Hi Polarprincess

I am so sorry you, as well as all other KT'ers with this problem have to go through it. I don't have cancer, but lost a few friends to it, and have some more friends as well as some relatives that are cancer survivors.

I want to add you to my survivor list. Please, hang in there, and keep us posted how things are.

Meanwhile, realize, that on Thursdays is a HUGE group of people here at the KT wearing red, thinking of you, and wishing you the BEST, that is aside everyone's wishes the whole week through.

Moni, wishing there was more I could do.

Polarprincess, I am surviving one day at a time, and plan to keep on going in that direction. I was diagnosed with colon cancer Nov '07 and had 6 weeks of chemo and radiation every day. I then had surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. The cancer that was in my colon had spread to my liver and lung. I had more chemo after that surgery and will have more surgery probably in January. I wouldn't even know I was sick if it wasn't for the chemo side-effects. But according to test results the chemo is doing it's job, so it's worth it.
There are new treatments coming out all the time for cancer and it's definitely not like it used to be. Just keep up you treatments and be positive.

There is lots of support here at the KT.

thanks oklamoni for your nice email.... that is really cook about people wearing red...means alot. Maryanntx, in case you are not familiar with them, there are 2 awesome forums i love to visit for colon cancer, the folks on there are SO helpful, and know all the right places to go and the best treatments for lung, liver involvement etc...and just general advice on dealing with side effects etc.. my favorite one is the colonclub, and my other favorite is
here:http://csn.cancer.org/forum/128

Here is a link that might be useful: colon club

Polarprincess, you might be interested in what I just posted about chemotherapy and circadian rhythms.

Best of luck to you!!

I am a Hodgkin's survivor, almost 21 years now. Went through surgery and radiation therapy. I'm fine now.

My sister-in-law had colon cancer a few years ago, went through all that you're going through, and she is fine now too.

Yes, the treatments can make you feel lousy, but that's all part of the process of killing the cancer cells. It may seem like it's taking forever, but it's worth it in the end. Hang in, there!

Living with all that you have to do to fight cancer takes a huge effort but we just take a day at a time and learn to live with it. This is my second bout with cancer ...breast cancer originally and now lung cancer but it is a completely different cancer and not a re-occurance. Originally I was classified as IIIA but 19 of 20 biopsies came back positive so I don't know now and I didn't ask for a new classification. I have one more round of chemo and then we will start testing to see if anything else shows up. I am tired and need a rest so I am hopeful that I can do NED for at least awhile....well I hope forever...Good Luck...

I am a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer over 20 years ago. I had 3 months of chemotherapy and was hospitalized for radiation treatments twice. I had the mouth sores, low energy level but God was on my side. There was no sign of the cancer or even where it had been after the three months. Thumbs up to you, don't give in or give up. Attitude is the key!! You can do it and those of us at KT can help.

Your stories are all amazing. The word survivor keeps being played over and over again.
If I could bottle one day of my strength for you I would. Just to make one more treatment a little easier and less exhausting.
Hang in there. I wear red every Thursday for all of you.

You are all awesome.

Trin

Kidney cancer here....eight years and counting. But...I, like the others can't help of think about it when I'm not feeling well :o(

Thanks so much everyone..these are the things i like to hear! they keep me going!!

I am an 8 1/2 year survivor of Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Chemo, Rads and Modified Radical Mastectomy. I'm NED (no evidence of disease aka no expiry date). I'm still on meds for it but so far they are doing their job. I do have left over annoying side effects but hey "I'm alive!"

There is a bonus to having cancer.....I no longer sweat the small stuff in life and try to live my life to the fullest I can. I am happier in many ways now that I don't worry about every little thing.

Sending all of you going through treatments cyberhugs. Red is my favourite colour on Thursdays. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Another breast Cancer survivor, first time 1985 at age 39, again in 1996. Hang in there, you can do this. Good thoughts and a good attitude help. Please keep us posted.

Wow, this an awesome thread. Thanks to everyone who posted. It's inspiring. I'm not a cancer survivor, but my mother had breast cancer, so I know I could develop it also.

Heartfelt best wishes to everyone here who is battling this diseas. You set an example for us all.

I am a breast cancer survivor. 1999. So, I'm coming up on 10 years. I hope you have some form of support. I was surrounded by family and friends and I attend the Komen functions in our area--I went to an all day seminar in Oct. and everything was so encouraging as to the progress made in early detection. You learn to "not sweat the small stuff" as someone already said, and you learn that you do whatever has to be done. Keep us updated. There are a number of survivors on this forum and you can "talk" to us anytime you need to.

Lung cancer here. Diagnosed in June 2007. Radiation 22 zaps, chemo 6 rounds & then surgery to remove upper right lobe.

Had clear scans a couple of times but recently found out that lymph nodes in the mediasternum are cancerous.

So I'm putting on my 'big girl pants' & starting chemo again. They are going to put in a port so I think the treatments will be easier this time. Hopefully this time the 'beast' will die!

Wishing good luck & a future with good health to all in this situation. Creekgirl

Stage 4 colon cancer survivor here...going on 7 yrs. remission! Had colon surgery, radiation and chemo. There were some tough days, but more better ones..I was lucky and still feel that way.

