Stage IV rectal cancer with 1 liver mets

swimmer22 said:

We have a lot in common!
We have so much in common-- so listen carefully, take a deep breath, and know that things can turn out okay. I was diagnosed at age 48 with rectal cancer. I have two children, a son age 16 and a daughter 12. I also have a great job and wonderful wife. When I got the diagnosis of recital cancer with metastatic disease of two nodules in my right lung, I thought the world was over.

I then decided to relax and move through the motions of treatment-- and focused hard on keeping a positive attitude. When people asked how I feel, I always respond with "really good" or "doing great" and that has helped me immensely. I put out a positive attitude constantly, even when at times I didn't feel that great. Somehow, putting out the positive made the bad times seem better.

I elected to have VATS lung surgery to first remove the nodules (I bypassed biopsy- I just wanted them out to know for sure). The results came back evidencing metastatic rectal cancer but they were removed with clean margins.

I next did six treatments of Folflox- to which I had a significant response in that the chemo really shrunk my rectal tumor. Next, I moved on to the 28 days of chemotherapy/radiation as you are doing. I then waited 9 weeks (not 3 as you indicated) because I was told the radiation continues to work up to 10 weeks after actual treatment ends. I had a scan and found out I had a COMPLETE response to the chemotherapy/radiation. That means the original (rather large) rectal tumor was completely dissolved to scar tissue. In essence the tumor was gone.

I then progressed to have surgery to remove the scar tissue and they harvested some lymph nodes too. The surgery was done laparoscopic--- was out of the hospital in 3 days and back to work in 8 days. Pathology showed no cancer cells in the lymph nodes or the scar tissue removed.

Finally, I just recently completed 6 months of follow-up (clean-up) chemotherapy of Folfiri. In three more weeks, I have my temporary ileostomy reversed and hopefully, this is all behind me. Numerous PET Scans since my resection continue to show No Evidence of Disease (NED). So see.... YOU CAN HAVE SUCCESS.

Granted, there are not guarantees that cancer still doesn't reside somewhere but I find it amazing I had a stage IV diagnose in December of 2011 and 16 months later show NED. Treatment can work both for a potential cure and for giving us that extra time we all need to take care of our commitments to children and family.

Also, I've continued to work full-time thought all of this. Granted I missed time for doctors’ appointments and a total of 4 weeks for two surgeries but overall I tried to keep my life as normal as possible. Rather to choose to lie in bed when I was tired and not feeling the best, I forged ahead keeping my normal routine and that really helped me a lot.

Take your life off of being "on-hold" and continue living....in my mind, that is a huge part of success. Consider this the new-normal and keep marching on. Like me, I pray that you too will find yourself coming out well on the other end of all the treatments. Stay positive my friend and come here frequently to talk it out with those who have already walked the path for help! You will be okay.

STAY POSITIVE
I am 52 years old. I was diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary on January 27th, 2012. I started having problems with my stomach in September, 2011. Been to the doctor several times and they didn't find anything. Until I started bleeding heavily through my rectum. A colonoscopy was done and that's when I found out it was cancer that possible metastasised from the ovaries. The moment I got my diagnosis I was determined to beat this cancer. I had a PET/CAT Scan done but there was no cancer showing any where except an 8 cm mass in my rectum. I did 3 chemos (Taxol Carboplatium). I must say that after I read and look at several books and videos I decided to changed my diet. I stopped eating red meat, chicken and sugar. I try to eat mostly whole grain food. I was fortunate that my doctor allowed me to do juicing. I tried to dring at least 30 ozs of vegetable, mostly green ones daily. I did another CAT SCAN and the doctor was very amazed to see that the tumor has shrunk 75% after 3 chemos. It is now 3 cms. I personally believe that it is the result of not only the chemo, but also my diet, a positive attitude, family, friends and most importantly lots of prayers. I am now waiting for a date to do the surgery. My friends are amazed at how well I am doing. They often tell me I am not sick am faking. I wish that was the case. I keep my self very busy. I was told that it will be an all day surgery. I will have a hesterectomy and a temporary illeostomy. I agree that our attitude play a very important part in our healing. I have no doubt that we will be ok. Be in tuned with your body and try to rest when needed. I have been off from work by choice. I spend a lot of my time with my friends volunteering to teach people the bible. This lifts my spirit. We must cherish each moment we have and feed our minds with positive thoughts.