My 2157 day journey ended today

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Kick'nAssCancer'sAss
Posts: 248
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:38 pm

My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby Kick'nAssCancer'sAss » Fri Sep 27, 2019 6:03 pm

It was two thousand one hundred and fifty-seven days ago when I was diagnosed with rectal cancer and my journey began. What a journey it would become, it wasn't easy. My life would now be forever changed. I had no idea what my future would hold let alone if I even had a future.

Today, for the last time, I walked out of the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre in Barrie after being discharged by my oncologist. No more bloodwork, scans, exams or appointments. I am now officially done, considered cured. Back on October 31st 2013, the thought of living five years cancer free seemed like a lifetime away.

Going forward, I will now attempt to put cancer in my rear view mirror for good. It won’t be easy since cancer will always be a part of my life. I am so grateful that I made it to this day. I’m still waking up on this side of the grass.

The Colon Talk forum will always be my first ‘go - to’ for all CRC related info. This forum was a huge part of my journey and got me through some of my darkest days. My advice for members just starting their journey, chin up, take a deep breath, stay positive and take it one day at a time. Cancer can be beaten.

My journey journal ‘Kick’n Ass Cancer’s Ass’ is a light hearted account of the challenges I encountered after hearing those three awful words “You have cancer.”

https://kicknasscancersass.blogspot.com/
53M Dx RC Halloween 2013
CT & BONE scan
MRI/T3N0M0 1 suspicious LN
5 wks chemo/rad
LAR open TME Feb 26/14
temp bag
0/24 nodes pCR/pathological
Folfox (8) Mar 28-Jul 4 /14
Aug/14 clear CT scan
Aug 27/14 reversal
Feb/15 clear scope
July/15 Feb/16 Feb/17 Feb/18 clear CT scans
Feb/18 clear scope
Sept 19 clear CT scan & DISCHARGED :P
Mar/23 clear scope
CEA 1.6 @ dx
1.6,1.4,1.7,2.4,2.9, 2.7 2.3 2.5 2.2 2.1 2.5 2.6 2.7
2.7 Sept 19
0-4 normal
https://kickingasscancersass.blogspot.com/

Punky44
Posts: 498
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 4:29 pm

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby Punky44 » Fri Sep 27, 2019 10:29 pm

Awesome update! Congratulations!!!
Caregiver to my amazing mom (68 at dx)
10/1/18 DX with rectal cancer; CEA 17
T3N2M0
Total neoadjuvant therapy:
8 rounds Folfox 11/5/18 - 2/11/19
Short course radiation 3/14/19 - 3/20/19
Robotically assisted laparoscopic LAR 3/21/19
Pathology report says yT2N0M0 with 0/38 nodes
6/28/19 Reversal and port out
CEA 2.1; 1.9; 2.6; 2.8; 2.3; 2.4; 3.0; 3.4; 3.1; 3.4; 3.0; 3.1; 2.6
Latest update: 8/21/23 Clear CT with CEA 2.6!

Me: 34, first colonoscopy 11/16/18—normal! Come back in 5 years.

Gravelyguy
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 6:03 pm

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby Gravelyguy » Sat Sep 28, 2019 6:08 am

That is great news! Thank you so much for sharing. It brings hope to the rest of us that there is an end to this roller coaster!

Dave
6/17 dx mRC t3n1m1 very low rectal tumor 2 liver Mets 1.3 cm and .9 cm

6/17 begin 4 rounds Folfox w/Vectibix
9/17 short course radiation
10/17 rectal and liver resection LAR with coloanal anastomosis (no rectum left)
11/17-3/18 8 rounds Folfox
6/18 still NED!! Takedown
8/28/18 still NED! CEA .8 new low for me
10/18/18 colonoscopy clear
12/12/18 CEA .9 still NED!
6/11/19 CEA 1.0
12/19/19 CEA 1.0 still NED!
6/17/20 CEA 1.1 still NED!
12/15/20 CEA 1.1still NED!
12/16/21 CEA 1.2 still NED!

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Sat Sep 28, 2019 10:32 am

Congratulations! That's wonderful! :D
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! :)

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mobrouser
Posts: 174
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:44 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby mobrouser » Sat Sep 28, 2019 11:05 am

I'm enjoying your blog very much, thanks for sharing the link.
(If you don't mind me asking is the Shanahan group a car dealership or Brendan? ;) )

And congratulations on the big C - Cured!
Cheers,
mob 8)
CC Dx 102017 age 58
Lap. right hemi-colectomy Dec 2017
Adenocarcinoma ascending colon – 6cm x 6cm x 2cm, Low Grade, penetrates to peritoneum
T4a N2a M0, Stage IIIC
lymph nodes 6 positive out of 18
FOLFOX start Jan/18 end Aug/8 (felt like a year)
CEA - 01/15/18-2.8; 07/29/18-5.3; 09/19-2.4; 03/20-2.7; 09/20-2.9
CT scan 08/18 - Clear; 10/19 - Clear; * 10/20 - 8mm & 6mm nodules in liver
PET scan 09/18 (thought about bringing the cat :wink: ) - Clear
Colonoscopy Dec 7 2018 - Clear - Next in 3 years?

