Roll Call ****ALL****

245

Comments

  • Deena11
    Deena11 Member Posts: 199 Member
    Roll Call...I'm here!

    I went to get my routine annual exam November 2011.  Dr. said I needed to get a colonoscopy because I had blood in my stool (no other symptoms).  Colonoscopy revealed a cancerous growth December 2011.

    Had 9 inches of colon removed January 2012.  Cancer found in 7 lymph nodes. Colon cancer stage III.

    Started chemo Feb. 2012.  Chemo was very difficult (diarrhea, constipation, fainted all the time and had to get stitches in both of my eye brows two weeks apart, checked in the hospital 5 times, lost 50 pounds...blah, blah, blah...).

    Finished chemo end of August 2012.

    NED since then.  I go in for another blood test tomorrow so I am hoping I am still NED.

     

  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    Deena11 said:

    Roll Call...I'm here!

    I went to get my routine annual exam November 2011.  Dr. said I needed to get a colonoscopy because I had blood in my stool (no other symptoms).  Colonoscopy revealed a cancerous growth December 2011.

    Had 9 inches of colon removed January 2012.  Cancer found in 7 lymph nodes. Colon cancer stage III.

    Started chemo Feb. 2012.  Chemo was very difficult (diarrhea, constipation, fainted all the time and had to get stitches in both of my eye brows two weeks apart, checked in the hospital 5 times, lost 50 pounds...blah, blah, blah...).

    Finished chemo end of August 2012.

    NED since then.  I go in for another blood test tomorrow so I am hoping I am still NED.

     

    Hi Everyone!

    Gosh, it really has been awhile since I have check in on the board. I was glad to see Nana's "Roll Call" as I have replied to them many times over the years.

    In October I was fortunate to hit my 5 year mark. I was diagnosed in 2007 with Stage 4 Colon and have been NED since november of 2008. At the time I had  10 and 12 year old daughters. A few months ago I was able to see my oldest graduate for high school (something I never imagined would happen) and will send her to college in just a few weeks. My youngest will be a junior and I hope to see her graduate too.

    Just know that there a Stage 4 survivors both NED and living lives with the disease! Wishing the very best to you all.

    Dawn  

     

  • Dyanclark
    Dyanclark Member Posts: 296
    George

    Laughing

    I post here and I am married to George Clark. Dxd 2008.   Surgery for stage 2 colon cancer then three year remission.  He has had radiation and all the chemo's etc  .Past year he has been feeling good even though still doing treatment.  He gets  to Ned and normal CEA only to have it rise again after treatments.  We will see, CEA was .07 two months ago while on vectibix.   CEA now rising and is 3.6.  The roller coaster  ride is never over.

    Hugs George &Dyan. 

     

  • chp
    chp Member Posts: 29
    Dyanclark said:

    George

    Laughing

    I post here and I am married to George Clark. Dxd 2008.   Surgery for stage 2 colon cancer then three year remission.  He has had radiation and all the chemo's etc  .Past year he has been feeling good even though still doing treatment.  He gets  to Ned and normal CEA only to have it rise again after treatments.  We will see, CEA was .07 two months ago while on vectibix.   CEA now rising and is 3.6.  The roller coaster  ride is never over.

    Hugs George &Dyan. 

     

    My story begins with my mom

    My story begins with my mom being diagnosed with colon cancer, stage 3b, in her ascending colon in May of 2012.  While I was with her for one of her appointments with her surgeon, he asked me if I had ever had a colonoscopy -  I had 8 years previously.  He suggested i go in for another one. Was busy being my mom's caretaker during her chemo, but managed to get in for one in August.  Surprise - colon cancer for me also.  Had a resection of my ascending colon, appendix, cecum and a small part of small intestine. Fortunately, it was stage 2a.  Unfortunately, it was signet ring cell.

    I finished up 6 rounds of Xeloda in May.  I will not have another ct scan until September.  Feeling really apprehensive about waiting so long for ct scan, esp after hearing Maxicat tell about how proactive her doctors are being.  My onc doesn't seem to think the signet cell needs to be handled any diff than any other kind.  I have been tested to see if it is hereditary, thankfully, it is not.

