New to Group

PaulaLozano
PaulaLozano Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello, I'm new to this group and need help regarding my mom. She is 67 and was diagnosed in Feb. After surgery the results from her lymph nodes tested positive. She has had four oxyplatin (not sure of spelling?) treatments and now we have been told it has metastisized to the spleen (they say this is very uncommon). Basically they say there are four other types of drugs that they can try but not sure of quality of life. Has anyone out there heard of cancer spreading to spleen? We have an appt. tomorrow to decide if she will even attempt any further treatments. I feel so lost. Any info will be appreciated. God bless.

Comments

  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #2
    Hi,

    I can't comment on the mets but I wanted to send out HUGS to you and family. I also wanted to add that my 70 yr old father just started chemo for CLL. I think you should keep on fighting and not give up. There is also a good book to read that helps with diet when you are dx with chemo. You mom might want to read it. Patrick Quinlan's "Beating Cancer with Nutrition". It is an alternative that you might want to check out. If you give us the chemo she might be getting, we can help tell you what they are like. There are many on this board that can help. You've come to the right place for help and support. Take care.

    Lisa F.
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #3
    Never heard of this happening. Sending my prayers for you and your mom.
    Mary
  • NanD
    NanD Member Posts: 58
    #4
    Hi! I had 13 nodes positive and I am cancer free 2 years later. The spleen is a cool organ to have it go to since they can take it out entirely! Go for the treatments-she can beat this - many, many of us have. You will be in my prayers.
  • pink05
    pink05 Member Posts: 550
    #5
    Hi,

    I'm glad you came to this wonderful group of people for help. My father was diagnosed last December with CRC. He had two mets to the liver, which they found two months after surgery. He was on Folfox (5-fu, leukovorin, oxaliplatin, and avastin) for about 5 months. Then they dropped the oxy due to the neuropathy (tingling and numbness in hands and feet). He is still doing chemo but has handled it pretty well for a 77 year old little man. Your mom is a lot younger, so she may be able to handle the chemo even better. Chemo for CRC is not as bad as chemo for some of the other cancers out there. As for the spleen, well, I have heard of a couple people that had mets to that area. I would think that they would easily be able to take that out, unless there's a reason your mom wouldn't be able to have the surgery. I would also recommend the book "Beating Cancer With Nutrition." I read some of it and it gives you many of strategies to fight this thing. Also, there are many supplements out there that can be used as a complimentary treatment with chemo. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail me.

    God bless you and your mother,

    -Lee-
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #6
    Welcome to the group (I hate to say that as it means someone else is confronting the beast). It is unusual for it to spread to the spleen. However if that is the only place it seems that it could be surgically removed. If possible surgery has still been superior to chemo for good results (if the surgery is feasible and if your mother can tolerate it). Has it been shown to spread anyplace else?
    You have our good thoughts and prayers.
    ****
  • lenawade
    lenawade Member Posts: 3
    #7
    Hello, I just signed up today. I was diagnosed with colon cancer on May 4, 2006. I am now going for my third dose of chemo.
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #8
    thefirst question that comes to mind is can they remove the spleen? What would they be doing if the cancer had not spread to the spleen? Insist on specific answers from her doctor. Sometimes they will hedge unless pressed for details. Your and your mom are entitled to this.. Nanuk
  • PaulaLozano
    PaulaLozano Member Posts: 4
    #9
    lfondots63 said:

    Hi,

    I can't comment on the mets but I wanted to send out HUGS to you and family. I also wanted to add that my 70 yr old father just started chemo for CLL. I think you should keep on fighting and not give up. There is also a good book to read that helps with diet when you are dx with chemo. You mom might want to read it. Patrick Quinlan's "Beating Cancer with Nutrition". It is an alternative that you might want to check out. If you give us the chemo she might be getting, we can help tell you what they are like. There are many on this board that can help. You've come to the right place for help and support. Take care.

    Lisa F.

    Thanks for replying. We saw the Dr. last week and now they had a conference with many other physicians regarding met to spleen and they all agree extremely rare, (80 yrs. between all the docs and they have not seen this) They were going to start her on 5-fu, leukovorin, and avastin but say they need to do a biopsy first to make sure it is cancer and not some kind of an infection possibly fungal? My mother has traveled to Africa several times in the past few yrs so they are not sure what this is. Have you heard of the chemo drugs I mentioned above and if so are they really bad. Also they say she is not a candidate for splenectomy due to her emphysema. Thanks so much for your help. How is your dad doing now?
  • PaulaLozano
    PaulaLozano Member Posts: 4
    #10
    pink05 said:

    Hi,

    I'm glad you came to this wonderful group of people for help. My father was diagnosed last December with CRC. He had two mets to the liver, which they found two months after surgery. He was on Folfox (5-fu, leukovorin, oxaliplatin, and avastin) for about 5 months. Then they dropped the oxy due to the neuropathy (tingling and numbness in hands and feet). He is still doing chemo but has handled it pretty well for a 77 year old little man. Your mom is a lot younger, so she may be able to handle the chemo even better. Chemo for CRC is not as bad as chemo for some of the other cancers out there. As for the spleen, well, I have heard of a couple people that had mets to that area. I would think that they would easily be able to take that out, unless there's a reason your mom wouldn't be able to have the surgery. I would also recommend the book "Beating Cancer With Nutrition." I read some of it and it gives you many of strategies to fight this thing. Also, there are many supplements out there that can be used as a complimentary treatment with chemo. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail me.

    God bless you and your mother,

    -Lee-

    Hi Lee, thanks so much for your help. We saw the Dr. last week and they had a conference with alot of other physicians regarding my moms case as they say this is very rare (80 yrs of experience between them and they have not seen met to spleen) for that reason they want to biopsy the spleen to make sure it is not some kind of an infection possibly fungal, - She has traveled to Africa several times in the past couple of years. If it is indeed cancer they want to put her on the same chemo your father is on (Folox 5-fu, leukovorin and avastin. How is he doing on these? Is it really bad? Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me. Paula
  • Elainehz
    Elainehz Member Posts: 16
    #11
    Hi
    My advice is that you may have a look at the website: www.kanglaite.com
    Their products work!

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