For Stage III's: NED for how long now?

[itsfineimanurse]

Not a huge milestone compared to a lot of you (well done!!) BUTT I graduated from every 3 month scans and labs to every 6 months! Clear colonoscopy last week and clear scans today!

I had to share somewhere where people knew the EXACT feelings that come with news like this! Thanks for "listening"

God bless xx

[John72]

I don’t know if this really deserves its own thread, so maybe put it here and people can follow his career. I’m a huge baseball fan. In 2019 Trey Mancini of the Baltimore Orioles had a great season after a couple years showing great promise. Then last year at 27 or 28 years old he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer and missed the whole season. He passed the one year mark a couple months ago and is currently leading the American League in RBI’s, a strong hitting measurement.

[dianetavegia]

Daryl Strawberry had colon cancer which spread to his kidney way back in 1998 AND 2000.

In 1998, Strawberry was diagnosed with colon cancer and had surgery to remove 24 inches of his colon. When doctors learned the cancer had spread to a nearby lymph node, he underwent chemotherapy, returning to the field in 1999. The cancer returned and spread to his kidney and lymph nodes in 2000, and he underwent more surgery.
With his new book Turn Your Season Around: How God Transforms Your Life publishing next week, Strawberry’s mission to spread his faith and tell others about the lessons he learned through his battles is taking the spotlight.

“[Strawberry’s] new book, coming out Jan. 12, 2021 … deals with everything: the drinking, the addiction, the jail time, the two bouts of colon cancer,” The New York Post‘s Mike Vaccaro writes. “And here Darryl still is, a traveling minister teaching kids the evils of opioids. May he do that for years to come.”

https://www.survivornet.com/articles/fo ... g-miracle/

[John72]

11 years post surgery. I can’t even remember the exact surgery date anymore. I think it was the 22nd.

Actually have to check with my primary care physician and see if I am due for a colonoscopy.

[TiredandTroubled]

Bumping because I need more good news.

[Jacques]

Bumping because I need more good news.

The good news is this: If you are Stage III and if you diligently adhere to the "Three Pillars of Survivorship", then you are highly likely to finish the 5-year follow-up period in "complete remission". There are many Stage III's here who have successfully taken this path.

There are three pillars of cancer prevention:(1) Regular exercise, (2) Healthy, well-balanced meals, and (3) Stress reduction program. You would need to develop a program to follow in each of these three areas. For you, development of an effective stress reduction program may be the most important, because long-term stress can lead to an impaired immune system, and this is what can encourage cancer to come back:

...Finally, how did you deal with the fear/anxiety of the cancer returning? ...Thanks for the feedback.


Hi testing765 -

Having an effective stress reduction program is critical for survivorship planning as you enter the five-year post-chemo surveillance period. As mentioned in another post, persons who are entering the surveillance period should set up, and diligently pursue, effective programs in (1) Physical exercise (2) Nutrition, and (3) Stress management

Here are some links that describe ways to manage stress during the post-chemo period. The last link below explains, in detail, why stress reduction is essential.

Managing stress - cancer.net
http://www.cancer.net/coping-and-emotions/managing-emotions/managing-stress

Managing stress and cancer
http://www.cancercenter.com/community/thrive/managing-stress-and-cancer/

Stress Management (LEF website)
http://www.lef.org/Protocols/Emotional-Health/Stress-Management/Page-01

Anxiety (LEF website)
http://www.lef.org/Protocols/Emotional-Health/Anxiety/Page-01

Quick Relief from Anxiety and Stress Without Tranquilizer Drugs (LEF Magazine)
http://www.lef.org/Magazine/2007/8/report_stress_anxiety/Page-01

Diet for stress management
http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-diet-for-stress-management

Stress and Cancer 101: Why Stress Reduction Is Essential
http://www.integrativeoncology-essentials.com/2012/04/anticancer-lifestyle-stress-reduction-101/
°

...Secondary prevention (maintaining a healthy body weight and active lifestyle) is recommended...."

Reference: Follow-Up Care, Surveillance Protocol, and Secondary Prevention Measures for Survivors of Colorectal Cancer:
American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Endorsement
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24220554

[RickMurtagh]

I dunno. 10 years maybe. Maybe the little bio thingy at the end of my post will tell me. After all thees years all my doctor appts, etc have been wiped from my calendar on my phone and computers, I still have the CAT scan, MRI , PET scan, fluoroscope, X-ray, ultrasound, etc on my phone "just in case."

[I_will_fight]

The good news is this: If you are Stage III and if you diligently adhere to the "Three Pillars of Survivorship", then you are highly likely to finish the 5-year follow-up period in "complete remission". There are many Stage III's here who have successfully taken this path.

There are three pillars of cancer prevention:(1) Regular exercise, (2) Healthy, well-balanced meals, and (3) Stress reduction program. You would need to develop a program to follow in each of these three areas. For you, development of an effective stress reduction program may be the most important, because long-term stress can lead to an impaired immune system, and this is what can encourage cancer to come back:

Having an effective stress reduction program is critical for survivorship planning as you enter the five-year post-chemo surveillance period. As mentioned in another post, persons who are entering the surveillance period should set up, and diligently pursue, effective programs in (1) Physical exercise (2) Nutrition, and (3) Stress management

Here are some links that describe ways to manage stress during the post-chemo period. The last link below explains, in detail, why stress reduction is essential.

Managing stress - cancer.net
http://www.cancer.net/coping-and-emotions/managing-emotions/managing-stress

Managing stress and cancer
http://www.cancercenter.com/community/thrive/managing-stress-and-cancer/

Stress Management (LEF website)
http://www.lef.org/Protocols/Emotional-Health/Stress-Management/Page-01

Anxiety (LEF website)
http://www.lef.org/Protocols/Emotional-Health/Anxiety/Page-01

Quick Relief from Anxiety and Stress Without Tranquilizer Drugs (LEF Magazine)
http://www.lef.org/Magazine/2007/8/report_stress_anxiety/Page-01

Diet for stress management
http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-diet-for-stress-management

Stress and Cancer 101: Why Stress Reduction Is Essential
http://www.integrativeoncology-essentials.com/2012/04/anticancer-lifestyle-stress-reduction-101/
°

...Secondary prevention (maintaining a healthy body weight and active lifestyle) is recommended...."

Reference: Follow-Up Care, Surveillance Protocol, and Secondary Prevention Measures for Survivors of Colorectal Cancer:
American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Endorsement
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24220554

Thanks for this!

I am visiting those links and taking steps.

[Mark67]

Hello everyone, my first post here.
Ned, diagnosed 2005 at 37 years old.

[Blakeacw]

Hi Everyone - Update here - got my CT scan on Friday 3/11 - NED -

Just glad to continue to hit each milepost.

Hope this encourages others in their individual battles.....

[annieliz]

Also posting to encourage others - NED as of scan on 3/4/22, so that's 2 years for me.
Thankful for all of the help I found from the members on this board and for my amazing doctors and family.

Anne

[horizon]

I'm pretty close to hitting 11 years. I can hardly believe it has been that long sometimes.

[aquarian_asian]

just hitting here to let you all know that I have crossed 1 yr now after my diagnosis and treatments. Recent MRI & CT scans all clear with CEA too.
I know this is just small acheivement , miles (years) to go. But spreading the positivity to everyone. Thanks folks.

[John72]

Forgot to post. Surgery July 22, 2010 at age 38 for stage 3c rectal cancer w/heavy lymph node involvement. Made 12 years cancer free this year and just turned 50.

[Kekeg]

Stage 3B, now 11 years Out!