June 1st is cancer survivors day! Are you a survivor?

I am a survivor of renal cell cancer. It's been 3 years now. Another 2 years and my doctor will pronounce me "cured". I was very, very fortunate that the cancer was discovered by accident and at a very early stage. How is was found was when I went to the Emergency Room with abdominal pain. I was in a lot of pain from a ruptured bowel (I suffered from diverticulosis - a disease where small 'pouches' form in the large intestinal wall). In the CT scan that was done to pin point the problem, a small tumor was found on my left kidney. The Monday after Thanksgiving Day, I was in surgery for a colon resection. I recovered from that surgery over the Holidays. The first Tuesday in January (six weeks later) I was back in surgery for the nephrectomy. The surgical report from the kidney says that it was a stage 1 renal cell cancer - the earliest stage in the progression of cancers. I did not need chemotherapy nor radiation therapy. Therefore I am a big fan of early detection. The one unforturnate fact of renal cell cancer is that it is a 'silent' cancer, causing no symptons until it has progressed to the point of causing pain and bleeding. Then, chemotherapy and radiation therapy along with surgical removal is a must. I work in a hospital laboratory. I see every day cancer survivors coming in for lab tests to monitor their health. In surviving cancer, keeping a positive attitude, keeping your faith and hope up is just as important as the chemo, radiaion, and meds. Best wishes to all the cancer survivors!

My wife's best friend is a cancer survivor and we have the pink ribbons on our cars to show support.

Congrats to you Joy, I am so happy that you survived your cancer. I know some people that have beat the big C and some that put up a good fight and lost. Your right we should never give up hope. I know a special lady that is losing her battle. She had thought she beat it before, it came back. Now its everywhere and there is nothing more that can be done. Just treating the pain, she has lived about 2 yrs. past what they has said that she had to live. She has been fighting hard. My heart breaks for her and her family. Take care, I am truly happy for you.

Our now 7 year old son was diagnosed with AML Leukemia two days after his 4th birthday. He has been in remission since his first chemo treatment and has now been cancer free long enough to be moved to the after care group in children's hospital. To look at him now, he might be a bit short for his age, but other than that he is a normal, rowdy little boy and you can't even tell he was ever that sick! Never give up hope!

My aunt was diagnosed with bre@st cancer on Easter of 2007. She went through having a mastectomy and is taking tamofixen she is now cancer free and we hope she will stay that way.

Hi, I am a 11 year survivor of Rectal Cancer, I am 60 now. Be sure to start having your colonoscopies at least by the age of 50. Colo-rectal cancer is so easy to stop if treatment is sought early! Linda In Texas