Any Stage 4 Colon cancer Survivors here :((

Doreen65

Stage 4 w/ liver mets.... 12 years cancer free

Just wanted to give you some hope..... I traveled this scary road and looked for posts like this to find long term survivors.... Never give up  If you have any questions feel free to contact me...... XoXo

dorookie

Stage 4 here

Have been NED since November 18th, 2008, and still counting, just had my scans and again all clear.  I was young when first DX, but no where near as young as your husband, i will keep him and you in my prayers.

 

HUGS
Beth

babywatson

colon cancer stage iv

I feel like I must be in denial. I was first diagnosed with stage iv colon cancer in January of 2017. No symptoms save nausea before that. Oh, and all of a sudden I had dropped 15 pounds, but I never noticed it. 

Since January I have been having chemo every three weeks. Folfiri, they stopped the oxyaplatin at treatment 8 because the neuropathy in my hands and feet became so bad. No surgeries. I have lesions on my lungs and liver. Mysteriously, there is no tumor in the colon. 

I feel absolutely fine and dandy except for maybe two days when they give me the chemo and then attach me for 46 hours for the 5-FU. 

I still don't believe I am sick (except for the cancer). I am 55, just turned in May. I was able to get onto disability for the first time in my life. Even today I feel like I could still work if my workplace had been able to deal with the frequent absences due to doctor appointments, etc.

They won't do surgery because they say my liver is functioning normally. I feel like I'm just coasting between scans, which say the tumors are shrinking slightly, never enough.

Any words of advice?

Kristine1217

Stage VI with Mets to the

Stage VI with Mets to the lung again,  since 2013. 

outlaw41

Stage 4 colon cancer with mets to liver

I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer which had metastised to liver (many tumors in liver, colon seems to be non-involved ?? hard to understand  but it is what it is. I mmediatey started chemo therapy regiment of folofox following portacath insertion, I had a colonoscopy  done in Jan. 2016 with precancerous polyps removed advised to have another in a year. I became tired easily, weight loss of 15 lbs. over 3 month period, loss of appetite. Never dreamed it was colon cancer but here we r today. The folofox with erbitux treatment caused typical side effects of rash, mouth sores,loss of taste,appetite, and neurpathy in hands and feet. Erbitux and chemo therapy was stopped on June 1,2017 when i developed ventricular tachyardia and 25-30% function of my left ventricle heart chamber. I spent 10 days in CCU of Albany Medical Center.Blood counts were good , petscans stable no new activity or increased activity.Erbitux in .250% cases can cause low magnesium which can lead to v-tach. Sent home with external defrillator for 6 months to help prevent SCD or SCA. Resumed chemo therapy in August 2017, because cea numbers climbing up once again, liver functions are stable, petscan showed somne new activity, expected because of no treatments. Throughout this journey i have counted heavily upon my attitude, my faith, support of family ,friends, and speaking with many, many victims of our disease that affects all. My four legs of the table i found from a cardiologist medical article is a positive attitude, plenty of rest, exercise, and a healthy diet which we work on 24/7. Please reach out to me if you need to vent, helping others helps us in our recovery. God bless us all and help us to recover.

Mikenh

babywatson said:

colon cancer stage iv

I feel like I must be in denial. I was first diagnosed with stage iv colon cancer in January of 2017. No symptoms save nausea before that. Oh, and all of a sudden I had dropped 15 pounds, but I never noticed it. 

Since January I have been having chemo every three weeks. Folfiri, they stopped the oxyaplatin at treatment 8 because the neuropathy in my hands and feet became so bad. No surgeries. I have lesions on my lungs and liver. Mysteriously, there is no tumor in the colon. 

I feel absolutely fine and dandy except for maybe two days when they give me the chemo and then attach me for 46 hours for the 5-FU. 

I still don't believe I am sick (except for the cancer). I am 55, just turned in May. I was able to get onto disability for the first time in my life. Even today I feel like I could still work if my workplace had been able to deal with the frequent absences due to doctor appointments, etc.

They won't do surgery because they say my liver is functioning normally. I feel like I'm just coasting between scans, which say the tumors are shrinking slightly, never enough.

Any words of advice?

I'm stage 3 so it's a lot

I'm stage 3 so it's a lot different but I'm a few years older and felt fantastic right before diagnosis. I feel very good right now after chemo and radiation shrunk the tumor. It's nice to know that chemo takes care of the tumors in that they don't grow, spread and that they shrink. My only suggestion on the inconvenience of 5-FU is to suggest Xeloda instead.

If I were in your position, I would get a second opinion at one of the major cancer centers (you may have already done this) - they might be more willing to try more aggressive options such as surgery.

blessed39

Stage four

Dear Mariarish1011, I too had stage Four and have been in remission for several years. Please read my story

entitled "How I Beat Stage Four Colon Cancer" just go to my page and click on blog and it will take you to my story.

Good Bless you and your husband    blessed39

 

AJ787

JanJan63 said:

I am so very sorry you're

I am so very sorry you're here. You've come to the right place, however. There are a number of stage four survivors on here who are living life large and others who are having the best life they can. I'm sure they'll chime in with their stories. Like someone told me on here, you don't see most of the survivors on here, they don't want to keep revisiting it but some do stay to encourage people like you and your husband.

I was diagnosed stage three early this year and fully intend to beat it. What chemo is he on and is he also on radiation? Both can give him terrible fatigue. I had very little bausea but my appetite was gone. I had to make myself eat and I ate very little. My poor husband was always running out to get some whim of mine and then getting home and I no longer wanted it.

Everyone reacts differently to chemo and everyone gets different things out of it, both curatively and as side effects. My doctor also wanted me to have chemo and radiation to shrink my tumour before surgery so he'd have good margins. I had fatigue, no appetite, super strong smelling ability, chemo fog (still do a bit), and no energy. I was on 5FU.

Now I've had the surgery to remove the tumour I'm on a clean up chemo called folfox5 and I'm having some other side effects. Cold sensitivity, fatigue, a blood clot, and today during the chemo one side of my face and tongue went numb.

There's a name for the swelling but I can't remember what it is. It can be permanent so I think you should call his chemo oncologist regarding that in the morning. Wait, it's lipidema.

Hey JanJan63, I hope you are

Hey JanJan63, I hope you are doing well. I have just joined this forum but I’m Uk not USA and have found the stories very informative and positive and that’s what this disease needs! Your story really touched me and I was both saddened and inspired by what you’ve been though. My partner has just recently been diagnosed and it’s been tough but we know there’s real tough times ahead but were ready to fight. Wishing you all the best, I’m a horse lover too and they’ve always helped through the bad times. Take care x