Friday, June 3, 2011

Celebrating 5 years

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While we were on our trip we not only celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary, we also celebrated my 5 year anniversary of being a survivor of stage 3 colon cancer. 20% chance they gave me, I beat that!

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Yay!!! We grabbed some cupcakes and headed to White Sands National Monument, that's a huge sand dune I'm jumping on. :0)

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Maybe, I should finally call to get my portacath removed. I have been hesitant to get it removed for fear the cancer would come back right away. But we've made it 5 years and I don't think I need it any longer.

5 yr butterfly

This was taken the night of getting it, it should be a lot cleaner any day now. Just waiting for the peel, then I'll get a better photo of it.  Do you see the number 5, my friend Leanne designed it for me. :0)  Thanx again Leanne!

23 comments:

  1. December of 2011 will be 13 years since my initial colon resection for stage 3 Adenocarcinoma in 1998, chemo, radiation. Not good odds for recovery. Then the hateful thing came back as a lung tumor in 2002, more surgery, more chemo. In summer 2004 I had a severe case of ulcerative colitus which may ir may not have been due to the previous colon problems. But it ended up with a colectomy, all of it this time, and a nice little iliostomy on my belly. That is the bad news. The good news is that without a colon I am certified 100% cured of colon cancer. And with the iliostomy the pain,suffering I had with the colitus is gone and a lot easier to manage.

    All of which is to say that you ain't dead until your dead, regardless of whether the fat lady has sung or not. You just have to accept some limitations and go right on doing what you been doing. Anybody who thinks you look funny walking around with a cane, you just offer to show them up front and personal just how much hurt and old fart can put on a fellow with a good cane and quick hands. They will start talking nice and start opening doors for you.

    Those of us who have come close to checking out a few times and got stubborn and pushed pass it may decide that we are hard to kill. Our survival skills are more practiced that some others.

    I would advise you to get rid of those ports. If you haven't used them by now you probably aren't going toany time soon, if you do they are going to want afresh one anyway. and in the meantime they are negative reminders of something you don't want to obsess about anyway. Don't underestimate yourself. You are one tough cookie. Hang in there.

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  2. Once again Lisa...my heartfelt Congratulations!!! YAY!!!!! SOOOOOOO happy for you girl!!!

    White Sands is a fabulous place and a great way to celebrate!!

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  3. Congratulations, Lisa. I had no clue... May you be well and happy. :)

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  4. Hoooo-RAY!!! i like the 5 butterfly! :) cupcakes for everyone!!!

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  5. Congrats on both of your wonderful anniversaries!!!

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  6. Lisa, congratulations. Each day is a gift and a blessing. I think you are an amazing women. Thank you for sharing your moments with the rest of us.

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  7. Congratulations Lisa... may there be many many many more of both of these wonderful anniversaries... I love visiting your blog and looking at your amazing photos... you have packed these years with wonderful experiences...

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  8. Congrats Lisa! and wishing you more good years ahead....I can the number 5!

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  9. What wonderful reasons to celebrate! Congratulations!

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  10. I am happy for you Lisa!! You've made it!!

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  11. congratulations Lisa...this is fantastic!!!! I wish for you many years of good health and a joyfilled life!

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  12. Great news....Life is good! May your good health continue into old age!

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  13. My congratulations on this milestone!!!

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  14. I love it and I'm so very, very thankful you BEAT IT!!! Girl, you are such an amazing inspiration to me in so many ways!!!
    And Tulsa Gentleman's post made me cry. WOW!

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  15. congratulations!!!! May you have many many many more milestones to celebrate!

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  16. I'm happy with you and the wonderful photo wher you jump in the sunlight says it all. :-) The cupcakes look very nice to and I think you should remove the PAC

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  17. Awesome tattoo. Yay for 5 years!

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  18. Congrats Lisa, that is fantastic and it is beautiful, can't wait to see another picture of it after it is all healed...

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  19. This brings tears to my eyes. Congratulations to you!

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