Stage IV Updated

tallorder5793
tallorder5793 Member Posts: 67
in Anal Cancer #1

Sorry for long absence. It has been an ordeal the past several months. I last posted in February. Since then, I underwent 5 1/2 weeks of radiation at MD Anderson, followed by 3 months of painful recuperation. I was just starting to feel better when I went back to MD Anderson for cat scan follow up. They told me NED in anal canal and lymph node areas; HOWEVER, cancer had returned to my liver and trickled up to my lungs. MDA recommended additional chemo inc. avastin, carboplatin, taxol. They want me to do 3 treatments and rescan in September. I went for first treatment last Thursday... it's a lot on my body.

I'm starting to question value of additional chemotherapy esp. since I live alone. Can anyone relate to this? 

 

Comments

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #2
    tallorder

    Theres a poster that had stage IV anal cancer with met to liver and underwent chemo and has been clear for more than 4 years last I saw I will try to pull up the post and comment on it so it will come up.

  • tallorder5793
    tallorder5793 Member Posts: 67
    #3
    z said:

    tallorder

    Theres a poster that had stage IV anal cancer with met to liver and underwent chemo and has been clear for more than 4 years last I saw I will try to pull up the post and comment on it so it will come up.

    Thank you

    I was aware of this survivor from previous visits to forum. It's heartening. If only there more stories like this.

  • horsepad
    horsepad Member Posts: 146 Member
    #4
    I have not had to have

    I have not had to have additional chemo but I was stage four, with mets to my liver and on August 10th it will be four years since diagnosis.  I was declared NED in January 2012.  I am a widow raising my grandchildren.  I can understand going through treatment alone.  My husband died during my treatment.  I want to encourage you to go through with the chemo.  September will be here before you know it and there's a chance it may work!!  I had to have a liver resection and was so discouraged when doctors told me they wanted me to have surgery.  I am so grateful I had the opportunity to have the surgery.  Please don't give up the fight!!1

  • tallorder5793
    tallorder5793 Member Posts: 67
    #5
    horsepad said:

    I have not had to have

    I have not had to have additional chemo but I was stage four, with mets to my liver and on August 10th it will be four years since diagnosis.  I was declared NED in January 2012.  I am a widow raising my grandchildren.  I can understand going through treatment alone.  My husband died during my treatment.  I want to encourage you to go through with the chemo.  September will be here before you know it and there's a chance it may work!!  I had to have a liver resection and was so discouraged when doctors told me they wanted me to have surgery.  I am so grateful I had the opportunity to have the surgery.  Please don't give up the fight!!1

    Bless you

    Thanks for your update. I'm happy to hear you're still doing well. Due to extent of liver tumors, I've been told that I'm not a candidate for surgery. Which is hard. But yes, I continue on. I'm still in chemo... taking it day by day. 

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