Just trying to keep my butt alive till there's a cure

[CanadianGirl]

It has been awhile since I have been here but thought I would give an update on how things have been going for me. I try to jump in periodically at least around the anniversary of my HIPEC operation to update those who remember me and give hope to those who have unfortunately found it necessary to become a member of this site. I missed checking in through covid but thought I should make an appearance to let people know that I am still OK. Sometimes I dread popping in because the memorial list is so heartbreaking, but it is always inspiring to see names of people who were there when I started my journey. Great to see you still here CR Guy! I was diagnosed stage III seventeen years ago and stage IV fifteen years ago. I had chemo and then HIPEC in 2011 but the cancer returned six months later. I chose not to do chemo pills or radiation at that time and opted to take the wait and see approach. This worked well for two years as the tumours were growing slowly. By 2013 the inoperable tumour reached a size that my doctors and I felt we should try to do something about. I did about 26 rounds of radiation and we successfully shrunk the tumour down but it was thought that chemo or radiation would never be an option again. My CEA has always been a good indicator of growth and the cancer remained stable until 2019. At that point my scan showed growth so we threw me through another PET scan which showed that my tumour was growing substantially again. We discussed several options and surgery was not possible, radiation was out of the question and aggressive chemo probably was not a great idea because I didn't complete all rounds the first time. We decided on five consecutive days of 5FU injections then 23 days off for 3 months. I made it through 3 rounds before the neuropathy cut in again and my blood count was struggling to come back so we had to shut it down. During this time there was no growth, and after it continued to grow slowly until it reached the point where we needed to look at options again. Surgery and chemo were still not an option but a wonderful new radiologist felt that we could try radiation one more time. I did radiation in 2020 and once again it shrunk. It is still growing but minimally and everyday someone is researching to find new options that might not have been possible a year before. In any case, I have already survived more than a decade longer than expected and my QOL has been wonderful! This is not over yet. There are lots of long term survivors out there and there is always hope. Keep on Living Life!

[CRguy]

Hey sista' I believe this says it all

I have already survived more than a decade longer than expected and my QOL has been wonderful! This is not over yet. There are lots of long term survivors out there and there is always hope. Keep on Living Life!

Kickin' BUTT and takin' names is who we ARE !

Cheers and Harmony to you
On the Journey

CRguy

[Nor Cal]

Thanks for the update! Your story predates me on this site, but I remember coming on here after I was diagnosed and searching madly for stories from any stage IV long term survivors to give me hope. Happy to hear you're well.

[beach sunrise]

This is one of the most amazing stories I have ever heard, CanadianGirl!!! To me I read your battle with cancer as there is HOPE that instills the fight in us and it doesn't always mean a death sentence. That should make us all feel better about our dx.