Ten years after Stage III diagnosis

[Monique]

Hello,

I’ve been hesitant to post as I’ve lost some good friends to cancer and I suppose I have ‘survivor’s guilt’. My survival, in my mind, is simply a matter of chance rather than courage, a fighting spirit, faith, or a totally changed lifestyle.

That said, when I was first diagnosed with cancer I spent many hours looking for posts written by longtime survivors. As a result, I thought my post might be helpful to those who have been recently diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. (I also have a friend who was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer at the same time as I was and he too is doing well.)

A little bit about me: I first visited this forum ten years ago when, at the age of 39, I was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer. My diagnosis was T4N1MX. My sigmoid tumour was sizable (it had breached my colon wall and invaded my small intestine), there was lymph node involvement and some suspicious lung nodules that had to be monitored for a couple of years. My diagnosis devastated and angered me. I never saw myself as a ‘cancer warrior’ as I was quivering in my boots for all of my treatment and, for that matter, a couple of years afterwards.

Ten years later, I am living an interesting life. I have moved to another country, started a PhD at a (very) late age and while I haven’t forgotten about my cancer experience, it no longer haunts me as it once did. In fact, it likely provided me with an empathy that I didn’t possess prior to my diagnosis, specifically towards those who are undergoing health issues. It also, pretty early on (when I was uncertain of what the future held for me) provided me with a clear lens to see what was important in life and what wasn’t. I also realized who my true friends were.

In the last ten years, I have lost some good friends to cancer and I dearly miss all of them. I also miss some wonderful people that I met on Colon Club who have since passed (specifically Rodney Thornton, who was absolutely hilarious and an anchor during difficult times). When I was undergoing treatment and afterwards, this forum was a lifeline for me.

Warm wishes to you all,

Monique

[horizon]

I'm always grateful when I read posts like these. When I first started out they gave me hope and they still do. Congrats on your anniversary!

[CRguy]

Hey Bubba !!!!!
.... you are ALWAYS welcome in my universe !

Mega Cheers and Harmony
Yeah still me
still here
"don't look up ..."

CR on the Journey
PM me sometime ......

[Ron50]

Nice to catch up with another accidental tourist of cancer. I have the same outlook on life ,I never really did anything in particular to get thru cancer. I guess I did give up alcohol but to be able to give up that easy I really wasn't into drinking that much. I still work and live a life of stress. I have quite a few ongoing health related reminders of my cancer time, I was also stage 3c into six nodes. If I make it to January next year I will be out to 19 years still cancer free. Best of luck with the Phd and wishing you continued good health. Ron.

[AnnClare]

Thank you SO much for your post! This gives me so much hope.

I was 41 when DX''d with stage 3C rectal cancer, with 2 nodes. Reading of your amazing recovery and long-time NED status makes me smile.

[Lee]

CONGRATULATIONS! 10 years is awesome and a major milestone.

Lee

[Lydia666]

Thank you for posting to give us hope.

[NZJay]

Congratulations on your cure and renewed life!

Also thank you so much for posting - I also had a T4 (N1) tumour which invaded my small intestine and stomach. Our cases are pretty rare, so I love reading positive outcomes for people who have shared a similar diagnosis.

[Colon King]

What a great random post. Thanks for sharing your story.

[DarknessEmbraced]

Congratulations~ That's wonderful!

[fumaros]

Congratulations! More importantly thanks for sharing.

[MStarnes46]

Thank you for sharing and congratulations!

[Pita]

Congratulations!!! So wonderful to read your kind of post, I won't forget it. ox