    My mom is 84 and just had aother ct scan--all clear!! 

    Best to all!  Cathy

  • DD3
    DD3 Member Posts: 136 Member
    chp said:

    My story begins with my mom

    My story begins with my mom being diagnosed with colon cancer, stage 3b, in her ascending colon in May of 2012.  While I was with her for one of her appointments with her surgeon, he asked me if I had ever had a colonoscopy -  I had 8 years previously.  He suggested i go in for another one. Was busy being my mom's caretaker during her chemo, but managed to get in for one in August.  Surprise - colon cancer for me also.  Had a resection of my ascending colon, appendix, cecum and a small part of small intestine. Fortunately, it was stage 2a.  Unfortunately, it was signet ring cell.

    I finished up 6 rounds of Xeloda in May.  I will not have another ct scan until September.  Feeling really apprehensive about waiting so long for ct scan, esp after hearing Maxicat tell about how proactive her doctors are being.  My onc doesn't seem to think the signet cell needs to be handled any diff than any other kind.  I have been tested to see if it is hereditary, thankfully, it is not.

    My mom is 84 and just had aother ct scan--all clear!! 

    Best to all!  Cathy

    Oh boy...

    Care taker here.

     

    Wife was diagnosed with CRC Stage IIIA Dec 2012.  Eleven lymphnodes removed, six positive. Ugh.  Yell  Her tumor had practically closed off her colon off.  So, the doctors put a stent in her to allow bowl movements to pass and by some time to get everything in order.

    Let's see...  First up, 28 rounds of radiation + Xeloda (sp?).  Last two weeks were brutal, really took a toll on her.  Ugh again. Undecided

    Next up... Surgery.  Removed about 10 inches of her colon and "installed"  a temporary ileostomy (nicknamed tempe [short for temporary]).  Some set backs for fluid build up.  Clean margins on both sides of the removal.

    Today... FoFox.  Five of twelve rounds completed.  So far, so good.  Fatigue, some neuropathy.  However, to my amazement she still has a appetite.  Laughing

    We will get through this and move on.  Just a long journey.  Although through various channels my wife has found of couple of new friends that are traveling the same road and have provided invaulable support. 

  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    June 2007--Stage IV

    Had no symptoms until my abdomen got bloated and would not go down no matter what I tried.  Went to GP and it took about a month to find a large mass where my left ovary was. 

    DX June 2007, age 44 - Surgery to remove ovarian tumor as MD thought is was ovarian cancer because the ovary weighed 5 lbs! MD found sm tumor on transverse colon, lost only 2 inches, when looking for a missing sponge, also tumors in omentum, only 1 positive lymph node out of 20+.  Had problems with a leaky incision.  12 rounds of FOLFOX and normal CEA (December 2007)

    December 2008 - recurrance in same area, 8 rounds of FOLFOX--HIPEC surgery (August 2008) only 3 small spots in a part of the omentum, lost one inch of colon because tumor resting on it, appendix and gall bladder, that was not removed during original surgery--6 rounds of FOLFOX and normal CEA (December 2009)

    November 2010 - recurrance this time near rectum, mostly lymph nodes--18 rounds of XELIRI. Had a bad reaction at round 4 while in NY and reduced dose.  Normal CEA (July 2011)

    July 2012 - recurrance, same area now solid tumor, 6 rounds XELIRI, surgery to remove tumor, I don't believe any lymph nodes were taken (October 2012), no post-surgery chemo.  Surgeon went in from backside and removed my tailbone to get to the tumor.  Had internal abcess and problems with a leaky incision.

    February 2013 - Diagnosed with CML--chronic mylogenous leukemia - taking Sprycel daily.  Likely had this since December 2011 but chemo side effects masked the problem

    July 2013 - rising CEA 6.8, CT Scan showing enlarged lymph node.  Onc says wait and see. 

    Last Wednesday, the day before I saw the onc, I developed fever/chills and have an undetermined infection along my rear incision line and a UTI.  So no real discussion of the cancer, just trying to treat the infection which is going away with antibiotics. 

