Looking for the stage 4's

I began as stage 4, ao don't know about the differences in chemo for that. As far as "protocols", throwing that word in so if the oncologist uses it you know he means the treatment plan, I believe they are more of a First line, Second line, etc kind of thing. WIth folfox or folfieri being first line. I started on folfox, had folfir, and now am on irinitecan and erbutix. 

All that being said, my stage 4 mets were originally liver, then liver and lung, now lung mets only. I believe your father's locations will mke it very different from mine.

As for being healthy, I am a vegan, and I belive that is why I seem to be handling the chemo better than others. BUT, definitely not scientific or medically informed on that one.

My treatment center has nutritionist and integrative medicine. You should look into that.

I wish I could be more helpful, but I think met locations are so different that my info is too different to help. Maybe edit title to say the location to catch the attention of those who have had mets there too. I can say, it is very important to have an oncologist that vibes with you and that you feel you can trust. And understand that some are so invested in the behind the exam appts coming up with your best treatment plan, that they may seem brusque. And that can be okay, because that really is the most important thing, a doctor who is doing best to help you. I find that these types usually have very good support staff who listen and help and talk to oncologist about your concerns if they don't know the answer, so don't feel like pawned off as it were. But, if you always feel like being treated badly, get a second opinion or try to find new oncologist.

Also, when it comes time to side effects, mention even the smallest one. I let a mouth sore go until I couldn't even open my mouth enough to sip coffee so I called the doctor and spoke to his nurse. She immediately sent a steroid mouthwash prescription in, and called me after to see if was better, and said, always let us know. We have  a lot of treatments to help, and your quality of life in even the small things is so important during treatment. And yes, it was excruciating, but not being able to drink coffee was the straw that made me call  

I was stage 1 for about two weeks before being diagnosed IV. I don't believe there would be a different chemo for other stages. I was on FOLFOX and we thought it was working well until it wasn't. I lucked out and was eligible for surgery, and the doctors have agreed no chemo for now. Try to stay busy until you all have a chance to speak with your team. There's a process at my hospital, I don't know whether it's the same for others; they have a cancer board that will take input from the oncs and surgical oncs and try to come to a consensus before presenting your father with options. You will need to wait on them, and wait on the biopsy.

As far as staying healthy, it will depend on his condition. At first, I was able to continue my exercise routine until a month or so into treatment. I probably could have gone longer if I had monitored other problems that made me feel worse. He can just try to do as much as he can in terms of exercise. He will need to modify his diet to help deal with the symptoms.

I had a friend who had her CRC spread to the abdominal lining. She had to go on radiation.

Ask about having molecular testing. They will look for mutations that may mean he is eligible for immunotherapy (which will be given along with chemo).

While there are similarities among many of us here, every person is different. It will depend on the diagnosis.

You're doing great!

worriedson714 said:

Anyone know

Anyone know if they do genetic testing during a pathology report ? Cause I don't see it on my dad's  

 

Also has anyone ever gotten a pet scan and it doesn't show the suv uptake for hypermetobolic activity ? Somone told me thats suppose to be on there 

Get the full genetic report.  It's about 4-5 pages long and seperate.  Also, get a second read of scan outside of hospital your dad is being treated at.  Then compare findings.