Stage 4 survivors/ thrivers

Hello Alex89

Don't have personal experience of T4, but we have a lovely lady called Irene in the group, who may be able to help.

Ally

 Hi Alex89

Like AllyL has said i have no personal experience of stage 4 but a lady called Irene75359 was stage 4 and she's a few years down the line now I'm 100% positive as soon as she sees your post she will respond as she is a very active helpful member of the forum. Xx

Hello Alex

I am a survivor (and a thriver, more or less!)  I was diagnosed over four years ago with a submucosal tumour in the rectum, four lymph nodes and a spot on the lung.  If you check my profile it details my treatment, the last of which was in March 2022.  I have been under three monthly surveillance since, I have inflammation in one lung which I am assured is not cancer as it reduces slightly and is stable.

Life is good - I am more than happy to answer any questions. If I am correct, we spoke on here the other day and you hadn't yet had a diagnosis?  If so we have often had members in a similar situation who followed their gut instinct and pushed and pushed for further investigation.  You may have to do the same.

Wishing you all the very best in investigations you may have

Irene xx

Hi Alex89 

I’m nearly 3.5 years NED after an initial diagnosis of stage IV, mets on the liver.  I am a busy, active 45 year old—keeping up with my two kids, wife to my husband, teaching ballet, running, lifting weights, hiking, etc.!

I notice some mild long-term side effects, like some hip pain on occasion, sometimes still occasional pain with bowel movement, occasional mucous, light bleeding.  I’ve had to be diligent about calcium and weight bearing exercise to reverse some of the radiation and chemo related osteoporosis, but I’m making progress on that!  My team is so, SO pleased with my outcome.  I feel very fortunate, and while yes, I still think about cancer every darn day, I don’t struggle with the crazy-making anxiety that I felt when I first completed treatment.  One day at a time…I do believe that I’ll come to a day when I hear “cured.”

My complete story is in my bio page.  I’m happy to answer questions.  I’m not here on the boards as often as I used to be, but it’s a tremendous community with so many supportive people.  I will help as I can!

Very best wishes to you.

Red

Hello Red - I am so happy to hear you are well and thriving!  Me too!

Irene x

Hiya Red (RedCurlGirl ),

Amazing to hear that you are still doing so well &  continuing to negate/manage the longer term side effects you’re experiencing although it doesn’t sound as though it’s slowing you down at all! 

Thanks for jumping in on this post. 

Nicola