    Not sure what the heck is going on right now.  Will talk to my onc next month to discuss a game plan.

     

  • YoVita
    YoVita Member Posts: 590 Member
    Thanks for the roll call

    It's good to hear from others. 

    StageIIIC rectal - Feb. 2010, Surgery, radiation and chemo.  One solitary lung nodule after 2 1/2 years of NED. Surgically removed and biopsied, metastasis from rectal cancer so I'm now Stage IV.  Clear CTscan and colonoscopy one year after lung surgery.  Good to hear from all especially lurkers.

     

  • braelee2
    braelee2 Member Posts: 130
    Roll Call

    Dx in Aug of 2010. (Age 37) with stage 3 colon cancer . 12 inches of colon removed and 12 rounds of chemo

               April 15 2011 Surgery on colon to remove a abscess

              May 16 2012 Liver resection and 6 rounds of chemo.

              And now I go in Aug 27 for another Liver resection. And keep chugging along. 

  • fatbob2010
    fatbob2010 Member Posts: 467 Member
    Roll Call

    Age 58

    First Dx 2009

    2009 Colon resection

    5 months Folfox

    2012 Liver resection

    More Chemo

    Bad reaction to Chemo

    Currently NED

    Big Hugs to All

    Art

     

  • joemetz
    joemetz Member Posts: 493
    chemo roll call

    well, i think I'm becoming an old timer now... cuz my chemo brain is so damn bad, that I had to scroll through this entire Roll Call string to see if I replied at all.

    and, I haven't.

    my "long story" is within my profile. But the short story, is for the last six months I've had growth and progression of the cancer.

    it is spread from the liver to several areas of the bones in the pelvic area as well as both hips and ribs. It's strange, because I do not feel it very often, but hopefully the new folfuir which we started in the first of June is working.

    It's been a very difficult time for me on FolFuri... but i sure hope its kicking cancers ****, cuz it sure is kicking mine.

    my family is amazing, and it feels like we are having the most wonderful summer ever.

    Big news for me will be August 21st.... after the PET and CT, we'll see if Cancer is winning or Chemo-Joe is winning.

    hugs and great idea for a roll call.

     

    Joe Metzger

     

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    My husband, Steve, was

    My husband, Steve, was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 1999.  Pan Colitis meaning his entire colon was affected.  Very very sick off and on.  Went for regular scopes.  May 2011 became constipated.  Very unusual for someone with UC.  Eventually became completely blocked.  Diagnosed with colon cancer on June 1, 2011.  Sub total colectomy with Ileostomy.  After the surgery I was told that it did not look good.  Surface cancer still remained in the abdominal cavity and two retroperitoneal lymph nodes appeared cancerous.  Pathology report confirmed this.  Did 13 cycles of Folfiri with Avastin.  The only cancer that showed up on scans prior to chemo were the two lymph nodes.  After eight weeks of chemo he was Ned.   Went into Hipec surgery on April 13,2012 with no evidence of disease.  (But we knew it was there).  Surgery was 10 hours.  Lost spleen, tail of pancreas, some small intestine, some abdominal wall, omentum, remnants of rectum.....  Went well.  Complete cytoreduction was achieved.  Did not develop any complications.  Pathology report was great.  Only surface cancer, no affected lymph nodes.  Had scan Sept 2012.  Numerous liver mets.  Began Folfiri.  Very affective at first.  Major shrinkage.  Surgery seemed possible.  A scan in May showed progression of liver mets and several small spots on lungs. Surgery was off the table.  Started Folfox.  Has done 3 sessions. Throughout the past two years he has developed numerous complications which have affected his QOL.  Blood clots, hematoma, kidney stones, blockage of small intestine...  Steve has the K RAS mutation, therefore options are becoming limited.

