I was told I am incureable, I may not do chemo or surgery

kale1972
kale1972 Member Posts: 36
Yesterday I met with the new hematology oncologist as well as my original gyno oncologist. After explaining that they are not 100% certain of the cancer origin, but most likely it is the appendix, which is extremely rare, due to how much it has spread throughout my abdomen, that I am a stage 4. They described the plan to do chemo every 2 weeks, and at every 2 months I need a CT scan to determine if the tumors are shrinking. When they feel that the tumors have shrunk enough, they will consider doing another debulking surgery with HIPEC. We point blank asked what my survival rates are, and he said 6 months to 2 years depedning on how I respond to treatment. I asked what if I do nothing, how fast will this kill me. My gyno onco said probably slow, maybe I would start having problems in 1 year. The issue would be organ failure would start. I currently have a drain coming out of my stomach. They will take that out on Tues. I am afraid of my stomach continuing to fill up with ascites and how that will affect my organs and my discomfort, as I had much discomfort before from the massive ascites. My gyno onco was super supportive of my considering not doing anything, he understood why I would not want to go through treatments if in the end, I die anyways. My tumors are large and numerous, they are not even sure that I am going to be able to have another surgery. I am getting a 2nd opinion with Dr. Lowy at UCSD next week. I am also starting holistic care at The Whitaker Wellness Institute tomorrow. I know there are many people who have lived long lives after HIPEC, but I just can't see myself going through all of that, and chemo beforehand. I would rather live whatever time the Lord gives me with my 5 young children and husband, and not in constant treatments. I am praying that my holistic treatments will support and build my immune system and give me more time. I am currently reading a book, Natural Strategies For Cancer Patients, by Russell Blaylock M.D. I highly suggest it! Thanks to everyone here who have answered all of my questions and been a great support system. I will keep updating as things go along. I'd appreciate tons of prayers, especially for my 5 precious children, my husband, and my mother. Many thanks!

Comments

  • Ruffy7
    Ruffy7 Member Posts: 126
    Kale
    Please don't let this get you down.... I have talked to people (despite how rare this cancer is) that also were stage 4 and have recovered from the surgery/chemo, etc... This is so scary, I know. I'm so glad you are meeting with Dr. Lowy. I think alot of docs never see this type of cancer and often don't give much hope for it.. that's why it's so important to see specialists with experience with it. Keep fighting, especially for your kids' sake! As others have said, just take it one day at a time. Sometimes the big picture is too overwhelming to take all at once. My prayers are with you and your family! Hugs, Ruffy
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    Alternatives
    Kale,
    I suggest you see what Dr. Lowy says. He may have a completely different perspective, as he specializes in this type of cancer. If his prognosis is as dismal as this one, I suggest you consider some heavy duty alternatives. My friend's husband was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. His doctor offered chemo, but said it would only give him, maybe, another 9 weeks. My friend did not like what the doctor was offering, so she sent her husband to the Oasis of Hope hopsital in Mexico, for two weeks of alternative treatment. He returned for two one-week followup visits. By the third visit, his cancer was gone, without chemo. I went to the same hospital for integrative treatment during my chemo.
    You will get many people on this board who will urge you to get chemotherapy. Frankly, those of us here are fortunate in that ovarian cancer is generally very responsive to chemotherapy. Many other cancers, however, are not. Studies even show that for many cancers, chemotherapy does not affect survival rates. Yet, the AMA allows oncologists the option of treating, if they choose to.
    Consult with the experts, but research your alternative options as well. The oncologists only know how to treat with drugs, but there are other, effective options available as well. Good luck.
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    Tethys41 said:

    Alternatives
    Kale,
    I suggest you see what Dr. Lowy says. He may have a completely different perspective, as he specializes in this type of cancer. If his prognosis is as dismal as this one, I suggest you consider some heavy duty alternatives. My friend's husband was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. His doctor offered chemo, but said it would only give him, maybe, another 9 weeks. My friend did not like what the doctor was offering, so she sent her husband to the Oasis of Hope hopsital in Mexico, for two weeks of alternative treatment. He returned for two one-week followup visits. By the third visit, his cancer was gone, without chemo. I went to the same hospital for integrative treatment during my chemo.
    You will get many people on this board who will urge you to get chemotherapy. Frankly, those of us here are fortunate in that ovarian cancer is generally very responsive to chemotherapy. Many other cancers, however, are not. Studies even show that for many cancers, chemotherapy does not affect survival rates. Yet, the AMA allows oncologists the option of treating, if they choose to.
    Consult with the experts, but research your alternative options as well. The oncologists only know how to treat with drugs, but there are other, effective options available as well. Good luck.

    Although I respect
    whatever decision you make for yourself, I too urge you to check out all the possibilities. And even though it is almost impossible at times, I agree that you should try to take a day at a time. It is a lesson I have learned. I try very hard to stay in the moment and not look too far ahead because when I do I drive myself crazy.

