Found mets in lungs

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ginnimp
ginnimp Member Posts: 9
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I've been on this board since Aug; not posting much but definitely been reading posts daily….

Dx’d Stage 4 back in February (post-surgery PET clear), just completed my 12 rounds of Folfox on Sept. 7th, and had my post-chemo PET last Thursday. Being diagnosed as Stage 4, I knew that there was the probability of it coming back sometime later “down the line” but the Pet shows mets in my lungs already! Any fellow Stage 4’s have this happen so soon???? When my onc said my cancer was aggressive, he really meant it!

Needless to say, I’m shocked and scared. I just had a CT today to pinpoint the location of the met so they can determine how to go about doing the biopsy (needle or whatever….). Then onc said most likely 12 rounds of Folfiri…..

I know ya’ll are the only ones that would understand the enormity of this and the overwhelming thoughts swimming around in my head…..my family and friends are wonderful about listening to me ramble on but are unable empathize….

I’m grateful for any input, info, prayers.

Ginni

Comments

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #2
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    Sorry
    Just wanted to say sorry for your recent recurrence. Hopefully the new treatment will work better.

    Kim
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    #3
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    Hey Ginni..
    A recurrance can happen anytime. before, during, after treatment...or never. That tells me the Folfox did not work for you completely which is why your onc is switching you to Folfiri. FYI..... Folfiri wiped out 4 liver mets and 15+ lungs mets for me in 6 months and put me in remission. I know your fear. Yes, it is scary and all kinds of thoughts run thru your head. You knocked it down once...you can definately do it again! Take care

    Jennie
  • ginnimp
    ginnimp Member Posts: 9
    #4
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    idlehunters said:

    Hey Ginni..
    A recurrance can happen anytime. before, during, after treatment...or never. That tells me the Folfox did not work for you completely which is why your onc is switching you to Folfiri. FYI..... Folfiri wiped out 4 liver mets and 15+ lungs mets for me in 6 months and put me in remission. I know your fear. Yes, it is scary and all kinds of thoughts run thru your head. You knocked it down once...you can definately do it again! Take care

    Jennie

    Thanks so much, Jennie
    Your post has really lifted my spirits. You're right, if I knocked down this monster once, I can do it again. I've gotta stay hang in there, and with help and encouragement from this board and my family, I will!

    Ginni
  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    #5
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    ginnimp said:

    Thanks so much, Jennie
    Your post has really lifted my spirits. You're right, if I knocked down this monster once, I can do it again. I've gotta stay hang in there, and with help and encouragement from this board and my family, I will!

    Ginni

    Hi Ginni
    sorry if i missed any of your posts but nice to meet you.i was dx stage 4 in janurary.could not do the folfox again as i did it in 2009 after surgery and have neuropathy because of it.i had 3 nodules on the right lobe of my liver(had liver resection about 7 weeks ago)and 3 nodules on my right lung.ok...got my liver taken care of now we will go after those suckers on my lung.WELL since i had to be off chemo before and after liver resection due to taking avastin my cat scan that was done on sept 29 showed new growth, i have now got 3 nodules in my left lung also.i know how you feel and i know where you are coming from.someone on here once said we have a love-hate relationship with chemo.we hate what it does to us but we love what it does to the cancer.i was on irrtatecan+avastin before surgery.i wiil be on that again for a few treatments then switch to xeloda.take care and check in with us.we can fight this together...Godbless...johnnybegood
  • smokeyjoe
    smokeyjoe Member Posts: 1,425 Member
    #6
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    johnnybegood said:

    Hi Ginni
    sorry if i missed any of your posts but nice to meet you.i was dx stage 4 in janurary.could not do the folfox again as i did it in 2009 after surgery and have neuropathy because of it.i had 3 nodules on the right lobe of my liver(had liver resection about 7 weeks ago)and 3 nodules on my right lung.ok...got my liver taken care of now we will go after those suckers on my lung.WELL since i had to be off chemo before and after liver resection due to taking avastin my cat scan that was done on sept 29 showed new growth, i have now got 3 nodules in my left lung also.i know how you feel and i know where you are coming from.someone on here once said we have a love-hate relationship with chemo.we hate what it does to us but we love what it does to the cancer.i was on irrtatecan+avastin before surgery.i wiil be on that again for a few treatments then switch to xeloda.take care and check in with us.we can fight this together...Godbless...johnnybegood

    Just curious, had they
    Just curious, had they given you scans inbetween the two you mentioned?? Seems like a long time inbetween scans. Wishing you all the best with your new treatment plan. The dread of waiting for scan results is aweful, then getting bad news is absolutely horrible. Take care.
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #7
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    ((Ginni))
    I'm with Jennie here - it seems like the Folfox had a limited response in your case. Moving to Folfiri is the next step and does have a good response at knocking cancer back down or keeping it at bay.

