15 years ago today, I was diagnosed with cancer.

[11 Bravo]

A little surgery, a LOT of radiation, and here I am, still kicking and healthy as a horse. (Apparently some people are either too ornery or too dumb to die!)

on edit: FUCK YOU, CANCER!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

1. I'm glad you're a survivor!

Congratulations on kicking cancers butt!

[roguevalley]

18. Bravo, Bravo. My old pa survived stomach tumors, lung cancer and lymphoma. it was

the radiation that got him. I am proud of you. You beat an ugly foe. Keep it up. the place would be a lot less bravado without you.

[11 Bravo]

19. Yeah, I admit that at some point I'm afraid the rads are going to jump up and bite me on the ass ...

but until then, I've had 15 years (and counting) that I wouldn't have had otherwise. You take what you can get.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Congrats! I have a guy in my support group that has been cancer free for 19 years!

[bigwillq]

3. Good for you!

Congrats on your recovery!

[cherokeeprogressive]

4. Congratulations!

[malaise]

5. Whichever

We're glad you're still around

[murielm99]

6. I am glad you are still here. n/t

[Lifelong Protester]

7. Good for you!

And a hardy (hearty?) F*** Off to that cancer!!

[spooky3]

8. Congratulations and keep on kicking!

[Scuba]

9. Almost 23 years for me. I'm still kicking...

... although I raise a bit less dust than before.

[applegrove]

10. Someone in my family just got diagnosed. Thanks for sharing your good news. Rock on!

[Freddie]

11. Awesome!

15 years for my brother too--Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma--1 year of chemo & he's still here!
Yes, fuck you, cancer!

[HappyMe]

12. Keep kicking!

Glad you are all good.

[lob1]

13. Good for you, 11 Bravo.

In 1996 I was diagnosed with throat and prostate cancer. It turns out my prostate cancer was only a month from killing me. I had both cancers taken care of, and I've been cancer free since.

[Contrary1]

14. Good for you!

And I am close behind. It will be 15 years for me in about 6 weeks.

I second your "FUCK YOU, cancer". Can't bring myself to dignify the word with caps.

[Tennessee ploughboy]

15. How encouraging

I hope those members now undergoing treatment will read this post and the replies from other survivors like me and realize that, because of advances in science and medicine, there is real hope for survival. In 1982, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. She died two months later. I was diagnosed with "at least stage 3b" double lung cancer (two different types, one in each lung) 8 1/2 years ago and given a year to live at most. After, as you say, lots of chemo and lots of radiation the tumors were gone, but the fear of relapse still lingers. Folks like you inspire even me with your lengthy survival. Congratulations. TP

[11 Bravo]

17. Hang tough TP! I was diagnosed with an "extremely aggressive" squamos cell carcinoma.

And yet here I am. Kick it's ass, my brother!

on edit: Welcome to DU!

[Liberal_in_LA]

16. I'm so happy you beat it

[rustydog]

20. YAHOO! congrats, I am so happy for you!

My brother is fighting lung cancer. I would love to see him pass a 15-year milestone.

[Ninjaneer]

21. Hats off to you, sir. Agreed: Fuck Cancer. n/t

[Zoeisright]

22. Good for you! My husband is a 28 year survivor.

And he's only 53.