Any Stage IV c.c. survivors out there? Port problems?

fee330

I was diagnosed with colon cancer last October, had a resection and six months of chemo. Am starting another cycle on Monday (two defective ports later, I have a third one put in on Wednesday). Anyone out there a Stage IV survivor? Anyone had problems with their port-a-caths?

alande

I am sorry to hear about your condition. My mom is also a stage IV patient. the cancer cells have spread to her liver. I would like to know what type of chemo you went through as she is still deciding the type of treatment and she can not undergo resection. how are you right now.
~a concerned son

willh

I was dianosed in Sept. with stage four with metatsis to the liver. I feel fortunate but have had no problems with my port. Monday I see my oncologist and we begin discussion on further treatment plans, including alternative. I have been off chemo for five weeks but just completed 3 weeks of radiation due to a tumor on the lower pelvic girdle. It is getting so tiring and there seems to be not positive movement. Last c-t scan showed things as static.

willh

alande said:

I am sorry to hear about your condition. My mom is also a stage IV patient. the cancer cells have spread to her liver. I would like to know what type of chemo you went through as she is still deciding the type of treatment and she can not undergo resection. how are you right now.
~a concerned son

I too have a metasis to the liver. I went through six months of chemo, at this point things are static, I first received camptosar with 5FU & Leucovorin. Then we tried Xeloda. At this point we are awaiting the results on a couple of tests and then we will be discussing further treatments possible clinical trials. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mother. Please let me know what you decicde.

fee330

alande said:

I am sorry to hear about your condition. My mom is also a stage IV patient. the cancer cells have spread to her liver. I would like to know what type of chemo you went through as she is still deciding the type of treatment and she can not undergo resection. how are you right now.
~a concerned son

The regular treatment for c.c. is 5-FU and Leucovorin, but my oncologist's protocol varies a bit, using a cousin of 5-FU called FUDR. The side effects are a bit more manageable, they say, though mine are pretty intense sometimes. My cancer also spread to my liver, and the lesions there were significantly reduced by the six-month treatment. Can your mom undergo a resection after the chemo?

noelle68

Hi - I have small bowel cancer, which is pretty rare and they treat it like colon cancer. I was first diagnosed in October of 2000, stage 4. I had a resection, they removed 22 lymph nodes of which 8 were malignant, and they took out my left ovary which was malignant. Then I did 6 months of chemo, 5FU, LV and camptosar. Everything was fine for a while, then in Jan of 2002 they found it in my uterus, cervix, vagina, right ovary, and connective tissue. I had all of that removed, then did 6 weeks of radiation with continuous chemo, 5FU. Apparently that didn't work because they just two weeks ago found adenocarcinoma in my colon, they say the pathology is the same as my original cancer so they're calling this a met. Tomorrow I'm having a PET scan, and surgery this coming Wednesday. I may or may not have to have a colostomy, the PET scan might tell them that but then again, they might not know until they get in there. The plan after surgery is to do oxaliplatin, I don't yet know what the protocol for that will be, but I'm ever hopeful! The standard treatment didn't work, but maybe the oxaliplatin will! The side effects are a lot nastier than what I had before but it's nothing I can't handle. I hope!
I have had two ports, the first one I had taken out in a burst of optimism, then had to have it put back. That time I decided to leave it in, so I've been getting it flushed out every 6 weeks. So far, no problems.
So, I'm stage four, surviving nearly two years so far. It's not easy, but I'm still going strong! Keep on fighting!

arntn

noelle68 said:

Hi - I have small bowel cancer, which is pretty rare and they treat it like colon cancer. I was first diagnosed in October of 2000, stage 4. I had a resection, they removed 22 lymph nodes of which 8 were malignant, and they took out my left ovary which was malignant. Then I did 6 months of chemo, 5FU, LV and camptosar. Everything was fine for a while, then in Jan of 2002 they found it in my uterus, cervix, vagina, right ovary, and connective tissue. I had all of that removed, then did 6 weeks of radiation with continuous chemo, 5FU. Apparently that didn't work because they just two weeks ago found adenocarcinoma in my colon, they say the pathology is the same as my original cancer so they're calling this a met. Tomorrow I'm having a PET scan, and surgery this coming Wednesday. I may or may not have to have a colostomy, the PET scan might tell them that but then again, they might not know until they get in there. The plan after surgery is to do oxaliplatin, I don't yet know what the protocol for that will be, but I'm ever hopeful! The standard treatment didn't work, but maybe the oxaliplatin will! The side effects are a lot nastier than what I had before but it's nothing I can't handle. I hope!
I have had two ports, the first one I had taken out in a burst of optimism, then had to have it put back. That time I decided to leave it in, so I've been getting it flushed out every 6 weeks. So far, no problems.
So, I'm stage four, surviving nearly two years so far. It's not easy, but I'm still going strong! Keep on fighting!

I was only Stage III but was told I only had 30% chance (7 years ago). Regarding a port: I contracted sepsis 3 times before coming to my own conclusion that it was from my port. The doc left it in for a year after end of treatment because I was "high risk". Was closer to death with the sepsis than the cancer! Sometimes your doctor needs a little assistance. Best wishes to you.

dallastx

fee330 said:

The regular treatment for c.c. is 5-FU and Leucovorin, but my oncologist's protocol varies a bit, using a cousin of 5-FU called FUDR. The side effects are a bit more manageable, they say, though mine are pretty intense sometimes. My cancer also spread to my liver, and the lesions there were significantly reduced by the six-month treatment. Can your mom undergo a resection after the chemo?

stage IV c.c. and port problems
My husband is stage IV and has had no problems with the port - yet - knock on wood but he has had a tough time tolerated the 5 FU so they have cut it back 40%. He has had blood clots so we had to leave off the evastin. Anyone else problems with the chemo