    My best to you. You have so much on your plate. The hardest part for me to deal with is watching my family go through it so I cannot imagine what it's like for you with your five babies.

    You are in my thoughts and prayers.


    Karen
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    My appendix cancer was stage IV
    with extensive mets throughout my peritoneum, omentum, outside of my colon and small intesting, on my ovary.

    Oncologists who are not specialists in this type of cancer DO NOT KNOW. Even renowned experts in other areas of cancer, even colorectal specialists don't know this one. I am glad you are seeing Dr. Lowy.

    My year of treatment - surgeries, chemo, intraperitoneal chemo - was the hardest thing I ever did. If it would have only given me a few months, it would not have been worth the pain and suffering I went through. But I am now living a normal life.

    On another note: mine was a slow-growing tumor type. I was told without further treatment it would likely be years before it came back; with treatment, they are hoping to extend 5 years to 15-20 years, or possibly never coming back. The same tumor type that I had, if it were in my colon would have had a poorer prognosis.

    Speak with Dr. Lowy. He is an Appendix Cancer expert.

    Alice

    Plan to be here for your kids and husband for a while.
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    The choice is always yours
    I know it is hard to hear and you have your children to consider (you wanting to spend qulity time w/them) but please do not give up all hope. I was told that were my new tumor is they will not be ableto remove it I will be in treatment for the rest of my life. I am not ready to die so I will continue and who knows they may find the one I need to be healed. The choice is always yours and I am praying for you and your wonderful family but please do not give up hope because without hope you have nothing.

    Much
    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne
  • lulu1010
    lulu1010 Member Posts: 367

    The choice is always yours
    I know it is hard to hear and you have your children to consider (you wanting to spend qulity time w/them) but please do not give up all hope. I was told that were my new tumor is they will not be ableto remove it I will be in treatment for the rest of my life. I am not ready to die so I will continue and who knows they may find the one I need to be healed. The choice is always yours and I am praying for you and your wonderful family but please do not give up hope because without hope you have nothing.

    Much
    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne

    I am so sorry
    I am so sorry you have to make such difficult decisions. There is a man on our street who had appendix cancer and it had spread to the peritoneum and he saw a doctor at the University of Pittsburgh and had surgery with HIPEC after some chemo and to the best of my knowledge he is doing well. Your situation may be very different but at least I hope you check out all the options and at least get a second opinion. Praying for you.
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    lulu1010 said:

    I am so sorry
    I am so sorry you have to make such difficult decisions. There is a man on our street who had appendix cancer and it had spread to the peritoneum and he saw a doctor at the University of Pittsburgh and had surgery with HIPEC after some chemo and to the best of my knowledge he is doing well. Your situation may be very different but at least I hope you check out all the options and at least get a second opinion. Praying for you.

    Dear Kale
    My heart goes out to you and your husband and your five precious children. Please, please let us know what Dr. Lowy says.

    Sending you prayers and big hugs,

    Kelly
  • marieinlv
    marieinlv Member Posts: 47
    what a terrible thing our mind can do
    Oh Kale, I'm so sad to hear how low you are at this moment. My Mother had neuropathy after some strokes and heart attacks that nearly killed her. There was a moment when the pain was too relentless, she said to me, " I wish I hadn't survived". I said to Mom, " I'm so glad you did, my kids are cray about you". When Mom did go to our Savior my kids were old enough to have awesome memories that they cherish.
    I was dx with UPSC stage IV, 11/17/10. I did surgery, chemo, and 6mos of Femara. I do have days of sadness wondering. Mostly I Love this Crazy Beautifull Life! I won't give up untill Jesus comes calling like Moms, when it's too dark to play outside anymore. You're thought of more highly than you think and Loved even more! Gods Peace,
    Marie
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    marieinlv said:

    what a terrible thing our mind can do
    Oh Kale, I'm so sad to hear how low you are at this moment. My Mother had neuropathy after some strokes and heart attacks that nearly killed her. There was a moment when the pain was too relentless, she said to me, " I wish I hadn't survived". I said to Mom, " I'm so glad you did, my kids are cray about you". When Mom did go to our Savior my kids were old enough to have awesome memories that they cherish.
    I was dx with UPSC stage IV, 11/17/10. I did surgery, chemo, and 6mos of Femara. I do have days of sadness wondering. Mostly I Love this Crazy Beautifull Life! I won't give up untill Jesus comes calling like Moms, when it's too dark to play outside anymore. You're thought of more highly than you think and Loved even more! Gods Peace,
    Marie

    Kale
    Sorry you've got some tough decisions to go thru, take your time and seek other opinions. Not every doc is "doom and gloom", so keep on moving until your gut tells you this is the right direction.

    I'm the ultimate optimist, never ever giving up....you need to get the fire under your butt and be here for your 5 beautiful children. I've seen many, many cancer patients looking at a death sentence with a cancer diagnosis, only to find they are beating the odds and continuing to live way past the days the doc told them they'd be gone.

