Metastasis to liver - treatment options

dancer2 said:

liver mets

i started a session but only two responded. I was diagnosed in oct of 15 with a colon tumor (cancer) and one lesion in liver and two tiny spots one in each lobe...liver spot was ablated out the following april and was told by the radiologist it was successful and no new spots anywhere and that was just at the end of may of 2016. a month later had to have pt/ct scan for my oncologist and he just told me my liver glowed and i now have six new tiny spots in the lungs and four in the liver and said come back in 3 months. i, of course, want them out and since the oncologist said nothing about seeing anyone else i went back to the radiologist who explained matters to me and his suggestion was the thereasphere procedure which you can look up. however, he did not say he talked with my oncologist or not so i went back to my colon surgeon and she basically told me that metastisized cancer is in the blood and one needs chemo and gave me a card for another doctor ( and she recommends no one) and i see that doc tomorrow. at this point in my journey i have come to realize we are all basically alone, so be on top of it. I have had two doctors tell me they are baffeled why my onc said what he did. one told me to go see a certain doc at the mayo in minnesota if i wanted to hear from the best. my original doc at least told me to go see what this local doc has to say...don't ask about prognosis, it will play with  your mind. as you can tell from this site, many live with it and deal with it as it comes.........it's getting a good doctor imho. this is a great site and full of good, helpful information.

I, too, have been going thru this since 2013.  Today went for 2nd opinion at cancer treatment centers in Chicago and after petscan and MRI found its in liver and lungs and in bloodstream as my bones are affected too.  Going on new chemo drug lonsurf in hopes the tumors will stop growing.  They also have holistic meds im taking to keep immune up.  I have to live a long life and this better work.

Bellen said:

Folfiri + avastin

Hello dancer2 and all - It seems like you are having very similar chemo to me - but I see they have added granix, which I assume is for your rbc - I did not have this. Had one treatment so far, which Onco said he scaled back to see how I would be - took anti-nausea for 3 days. One week after chemo, I got spasms near belly button (5 yrs ago diagnosed with small int stricture due to pelvic rad had for anal cancer 11 yrs ago - get partial blockages, so for past yrs have taken Miralax daily due to diet I follow).  I think what happened was everything ran thru me day of chemo and then a bit for next few days, so didn't take anything - then all of a sudden constipation - started the Miralax again, but it is not quick.  I really need to ask about laxative that works quickly, that someone like me with intestinal stricture can take - can't take laxative that blocks.  Need this discussion with Onco desperately next visit.  So I have a small int stricture and also probably a stricture where the CRC is - sucks!  Also had mouthsores and called to get a diff mouthwash - gave me Rx that swish and swallow - caused worst acid ever had all way through esophagus down into stomach.  Of course it was late Friday and can't even talk to Cancer Center - closed from 4 pm until Tues because of holiday. So have had 2 awful, awful days.  Trying to keep my weight on, but couldn't eat for few days. And to top it off - this is only my first treatment.  Hope I can get through this, and am able to find out what to take to feel the best I can.  Also take tremazepam sleeping pill, which gives me at least 6 hrs of sleep.  Can't seem to sleep without it, but know sleep is important, so take it.  Best to all, and wishing you well dancer2 with your treatment.  Let's keep in touch, as I think our cancer treatment is very similar right now.

Hi Bellen,

Just wondering if you take a probiotic pill? I never remember to eat high fiber foods during times when I know I'll get constipated, but taking a probiotics pill, which adds good bacteria into the digestive system, makes up for it. Or eat yogurt with live & active bacteria, or drink kefir, a yogurt type drink. You can find probiotics in the cold section at health food stores. There are expensive & cheap ones and they all work the same in my experience. 

And of course, drink lots of water!

Sorry you are having these problems and that chemo had to be delayed. I had low  white  blood cell counts  when I was on the FOLFOX plus Avastin and  received several Neupogen (filgrastim) shots to stimulate  the bone marrow to increase  production of white blood cells. I wonder if that's  the "shot" your doc talked about. My shots were billed at $1243.00, but insurance allowed and paid, and the  hospital accepted, a much smaller amount, and my copay  was  $95.04 per shot. The shots did the job and chemo  was resumed.  You said  the shots weren't covered by your insurance.  If that is what  your doctor was referring to, you may be able to get some assistance from Amgen, the company who makes Neupogen.  They have a  "first step" program to help cover the cost and it might be worth looking into to see if you qualify.  Here's a link (you may have to copy and paste it) with info on the program.: https://amgenfirststep.com/

I hope  things go more smoothly for you from now on.

Grace