New here from Philippines

[kaloy85]

Hi all,
I am from the Philippines and i am learning a lot about this disease just reading from different topics. I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer (T2N1; 2/12 pos lymph nodes) (32y.o.) last April2018. had a successful colon resection with negative margins. completed 6 cycle xelox treatment (4x with oxy, 2 with xeloda only). had a clear post chemo CT scan last october. Its been a month now post chemo, but its still hard to let go fear and anxiety of the cancer coming back. Do i have a good prognosis based on my pathology? can anyone suggest on how to deal with mild neuropathy on hands and feet? though its not limiting my daily activities, it is still bothersome though.Thank you all for the inputs!

[Lee]

Hi all,
. . . Its been a month now post chemo, but its still hard to let go fear and anxiety of the cancer coming back. Do i have a good prognosis based on my pathology? can anyone suggest on how to deal with mild neuropathy on hands and feet? though its not limiting my daily activities . . . !

One day at a time. I'm coming up on a 15 yr stage IIIC rectal cancer diagnoses. Somethings you adjust to, other go away. Me I have nerve damage in my ears thanks to FOLFOX, In time, you learn to live with your new normal. Again one day at a time. . . .

You will soon learn, we have other people from the Philippines.

All the best,

Lee

[Eleda]

I'm due reversal after X mas and still have anxiety about reacurance,,
Don't think it will ever go away
When do u celebrate???
A friend says 'celebrate untill further notice" lol
Easier said than done
I think u just learn to manage Ur anxiety,, because I think it will never go away!!!!!!!!
So Ur not alone and other people usually don't understand........
They think u should be happy after a clean scan,,,
but in the beginning I think we then just begin to worry about the next scan ( no chemo ) panic!!!!!!!
Then the second one is more important,,
Maybe the third, fourth,, it's always there,
I know for me it's early stages and eventually maybe like Lee,,, we will calm done and worry less
Sorry I'm probably not much help but only to know Ur not alone in theees feelings!!!!!!!!!!

Adele X

[Deb m]

The fear you have of a re- occurrence happening is normal. My husband is 8 years out and I still freak out every time he gets a weird stomach ache, diarrhea or anything at all. My sister is over 25 years out from being a lymphoma survivor and she too still has anxiety at times. I don't think it ever really goes away, but it does get better as time goes on. Han
in there!

Deb m

[zephyr]

Several years ago, I went though hypnosis for a medical reason. Before the session, I had a get-to-know you talk with the psychologist. It turned out that she did volunteer work with HIV patients, helping them with anxiety and pain control. One thing she mentioned that I never forgot: she reminded them how lucky they were to have the time to say goodbye. Unlike say someone who dies suddenly of a heart attack or in a car accident, these patients had TIME.

You’re Stage III, I’m Stage IV — we both still have time to make the best of whatever time we have left, to say our goodbyes, the give forgiveness to ourselves and others, to give love, to leave no affections unspoken, to leave our mark. Maybe weeks, maybe months, maybe years ... but we have the time to make it happen. As much as I want to go back to the time before DX, I recognize this period as a gift.

Sorry to get all sappy on you. Hope this helps. As others have said, the fear of recurrence is normal and understandable. So turn it around by making today count - that’s my strategy (it works better some days than others).

[kaloy85]

Thanks for all the reply! i guess its time for me to learn to live within the moment, not to dwell on the past and to not think too much of the future. Though its hard, but again, one day at a time as you all mentioned! is T2/N1 a good prognosis in terms of recurrence free? cause i got different views from different studies.