Question for Stacy

midnte0708
midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi Stacy,

I just read a post about your chemo (same as my father started 8 weeks ago)5 FU, Leucovorin, and camptosar and also Avastin.
Just curious about how long you were on it and how long it took to see shrinkage. My father just had his first 8 week scan to see how he is responding and there was no change in his liver tumors. The doctors thought this was great news.
I would have thought shrinkage would be better news but maybe it takes longer than 8 weeks for tumors to start shrinking??
Just wondering how your treatment went and how long before you had surgery, or did you have surgerey before you started cheomo.

Thanks!
Sue

Comments

  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #2
    Hi Sue,

    I am sorry that your dad has to go through this. But keep strong, and stay optimistic, it'll work WONDERS!

    I had 6 weeks of chemo and radiation prior to my surgery. It wasn't discovered I was stage 4 until I was on the surgery table, and then the doc noticed it affected my liver. He removed 40% of my liver (but I still had 60%, more than half!), and the liver is an organ that will regenerate....not replace all that was taken, but the remaining side will compensate for what is missing. I have not had any problems since. Here is my "timeline:"

    Diagnosis Oct 3, 2001
    Port-a-cath implanted Oct 30, 2001
    Chemo and radiation until Dec 16, 2001
    Surgery Jan 22, 2002
    More chemo until July 2002
    Reversal of ileostomy surgery Sept 13, 2002
    All clear as of today!

    Obviously, everyone is different. I think it is wonderful that your dad's tumors have remained the same, that means they are not growing! Everyone is different, and everyone will react differently to each med or procedure. Also, keep in mind that your doctor will be a better guage of things than things you read on the internet. Internet can be both helpful and harmful, so always be careful.

    I hope I helped...e-mail me anytime I can help, or you need an ear to vent to or a shoulder to cry on. We all understand, and there IS HOPE!

    Best wishes,

    Stacy
  • midnte0708
    midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
    #3
    StacyGleaso said:

    Hi Sue,

    I am sorry that your dad has to go through this. But keep strong, and stay optimistic, it'll work WONDERS!

    I had 6 weeks of chemo and radiation prior to my surgery. It wasn't discovered I was stage 4 until I was on the surgery table, and then the doc noticed it affected my liver. He removed 40% of my liver (but I still had 60%, more than half!), and the liver is an organ that will regenerate....not replace all that was taken, but the remaining side will compensate for what is missing. I have not had any problems since. Here is my "timeline:"

    Diagnosis Oct 3, 2001
    Port-a-cath implanted Oct 30, 2001
    Chemo and radiation until Dec 16, 2001
    Surgery Jan 22, 2002
    More chemo until July 2002
    Reversal of ileostomy surgery Sept 13, 2002
    All clear as of today!

    Obviously, everyone is different. I think it is wonderful that your dad's tumors have remained the same, that means they are not growing! Everyone is different, and everyone will react differently to each med or procedure. Also, keep in mind that your doctor will be a better guage of things than things you read on the internet. Internet can be both helpful and harmful, so always be careful.

    I hope I helped...e-mail me anytime I can help, or you need an ear to vent to or a shoulder to cry on. We all understand, and there IS HOPE!

    Best wishes,

    Stacy

    Hi Stacy,
    Thanks so much for your reply, it did help. I try to stay optimistic but it's not easy sometimes.
    Looks like less then a year away for your "5" year mark!! That's great!
    Thanks,
    Sue

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