Signet Ring Cell Survivor Update

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BeckyH
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 12:19 pm

Signet Ring Cell Survivor Update

Postby BeckyH » Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:01 am

I haven't been here for quite a while. I wanted to give an update. Come February 8, I will celebrate 4 years after my resection of "No Evidence of Disease". I had 1 inch of rectum and 17 inches of colon removed along with 56 lymph nodes--35 of which were positive for Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma. I had 12 rounds of FOLFOX over a 6 month period and also had Leucovorin for approximately half that time.

First, the negatives--I still struggle with hand/foot neuropathies and decreased balance ability. I have bowel issues/urgency and spicy food I used to love is no longer an option.

The Positives--I AM FREAKING ALIVE!!! If you have ever looked at the statistics for signet ring cell colon cancer, it isn't pretty. Yet here I am, nearly 4 years later. I have been blessed to watch my children go from middle school to high school and grow into amazing young adults. I feel so very blessed.

I wanted to leave this message of hope. A lady named Dori on this board gave me so much hope on my dark, dark nights. I am so thankful for that. The truth is, we are all terminal from the moment we take our first breath. I got a big warning smacked across my..well...colon and I am trying to make the best of the time I have been given. I am not out of the woods and I know that. I still get CT scans every 6 months and at 5 years, will get them annually for at least a few years. But 2 or 3 years ago, I didn't think I would live more than a year or two. Remember when you read those statistics that the studies WE need to see are the ones that will be published 5 to 10 years from now. Medicine is slowly but ever evolving. Make the most of your days to the best of your ability if you can. And don't be afraid to ask your doctor for medication to help your psyche if you struggle. I understand because I have had and still occasionally have very dark days.

Blessings to all of you! And Dori--if you read this, thank you.
Becky
DX: Suspected Colon Cancer January, 2016
2/8/16: Removed 17" Colon (Sigmoid area) & 1"Rectum & 58 lymph nodes
2/12/16: CA in 35/58 lymph nodes
Cancer: Stage 3C T3A N2B
Path: Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma
Chemo: 12 rounds of FOLFOX, (3/17/16 to August, 2016) Leukovorin DC'd after WBC decrease.
DX: Suspected Colon Cancer January 29, 2016
2/8/16: Removed 17" Colon (Sigmoid area) & 1"Rectum & 58 lymph nodes
2/12/16: CA in 35/58 lymph nodes
Cancer: Stage 3C T3N2B
Path: Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma
Chemo: 12 rounds of FOLFOX, (3/17/16 to August, 2016) Leukovorin DC'd after WBC decrease.
Scans: F/U scans every 3 months; last one 8/2017--All NED.
CEA: Stable b/t 1 and 2

Deb m
Posts: 558
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:08 am

Re: Signet Ring Cell Survivor Update

Postby Deb m » Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:02 am

So happy for you!!!!!!!!

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DBF
Posts: 328
Joined: Fri Jun 07, 2013 1:44 pm
Facebook Username: https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1000008
Location: New York

Re: Signet Ring Cell Survivor Update

Postby DBF » Fri Jan 10, 2020 12:19 pm

I’m so happy to read this. Sending you all the best wishes!!
Donna
6/13 Dx @ 29 Wks pregnant, 42 yo
Adenocarcinoma, mucinous
7/13 C-sec/col resec/part. hysterectomy
8/13 Pulm embolism
8/13 Spread to liver
9/13 Liver resection
FOLFOX
CEA UP
ADAPT: Xeloda/Celebrex
2/14 oopherectomy
10/15 obstruction surg
10/17 Scar tissue removal/vsg surg
2019: NED :)
2021: NED :D
2022: NED :)
Mom to 3 boys: 24, 13 & 9

boxhill
Posts: 789
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:40 am

Re: Signet Ring Cell Survivor Update

Postby boxhill » Sat Jan 11, 2020 1:04 pm

Thanks for sharing the wonderful news!
F, 64 at DX CRC Stage IV
3/17/18 blockage, r hemi
11 of 25 LN,5 mesentery nodes
5mm liver met
pT3 pN2b pM1
BRAF wild, KRAS G12D
dMMR, MSI-H
5/18 FOLFOX
7/18 and 11/18 CT NED
12/18 MRI 5mm liver mass, 2 LNs in porta hepatis
12/31/18 Keytruda
6/19 Multiphasic CT LNs normal, Liver stable
6/28/19 Pause Key, predisone for joint pain
7/31/19 Restart Key
9/19 CT stable
Pain: all fails but Celebrex
12/23/19 CT stable
5/20 MRI stable/NED
6/20 Stop Key
All MRIs NED

Dori W
Posts: 34
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:30 pm
Facebook Username: Dori Woodhouse

Re: Signet Ring Cell Survivor Update

Postby Dori W » Mon Jan 13, 2020 3:48 pm

Becky! You made me tear up, which seldom happens. I'm so glad you are doing well!

Also, I’ve still never had a recurrence and I’m eleven years out.

Dori
Last edited by Dori W on Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
Diagnosed stage 3C signet ring colon cancer in May, 2008
14 out of 18 positive lymph nodes
Final treatment in November, 2008
NED ever since
I used to have an account under "Dori," but I've lost access to it.
You can view my old posts here: search.php?author_id=1446&sr=posts

Dori W
Posts: 34
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:30 pm
Facebook Username: Dori Woodhouse

Re: Signet Ring Cell Survivor Update

Postby Dori W » Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:02 pm

Also, what a coincidence that I logged in today and saw this post! I don't often log in anymore. I'm so glad I did.
Diagnosed stage 3C signet ring colon cancer in May, 2008
14 out of 18 positive lymph nodes
Final treatment in November, 2008
NED ever since
I used to have an account under "Dori," but I've lost access to it.
You can view my old posts here: search.php?author_id=1446&sr=posts

Jlschueler
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2018 2:54 pm
Facebook Username: Jessica.ramey

Re: Signet Ring Cell Survivor Update

Postby Jlschueler » Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:52 pm

I so needed to see this. 1 1/2 years out from Signet Cell Rectal Cancer. Two clean scans and I feel like I’m on borrowed time. Thank you for giving me some hope.


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