  • GOOFYLADIE
    GOOFYLADIE Member Posts: 232 Member
    15 years Cancer free

    1998 I was diagnosed with Stage IV Dukes C Carcinoma.  My fantastic surgeon removed a baseball size tumor with 16 of the 32 lymph nodes positive.  My first Oncologist said he would give me Chemo and radiation and make me as comfortable as possible.  To me those 3 words (cap) meant he had no hope for me, he already had me on my death bed.  He told me this about 3 days after my tumor removal, my brother walked in my room looked at me looked at the Doc and said I believe my sister would like you to leave now, and do not return.  My brother had not even heard one word of our conversation with the Doc but I guess I had kiss my Cancer butt on my face!lol The doctor left and in a couple days I went home released by my surgeon.  I then found an Oncologist who literally ordered a hospital bed to his drs office, because I lived 2 hours away and he did not want ER doctors watching over me he wanted to see for himself how and why I was reacting to the chemo. Because as my Gastro dr teased me, I was a case of Murphys Law, I was supposed to do a 6 month chemo and maybe radiation after, but the 6 month chemo absolutely kicked my rearend.  I was so sick my kidneys, liver, pancreas, every thing that functions quit functioning, so I went to the old fashioned method of leucovorin and 5 fU and a cocktail of sometype I apologize I cannot remember what it was called Chemo brain I guess, but my mom and husband dont remember either.  But my mom still cant remember me telling her all the possibilities before my surgery like it could be cancer, she chose selective hearing (never hearing Cancer) and my husband despite him going thru a phase with prescription meds, and then later having a stroke and then before my treatment was over he was a full blown alcoholic.  But he was functional, He was my Hero at one time he didnt drink when he had to take care of my young boys, and he went to work and my friends would take me to chemo treatments or my mom, and then my husband would take turns too. But everytime I was in the hospital my husband was beside me when I woke up, he went work, he played with my 3 j's, (my 3 sons, there names start with j's) and he took care of the house but more he was there when I needed him. 

    My Oncologist would tell me this is how you will do on the treatment plan, and I always did the opposite, when everything my age, 31, female, in great shape except for having cancer I was a brick shi$ house, until chemo I was 6 ft tall and usualy 145 lbs when chemo his at my absolute lowest point when I think only my Dr and I believed I was going to pull thru I weighed 118.  Thats skinny, skeleton.  I couldnt take a bath or shower without puking the smell of the minerals in the water made me sick so I finally had my husband run my water for a bath then I would waith 30 min or more before getting in letting the minerals settle and then I could bathe.  I was freezing or hot all the time, never made much sense.  My fingernails were so tender with the cuticles tore up from the floor up, I wore cotton gloves  on my hands at night because I couldnt stand them on my hands all the time I like to feel things in my hands you cant with gloves.  But when I got so then at 118 I knew it was time to move in to do something I wasnt going to die because I couldnt eat.  I am and always will be a foodie.  I love to cook for those who like to eat and I like to try new things. So I'll be damned if I was going to dye of cancer and starve to death to boot.  I finally was given ativan, a sleeping pill that in cancer patients works for nausea.  Then I would go thru Burger King of all place and get a whopper Jr and I drank hot tea and water that I carried with me all the time.  Water was extremely hard for me to drink because of the mineral deal, but anyway then I would drive 2 hours get my chemo  go have the spiciest mexican food I could get even have a Strawberry Daquiri or Margarita sometime Onc said it wouldnt hurt.  He would look at me and say Cass you have Cancer do you really think a drink with your lunch is gonna kill you! and smirk! He was and still is an awesome Dr. His father had passed away of Colon cancer so I had a physician knowing firsthand perspective what it feels like to have a family member with colon cancer and a dr treating someone with colon cancer.  Before we started treatment my Onc heald my hand and said Cass I'm going to make you sick, I am going to make you sicker than you have ever been in your life; I may even take you to deaths door.  But I am going to use everything I have and In my power not to let you pass thru.  He did not say it like he was God! He did not say it with a God like complex or arrogant attitude.  He simpley told me straight up, this is going to be a **** of  a ride and if I can hang on, he'd help me get thru it!! Somedays I know I was treading deep water, other days when all my bodily functions shut down I knew my Onc. was treading right along with me.  If I was doing poorly he knew about it, and he was on it.  I remember the 3rd time the chem knocked my bodily functions for a loop and they thought that was it.  They figured they went to far there not coming back this time.  I  guess I didnt realize how bad off I was, because when I started feeling better I sat up and told Doc okay Ive had a few days rest.  Lets go lets do it again, my Onc just cried.  He couldnt believe I was willing to do more, I could imagine not I had a 4 yr old, a 6 yr old and 10 yr old at home.   On that note we both cried, and he said Your so young I cant get the cancer board to take in the fact you are only 31 and female age, and health status, before should count for something in statistics.  So I bounce around with my stats from Stage IV which is what they say I was, to Stage III C because my Oncologist way back then was trying then to help change the way the stats were writen.  Because the only stat at that time was a female my age should not have colon cancer.  Wow , did not give me anything to go on at all, but I am and always will be full of P and V, I have been having a hard time in my relationship with my spouse who is an recovering alcoholic and I let his problems start to define me my his mistake degrading and embarassing me to where I didnt want to leave my home.  My weight has suffered, my friendships have suffered, my family has suffered, but as the open book I promised my dad to be, (because people dont know unless you tell them, or let them ask) I got dipped in **** to come out of this smellin like a rose, not be wallow and wondering why Im still here.  So life still happens even after cancer free, the good, the bad and the ugly, you just have to put your best foot forward even if when your on chemo your best is gettin up to go to the bathroom and I was there in those shoes at one time, today im trying not to go bankrupt, still heavy thinking on divorce because we just go in circles, and I know I was kept here for greater things then arguing and fighting.  But let me tell you, there is not a day I dont thank a higher power, the great all mighty, the whoever, whatever that kept me here, because I have got to see some fantastic things in these 15 years and life is good.

