PET Scan results

impactzone
impactzone Member Posts: 555 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I spoke last night with the surgeon about the PET scan results. There is some hope but it is a long road. The scan shows that there is 1 cancerous tumor in my liver. This puts me at Stage 4 colon cancer. They could not get it out this last surgery because of the location on the back of my liver. That staging determines treatments. The plan seems to be go with 2 - 6 months of chemo and monitor the tumor. Does it shrink, stay the same, do others appear? Then schedule liver surgery to remove the area when it appears that the tumor has stopped responding. This would then be followed by another 6 months of chemo. They are doing it this way because it will show if the chemo has a response on the tumor and possibly all other smaller micromet's in my system that they can not see.


We do feel blessed at this time in that there were not more areas lighting up in the PET scan. That would have really limited our options. I am resolute in fighting this **** inside me and to try to survive it. Some days are great and I feel fine , other days and all the nights are very hard. I often cry thinking of the wonderful times and laughs we have all had.


My big days coming up are today at 4:00 in Santa Barbara, next Thursday with a different oncologist in Solvang (Dr Walker), and the following Thursday at Stanford Medical Center. We will get 3 opinions and then go with the one that seems most confident.


Please also keep in your thoughts, prayers and conversations my wife and kids. They are suffering as much if not more than I am. They sometimes feel helpless, alone, angry and sad. It tears me up to see them this way and there is so little right now I can do.

Chip

Comments

  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #2
    Chip,

    You and your family will be in my thougths and prayers.

    I was initially diagnosed stage 3 and with my recurrance I am now stage 4 with 1 met to the liver. I know the feelings of dispair when you are so sick, but, then the good days are just wonderful and you are thankful for them.

    You are doing the right thing with the second and third opinions. Choose the one that feels right for you.

    Keep us posted.

    Kerry
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    Chip,
    Hope is the best weapon that we have in our fight against the beast.
    I visualized a time BEYOND my treatment, and planned a special get-away to a spa....distracted me, and also got me thru some tough days....

    I was never stage IV, but stage III rectal, followed 3 months later by stage IIB breast...take it from someone who knows, the time will seem like forever, but then be shorter than you think before you feel better.

    Hugs,
    Kathi
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #4
    Ahoy, Chip -

    Good for you for taking chage of your treatment and getting alternative opinions. There is so much you can do with diet and exercise, too. I am a big proponent of both western and eastern healing methods. Out in CA, where it sounds like you are located, I would suspect that there are a number of good holistic and naturopathic docs.

    Another thing that exercise will do is help with depression. It is common for cancer patients to suffer from depression. A recent study at Duke University found that an exercise program 4 days a week actually had a more significant positive impact on clinical depression after 16 weeks than antidepressant drugs. If you and your family continue to be sleepless and persist in your feelings of hopelessness, etc. You might consider seeking a mental health care professional to help. Chip, I cannot tell you how absolutely imperitive a positive outlook is to your treatment regime. You must have a positive attitude if you are going to beat this thing.

    Cheers

    - SpongeBob
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #5
    Chip,

    There are many here who know what you and your wife are feeling now. My husband has stage 4 with liver mets. Chemo can shrink liver mets. My husband's shrank so small it they were not even able to measure the size although his is not in an area where resection is possible.

    It is fine to seek a second or third opinion. These are not elective procedures you are planning. We did not feel comfortable with the first onc and sought out another.

    As your family has time to get over the shock of all that is happening, they will begin to relax some. this is doable. When you go for chemo, take a good book to read. Actually, my husband prefers a nap most times.

    Keep us posted on the options you are given. Since my husband is stage 4, I am always interested in what treatments others are receiving. I especially like to read the NED stories.

    Betty
  • terril
    terril Member Posts: 296
    #6
    Hi Chip!
    You have your good days and bad days. Just fight,fight,fight!!! My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    #7
    spongebob said:

    Ahoy, Chip -

    Good for you for taking chage of your treatment and getting alternative opinions. There is so much you can do with diet and exercise, too. I am a big proponent of both western and eastern healing methods. Out in CA, where it sounds like you are located, I would suspect that there are a number of good holistic and naturopathic docs.

    Another thing that exercise will do is help with depression. It is common for cancer patients to suffer from depression. A recent study at Duke University found that an exercise program 4 days a week actually had a more significant positive impact on clinical depression after 16 weeks than antidepressant drugs. If you and your family continue to be sleepless and persist in your feelings of hopelessness, etc. You might consider seeking a mental health care professional to help. Chip, I cannot tell you how absolutely imperitive a positive outlook is to your treatment regime. You must have a positive attitude if you are going to beat this thing.

    Cheers

    - SpongeBob

    Hey SPONGEBob - What are you trying to say about California? Yeah, we have our fair share of good NDs...means nothing. At least we have the choice of good meds like LEGAL weed. So Commander, stop holding up those stinky boats out of Haiti! LOL,LOL,LOL!
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #8
    usakat said:

    Hey SPONGEBob - What are you trying to say about California? Yeah, we have our fair share of good NDs...means nothing. At least we have the choice of good meds like LEGAL weed. So Commander, stop holding up those stinky boats out of Haiti! LOL,LOL,LOL!

    The boats oput of Haiti? Those are full of migrants - not square grouper. besides, everyone knows that the best stuff is "Humbolt Homegrown" - and I ain't got nothin' to do with interdicting that crop!
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    #9
    spongebob said:

    The boats oput of Haiti? Those are full of migrants - not square grouper. besides, everyone knows that the best stuff is "Humbolt Homegrown" - and I ain't got nothin' to do with interdicting that crop!

    Dude, you must really know your stuff...guess I know nothing about the good herb. Hmmmm...a nice drive to Humbolt County might be fun.

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