Stage IV Cecum Cancer (ileocecal valve) with Mets to Lungs

I’m so sorry for your relapse. Prayers for you. I couldn’t go thru this with the strength of My Lord. Although I served 20 years in the Navy, I never faced everything vets like you did in the Mid East. May you draw from the inner strength you have, having been over there. I just found this site but I think it can be helpful to share and vent what we can’t at home. I know my husband has his own struggles and fears in this. I’m thankful we can share them. We’re in this fight together.

when I learned of this and the grim prognosis, I felt a certain peace because I know that however long I can, my purpose in this is to share hope and encouragement, and the peace and joy only possible thru Jesus. So for you and everyone, no matter what you believe or don’t, I will meet you there in the midst of your struggles. But know, my words will always include the love and grace found in Christ. .

I read your post, sounds like it has been a roller coaster, but be thankful for this break til starting treatment again. I think that’s what I’m learning in all this, it’s gonna be a wild ride and I need to be thankful and know I’m not alone in this battle. I head to Houston tomorrow to meet MD Anderson doctor on Tues to see what is the best plan for me. I kept thinking I needed to figure it all out, get all my questions in line, but watching a video tonight about faith over all my fear, I see My Lord already has a plan and I need to quit striving and just trust Him, that He has out this doctor in my path for the right treatment.

Are they starting treatment again this month because there’s something new in your lungs, or just as a precaution? Will it be the same chemo or are they trying something new? I’m just trying to get an idea of the roller coaster ahead for me. But it is still my resolve to be joyful in the journey, not wasting a minute in fear or regret.

prayers for upcoming successful treatment. God is still good.

My meeting had no new news. Stage iv colon with Mets in the lungs. Start FolFox with Avastin Monday and after 4 treatments will go back to see if the cancer has progressed. Kept hoping MD Anderson could maybe offer more in the way of treatment, but not at this time. Perhaps when1st line treatment fails, seems like a crazy way to do business. Let the roller coaster begin. Disappointed, but I can’t lose sight that my Lord knows exactly how many days I will be on earth, and I will do my best to be a witness of God’s goodness even in this storm. I don’t understand why and I hate it, but there’s a reason for even this.

it helps that you said the side effects are manageable. Thanks.

Stay strong in the Lord and His Vast Power. Put on the WHOLE armor of God. Cancer challenges everything we believe. And it makes us constantly question our live & choices, at least it has me. But my battle is not against cancer. I am Trusting God for the right doctors, treatment and outcome. I’m battling “me” - my fears, doubts, etc. Fear Not is in the Bible 365 times, I’m told. So I try to walk in Faith not by sight. If I had all the answers it wouldn’t be Faith.

Stage IV tries to take away Hope, but we can’t let it. My doctor yesterday explained that there’s no set plan. We start with one treatment, perhaps change to another, sometimes take a break or a mini-chemo. And keep an eye for a clinical trial or something more targeted to this particular colon cancer and its mutations. He said average time of survival is 30-36 months but he has seen folks live 10 years. So just like our lives without cancer, we must trust and obey. Let the doctors do their part, ours is to follow Christ.

Stay strong, and let’s all keep each other up on how we’re doing and our struggles. It’s in being real that we can be strong. Prayers for you & all who reach out.