The Colon Club

Hi All

Just thought I would share with you the belated 10th anniversary of my diagnosis with stage IV rectal cancer.
Just over 10 years ago my wife & I had just had our 11th wedding anniversary, and bought our "dream home" when after Mrs Kiwi's loving reminders (I would never say nagging) she finally got me to got to a GI specialist as after 6 months of rectal bleeding I had not got anywhere after 4 visits to my local primary care (GP).

Before I went under the scope I expressed to my GI doctor and the nurse that was assisting that we had just purchased a great new home, and then when I came around, I noticed the atmosphere had chilled considerably and they wanted to talk to me once Mrs Kiwi had arrived to pick me up. That happened and it led to them advising me that I had colorectal cancer and that I needed to get a CT scan to get interim staging, which I proceeded to do. I can remember going in for the scan and crying in the machine with the radiologist waiting for me to stop so they could effectively get a decent scan, and then the phone call, a stage IV diagnosis with mets to my lung.

Things went well with my bowel resection, and I didn't need a stoma. Things went better as I was approved to have a lung resection, followed by 6 months of FOLFOX.

I can remember all that I met on this board and it was the one place I could come to and get understanding, laughs, stories of hope, and sadly, too many stories of saddness.

To those that I met along the way I have only thanks and best wishes.

To those of you how are just starting out, you have my heartfelt concern and support.

Cheers and thanks to you all

Kiwi

So fantastic to see your post .

I remember well the photos of your new house and all the early days on the forum !

So delighted to see you are doing so well .
Long may it continue.
Stu

Congratulations
It’s really good seeing these anniversarys.
Hope you have many more

Kiwi, congratulations indeed! Thanks for sharing ... an inspiration to all late-stage colorectal patients.
Best to you and family - GM

Congratulations! I love seeing these type of posts. They give me a lot of hope.

Congratulations!

Congratulations! Nice to read these posts!

All the best

Claudia

Well there is a name I recognize

Kiwi you were the third reply back on my very first post in March of 2014

Mike
Oxaliplatin is bad ass stuff but not as near as bad as what you would imagine.
I thought I'd be incapacitated, have my hair fall out and be unable to work.
I worked through it, exercised through it, and still kept my hair.
You will have issues, but the potential rewards outweigh the minor irritations that it will cause to your life.
1 year later you will have it as a distant memory
Best wishes
Kiwi

I did indeed take the Oxi and it looks like it worked out for both us.

Congrats on a decade, many more to come

Mike

Kiwi -
Congratulations, and thanks again for your substantial contributions to this forum in years gone by that have helped many here achieve remission.

Take care ...

Cheers and many thanks back to you Kiwi !

Here's to many more years ahead

CRguy on the Journey

Congratulations!

All the best

Claudia

Good luck and best wishes for 2023.

Taexali

Congrats!! I, too, have reached the ten year mark after Stage in diagnosis in Dec of 2012. I don’t come here much anymore but dropped in to say hello and congrats!

Stephen

MY DUDE!!!!

This post made my week. Seriously.

So happy for you and Mrs Kiwi.

Your post did make me tear up. I remember crying the first time I met my surgeon. I couldn't believe what was happening to me. Look at us now!

That's wonderful news. Here's hoping that you have many years to come as "NED". I LOVE reading these posts from long term survivors. Keep the good stories coming!

Best wishes,

Paige