Stage 4 survivor

Hi Lu
I can understand the
Hi Lu
I can understand the rant, my hubbie was told to think in months not years, we are now at 10 months and doing OK, oh you know a few ups and downs but definately on track to surpass that one year mark, and then who knows!!!
I know for stage 4 and their carers the positive is different to that of stage 3 and under so my ray of hope is that even though Doctors have to give you some pretty dismal news based on their knowledge, not even they know the exact day and time, we just hope for our loved ones that they live as long as they can and as well as they can.
Ann

unknown said:

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Maybe, but.......
That is the exact google search (and posting) that led me to this most helpful website! So although it is an old post and possibly misleading, it still has likely brought more members to this fantastic site! My husband is stage iv, and fighting hard. I have just recently became a member of these discussion groups, and am finding many of the other members inspiring and informative. So although Katanna may be a thorn in your side, I'm thankful to have found her.... and all of you!

Callaloo said:

OK, I didn't think of Google as being the culprit
It's just that early on, whenever I saw this post pop up, I would get excited -- (OMG!, a 5-year survivor of stage 4, maybe there's hope for me!), then I would realize it was the phantom Katanna, and what a let down. I began to think of it as a cruel hoax.

But if it is successful in bringing people to this wonderful site, then I can tolerate it. My resentment of Katanna has been vanquished. (Come to think of it, that's probably the post that got me here too ;-)

Lu, a 14-month survivor of stage 4 EC

Stage 4 wife
Hi all, I'm a Stage 4 wife/caregiver of a fantastic, beautiful husband with Stage 4 EC. T3N1M1 in Sept of 2010. Diagnosed with mets to the lungs in October 2010.

I've found this discussion board to be very caring and informative. I know our time together is limited, but finding others who understand the journey to be very helpful.

Right from the get-go, our cancer-doc was upfront about the prognosis. Seeing others here who have gone beyond the expected times is inspiring.

Tomorrow we go for a barium swallow to see if a stent is in his future. He's had 6 sessions of FOLFOX6 and one session of platinol and irinotecan (or, as the nurses on the chemo ward call it, "I run to the can"). One session of just Irinotecan as the platinol has affected his kidneys, which weren't 5-star kidneys to begin with. He's just 54, and he's got adenocarcinoma in the distal region, with Barrett's esophagus as the culprit. Funny, he never complained (much) about acid reflux.

While I realize a 5-year survival time is pie-in-the-sky, it's helpful for me to see others who have been fighting and "staying alive" for so long. We're hoping for a nice summer.

Anyways, thanks for keeping us all informed. I hope to be posting for some time as a Stage 4 wife.

zinniemay said:

Don't know if this helps
I am not sure how to word this but here goes. My hubby Greg Dx Jan 2009 T4n1Mo now I think it was stage four but would have to go back look at records. I know they said no sugery tumor to big. They gave him very little hope of ever talking again like 30% , he had Rads and Chemo 7 weeks cisplatin March to May1 2009. Dec 2009 they noticed small spots on his lungs. By March 2010-Stage 4 Larynx cancer mets to both lungs, they had grown so back to Chemo this time 8 rounds of Carboplatin, While doing the Chemo the tumors did get smaller but about 40%. Once the Chemo stopped the tumors grew but they waited. He started Chemo again April 26 this time Docetaxol and a trail drug called AT101. He had his second round of Chemo . June 8 we he will have ct scan to see what is going on. This Chemo he is lossing his hair . He weight is good and except for a few days (5)he is pretty heathly . He is going and doing things. I think hope is what we have. Prayer is what we need. As much as I love all you I hate this club The dues are to high.
Well as some will tell you I am the Debbie cake queen.
Jennie

My dad lived 8.5 months as a
My dad lived 8.5 months as a Stage IV survivor. At the end he hated all of the pain. He wanted to die. I saw it in the way he talked and the physical state of his body.

just short of 2 years
Lu, My husband Charlie passed away March 15, 2011.....just 10 days shy of beging dx 2 years prior. It was a tough road.....but I think he would say it was worth it. I know another caretaker's husband made it past 3 years. There is also another gentleman that I follow on another site that has just passed his 5 year mark.....also stage iv. So there is hope.....
God Bless you. I continue to pray daily for everyone fighting this awful disease.
Jane

My husband
Tom was diagnosed with ec August 09 but we knew it was ec in July. After all the big guns and radiation in the fall of 90, he was clear in December 09. His cancer returned Dec 2010 in the same place, very small and only there. He started chemo in Jan 11' and when the cabroplation and taxotere caused sensory perhiphal neuropthh..they gave him only the taxol derivative. He has been doing that for 8 weeks this Wed.. every week.

He still can golf, it's a lot harder than last summer. After this last chemo he will have a CT scan to see where he's at. Truthfully when he was first diagnosed I didn't expect he would still be with us, but he is. He does it on his terms. Makes all the decisions and doesn't ask for help from anyone. That's just him. I get to be his legs often now. Not a problem after three knee replacements for two knees, he did it for me. Now it's my turn.

We sure don't know what's ahead but we do know, it's almost two years and that's a lot longer than we hoped for. Know we hope for more of course.

jan