    Sorry so long,

    Goofyladie (Cass)

  • BusterBrown
    BusterBrown Member Posts: 221 Member
    Here's a recap of my journey.

    Here's a recap of my journey. On Dec. 14, 2004 I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, (1) tumor in my liver the size of a pea and (3) spots on my liver. Immediately following the dx, I was put on folfox and had very good results, 6 wks later the spots were gone from liver and the tumor on my colon began to decrease in size. March 2005, I had a colon resection; they took 6 inches of colon and left the rest. After I recouped from surgery I finished my folfox and (5) wks of radiation. A month later I was declared NED, I took the next 4 months off. Fast forward to Feb 2006, one tumor reappears on my liver, doctors decide that surgery to chryo tumor was the answer, they did, and for the next 2 years I was cancer free. June of 2008, I go for scan, they find a spot very near chryo’d tumor, this time they decide to do a liver resection. Surgery goes well, I’m NED until Oct of 2009. We do a periodic ct scan, results show 2 more spots appear, a very small spot on a lymph node in intestinal area, near liver, and the other in the plural of my right lung. At that point my doctor tells me that my cancer is now incurable,the plural tumor is inoperable, and chemo (folfiri) is my only option. Two years later, Oct 2011, doctor is surprised that no other cancer appears, especially given the fact that I was taking chemo every 4-5 weeks. We decide to do a Pet scan to see if there’s anything new, and as it turns out, there’s not. The tumor in my intestine has been the same size for 2 year, it’s showing up hot in the Pet scan, and the spot in my plural looks to be calcified, no activity shown on Pet. Today, both my onc and surgeon decide the once inoperable tumor in my lung is now operable, they want to remove it along with the tumor in my gut in the near future, early Dec, 2011.
    I went through with the abdominal surgery last April 2012,my doctor removed a lone tumor from my lymph node. I was in the hospital for 4 day and they sent me home with a bottle of motrin. It's truly amazing how good they are getting with large incisions. I had a recent scan and the spot in my lung has not change and there is no other evidence of disease.

    Another CT scan done Feb. 2013, scan was clean, next appointment was set for Aug 2013.  In April 2013, i got influenza B, was really sick and dropped 20 pds in 4 wks, I knew there was something wrong. So, I go to my primary physician for some tests, she's convinced that it's the flu, I'm convinced it's something else,  So I have her call my Onc to let him know what's going on, my Onc says highly unlikely it's cancer, afterall, just had recent scan. I convince them both that I need a CT scan and they agreed. New CT scan April 2013 shows cancer has come back in my liver and abdomen wall, my Onc recommends Folfox asap. That was 10 wks ago, I'm now on my 5 dose and I feel a lot better, I've gained back 15 pounds and feel pretty good, no pain anywhere.  Recent scan showed dramatic improvement, I still have cancer, but it's manageable.

