Colorectal Cancer

[dragonfly]

hi I'm 46 and usually healthy ,i had a 4 cm tumor in my colon operated laproscopy on the 17 sept 2007 they took 14 lymp nodes out and 3 of them had cancer,l am to start chemo on wed for 6 months with the injection.I was looking at a site re;cancer staging and was upset to read as follows ;Stage 3 bowel cancer will live for at least 5 years after their diagnosis. does that mean not many people live past 5 years at all??please clarify thankyou Jennifer Ferguson

[UroDoc]

Check out colon cancer on our website oncologychannel.com.

excerpt;

Prognosis depends on the stage of the disease and the overall health of the patient. Overall, colorectal cancer patients have a 5-year survival rate of about 61%. The 5-year survival rate is about 92% when the disease is treated before it has spread (metastasized); 64% when the cancer has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes; and 7% when it has spread to other parts of the body (e.g., liver, lungs).

[dragonfly]

Does that 64% for 5 years survival mean 5years plus..............and cured???i am doing lots of alternative terapies as well and supplements.i am on an alkaline based diet and also following the blood group diet........i am meditating and doing hatha yoga.........i really want to know do people with this stage of cancer in lymph nodes as i have ....live a long cancer free life.............i guess im looking for more hope.........thankyou jennifer

[JAP]

Hello Dragonfly,
I just now joined this site and found your story. I had the same prognosis and surgery Oct 06. Stage 3 & 3 lymph nodes infected. I also have had 2 colonoskopies done since then. The last coming 9 Oct 07 with a semi-large beniegn polyp taken out. I just received word TODAY that all was okay. Anyway I feel your pressure some days and can only say that to stay positive and live every day now and do what your doing. Matter of fact I need to do more of what you are doing.
JAP (48 yrs old)

[dragonfly]

Hi Jap????not sure of your name,
we are so young to have this..........
l know i have alot more living to do.Did you hace chemo as well???
Yes get the blood group diet book by Dr Peter J.D'Adamo .i have 2 of his books...".Cancer Fight it with your blood type "and "Eat right for your blood type"
And you can get an acid and alkaline info book as well........
i just finished my first cycle of chemo.......my energy levels are low and i need rest..stay positive and we will get through this light and Love Jennifer

[JAP]

Hello Dragonfly (Jennifer),
Yes, I did 6-7 months of Chemo. Didn't affect me too bad. Don't want to do it again though! I have lots of help with support and Dr.'s But, still I eat bad and drink a bit to much and don't get a lot of sleep either. Possible sleep apnea (I'm looking into this). But, this all will change if I want to live longer. Thanks for the book info. Take care.
JAP (James) P.S I live & work in Germany.

[dragonfly]

Hi James
i purchaced an I -Pod and have alot of meditations and relaxation imagary,i think this will help you relax and sleep...i put mine on at nite before i go to sleep and im so relaxed and have a long refreshing sleep...
i eat an alkaline based diet.........and try and stay away from acid based foods......Below is a bit of info i copied re acid and alkaline foods ect........
good luck at the changes and kepp in touch ....i live near Port Douglas ,Queensland Australia
i got ph paper from health food store.

[moderator note: copyright info removed]

http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net/salivaphtest.htm

[Owen]

..you have a beautiful location in which to fight this beast. We stayed a week in PD in 2006 and loved it - the beach, the rainforest, the town, the little train, the reef.

Great place.

Best wishes for complete success with the chemo.

Owen in Florida

[Bicksticks]

hi,Jennifer/dragonfly--It's really hard to figure out where you fit in the survival timeline that drs.give. Some say 5yrs. means you are cancer-free,others say there is no such proof, and there is no 'cure' or finish line, basically 'never say never'. I am now 41, diagnosed Stage 3 at 31, Jan. 8, 1998. Had rectum removed, permanent colostomy,31 radiation treatments and 52 consecutive chemo treatments.No recurrences, to date. No doc will say I am cured, none know why I am still here. I've read that long-term survival leaves me vulnerable to latent side effects and new cancers. Don't get me wrong, I am glad to still be here, I would just like to know when I can stop waiting for that other shoe to drop,or get an idea of what I can expect in my future. Take care,best wishes on your recovery. . .Sally