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CRguy
Posts: 10473
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby CRguy » Sat Sep 28, 2019 12:35 pm

Congrats Mike !

Keep, keeping on diggin' life ... one day at a time !!!

Cheers and Harmony
CRguy
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

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby Lee » Sat Sep 28, 2019 1:44 pm

CONGRULATIONS!!!

May you always reside in NEDville

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!

annieliz
Posts: 56
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2019 5:13 pm

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby annieliz » Sat Sep 28, 2019 2:30 pm

Congratulations! I've read your blog a couple of times as I have just started my treatment journey - halfway done with 8 rounds folfox! Your blog entries are really helpful, along with all of the great info here on Colon Talk. It's so good to know that feelings I am experiencing have been experienced and conquered by those who have been through treatments and surgery.
Favorite line from the blog: potato skins! Loved how you described the doctor's demeanor during the conversation!
Also, totally love your shout out to caregivers. My DH has been just awesome, going to treatments with me, shopping for all of my food cravings, tolerating my mood swings, etc. All the while not complaining.

Again - congratulations and enjoy your new normal life!
66 Female
7/15/19 Colonoscopy
7/26/19 DX: Rectal Adenocarcinoma
CEA 8/8/19-1.9, 12/6/19-2.3, 2/28/20-1.7, 11/27 - 1.9, 2/10/21 - 1.5
8/16/19 - 11/23/19 FOLFOX - 8 rounds
10/9 flex sig ~30% shrinkage 11/27/19-a bit more shrinkage
Neulasta 9/29/19, 10/27/19, 11/24/19
25 days Xeloda and radiation 12/17/2019 - 1/22/20
Robotic LAR 4/14/20 - clear margins - 0/15 nodes
Temp ileostomy - Reversal 7/15 - minor LARS
10/19/20 - clear colonoscopy
2/10/21 - clear CT

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SilverWedding
Posts: 71
Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 5:54 am
Facebook Username: Cynthia Harding Marshall

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby SilverWedding » Sat Sep 28, 2019 4:45 pm

So encouraging. CONGRATULATIONS
DH, 56, Sigmoid & rectum
Adenocarcinoma 2cm
 G2: Moderately differentiated
T3N2aM0
Stage IIIb
LN 6/22
5/19 Baseline CEA value - 18.9
Lymphovascular invasion (LVI): present
Perineural invasion (PNI): not identified
Surgical margins: proximal -negative; distal - negative 1.5cm; circumferential - negative 1mm)
MSI status: Waiting‬
Lynch status: ?
KRAS/BRAF: ?
Open Restorative Proctectomy, J-Pouch Coloanal Anastomosis, Loop Ileo w/Appendectomy
Neo-adjuvant Xeloda/radiation
Adjuvant Chemo: to begin 11/19

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Kick'nAssCancer'sAss
Posts: 248
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:38 pm

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby Kick'nAssCancer'sAss » Sat Sep 28, 2019 7:13 pm

mobrouser wrote:I'm enjoying your blog very much, thanks for sharing the link.
(If you don't mind me asking is the Shanahan group a car dealership or Brendan? ;) )

And congratulations on the big C - Cured!
Cheers,
mob 8)

Nice, someone knows their hockey. Yes it is the Shanahan Group as in Brendan. It has been a group that has been playing for probably over 30 years. Brendan's brothers I believe once played followed by a bunch of uncles, cousins over the years. Some were big lacrosse players also. Brendan never played as he was busy playing in the NHL. The group still plays under the Shanahan Group to this day although I don't think any of the guys are now actually related to Brendan.
53M Dx RC Halloween 2013
CT & BONE scan
MRI/T3N0M0 1 suspicious LN
5 wks chemo/rad
LAR open TME Feb 26/14
temp bag
0/24 nodes pCR/pathological
Folfox (8) Mar 28-Jul 4 /14
Aug/14 clear CT scan
Aug 27/14 reversal
Feb/15 clear scope
July/15 Feb/16 Feb/17 Feb/18 clear CT scans
Feb/18 clear scope
Sept 19 clear CT scan & DISCHARGED :P
Mar/23 clear scope
CEA 1.6 @ dx
1.6,1.4,1.7,2.4,2.9, 2.7 2.3 2.5 2.2 2.1 2.5 2.6 2.7
2.7 Sept 19
0-4 normal
https://kickingasscancersass.blogspot.com/

