hoping for advice

marto
marto Member Posts: 2
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Hi All,   first timer and not to accomplished on the whole  website forums etc.   However, found you guys  :)  We live in Australia.  

 

At aged 71  my husband Marto, was found to have a large growth in his lower bowel in September 2012.   At that time, it was inoperable. He had an ileosotomy bag

 

He was given treatment of Xeloda (1 day of infusion - Oxaliplatin - at the hospital and 14 days tablets and then a week break)  This was effective and as there was now a safe cutting area the growth was removed.  He was told  the cancer was dead, and he had a colostomy bag in early 2013.  This was to considered for reconnection a year later

 

In January 2014, following scans, there was no evidence of the cancer. Reconnection was planned for June 2014.  

 

In March 2014 he began to experience bad pain in the lower abdomen.   When he was hospitalised for the reconnection it could not proceed  due to the amount of adhesions (some of which were freed)  and was told it looked like the cancer was back.

 

In July 2014, he saw the oncologist for his general appointment.  He was hospitalised for the pain which precluded him lying down which means that he sleeps sitting upright.   

 

He commenced treatment of chemo Folfiri in late August,  which he has now completed 6 rounds using a port-a-cath  which was done every 2 weeks. 

 

CT scans showed a mixed result with the main tumour decreased but nodes increased and evidence of tumour in the muscle.

 

Generally his health is good and he has tolerated the treatments well with only slight nausea.   His energy level is low but OK for a retiree :)

 

 

The oncologist is considering the next moves.   Can anyone recommend anything or gone through similar?  as we all want to keep him longer and have a  baby due in January which will be his 4th grandchild. 

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #2
    Welcome wife of Marto

    I am sorry that your husband is fighting the fight, but you have found a great forum filled with wonderful people; patients and caregivers alike. 

    We have another member here who is from Australia, who pops in now and again. 

    I am happy to hear that Marto has a port. They really are wonderful things. 

    The only thing I can recomment, which you are porbably doing, is make sure hubby is getting the best most nutricious food out there. I am working on my diet, cutting down on the sweet stuff and adding more veggies. Exercise, meditation, all of these things have helped me.

    Visit often, we are here for you. 

    Sue - Trubrit

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    #3
    Marto

    If you look up my file, you will see I was 77 when first diagnosed. Now 82,next month will be 5 yr anniversary of diagnosis.  Even at my age cancer can be beat. NED for 4 years now.  It may be a bumpy road, but it ia doable.  Good luck to you!!

  • Semira
    Semira Member Posts: 381 Member
    #4
    Welcome

    to the other end of the world from the 'german branch' of this great group. Glad you found this board! There is so much wisdome and support here.

    I too am caregiver to my husband but our story is different, so I have not much advise to give but others surely will.

    Sending hugs and greetings from cold Germany

    Petra

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #5
    Hello and welcome!

    I'm sorry to hear that your husband (and you) are going through this.  It's a tough road to walk.

    Is there a chance that he could have more surgery?  My personal experience was surgery for primary--2nd surgery to remove a ton of nodes (some cancerous) and further tumor spread in the same area as primary-- failed chemo--3rd surgery--failed 2nd chemo--4th surgery.

    This wasn't easy to get through, but it did take me from a pretty dismal stage 4 dx to where I am now, NED for 3 years.

    If the spread is still mostly localized, and hasn't spread to other organs, it seems to me that more surgery might be very useful.  And getting out those nodes is one way to ensure the cancer doesn't move elsewhere (esp the lungs).

    Good luck and let us know how your husband is doing!

    Ann Alexandria

     

  • marto
    marto Member Posts: 2
    #6
    Hoping for advice

    Thanks everyone for your responses.   It helps knowing that you are out there.     And it will certainly help our education!! :)

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #7
    maintenance, lower bills

    Wife does oral chemo, cimetidine, celecoxib, +LEF supplement recommendations plus extra vitamin C, D3, K2, and IV vitamin C, full time - even near or during surgery. She gets surgery on nodes, anything visible that doesn't dissolve or calcify, even if that's not standard practice.  

    Inoperable is sometimes operable with the right surgeon and cancer center.  Even if not operable, it may be slowed down by mild therapies.

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