Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of the Jejunum (Small Intestine)

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Daffodil58
Daffodil58 Member Posts: 8
edited May 2015 in Rare and Other Cancers #1

Finding some stories on these discussion boards that are very encouraging especially since this cancer is rare but have yet to find a match to someone else going through this same cancer.  My 58 yr old husband was just diagnosed stage 4 Small Intestine Cancer of the Jejunum at the end of January.  There are small metastases in his liver, lungs and peritoneum, and he was given a prognosis of 30 months (no obstruction/no surgery).  What I find hard to grasp is that we're told 30 months yet there appears to be many cancer patients in a similar diagnosis, whether their primary is SIC or CRC, who are living many years, so why isn't his prognosis longer.  In any event, my husband is in Cycle 6, CEA marker going down and so we're believing his follow-up CT scan in a few weeks will show shrinkage.  Thank you for your stories of your journeys ... I now believe we're looking at more time than thought, therefore allowing a possible cure to come along.  There appears to be some great developments (genome) on the horizon. Would love to hear from others with this cancer  :)

 

 

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  • catwoman18901
    catwoman18901 Member Posts: 3
    #2
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    Hello.  I'm sorry to say my

    Hello.  I'm sorry to say my brother in law had the same cancer.  He passed away October 2013.  He was given 18 months and just about made it that long. He was previously a healthy man. He exercised and watched what he ate. He never smoked, drank or used drugs. His only real symptom was bleeding. Being an Army veteran, he went to the VA for treatment, thinking they would take care of him. It took 3 years for them to diagnose the cancer, and by that time, it was already stage 4. He fought as best he could. He did chemo and radiation, but the pain in his abdomen was so severe at times, he would break down in tears. It didn't seem that any pain medication could help him. He lost an immense amount of weight. I'd be surprised if he was 110# the day he passed, and he was over 6 feet tall.  It was hard to watch him deteriorate and suffer.

    I know it's been a few months since you wrote this. I do hope your husband is doing well. I pray they can find a cure for this unforgiving cancer.

  • Daffodil58
    Daffodil58 Member Posts: 8
    #3
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    catwoman18901 said:

    Hello.  I'm sorry to say my

    Hello.  I'm sorry to say my brother in law had the same cancer.  He passed away October 2013.  He was given 18 months and just about made it that long. He was previously a healthy man. He exercised and watched what he ate. He never smoked, drank or used drugs. His only real symptom was bleeding. Being an Army veteran, he went to the VA for treatment, thinking they would take care of him. It took 3 years for them to diagnose the cancer, and by that time, it was already stage 4. He fought as best he could. He did chemo and radiation, but the pain in his abdomen was so severe at times, he would break down in tears. It didn't seem that any pain medication could help him. He lost an immense amount of weight. I'd be surprised if he was 110# the day he passed, and he was over 6 feet tall.  It was hard to watch him deteriorate and suffer.

    I know it's been a few months since you wrote this. I do hope your husband is doing well. I pray they can find a cure for this unforgiving cancer.

    Thank you

    Thank you Catwoman for your reply.  It is now 7 months since diagnosis and 6 months of palliative chemotherapy.  Fortunately, no blockage as yet so need of surgery to this point.  First CT scan at 3 months came back showing all cancer masses stable however one of the 4 chemo drugs had to be taken off until a bad run of bleeding hemorrhoids cleared up.  Second CT Scan at 6 months showed all cancer masses stable with exception to omentum.  Now at today's treatment (#15) he was given all 4 chemo drugs again so they are hoping it will deal with the change in his omentum as well as the build up of ascites in his lower abdomen.  Another CT scan will be done in 4-6 weeks to check.

    He is tolerating the chemo treatments fairly well.  He's lost 65 lbs overall but is still at a heavier weight thanks to the great nausea drugs.  Fatigue, cold feet (on the inside), tightness/discomfort in the abdomen and some numb toes are side effects.   He too served in the military (Canadian) - was a strong man - so hard to see him slowly losing his strength.  Can only muster short, level walks these days.

    Its a rare cancer but we're not giving up hope - even for a cure.  They are seeing some positive things on the horizon in cancer research.  

    Thanks again for sharing your brother-in-law's journey with me.

     

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