User avatar
Kick'nAssCancer'sAss
Posts: 248
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:38 pm

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby Kick'nAssCancer'sAss » Sat Sep 28, 2019 7:22 pm

annieliz wrote:Congratulations! I've read your blog a couple of times as I have just started my treatment journey - halfway done with 8 rounds folfox! Your blog entries are really helpful, along with all of the great info here on Colon Talk. It's so good to know that feelings I am experiencing have been experienced and conquered by those who have been through treatments and surgery.
Favorite line from the blog: potato skins! Loved how you described the doctor's demeanor during the conversation!
Also, totally love your shout out to caregivers. My DH has been just awesome, going to treatments with me, shopping for all of my food cravings, tolerating my mood swings, etc. All the while not complaining.

Again - congratulations and enjoy your new normal life!


Wow a couple times. I could not imagine fighting cancer alone. Caregivers live the journey also. I am happy you have your husband by your side. Just remember if your food cravings happen to include those mini spuds...it ain't your guts in the bowl.
53M Dx RC Halloween 2013
CT & BONE scan
MRI/T3N0M0 1 suspicious LN
5 wks chemo/rad
LAR open TME Feb 26/14
temp bag
0/24 nodes pCR/pathological
Folfox (8) Mar 28-Jul 4 /14
Aug/14 clear CT scan
Aug 27/14 reversal
Feb/15 clear scope
July/15 Feb/16 Feb/17 Feb/18 clear CT scans
Feb/18 clear scope
Sept 19 clear CT scan & DISCHARGED :P
Mar/23 clear scope
CEA 1.6 @ dx
1.6,1.4,1.7,2.4,2.9, 2.7 2.3 2.5 2.2 2.1 2.5 2.6 2.7
2.7 Sept 19
0-4 normal
https://kickingasscancersass.blogspot.com/

texazgal
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:40 pm
Location: central Texas

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby texazgal » Sun Sep 29, 2019 9:16 am

Congratulations on making 5 years! Now I'm going to be a Debbie Downer and say "you can Never trust cancer to stay gone". I am 15 years since my rectal cancer surgery and thought I had a clear run ahead, but no, not to be. In May of this year, I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy scheduled at the same time because I'd been having difficulty swallowing for some months. A mass was found in the esophagus and biopsy showed stage IV esophageal cancer. This is a very nasty cancer with a survival rate close to pancreatic cancer. I've had chemo and radiation and now waiting for a PET scan to show how well those worked. I don't know how this is going to go, but am expecting the worst. So...Sorry but you just can't trust cancer.
DX rectal cancer Aug 04
Surgery Sept 04, perm ostomy, "BarbieButt" Sept 23, 04.
June 2019 stage 3 esophageal cancer
Aug. 2019 28 radiations, 5 chemo
Nov. PET shows original tumor and mets resolved, 2 new mets in liver and bone.
May 2020 port installed, started Folfox hope to do 12 rounds, cure not expected
Keytruda April 2021 8 rounds
scan showed small growth in tumors
Paclitaxol started summer 2021.
Scan July 30, 2021 showed small decrease in size of tumors in liver and bone

Zod
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:56 pm
Facebook Username: Zod

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby Zod » Mon Sep 30, 2019 4:57 pm

Congo rats!

Koreysue
Posts: 258
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:36 pm

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby Koreysue » Wed Oct 02, 2019 10:36 pm

Awesome! Congratulations.
Dx: 6/2017 stage 3 CC
Sigmoid, 2 nodes
CEA at dx: 6.1
Sigmoid Colectomy/folfox (last chemo (1/31/18)
CEA 4/2018: 2.4
CEA 7/2018: 3.7
Colonoscopy 8/18 clean
PET scan 8/20/18 NED
CEA 11/2018: 3.8
CEA 2/2019: 3.2
CT NED 6/18/19 / CEA : 3.4
CEA 10/21/19: 3.2
CEA 3/9/20: 3.8
CT NED /CEA 6/17/20: 3.8
CEA 11/4/20 4.6 <——— whyyyy? (will retest in a few weeks)
CT NED 12/1/20 CEA: 3.5
CEA 5/21 4.2
CEA 10/21 3.4
colonoscopy 10/21 10mm polyp
CEA 4/22 3.7
CEA 7/22 3.8
CEA 12/22 4
CEA 1/22 3.2 and NED 5yr scan

BIGC4ME
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 4:20 pm

Re: My 2157 day journey ended today

Postby BIGC4ME » Mon Oct 07, 2019 3:31 pm

:D


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