    I've done it as well this past year and am 6-months out of my last treatment - back to a watch and wait state. It's a hard drug with different side effects but we can deal with those later.

    I know you're cancer fears...I've had cancer 3x and have gotten ahead of it 3x in my 7.4 year cancer experience. I was pretty whipped a few months ago coming out of a year of non-stop fighting.

    Overall, I've done chemo approximately 51x - radiation 55x - 4 major surgeries - and a host of things I've probably forgotten. It can be a long journey at times. But, I'm still here when many of my medical staff said "it was highly unlikely" I would see another year.

    That was almost 4-years ago this Christmas:)

    It's always the mental part of having to gear up again, that is toughest at first. The body can take a pounding, but keeping the mind engaged to continue is the real key. The mind has to be right - to fight.

    Shock will wear down and I'm thinking you'll find anger next - and when you do, use that against the cancer to will yourself to do what you really don't want to do - but know that you must do.

    The light will always be on here. We're all pulling for you.

    -Craig
  • ginnimp
    ginnimp Member Posts: 9
    #8
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    smokeyjoe said:

    Just curious, had they
    Just curious, had they given you scans inbetween the two you mentioned?? Seems like a long time inbetween scans. Wishing you all the best with your new treatment plan. The dread of waiting for scan results is aweful, then getting bad news is absolutely horrible. Take care.

    Actually, it went like
    Actually, it went like this:
    Feb-surgery to remove tumor in colon (mets to lymph nodes outside colon wall); pet approx 6 wks after surgery; then started chemo 12 rounds. After the 5th round, has ct because blood work showed elevated liver enzymes but scan showed no mets; just too much chemo so reduced 15%. Then, post-chemo had pet last thursday (10/20).

    Thanks, Smokeyjoe for your well wishes.....I so appreciate everyone on this board!
  • ginnimp
    ginnimp Member Posts: 9
    #9
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    Sundanceh said:

    ((Ginni))
    I'm with Jennie here - it seems like the Folfox had a limited response in your case. Moving to Folfiri is the next step and does have a good response at knocking cancer back down or keeping it at bay.

    I've done it as well this past year and am 6-months out of my last treatment - back to a watch and wait state. It's a hard drug with different side effects but we can deal with those later.

    I know you're cancer fears...I've had cancer 3x and have gotten ahead of it 3x in my 7.4 year cancer experience. I was pretty whipped a few months ago coming out of a year of non-stop fighting.

    Overall, I've done chemo approximately 51x - radiation 55x - 4 major surgeries - and a host of things I've probably forgotten. It can be a long journey at times. But, I'm still here when many of my medical staff said "it was highly unlikely" I would see another year.

    That was almost 4-years ago this Christmas:)

    It's always the mental part of having to gear up again, that is toughest at first. The body can take a pounding, but keeping the mind engaged to continue is the real key. The mind has to be right - to fight.

    Shock will wear down and I'm thinking you'll find anger next - and when you do, use that against the cancer to will yourself to do what you really don't want to do - but know that you must do.

    The light will always be on here. We're all pulling for you.

    -Craig

    Thanks, Craig
    I've been reading your posts and following the progress on your book; I look forward to each excerpt you share with us. I get a wealth of information from your journey as well as alot of hope! Keep on keepin' on, Sundance!
  • Kenny H.
    Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member
    #10
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    ginnimp said:

    Thanks, Craig
    I've been reading your posts and following the progress on your book; I look forward to each excerpt you share with us. I get a wealth of information from your journey as well as alot of hope! Keep on keepin' on, Sundance!

    In the same boat.
    Last scan
    In the same boat.
    Last scan showed liver looked fine but now have 6 nodes in lungs (2 last scan in Jul)
    Getting a PET scan next month to determine next step.
    Pisses me off, just was getting ahead and looking good on the rectal C & now this!

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