The PET Scan results show that I'm clean from head to toe - the cancer has been completely eradicated.  On April 16 of this year I was told I was in stage 3B; on Monday night, the same doctor declared with a laugh "you are now in stage zero".  The oncologist has recommended and scheduled two additional chemotherapy treatment sessions in September to make absolutely certain that this is a complete victory.  What a feeling this is!!!

glad to hear it....

Everything sounds great.  We all wish you the best and are really happy for you.

And I'l tell you something else, too:  

If that big son of a bitch is dumb enough to come back for a rematch, I'll be ready and I'll beat it again.

Carlton,
First I would like to congratulate you on your success! Your situation hits home for me as my father has now been moved into stage 1 Multiple Myloma. Before he was just in M-GUS. It was a watch and wait approach up until now.
He is a young guy (64) and looks & feels great. But I know it will not be long before that changes. Up until now he has refused the idea of chemo. But I have been working on him trying to change his mind.
I just want to tell you that by you sharing your story with us has changed my perception on chemo. I will work much harder to try to convince him to do the same as you have. I do not want to lose him without a fight as he is not only my  father, but like a best friend too.

Thankyou for giving me hope for Dad. Your posts have ment so much for me.

Thankyou once again and I am so happy to hear you have beaten your cancer.

My prayers are with you,
George.

-- Modified on 8/27/2008 7:01:27 AM

Great news, Carlton. Congratulations.

Let me tell you something, George.  I never got sick, not from the cancer or the chemo.  I "suffered" three minor side effects that actually were more like inconveniences, and that lasted only a week or so after each treatment; I was getting it every three weeks.  A few extra bowel movements (4-5 per day rather than the usual 2-3; I had stomach viruses worse than that!), some odd taste sensations where things had a dull metallic flavor, and a bit of fatigue on the second and third day after.  And this just in:  if it had been worse, the alternatives are worse yet.  Do yourself a favor:  drop any negativity.  When folks told me early on "you will have good days and you will have bad days", I replied, "get thee behind me, Satan!!!  I will have good days and better days!!!"  That's the attitude I took from the beginning and continue to have.

Congratulations, Carlton. It's great to hear a success story. Now, go out and get laid.

That will wait until after finishing those last two chemos.  And another thing...there is NOTHING like this feeling.  I've played on championship baseball and football teams in high school, championship baseball teams in college and in summer leagues, and made big deals in the professional world.  We all know what a great feeling is (that's what this hobby is all about!), but let me tell you something - there is NOTHING like this!!!

-- Modified on 8/27/2008 3:27:52 PM

The grace and dignity you brought to this most difficult of challenges are an inspiration to us all -- your spirit is a guiding light; may you have many wonderful months and years ahead!!

I'm not worthy of it, Doc, but thanks.  All I am is a guy who was faced with two choices - fight it and have a puncher's chance or fear it and have no chance at all.  The former sounded and still sounds a hell of a lot better than the latter.

That a boy Carlton...glad your better now cuz! Now go fuckin crazy and bang as many women as you can and have blast brother!

I have two more chemos in September, then it's off to the races in October!!!

Thanks, Dee.  I appreciate it.

You have two birthdays, now -- the day on which you were born and last Monday.  You are newly born but this time born wise.  Every day forward is a gift.  Live like it.

Thank you.  It's actually three - my actual birthday, September 28, 1996, the day I was miraculously saved during a severe asthma attack, and August 25, 2008, the day I received the news that my cancer had been defeated.

Hurray hurray, what a happy day! Congratulations... you BEAT IT!  Screw cancer!

Thanks.  It picked on the wrong guy.