    Keep the faith as remember -- YOU ARE A STATISTIC OF ONE!!!!!

    Sending positive vibes...
    Jan
  • susan rose
    susan rose Member Posts: 6
    Prayers
    You are incredibly strong and I am adding you to my prayer list along with my aunt and best friend. They are going through chemo right now. I lost my brother in a car accident 15 years ago. Here one day and gone just like that....didn't get to say goodbye, so none of know how many tomorrows we will have...we all must make the most of each day a time.Susan
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    KJB1611

    I've been on these boards for years now and one thing that serves as a red flag for me is when someone opens a new account and on that very same day denounces anything integrative or alternative, especially when the original post is many years old.  I've learned the hard way that people get paid to push conventional medicine on these boards and personally rip apart anyone who advocates for options.  It's a sad statement that pharmaceutical companies feel they have to fear monger people into using their products, over and over again.  They must feel threatened by other approaches to cancer.  And what a twisted disservice they do to cancer patients.  I've kept my own data and patients who incorporate integrative therapies tend to have a better quality of life and, it seems, the sooner they get on board with supporting the health of their bodies, the better they do in the long term.  My experience at OOH was very positive and I saw other patients who benefitted from the treatment there.  They don't save everyone who goes there and if the patient isn't willing to make the lifestyle changes they recommend, the success of their treatments is limited.  Good luck with your trolling career, KJB1611.

  • CSabol
    CSabol Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2016 #13
    dont give up

    My son's ex girlfriends mother was dx the beginning of this year with a very rare cancer (that starts in the appendix), dx stage 4 and it had spread.  After chemo and surgery she is doing really good.  Don't give up and don't stop fighting.

  • WillCode4Cash
    WillCode4Cash Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2016 #14
    I know exactly how you feel. Don't quit.

    I was dx two years ago with colon cancer with an undetermined source.  My wife and I went to the first oncologist who barely read my file and said I was stage 4, the source of the cancer wasn't really important and that palative care was all that was available to me.  BullPuckey!  My wife and I did the research and went to a different oncologist and he was a world of difference.  I got scoped coming and going which yielded nothing except for a few ulcerated spots.  I did have lots of nodularity in my paretinium(sp). I was referred to a surgeon who did a laproscopy and found that 1) the cancer was in my appendix and 2) my appendix had ruptured speading it's cancery-goodness all over my abdomen.

    With in a month of the location of the cancer being determinefd, I was receiving 6 rounds of chemo (folfox) and after a month had CRS/HIPEC (late January 2015) which claimed my paritenium, gall bladder, spleen and my ascending colon.  Before I went into surgery, all of the areas of my abdomen ranked 3/3 for severity of disease and was in surgery for 13.5hrs after which I spent 3 days in, ICU 7 days in a normal hospital bed and then was sent home.  I subsequently received 5 more chemo treatments 6 mos after the surgery and was in remission until this August - when I got the news that the tumors had returned.

    Currently, I have the last of 6 chemo treatments (folfiri) next week after which I will have a one month rest period before I re-enter the operating room again for another CRS/HIPEC procedure.

    I'm not telling you this to scare you, but if the doctor is not telling you the info you need or want to hear, the vote with your feet and leave.  We're no longer a society that blindly accepts what a doctor says.  Plently of doctors "phone it in" and fail to realize that it's the treatment to potentially save your life that they are blowing off. I would shout my oncologist's as well as the surgeon's names from the mountain top if it would help others.  These two, IMHO, are the best.

    Remember, it's your life, fight for it and find a better doctor if need be.

  • margaux
    margaux Member Posts: 12
    edited October 2016 #15
    I was told I am incureable

    This is your decision and yours alone. I have Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer too. I was also told I was terminal. The prognosis might become different later but I don't know yet. After 7 chemos, multiple surgeries, and the debulking surgery, lung equipment, colonstomy bag--this is terrible suffering. If 2 years is your prognosis I agree with you to stick with homeopathy. The treatment is hell, I don't know about for everyone, but for me it was. The chemo did neurological damage and left me in major depression where life does not even feel worth it and there is no pleasure in anything. I do not know how long the hell will last: it's rendered me barely able to work, barely able to talk. I feel lost and isolated in a land of madness and desolation when before I had some depression but was basically upbeat, had a career, and did volunteer work. Now I am agorphobic and it feels like work to take a bath. The post traumatic stress from these surgeries and chemo is no matter to be taken lightly. Chemo really is poison but for some people, they come out on the other side. I would not recommend it for someone who should get to enjoy the last years of life. Not being tortured and allowing God's will is a decision that is yours and do not let family and friends pressure or force you to undergo. I am afraid too about a slow death. I understand they keep upping the morphine until death occurs--usually as a result of the morphine being upped. Still, it is terrifying. I hold firm to my conviction: may no being on God's earth push you into a position where you are cornered into accepting torture. I wouldn't give any advice, only my great sympathies to you, as I suffer and know your plight.