All the best to each and everyone battling this disease and lots of Granlan Hugs, too. :)

I was diagnosed with colon cancer on July 29th of this year. I had surgery to remove the mass and feel very, very fortunate that the cancer had not spread. I learned a lot about myself after I was diagnosed - I'm stronger than I ever thought! And I learned to put things into perspective - every day is good :)

Hugs and sincere best wishes to all battling this disease.

I guess I'm a cancer survivor because I'm two months out of breast cancer radiation and as one of my doctors said, cancer ususally doesn't come back for six months. I could have kicked him. My biggest problem now is a low immune system. I have had in the last two months, a bad three week cold, the flu and almost constant canker sores on my lips and tongue. On the days I feel good I feel really good. I think next year will be a good year.

Judy

Been there, too. Some 17 years now. I had breast cancer. I was really lucky we caught it early.. Did the radiation and cemo thing. My family is riddled with cancer. Every woman on my dad's side of my family ( 12 all together ) has died except myself and a niece. On my husband's side of the family his sister died almost 20 years ago. Then my husband's father died 7 years ago. His oldest brother had prostrate cancer 2 years ago and now his son is going through colon cancer. I really worry about our kids. We all just have to keep on top of
it.. For many years we were told it wasn't passed on throught the fathers family. The doctor was so surprised when I listed everyone.. He said we should do a study on our families.

When I was going through mine I just tried to have a positive view on all of it. I had my family to think about.. I lost my oldest sister almost 5 years ago and she battled it for years.. She fought darn hard to stay alive. One thing that helps her was she had a fabulous husband. he helped her every step of the way. I will always be grateful to him..

I wish you the best with your cemo. I know sometimes it isn't easy..

Susie

LOL, Creekgirl says "Puttin on my big girl pants now"...I just love that!'
Diagnosed stage IIIb Hodgkins in 1996, 6 months chemo.
1999 first autologous stem cell transplant that failed.
2000 trial test stem cell transplant from sibling, 5% chance of survival.
2008 CANCER FREE :)
You can do this PolarPrincess, we're right here beside you :)

polarprincess
I'm sorry you had to join this Sisterhood,but i think you'll gain strength from it.

I'm well on my way to being a breast cancer survivor.I was DX'D in July,had a bilateral mastectomy in august,and will have my last chemo treatment next tuesday.

Don't worry about the side effects until you get them,because some of us are spared some of them.I lost all my hair,had/have diarrhea,and stomach cramps,and have a few more minor ones.I was prepared for the mouth sores,but thank goodness i never got them so far.So you may get luck as well.

The main thing to remember is to keep a good Attitude,That's half the battle.Don't give in to the oh woe is me's,as it will only bring you down.Remember today they can and do work miracles.Good luck to you,and keep us posted.
Kathi

I wanted to say the same thing that kathi did...you don't really know what kind of side effects you will have from chemo. It is way different from what it used to be. I heard so many horror stories that I was very worried but it wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined or had heard it would be. I have had some side effects but the biggest one is just fatigue and we can all live with taking a nap or resting when we need too. I am losing my hair but it's only hair. I gave up the biggest part of a breast to beat cancer so I can easily give up my hair cause I know it will grow back...The others go away fast enough and I usually only have two days of feeling really punk and the rest of the week I am OK...I manage. I have help cleaning the hard stuff in my home like baths and kitchens etc but I still keep up with the daily stuff including the laundry and do most of our meals as well. Many of my friends have worked during their whole chemo so don't expect the absolute worst.....Just do what you need to do to get through and it goes pretty fast. I started in Sept if I remember correctly and I will be finished by the end of Jan.

You will probably appreciate help when you need it but you'll get it done before you know it....

you are all wonderful thanks SO much for your stories, and words of encouragement, and for all of you who have had cancer or have it now- i pray you all remain NED for always!! Also, i hope you colon cancer survivors check you the colonclub.com as i mentioned earlier..they could use your inspiration!!!
I had my 3rd chemo round today, and my dose of one drug was reduced by 25% and i cannot believe the difference from last time.. it is so nice. The neuropathy symptoms are much more tolerable and I am not in agony from them as i was before. i expect the fatique will hit hard soon, but at least i can tolerate cold to room temperature water, and my legs do not feel paralyzed as before. My onc said that the full dose was dropping my counts to a very dangerous level and my body was saying it is just too much, but i am tiny- barely 5 feet, and i was getting the same dose a 6 foot 200 pound man would get. I still think it is funny a chemo drug is named FU, because that is how i feel about it.

"I still think it is funny a chemo drug is named FU, because that is how i feel about it."
LOL!
Good girl:) Another chemo down polarprincess...hugs to you :)

Breast cancer survivor- 6 years. Still can't help being a little nervous sitting in the room after my mammo each time. I was fortunate - my chemo and radiaton were not awful. I hope it never returns, but if it does - I'll just have to deal with it. One good thing - it didn't take long to fix my hair in the morning!

I pray that all those currently fighting the battle will soon be cancer free.