Stage iv update my hubby

alexinlv
alexinlv Member Posts: 194 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello all! I have not posted in at least 6 months, but I check in all the time as I find everyone here full of inspiration and support. My husband was dx stage iii crc in November 2009, at 46 yrs old, and stage iv in sept 2011. He had a liver resection dec. 2011 and recently had a pet scan in which 1 new liver spot was visible. I am just wanting to know any similar stories and how they were treated. I am so amazed that a few years ago this would have been devastating news, but now because of all we have been through, this is news we can deal with. Much love to all of you!

Comments

  • thingy45
    thingy45 Member Posts: 632 Member
    #2
    new normal
    Hi, As you stated a few years ago you would be devestated, now you take it at his value, this... is your new normal. One day at a time. One spot at a time.
    Wish your were NED, maybe soon, my prayers are going out to you both
    Hugs, Marjan
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #3
    Hi
    It's so good to see both of your smiling faces. I know what you mean about dealing with things as they come now. Interesting how we manage to deal with news with the attitude of what do we do now. What are our next steps.
    I don't have any advice, I just want you to know that it is good to hear from you and I pray you get some good guidance.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • zirotra
    zirotra Member Posts: 30
    #4
    liver spot
    just turned 30! hurray! i have 2 liver spots and 2 lymph nodes in the groin w cancer. have started chemo regimen again. i hate to go under more surgery. i am not sure but its a test of time as one doctor said, or may be not..! sorry just sharing but no advice.
  • mukamom
    mukamom Member Posts: 402
    #5
    zirotra said:

    liver spot
    just turned 30! hurray! i have 2 liver spots and 2 lymph nodes in the groin w cancer. have started chemo regimen again. i hate to go under more surgery. i am not sure but its a test of time as one doctor said, or may be not..! sorry just sharing but no advice.

    My husband, too
    has had new tumor growth in his liver after 6 mo. of clear scans. They appeared even with a biweekly infusion of Erbitux and Camptosar. One tumor is unresectable as it has 2 hepatic veins snaking through it. Right now, onc has increased treatments to every week and he is 60-70 % sure it will stop any more growth and might even shrink them. We are going for a second opinion tomorrow, as this has put a bigger scare into us than the original dx. And we will find out in 4 more weeks if this protocol is having any effect.

    What does your onc suggest??

    Best wishes,

    Angela
  • Vickilg
    Vickilg Member Posts: 281 Member
    #6
    Hi there...
    I had one spot on the liver in January 2011 which was removed. In January 2012, another spot appeared and they did ablation. It didn't work in my case. It got most of it but left some behind. I believe others have had success with the ablation but not my case. Team of doctors all agreed that for me the best shot at a "cure" was to remove the entire left side of the liver. It was a more agressive way to go about it but if you can do the surgery it seems the best way to go. Here I am post-op 2 weeks tomorrow. Looks like they got it all and there are no signs of cancer on the other half of the liver. God willing things will stay like that. Best of luck to you and your hubby!

    Stay positive and strong!
  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    #7
    Vickilg said:

    Hi there...
    I had one spot on the liver in January 2011 which was removed. In January 2012, another spot appeared and they did ablation. It didn't work in my case. It got most of it but left some behind. I believe others have had success with the ablation but not my case. Team of doctors all agreed that for me the best shot at a "cure" was to remove the entire left side of the liver. It was a more agressive way to go about it but if you can do the surgery it seems the best way to go. Here I am post-op 2 weeks tomorrow. Looks like they got it all and there are no signs of cancer on the other half of the liver. God willing things will stay like that. Best of luck to you and your hubby!

    Stay positive and strong!

    just a little
    reply on your question.i had the right lobe of my liver cut off in sept.2011.in feb 2012 i had a new spot on my liver that was not responding to the chemo.they went in and zapped it by a procedure called rfa i was in the hospital for 1 day and then went home.it was not bad at all.good luck and ...Godbless....johnnybegood
  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #8
    I would look into another
    I would look into another resection or RFA. I have had 3 liver resections.
  • Sandi1
    Sandi1 Member Posts: 277
    #9
    mukamom said:

    My husband, too
    has had new tumor growth in his liver after 6 mo. of clear scans. They appeared even with a biweekly infusion of Erbitux and Camptosar. One tumor is unresectable as it has 2 hepatic veins snaking through it. Right now, onc has increased treatments to every week and he is 60-70 % sure it will stop any more growth and might even shrink them. We are going for a second opinion tomorrow, as this has put a bigger scare into us than the original dx. And we will find out in 4 more weeks if this protocol is having any effect.

    What does your onc suggest??

    Best wishes,

    Angela

    Us Too
    Hi Angela,

    My husband also has a reoccurance with 6 tumors in his liver and 4 on both of his lungs - very small and the onc didn't want to take any chances and has put him on Erbitux and Camptosar weekly. My question to you is, how is your husband handling the side effects? My husband has the rash, but also has developed chronic diareah to the point where we cannot leave the house, and then yesterday started throwing up. Although the throwing up we think is because he hasn't eaten since Thursday. Once i fed him, he felt better - I know make sure he eats every 2 hours - that seems to help. He needs to have this treatment for 3 months and he said to me that he is not sure whether he can do it. As always, i am behind him with whatever decision he makes.

    Good Luck!
    Sandi
  • tko683
    tko683 Member Posts: 264 Member
    #10
    Hi Alex!
    I've been wondering how you and your family have been doing. Sorry to hear about the new liver lesion. We had the same issue with my husband, he was off chemo while they did radiation and then when he had a pet scan to make sure he was clear before they did the colon surgery 4 new lesions appeared on his liver. His liver resection was November of 2011. He is now on FOLFIRI with Erbitix until the end of August when he will be scanned again. They said depending on how well he responds he can either have another liver resection, ablation, or Sir spheres...so for now we just wait and go through the chemo which is tough. The surgeon told us that since the new lesions appeared so soon after liver resection he wanted him on chemo longer this time. I hope you get some answers soon so you can get back on the right treatment. Hugs, Teri
  • janei1
    janei1 Member Posts: 18
    #11
    Stage 4
    My son in law was diagnosed in April 2008 with stag 4 cc. He has had liver resection 3 years ago and had one reaccurance since. They did cyber knife and has been Ned now for 2 years. He OS approaching 41/2 years and has had no chemo for 21/2 years. Hope this gives you hope.
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #12
    Good to see you again... I
    Good to see you again... I was wondering how you were. I'm sorry to hear about the new spot, I hope they zap it and have it done with. GOD's blessings to you.
    Brenda
  • mukamom
    mukamom Member Posts: 402
    #13
    Sandi1 said:

    Us Too
    Hi Angela,

    My husband also has a reoccurance with 6 tumors in his liver and 4 on both of his lungs - very small and the onc didn't want to take any chances and has put him on Erbitux and Camptosar weekly. My question to you is, how is your husband handling the side effects? My husband has the rash, but also has developed chronic diareah to the point where we cannot leave the house, and then yesterday started throwing up. Although the throwing up we think is because he hasn't eaten since Thursday. Once i fed him, he felt better - I know make sure he eats every 2 hours - that seems to help. He needs to have this treatment for 3 months and he said to me that he is not sure whether he can do it. As always, i am behind him with whatever decision he makes.

    Good Luck!
    Sandi

    Hey Sandy
    Robert takes lotomil for the diarreah, which helps tremondously. This time, the rash has not been that bad, but last year it was, and not much helped it. He is getting mouth sores now. Talk to his onc about his side effects.

    Best wishes.
    Angela

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