UOAA Discussion Board

Hi, I've been diagnosed with 3c rectal cancer. Statistics for 5 year survival aren't very reassuring so I'm wondering if anyone out there who has my stage and beat the odds could let me know. Guess I just need some positive feedback to bring up my morale. I know many people might think this is a silly question but it would make me feel better if I knew that people with my stage have been able to get past 5hat 5 year mark.

Hey there. I was dx last Fall witg stage 2 rectal cancer.
After surgery changed to stage 1. So last night I spoke
To a woman who was dx in her early 30s with stage 3
Upgraded to stage IV and 8 years later there is no evidence
Of the disease. Get a good support group, and keep a
Positive attitude. This is not a death sentence. You
Too will be a survivor.

The leader of our support group was stage three at the age of 22, he just went on medicare after turning 65.

Thank you for responding. Its so nice to hear good news and gives hope.

Laura:
Maybe you already know of the Colon Club? It is an online forum for individuals with colon-rectal cancer, with a target audience of people 55 and younger. It is an amazing group.

www.colonclub.com

I was diagnosed stage 3 at 36. That was 11 years ago. I remember reading the same statistics. That's when I quit looking stuff up on WebMD...or at least that's when I quit self-diagnosing myself! The numbers are unnerving for sure. However, this cancer, caught early enough is completely curable. Due to the above mentioned self-diagnosing (maybe some denial in there too), I almost waited too long. The tumor had almost gone completely through the lining of the rectum, which would have led to a more serious situation. This is a common cancer with well established treatment protocols. My recommendation, despite anything that may occur in the next 5 years, is to make as many memories as you can with the people that you love. I didn't realize how much that advice, when given to me, would change how I saw and did things differently with my own family. I'm cancer free, and I'm still doing everything I can to make the best memories I can...every day.
Hope that helps.

David

Laura 1685, I was diagnosed w stage 3 rectal ca in 2000(39 year old). Got a perm colostomy that year too. Different docs, different opinions. Attitude is huge. Keep busy. An idle mind is the devils workshop. You can do this. Barry