Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Janet, Continue to be optimistic. At Stage III, the lower the number of lymph nodes affected, the better the statistical outcome. From that view, three is a very, good number. In fact, one of the unknown secrets of colorectal cancer is that Stage III sufferers such as yourself have a better outcome rate than many Stage II sufferers (even though it is not as advanced), because chemotherapy is the standard of care in your case; such is not so for Stage II. If I could offer one piece of advice - I would advocate to your doctor that he puts you on a doublet chemotherapy of 5fu or Xeloda AND Oxaliplatin. In the past, Oxaliplatin was only used in Stage IV settings (only 5fu and in some cases, levimisole was used for Stage III), but studies out of Europe indicates that it markedly decreases recurrance and post surgical metastasis and it is formally approved for such in the European Union. I don't think it has formal FDA approval here yet (for Stage III), but from what I read, the majority of US oncologists are nevertheless using it in cases like yours. The drawback is more side effects - but always remember that your chemotherapy investment will not go on forever; it will end at six months - there is a very bright light at the end of your tunnel, and you will even be able to check off on a calendar. Best Joe PS - so did the staple removal hurt? > > Hi everybody, > > I found out today that I am at Stage 3. Three of the 22 lymph nodes > came back positive, so I will have to undergo chemo therapy. > > Dr. Salti said that it is a 6 month course, and I have to make some > decisions before I see him again next week. I have to decide where > to get the treatment, etc. > > Thank you for your love and support, > Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Thanks Joe, We are trying to stay optimistic. Pretty hard with each setback. I have forwarded your message to Http;//groups.yahho.com/group/JanetRGreen Are biggest problem now is we are self employed and find ourselves without insurance. We need to do some research in this matter for they say she will be going through chemo and other ct scans etc for at least six months. So if there is any suggestions we are open for advice. We live in Chicago and we care looking at our options. Any way thanks everybody for your concern and prayers. Larry > > > > Hi everybody, > > > > I found out today that I am at Stage 3. Three of the 22 lymph > nodes > > came back positive, so I will have to undergo chemo therapy. > > > > Dr. Salti said that it is a 6 month course, and I have to make > some > > decisions before I see him again next week. I have to decide where > > to get the treatment, etc. > > > > Thank you for your love and support, > > Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Hi Janet, my husband Bert was diagnosed stage III July 2003 with four nodes involved. To kind of reinforce what Joe said, under hubbies HMO, standard protocol for stage III is 5fu/leuc, which Bert took starting August 2003 with a complete date of December 2003. In November, I put Bert onto my insurance policy (a PPO) and because we had heard so much about European studies and the proven added advantage of adding Oxaliplatin to the combo, we asked his then oncologist his thoughts....bottom line, can't do it in the HMO but if I were you, go for it. We didn't need to be told again. In December, after insurance switch, we went to USC/Norris Cancer Center to meet with a Dr. ph Lenz. This doc came highly, highly recommended and has a credential list and cancer program involvement list from here to Kingdom Come!!! When meeting with Dr. Lenz, the first thing he said was " why no Oxaliplatin? " He had Bert finish his existing two drug protocol and told us that if we elected for him to continue to treat Bert he would start him in January on more chemo with Oxaliplatin added to the mix. We weren't sure at the time exactly how much more Bert's body could tolerate as he did finish the protocol treatment but went ahead anyway...the doctor was hoping for at least a good three months. As it turned out, Bert finished an entire second six month treatment with the addition of Oxaliplatin, much to the onc's delight, and all scans and tests to date have been negative for disease. Cancer is not a disease that allows you the luxury of saying if this doesn't work and it comes back then we'll try the other. My personal theory is that beat the crap out of it right from the get go if you can and don't look back. Stage III has an excellent chance of cure and that's what we are all fighting for. Good luck with your decisions that are coming up...not easy we know cause we've all been there already, but once made, go full steam ahead and don't look back. Hugs, Monika > > Hi everybody, > > I found out today that I am at Stage 3. Three of the 22 lymph nodes > came back positive, so I will have to undergo chemo therapy. > > Dr. Salti said that it is a 6 month course, and I have to make some > decisions before I see him again next week. I have to decide where > to get the treatment, etc. > > Thank you for your love and support, > Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 Janet, I just wanted to let you know that you are in good company here and I thought I would tell you my situation to give you some " good " news. I was diagnosed with stage III with 2 lymph nodes positive out of 42 on 5/31/2000. I had chemo 5 days in a row every 3 to 4 weeks for 6 total " weeks " of treatments. I finished on 12/15/2000 the day before my son's 3rd birthday. We had a huge birthday party for him and a TGIF (Thank God it's finished) party for me. I have been scanned, labbed and generally hovered over every three months since and I've had a few scares but so far everything is normal and I'm NED (No evidence of Disease) right now. I am going to hit the 5 year mark next may and I'm very excited about that. The point behind this is while the mental stress is still there at times. I'm back to normal with no real ill effects, just a few more scars and a lot of blessings now that I know what to appreciate in life more than the average joe!! A fighting positive attitude is what you need and it seems you have that. Stay informed, stay aware, talk to your doctors and tell them everything. Read everything you can (this board is very helpful) and be your own best advocate. Don't be afraid to be afraid because you never know when something is a symptom or just a normal change. I've made many calls asking questions whether something happening to me is " normal " or " cancer related " . Luckily for me it's always been normal. Please take care of yourself and be selfish when you need to be and enjoy everyday for all days hold blessing if we just look for them. Sincerely, Dee Kilgore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 Janet, I wish you a very easy and successful six months. Hopes and prayers go with you. Sharon > > Hi everybody, > > I found out today that I am at Stage 3. Three of the 22 lymph nodes > came back positive, so I will have to undergo chemo therapy. > > Dr. Salti said that it is a 6 month course, and I have to make some > decisions before I see him again next week. I have to decide where > to get the treatment, etc. > > Thank you for your love and support, > Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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