2014 member update -- for all of us--please post!

[Kick'nAssCancer'sAss]

Feeling great and realize just how fortunate I am. It as been a real tough year but I have stayed positive and kept my chin up I am back playing ice hockey which was goal number one. This forum has been of great value for me and have searched topics regularly over the last year. I find experience speaks loudest and there is no sugar coating here.
Thanx again

[PaulC]

Hello everyone!

Well, it's Christmas Eve, I'll be heading p to my sister's house in a bit for the annual Christmas Eve dinner and celebration.

I have a lot to celebrate, diagnosed in January '14 with Stage IV CC, it's in my liver and lymph nodes. I'm not a candidate for surgery. 12 rounds of FOLFOX, on 5FU now (my oncologist gave me a break over the holidays). The first weeks after the initial diagnosis were rough, full of uncertainty and doubt. I'm fortunate to have a support system consisting of two wonderfull sisters and of course, a beautiful and loving wife to help me through the treatments.

I'm feeling fine now, normal almost, all things considered. Still have lingering neuropathy and on some days I feel fatigued and my stamina is not what it should be. Who knows what the future will bring but, for now, I'm taking it one day at a time.

To all those newly diagnosed, have faith and don't read the statistics, your cancer is your cancer, not someone else's.

Best Christmas wishes to everyone on this board, may the coming days be happy and healthful for you all. One thing I've learned, take some time to enjoy the life you have!

[NZJay]

Merry Christmas, all.

I'm spending it with my 12 year old daughter, off to a family friend's house for a bbq and swim in the pool today.

My current cancer status:
Last scanned (PET) in March.
Next scan (CT) due January 16.
Hernia surgery will be happening late Jan - mid Feb.
CEA still sitting around 5, has not changed in months.

Feeling fine physically, energy is decent and I am not depressed or particularly anxious. Just hope I get the NED tick so I can keep on living this healthy post-cancer feeling.

Be safe.

[shade]

I finished chemo last week, and am feeling OK with some mild hand/foot problems. My reversal is scheduled at Hopkins for late Jan, and my first post-chemo scan will also be in Jan. So a couple of big hurdles in Jan, but I am hopeful.

My chemo staff were amazing. That made the chemo much less horrible than it could have been. Every time I arrived there for an infusion session, they kept my spirits up from the moment I entered the door. Everyone knew my name - what a big difference that makes.

[CRguy]

I am alive and kicking
first suspicious "signs" in August of 2006
first official doctor's appointment in Feb 2007
The whole nine yards in May - July 2007
Resection August 2007
chemo until Dec 2007
Ileo takedown Feb 2008
test test.. bloods ..scan .. test test bloods scan scan
Yada Yada Yada
Oct 2009 ... lung met
CT .. PET ... MRI ... VATS resection ... 12 cycles FOLFOX
test test.. bloods ..scan .. test test bloods scan scan...

Yada Yada Yada

Christmas 2014 ... NED

" Sometimes life's a bitch but you can never let it get you down ! "
Don't retreat ... RELOAD !

Merry Christmas and all the best for a kickass New Year

CR

[pog451]

Well, Im alive, but only just.

I may post the full story later, but the short version is - Had a severe infection in my rectum that started to bleed and wouldn't stop. And yes, I was in f$%§ing China.

Do not, I repeat DO NOT get so ill you need to be hospitalised in China. Really.

Lost approx. 1/3 of my blood until they got it under control HB value 70 so not fit to fly.

Several blood transfusions and managed, with the astoundingly selfless help of a work colleague who stayed behind to help me, to creep back to Europe on Sunday. Just.

Checked in with my local team, they were not too worried, in to my local center on Sunday for checks, restaging etc. Looks like they are going to fit me with an ileostomy to get everything calmed down and then a bigger op to clear up with a permanent colostomy as a result. Ive been trying to avoid that, but just at the moment Ive given up caring.

Had a decent Xmas yesterday (German Xmas) although I am so exhausted I kept nodding off and generally I feel grotty, but that's blood loss for you.

Have a good party today and Ill try and be back when Im feeling better.

[laneylou]

Doing fine, all things considered. Slowly starting to recover from the 2-year odyssey of radiation/chemo/surgeries/blood clot and stent placement and 2 tries at IVC filter removal/piriformis syndrome (from radiation and/or steroid-induced proximal muscle atrophy) and sciatic nerve injury, just starting to feel like myself again. Big props to my dedicated docs, physical therapists, and Pilates instructors for helping me get here.

Feeling a lot of survivor guilt - check in most everyday, but rarely post. So far so good - super-clean 2-year post-treatment CT in September (nothing out of the ordinary to watch, just the expected, stable post-surgical/post-radiation changes), undetectable CEA. Going in for checkup/CEA after the holiday, hopefully all will be well.

Post-reversal is settling down, I'm down to once/twice a day usually as long as I take my 2 Welchol every morning. A minor leak occasionally (I still wear a thin pad to be safe) but nothing too annoying, unless I'm really far away from a toilet, get a stomach bug (yikes) or forget my Welchol. Seriously, if any of you post-reversal folks have issues with severe urgency/incontinence after eating, ask your docs about it - it is magic for me. Works the same as Questran powder, but in tablet form rather than choking down the gritty Questran sludge, and won't wreck your teeth over time.

I told my docs, "the good news is, my old GI function is returning. The bad news is, my old GI function is returning" (the alternating constipation/loose stools I've had since childhood, that led to presumption of IBS + hemorrhoids and delayed my RC diagnosis for a few years). I think things are probably stabilizing now (about 1.5 years out) and it'll be a matter of managing my fiber intake from here out.

