Second opinion

Kevin1224
Kevin1224 Member Posts: 34
edited July 2018 in Colorectal Cancer #1

Hello everyone, have not been on for a couple of weeks as we have been getting second opinions from diffrent oncologist, and surgeons.  My wife who is 44 has been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer with Mets to the liver, adrenal and bone (hip and spine).  She has been at Slaon Kettering for nearly a year doing chemo every other week, and taking home a bottle for 48 hours.  She has had roughly 30 sessions of chemo and she has handled it well.  She is still going to work and really has had no bad side effects.  We were told about a month ago her cancer is incurable and she is not a candidate for surgery.  My second opinion has lead me to a doctor out of Lenox Hill hospital that has outstanding reviews, and does a lot of surgery in Greece and France, as well as the US. He look at her latest CT scan and said he does not know why she is not a candidate for surgery.  He told us that we need to be aggressive with her liver because it seems that it is aggressive.  His plan is to do a liver resectemy oh her left side, get a big chunk of the liver and send it to a lab in a California called the Weisenthal Cancer  lab.  That lab takes the cancer and checks which chemo drug is most effective against the tumors. When the results come back he wants to directly infuse the liver with this chemo. If in 3 months the left side does not grow back and the right side continues to shrink he said he would do surgery on the right side, and while  doing the liver he would take the colon and adrenal tumors out.  He said he is not to worried about the colon right now because she does not have obstruction of her bowel movements.  He then said the bone can be done later using radiation and chemo, but implored us that the liver has to be taken care of imediately. I am a little nervous because Sloan said one thing and this doctor is saying another.  Has anyone had the same experience, or has heard of anyone who has gone through this please let me know

 

Kevin

Comments

  • plsletitrain
    plsletitrain Member Posts: 252 Member
    Good choice

    ..on looking for a second opinion.  Heck if you can have a 3rd, 4th, etc. opinions do it.  Nothing is ever final, so its good that you're being aggressive on this fight.  I don't have much input as my met was on the lung and it was recently removed but please know that I'm wishing your wife well and goodluck on your plan of action.  

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Opinion

    That's a good thing that you got a second opinion.  Not sure what advice to give you but my first surgeon's decision on the outcome of leaving me with a permanent ostomy was something that led me to another opinion.  Make sure you feel comfortable in whatever decision you make.

    Kim

  • Woodytele
    Woodytele Member Posts: 163
    Same boat

    im pretty much in the same boat as your wife, same age and same stage.  Let us know what you decide.  The other Dr. might just be super aggressive, and with the stage four, you have nothing to lose.  It sounds like an aggressive plan, but it might work. 

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    I would

    I would seriously consider the high stakes surgery/ mullti modal treatment offer.  That's what you do with a heavy hitter who can swing this.  Average surgeons tend to be too conservative.

    What we do is schedule the offer, and get more opinions, all  while preparing for surgery.  You can drop out before the surgery if needed but we don't lose time overthinking it, too sequentially.

  • Kevin1224
    Kevin1224 Member Posts: 34
    Thank you

    We have decided that we need to be proactive in this fight.  She had a biopsy done and sent to the lab to see which chemo is effective.  We are waiting on the results which should be back this week.  The doctor ordered another CT for her and based off the results it’s chemo then surgery, of surgery then chemo.  

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    edited July 2018 #7
    Proactive

    Being proactive is good.  You should always seek as much knowledge as you can and getting a diagnosis to see what treatment will work better is great.  No one wants to do treatment to find out it wasn't the best option.  Sounds like you have a plan and that's good.  She's got a great husband who seems to be fighting right along with her.  You are a great caregiver.

    Kim

  • Kevin1224
    Kevin1224 Member Posts: 34

    Proactive

    Being proactive is good.  You should always seek as much knowledge as you can and getting a diagnosis to see what treatment will work better is great.  No one wants to do treatment to find out it wasn't the best option.  Sounds like you have a plan and that's good.  She's got a great husband who seems to be fighting right along with her.  You are a great caregiver.

    Kim

    Thank you

    Thank you Kim, it is hard watching the woman you love always in pain.  It’s hard to find the happy balance of helping and just letting her be.  Other than that I will support, and find the best things for her to beat this horrible disease.

     

    Kevin