    There's been a lot of peeks and valleys along the way, but I'm happy to be here despite all the chemo I've had to endure.

    Buster...

     

     

  • marbleotis
    marbleotis Member Posts: 720 Member
    Me

    Here is my story;

    Dx'ed on 1/13/12 (Friday the 13th) with stage 3b signet cell colon cancer. 

    Some backstory - had "flank" pain for 4 months prior.  On left side front and back.  After many tests, OOps found a gallstone, more like a gall-bolder.  Had it removed, pain went away for about 2 weeks then came back in back only.  Horrible, could not sleep, paced the floors for days and days.  Insisted something was wrong, got the colonsocopy and the story begins.

    Surgery to remove right side of colon on 1/31/12.

    6 months of Oxi and 5fu ended 8/24/12.  Neuropathy hands, feet, face, lips, teeth, tongue. Only moderate hands and feet today

    CEA very low no spikes, CT's are all clear, had the genetic testing done - all clear I am NED - thank God!

    1 yr colonoscopy found a "pre-c" polyp removed, follow up flex sig 3 months later found some pre-c cells.  I guess I am special.

    So I am closely watched like everyone else in my position.  I am nervous as most of us are.

    Next CT in August.

    Cancer has changed me.  I do not tolerate things/people like I used to.  Which is a good thing.  I need to manage and control stress in my life better.

    I will update again after the CT scan. 

     

     

  • sunbeamtim
    sunbeamtim Member Posts: 4 Member
    Newbie/Lurker

    Easter 2003 - admitted to hospital with severe gut pains , woke up with a colostomy , tumour blockage , ruptured colon  . 37 years old .

    Diagnosis of Stage 4 Colon , with secondaries in the Liver .Prognosis not good .

    June 2003 - half a yard of colon removed ,colostomy reversed .

    August 2003 -course of chemo via hickman line 5FU (?) and oxyliplatin .

    December 2003 -Liver resection .

    Regular scans and colonoscopies no further sign of disease since .Still not quite sure how . 

    Intermittent neuropathy and severe fatigue ,no rhyme no reason to it , sometimes I am good for months , healthy and active , then bang , I crash . Small price to pay for survival , but gets me down at times . Come and lurk here occasionally ,helps me  realise that other people have had similar experiences ,and hopefully posting this will let someone know that they can get thru too . 

     thanks ,

        Wish you all well ,

                 Tim

  • TxKayaker
    TxKayaker Member Posts: 176

    Newbie/Lurker

    Easter 2003 - admitted to hospital with severe gut pains , woke up with a colostomy , tumour blockage , ruptured colon  . 37 years old .

    Diagnosis of Stage 4 Colon , with secondaries in the Liver .Prognosis not good .

    June 2003 - half a yard of colon removed ,colostomy reversed .

    August 2003 -course of chemo via hickman line 5FU (?) and oxyliplatin .

    December 2003 -Liver resection .

    Regular scans and colonoscopies no further sign of disease since .Still not quite sure how . 

    Intermittent neuropathy and severe fatigue ,no rhyme no reason to it , sometimes I am good for months , healthy and active , then bang , I crash . Small price to pay for survival , but gets me down at times . Come and lurk here occasionally ,helps me  realise that other people have had similar experiences ,and hopefully posting this will let someone know that they can get thru too . 

     thanks ,

        Wish you all well ,

                 Tim

    April 2009 Stage III - 12

    April 2009 Stage III - 12 rounds chemo , colostomy reversal December 2009 clear scan since surgery in April 2009.

  • TxKayaker
    TxKayaker Member Posts: 176

    Newbie/Lurker

    Easter 2003 - admitted to hospital with severe gut pains , woke up with a colostomy , tumour blockage , ruptured colon  . 37 years old .

