Dennis,
I don't blame you, I'm one of those that would probably go in after two years too! Having caught it at stage 1, it looks great for your future! Congrats on your good news, here's to continued good health!!
Nancy

Hi Dennis - just a reminder about our free seminar/undy5000 in Philly in Sept! All details on the website: www.ccalliance.org
fondly,
jeannie

Hi Dennis,
Just a note to see how everything is going with you and if there is anything we can do to help!
Nancy - Patient Support - 877-422-2030

Dennis, I may not get the semi-annual colonoscopy but there is the annual segmoidoscopy. My tumor was in the sigmoid colon and easily reached with this test. My surgeon likes to check on his work at every visit. I guess it serves as a confirmatin that I am in fact cured.

I was treated and cured via surgery in August '06. I passed my one year colonoscopy with flying colors. Next colonoscopy should be in August of 2010.

Dennis I think the best way to put this is don't look a gift horse in the mouth. But don't get complacent either. You owe it to yourself to keep those screening visits and see your PCP on a regular basis. Peace, Bob

Hi Dennis, Right now my follow up care is just livin' life and enjoying it. I was one of the lucky ones by the standard of luck here. I was diagnosed early and cured with just surgery. I will celebrate five years this May 28th by making my fourth annual trip to Washington DC for "Rolling Thunder." To answer in more specific terms, I have annual docotor's visits, the last with my surgeon is in August, and I am on a regualr schedule for colonoscopies, every three years right now. The rest is just trying to live a good life. Not sure if you have had any surgery yet, but that was my only treatment as a Stage I patient, not even any chemo. The course of your treatment is up to you and your doc but beleive me, the memory of the surgery only last for a short time and then its just realizing how luck or prepared you were. My surgeon labeled my early discovery as "a serendipitous discovery." It was, but it was made possible by being screened early. That's the word to spread about this disease, get screened early; get the polyp get the cancer. Live well Dennis and try not to worry. Peace, Bob

Hi Dennis, I saw your post as well on the buddy list. I am sure everyone is telling you - you are so lucky! And surely, that is true. You are, and rejoice in that. But - an amazing thing about the "C" word - you are now in a club that, as a friend of mine says, you didn't ask to join. And even if you never have a recurrence, you are a lifetime member of the club. Heavy!

So yes, you are scared. I hope all of us here understand that! I think what you have to look at for yourself is how are you going to deal with that fear? You can hide it under a rock and hope it goes away, or maybe you can put it to good use. You got your colonoscopy and were diagnosed early, with I believe something like the possibility of a 90% cure rate. Be an ambassador. Shake folks up. Spread the word. You have a real chance here to do something special.

Thanks for sharing!