The Colon Club

Hello! I recently scanned NED as well so 2.5 after surgery and just over 3 with a clean bill of health. My doctor wants me to scan one last time on the 6 month interval, but I am concerned over receiving too much radiation and will in all likelihood refrain from another CT scan until the 12 month mark? Instead, I will undergo another colonoscopy at the 12 month mark although my doctor said it was not necessary and take an x-ray of my diaphragm instead. Any thoughts?

You know, the thoughts of regression always creep in, especially when things appear at their best and I allow myself to forget the past ordeal. PSTD is the best way to describe the feeling. I had a panic attack or two. Find myself depressed. Before I had no cares in the world. So, yes....talking to someone about your thoughts, feelings, concerns is therapeutic. I would probably look for a therapist that has seen patients with our own experiences since they are more likely to understand our position rather than just give us the clinical answers and approach.

So happy to hear you are doing well and getting along. Unfortunately, freaking cancer did more to is than just make us physically sick, but we are alive and in a better place than before so keep living and stay strong!

Hi there-
I say get the colonoscopy. Colon cancer patients are too scared to go a year or more! He will understand that.
I’m so glad you have been clear this long. That’s wonderful. So happy that there are indeed happy stories.

Yes it’s definitely PTSD but on high. I just watched the beginning of Dead Pool and saw the scene where he is dxed with cancer. I had an absolute colossal meltdown in front of my whole family. Thoughts of the Dx come in my head, the desperation, the I’m so sorry, why am I still here thoughts all run through my head. Blood work on May 29th and I’ll freak out again. Being “NY on Pause” sure sucks. I havent been anywhere but the supermarket since March 13 and have been teaching remotely which is so darn hard. I had to cancel my trip to Hawaii too. I’m losing it a bit. My senior will not have a prom and her graduation is on hold until the schools figure it out. I feel like Covid took that away from me. It all sucks. I just hope you are all well. Stay safe and wash your hands!!! It would surely suck to survive cancer and die of Covid.

Hang in there,
Lydia

Hi Claudia-
You are correct. We have to sort of put it on a shelf. But other things trigger a panic attack. No one gets it like we do. Every tinge of pain makes me worry. Therapy is next if we can just get out of the house!!!!
Take care!

Hey Teacher2017!! I’m so glad you are doing well....I’ve been following your journey since you joined CC....great to hear from you....
jep

jep wrote:Hey Teacher2017!! I’m so glad you are doing well....I’ve been following your journey since you joined CC....great to hear from you....
jep

Hey there! Glad to hear from you too! We’ve about had it with the self isolation thing here in NY. Tired of the masks and the gloves honestly. How are you all holding up?
Lydia

Ok bloodwork on Saturday. Here we go again. Can’t wait to walk in there, get the blood draw and check the portal every 15 min until I see the cea level. No sleeping. And I think my liver aches or is it in my head? Hoping you are all safe and Covid And cancer free....

" Stay positive ... TEST negative ! "

Goes for both Covid and CEA Lydia !!!
Best wishes for good results

Stayin' safe AND strong on the Journey
CRguy

Good luck for the test!

Best

Claudia

All good!!! Cea is 1.2 and all blood work looks good- liver numbers good too. So I go to bring my daughter to college in August and scan in Sept. Distance learning teaching was very rough!! Glad that’s over with too. Got the antibody test just to check and it came out negative. Was actually a bit disappointed I didn’t already have it...God knows I had everything else...JK I know it doesn’t guarantee you eobt get it. Come on with the vaccine already!

Stay positive friends,
Lydia

So nice! I am really happy for the good news!

Best

Claudia

Just checking in...hope everyone is doing well and living life to the fullest! COVID sucks and sure has complicated things, but all is manageable. Missed my 3 year scan in September, but will get them in November (inshallah) if all works according to plan. Thanks to everyone for helping me get this far!

Hi all! Checking in to see how everyone is doing...went to my primary and they detected blood in urine and low iron but not anemia levels. Worried. Hoping it’s a uti. Makes me crazy though. Cea level on Tuesday and colonoscopy on the 28th. Managed not to get covid as of yet and teach hybrid classes while in the building. Give me the vaccine!
Lydia

I’ve been following your story since I joined! Hoping for good results for you this month!

I am also on team “give me the vaccine” ha

Hi all! I realize I haven’t posted since last year! I’ve been on the Blue Hope Nation groups and the Colontown ones. I made it to 2 1/2 yrs NED in Feb and I have CEA check on June 6. Still here but still always worried. What a way to live. Trying to be thankful-I remember those hopeless days and I hope to never return. I bought a beach condo in Florida and will eventually retire ana live right on the beach. Hoping that the stars have that out for me. How are you all doing???

For those who like to start at the end, this is my story. Not my “journey.”
Lydia

So good to hear from you! Congrats on the house and the eventual retirement, sounds like something I need to start thinking of myself Good news that you remain NED and that you are moving in the right direction and past your diagnosis. If you recall, we ended up on here at about the same time and scared as all hell. However, you did a lot to help bring me through those dark moments and fears, and I will be eternally grateful for everything you did to help keep me sane when I needed it most! Going on 4 years NED with my next round of scans in July *fingers crossed* Don't feel bad about not being on here often and getting on with it, that is what we are meant to do and life is worth living! Continue to take good care of yourself and stay in touch!