That's it for me ... thank you to the whole Colon Club family for being my safe haven and sounding board. All my very best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and good outcomes in the New Year.

[Lee]

Merry Christmas (or Happy Hanukkah) to everyone.

I'm doing good. I reached my 10 year anniversary since diagnoses this past April. A personal milestone for me and one that I hoped (and prayed) I would see someday. For those just starting on this journey, don't give up the hope and give it all you've got from day one.

I had to have a hernia surgery on my stoma (permanent colostomy) as it had gotten rather large. Dr took off about 4-5 inches from my colon. I went down 2 dress sizes, was very happy with the result. Just hated the recovery part. No walking, lifting or doing a whole lot of anything for about 8-10 weeks.

Finally got my weight under control for the 2nd time in the last few yrs. This time I PLAN to KEEP IT OFF!!!

I'm so glad this forum is here. Even today, I still learn a lot from this site. Sometimes, I feel I just might know a bit more than some of my Dr.(s), a direct result of the info that I have learned here.

Lee

[Augustine]

Three and a half years as passed since I was diagnosed, am doing good and life has been back to normal. I have not posted much on Colon talk but did come in on a regular basis.

Would like to take to express my gratitude to fellow colon talk members, some have left us and some are still very much active in this forum, for their wonderful input and support over the last couple years, especially during the initial stage when I am very lost. Special thanks goes to BrownBagger, CRguy, BevG, CheeseHead, SkiFletch, weissoccermon, fritts44 and many more ….

Am thankful for all the help you all have render me over this journey.

Merry Xmas and an even better 2015 .

Best wishes
Augustine

[Ratepo]

Current status of my dad: feeling great more than 2 years after first diagnosis colon cancer with mets (liver). Colostomy is shit but he can live with it. NED at the moment, however because of xelox some mets disappeared and they will reappear one day, the question is when...Till that we are enjoying everyway we can as we didn't expect to celebrate Christmas with the entire family at all. In January new scans...

[pollo65]

Happy Holidays! Whew it is over at this house. Considering my diagnoses it just one holiday at a time.
Anyway I was diagnosed in January 09, had emergency surgery started chemo 2 months later and have been in and out of chemo since. I have had 2 lengthy remissions and am now where my tumors are growing slowly and onc and I are waiting for growth while maintaining all
I was given 2 years to live when diagnosed and have gotten six so I can't complain.
Love all you guys on CC but have had to back of since all the passions of our friends threw me for a loop..
Pollo 652

[annalexandria]

I'm not here much these days, but that's just because life has slowly returned to something closer to normal for me.
I've been NED for 3 years, and with my particular tumor type (a blended thing called a carcinosarcoma, grows very fast compared to the more standard stuff), that can be considered more or less cured (ugh, knock on wood).
I still struggle with the physical fall-out from treatment, but things have improved with time. Not perfect, but better. And I have absolutely no reason to complain, given how different the outcome could have been. I'm thinking about trying to get back to work, either in my old career as a librarian, or possibly as a teacher. The idea of doing something new is kind of appealing at this stage of my life.
I have one more PET scheduled in January, and if it's clear, I will be done scanning.

I don't get why I'm still around when so many are not, there's no rhyme or reason to it. My greatest hope is that more people with advanced cancer will live longer lives, perhaps even be cured, in the future.

[kkjenkins]

Hello,
My 'adventure' started in February 2014 as a routine colonscopy. A serrated sessile was found and removed! Pathology report came back as precancerous! My genetic testing for Lynch Syndrome came back negative. July 2014 - follow- up with another colonscopy -- a rare (beign) Granular Cell tumor had grown over the polyp! Still found residual precancerous cells so had another colonscopy in October 2014. My Dr., decided to burn a large area with a treatment Argon Plasma Coagulation (probably missed spelled it). In addition to the one serrated sessile that seems to have biotic strength also found several smaller sessiles as well! Fortunately, they were not precancerous!

Now, my Dr., wants to wait for 1 year before my next colonscopy. It sounds like great news but, I am starting to get anxious and feel like something isn't right but, I am sure that I am just over-reacting!

I started to look into my family history as colon cancer isn't a topic that my family would talk about. I knew that my father's brother died of colon cancer when he was 48 yr., but, then found out that my father had colon cancer when he was 37 yr., I was able to get my father's medical VA records (he past away 25+ years ago with heart disease). My father had 'colon issues' for 3-4 years prior being diagnosed with colon cancer at 37 yr.!

I decided to be proactive in my health and am seeing a nutritionist. I was diagnosed borderline diabetic (2nd year) so I am exercising and watching what I eat. I have lost 10 lbs so far and have 25 more to go.

I have an amazing husband and family who are supportive! We are eating healthier and exercising together as a family! I have also started a journal reflecting this passed year.
The Colon talk has give me an opportunity to ask questions and to get strength.

[carmelkath]

Hi All, Had my last chemo infusion on the 22nd of December. Will have scans and blood work in 2 weeks. I am in a clinical trial, so I will be watched pretty closely. Praying for a good report. Just wondering if anyone gets crippling anxiety for a couple of days after chemo. I just worry about everything and feel totally out of control.
Best Wishes for a Happy, healthy 2015.I pray for all of us every day. Kath

[disco nap]

I am still good. My next bloodwork is next week, my next big scan is in May. I'll hit my 5 year mark NED on July 6, 2015. I have had a few liver lump scares over the past year but so far everyone is saying benign.

I still check in here once in awhile.