    Diagnosis of Stage 4 Colon , with secondaries in the Liver .Prognosis not good .

    June 2003 - half a yard of colon removed ,colostomy reversed .

    August 2003 -course of chemo via hickman line 5FU (?) and oxyliplatin .

    December 2003 -Liver resection .

    Regular scans and colonoscopies no further sign of disease since .Still not quite sure how . 

    Intermittent neuropathy and severe fatigue ,no rhyme no reason to it , sometimes I am good for months , healthy and active , then bang , I crash . Small price to pay for survival , but gets me down at times . Come and lurk here occasionally ,helps me  realise that other people have had similar experiences ,and hopefully posting this will let someone know that they can get thru too . 

     thanks ,

        Wish you all well ,

                 Tim

    April 2009 Stage III - 12

    April 2009 Stage III - 12 rounds chemo , colostomy reversal December 2009 clear scan since surgery in April 2009.

  • emma_s
    emma_s Member Posts: 22
    New to the forum

     

    My husband (60y) was dxd in April 2, 2012 with stage 4 cc - numerous mets in liver and lungs, later they found lesions in femur and iliac bones. He has also KRAS mutantion.


    Had a pathological femur fracture after 3d radiation in early June 2012.


    From July 2012 started - 12 rounds of Folfiri + Avastin, which shrunk all mets by 60% and primary tumor dissappeared.


    CEA in January dropped to 7 and Onc. decided to send him for a 2.5 month chemo break until March 2013.


    CT scan in March 2013 showed significant inlargement of all mets.

     

    In late March did 5 radiations on pelvis and started a new chemo treatment with the same coctail - Folfiri+Avastin with an addition of Zometa for bones.


    Currently he completed  10 rounds of chemo, which seems to be not working any more as the last blood test showed the elivated liver enzymes and CEA went up from 98 to 130.

    The next CT scan is scheduled in August.


    We are thinking about doing a chemosensitivity test and plan to do it through the local Nathuropatic clinic. And may consider a local Hypothermia for liver.


    Best wishes to all!

     

  • Bluejuniata
    Bluejuniata Member Posts: 20
    Hello

    Hi,

    I was diagnosed December 2011 with stage 3 rectal cancer., I found blood in my stool and went in right away. ( my Grandmother and Aunt both had colorectal)  went on xeloda and had radiation then had my rectum removed and a temp. iliostomy in May. Two out of 17 lymph nodes tested positive. After a week in the hospital and two very miserable weeks at home I went back into the hospital with an abcess for another week. Then went home with a tube to drain the abcess and my new iliostomy. It really was not what I would call a good time, right? Anyway....in July was told I had 2 mets to my liver. Got a port, started chemo/ erbitux August first and the first round sent me to the hospital emergency room and for another week in the hospital. Ended chemo Oct. 18th. NED the day after Thanksgiving. Jan 2nd had iliostomy reversal and they said as long as they were in there the surgical oncologist was going to burn off and resection where the mets had been...so I got a two-fer. Scan in March inconclusive because of operation scarring..they thought. Scan in june, mets back where the resection was done and the burning off was done and one new smaller met. Am now in paperwork process of receiving y-90 spheres and hoping I qualify re pre testing. If not, they'll do chemo emb.

    That's my cancer journey story so far! I am 52, almost 51 when diagnosed, female. It's good  to have you all to talk to. Thanks.

  • SCMorrow
    SCMorrow Member Posts: 3
    Guess I'm a newbie...

    Diagnosed stage III rectal cancer in January 2013. I had pre-surgery radiation and chemo(5-FU). Doc removed cancerous tumor with clear margins, found 6/24 lymphnodes still cancerous, and removed apendix while he was in there (haha) in May 2013. Began adjuvant chemo. in the end of June. Standard Folfox every other week. I've only had three treatments and geeting bad side-effects ie. neuropothy, throat, muscle spasms. Maybe I just need to suck it up? Going to talk to oncologist about trying Folfiri. I'm so glad I found this site, I was reading everyone's posts. It's such a relief and inspiration.