12 6 rounds Xelox
11/27/12 Reversal
7/13/13 1 liver met
8/13 Met resection /hai pump
4/14 Chemo completed (Irinotecan/5fu/fudr in pump)
3/1/12 completed Xeloda and radiation
5/4/12 LAR & Ileostomy
6/7/12-10/4/12 6 rounds Xelox
11/27/12 Reversal
7/13/13 1 liver met
8/13 Met resection /hai pump
4/14 Chemo completed (Irinotecan/5fu/fudr in pump)
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DarknessEmbraced
- Posts: 3817
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
- Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
- Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend!*hugs* May he rest in peace.
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured!
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured!
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Cowgirl918
- Posts: 326
- Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2016 12:55 am
- Location: Indiana
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
I too am sorry for your loss and for your friends family .
As for politics the only good thing that will come from the circus are the amazing Saturday Night Live skits coming his fall on NBC.
As for politics the only good thing that will come from the circus are the amazing Saturday Night Live skits coming his fall on NBC.
HX Colon Polyps Villious and Tubillovillous
12/29/15 Colonoscopy/Endoscopy - Ascending Colon Mass- Hemicolectomy Scheduled
1/17/2016 Right Hemicolectomy Cancelled
1/25/2016 CT No evidence of other disease
2/12/2016 EMR-ascending colon mass 80%
8/12/2016 EMR #2 ascending colon mass curative
8/13/16 NED
7/26/2023 Neuroendocrine mass small bowel, two mesenteric lymph nodes
9/1/2023 Small bowel resection jejunum and lymph nodes removed mesentery
12/29/15 Colonoscopy/Endoscopy - Ascending Colon Mass- Hemicolectomy Scheduled
1/17/2016 Right Hemicolectomy Cancelled
1/25/2016 CT No evidence of other disease
2/12/2016 EMR-ascending colon mass 80%
8/12/2016 EMR #2 ascending colon mass curative
8/13/16 NED
7/26/2023 Neuroendocrine mass small bowel, two mesenteric lymph nodes
9/1/2023 Small bowel resection jejunum and lymph nodes removed mesentery
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Nik Colon
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
So sorry for your loss. I often wonder about the connection between dreams and reality. Maybe life is a dream and dreams reality. Yeah, I think weird. Like the Matrix
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WarriorSpouse
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2016 9:02 pm
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
I am sorry for your loss Eric. He seemed to be a real American hero type with his service time, family, and youth. I know it is difficult to witness, but I know from reading this blog the last couple of years that you have provided much comfort and counsel to those who are suffering from this disease. Your positive outlook, commitment to good health, and empathy with others shines through on all of your posts. I am certain that you had a positive influence on him during his most difficult journey.
Your presence on this blog is noticeable to outsiders looking in, and I know you have been equally productive with those you have met along the way at the hospital an through this blog. Keep up the good work Eric... Sometimes it is difficult to see in your post that you yourself are a victim to this disease. Trust me when I say that your leadership permeates many boundaries. Thank you.
Your presence on this blog is noticeable to outsiders looking in, and I know you have been equally productive with those you have met along the way at the hospital an through this blog. Keep up the good work Eric... Sometimes it is difficult to see in your post that you yourself are a victim to this disease. Trust me when I say that your leadership permeates many boundaries. Thank you.
D/H 47 years old, 10/2014, Stage IV M/CRC, nodes 12/15, para-aortic, 5 cm sigmoid resection, positive Virchow. KRAS mut, MSS, Highly Differentiated, Lynch Neg, 5FU/LV and Avastin 1 YR (Oxi for 5 months), Zeloda/Bev since 01/2016. 02/2019 recurrence para-nodes, back to 5FU/LV Oxy/Bev. It is working again. "...Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other."-Walter Elliot
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
So sorry for your loss BB. Sometimes it just hard to believe. Butt has others have said, so glad you are here with us.
Take care,
Lee
Take care,
Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!
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BrownBagger
- Posts: 7954
- Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:56 pm
- Location: Central NYS
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
Thanks everyone.
I'm glad I was around to see this last Saturday. My daughter got married!
I'm glad I was around to see this last Saturday. My daughter got married!
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.
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midlifemom
- Posts: 1358
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:58 am
- Location: NJ
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
Beautiful!
Stage 3 cc - dx Jan '14 age 53, cea 2.9
t2n2m0, KRAS mutant, MSS
Folfox Feb - Aug '14
Nov '14 cea 27.7 -2 liver masses
Dec '14 left lobectomy and HAI
Jan '15 FUDR and FOLFIRI
Aug '15 fudr done, liver clear, add avastin for lungs. Cea 4.3
Feb '16 CEA rising
May '16 2 wk break then drop Iri for 6 weeks.
Jul '16 cancer grew, constricted main bile duct. Stent inserted. On break till jaundice clears. CEA climbing. Doing reduced Folfox. Allergic to Oxali.
Sep'16 chemo failed. Trial or hospice?
t2n2m0, KRAS mutant, MSS
Folfox Feb - Aug '14
Nov '14 cea 27.7 -2 liver masses
Dec '14 left lobectomy and HAI
Jan '15 FUDR and FOLFIRI
Aug '15 fudr done, liver clear, add avastin for lungs. Cea 4.3
Feb '16 CEA rising
May '16 2 wk break then drop Iri for 6 weeks.
Jul '16 cancer grew, constricted main bile duct. Stent inserted. On break till jaundice clears. CEA climbing. Doing reduced Folfox. Allergic to Oxali.
Sep'16 chemo failed. Trial or hospice?
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basedballguy
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2011 7:53 pm
- Location: Ontario
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
That's terrific BB. Congratulations!
Diagnosed CC 20/04/10
Surgery left hemicollectomy 12/05/10
temp iliostomy
Diagnosed stage IIIA 1/31 lymphnodes
12 sessions folfox chemo completed 16/12/10
Reversal scheduled 02/02/11
Reversal completed with GREAT SUCCESS!
Surgery left hemicollectomy 12/05/10
temp iliostomy
Diagnosed stage IIIA 1/31 lymphnodes
12 sessions folfox chemo completed 16/12/10
Reversal scheduled 02/02/11
Reversal completed with GREAT SUCCESS!
Re: Lost a Chemo Buddy
Mega Cheers and Harmony to the BB clan !!!!!
viva gli sposi !
casa CR
viva gli sposi !
casa CR
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far
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