Curious? Anyone out there who is considered cured?
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Just having a giggle folks. Every time we talk about being cured, it sounds like we are slabs of bacon!
I am almost two years clean. I had a left hepatic lobe resection 4/09 followed by six months of Gemzar as a prophylactic measure. I had a PET scan 1/11, which didn’t show any clear CC recurrence, but was ordered due to a small lung growth. We’ll find out when the lung growth is removed (likely in May 09) what the CC deal is more clearly.
Not much in life style changes here (being a cardiac patient, I’ve been a clean liver for ten years). You know, no saturated fats, no salt, no fried foods, no red meat, go to the health club daily, etc, etc. In fact, when it comes to food, if it tastes good, I just spit it out.
I’ve got great LDL and HDL numbers from the combination of exercise and diet and my weight is about the same as when I was in high school (I’m 72).
I just hope that the pernicious CC doesn’t return!
Maybe a new topic saying, “What worked for you to keep you cancer free?..I agree it would be great to have a board that states what people are doing who are remaining with “no evidence of disease.”
So far, with only one post-op scan and blood work behind me after surgery for removal of bile ducts, gall bladder and 2/3 liver, but no adjuvant therapy, I don’t have any insights as to what works. If I succeed in remaining cancer-free, I’ll have more to say. Right now I’m definitely working at altering diet, doing visualization of a healthy body, practicing yoga and meditation, and last and least (sigh) exercising more. My doctor said that early results from a recent study show a direct correlation between exercise and colon cancer prevention.I request that people who have made such amazing progress give us more details about the names and chemo protocol that worked. What was the turning point ?
Perhaps others can take that information to their oncologist to bring new ideas to discuss.Bob,
That is a good one that I’ll have to remember!It’s fuuny because my father-in-law was a large animal veterinarian and was out on the road at all hours so he always kept candy in his car to help keep him awake and also had his car aligned so it would intentionally pull to the right in case he took a nap while driving, which he often did!! He aged a little more gracefully than my Dad though and always had one of us drive in his last years. My Dad was a truck driver for years and has a lead foot. He is a very scary driver but I don’t know what to do about it other than to never ride with him again!! Take care, MaryMary,
Thanks for giving me a good laugh. Regarding your comment about your father, there is an old joke that goes like this: “I’d like to be able to peacfully die in my sleep like my Grandfather did unlike the screaming passengers in his car.”Grace and Peace to all,
bobKathy,
I was diagnosed in September, and had a liver resection with negative lymph nodes and clean margins. I am currently doing chemo as an adjunctive therapy. I am trying to live my life as nothing is different. I don’t let thinking about cancer run my life. It does creep up on me from time to time, but for the most part it is life as usual. I am 29 and am looking forward to the rest of my life past cancer and chemo. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and look forward to continued positive communication.
ShariSue….a special hug to you being that you and Kris had been cancer buddies. And, thanks for the encouraging comments of a cancer survivor.
MarionMary…I especially like your last comment re: your driving experience with your father.
Thanks for the chuckle and the words of wisdom.
MarionKathy,
My husband is a 4 1/2 year survivor and remains cancer free. He is a rare bird because he was unable to have a resection but had very intense radiation along with Xeloda which killed the tumor. The Drs. were shocked by this and so were we but there are no signs of recurrence whatsover and he has regular ercps and biopsies done of the original tumor site. I don’t know if anyone will ever tell him he is cured. I agree with Bob that it probably is more like the 10 year mark with this type of cancer than 5. You can’t spend your life worrying though. My husband has never worried! He said from day one that he would just leave that up to me. I used to worry all of the time but over time I’ve relaxed and am just grateful he’s had all of these wonderful years! I am a believer in diet and supplements. I’ve relaxed on some of that too, but he he has always been a good patient and takes everything I give him. If he ever balks at something I just point out that he’s done pretty well so far so!! Take care of yourself and try to do as the others have said and enjoy every day! None of us know when our time will come- I rode in the car with my 85 year old father at the wheel the other day and thought maybe it was going to be curtains for me. Best wishes, MaryKathy,
It took quite a while before I actually got thru a day when I didn’t think about dying. At least a year. They put me on Ativan for a month because all I did was cry. It seriously takes a while. But you will get there. I try not to put too much effort into worrying about it everyday now. Some days are still worse than others, but on the whole, it’s easier to get thru the day. I keep telling myself “five years…” but I know the fear will never go away completely.
I didn’t go back to work for 2 1/2 months after surgery. That was 3 1/2 years ago, and I am still trying to get my head back into being at work. I have been extremely lucky to work where I do. I have been here almost 19 years and they know me very well, so they know what I can do. But we have been terribly slow for the last year and a half and I really worry, if it came down to it, would they keep me? I am not the same employee I was years ago. I just keep thinking about how there are so many other more important things than work. Hmmm, not sure where that came from. We weren’t even talking about work!
Anyway, it will all get better, I promise!!! It really does just take time, but I will tell you now, you will never be the person you were before you got cancer. But one day it will just be a part of your life that is fact, and won’t occupy all of your future plans!
Hugs,
SueHi Sue,
Thanks for responding! How long did it take for it not to occupy every minute of your day!!??? I find I’m dwelling on it more now than I did earlier, but perhaps because the effects of the surgery are almost gone (some problem with incision healing; and pain around the ribcage) so now I’m concentrating more on what to do and how to live more fully…and how to get beyond dwelling on it! I have spent a lot of time over the past several days reading messages on this website and have been truly amazed at all the wonderful people here giving information, support, sharing in the sadnesses and joys. I am so sorry to hear about Kris whom I had just recently gotten to know. I’ll aways think of her when the daffodils are blooming. Hugs back to you!
Bob..Thanks for sharing your story. Hope is what carries us along.
Learning to be at peace with this new stage in life. Best to you, Kathy
Marion…your welcoming note and subsequent messages mean more than you know…KKathy,
First, let me say congratulations!!! Not many people are given the chance at being “cured”. I, too, am one of the lucky ones. On Jan. 29, I will be four years cancer free! It doesn’t occupy EVERY moment of my day now, but it is still a major factor in how I live me life. I had surgery at IU Medical Center in Indianapolis. I now have bloodwork done every 3-6 months and am due for a yearly scan in April.
If I get into a funk and really start thinking about all that’s happened, I can be bawling in a matter of minutes. But then I think about how lucky I have been, how I have been given the chance to enjoy my grandchildren for a few more years and how my husband and I are trying to do things that would have been put off for many years.
It really is a “one day at a time” issue and 365 of those add up to a year, and then two years and eventually four. I am shooting to be a 10, 15, even 20 year survivor and I plan to stick around just to remind you guys that there is hope. And a great life after being diagnosed with CC!!!!
On a side note. Kris (devoncat) was my “cancer buddy” and tho we never met, when she died, it tore a huge hole in my heart. Another reminder to live each day to it’s fullest, just like she did.
Hugs,
Sue
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