dad's cancer is back, need support

jessjakem
jessjakem Member Posts: 18
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Well, here is the update. Last wednesday my dad went for his first three month cea test since ending treatment in August for stage II rectal cancer. His cea was up and they did a pet. Today we found out that it is back and there are spots on the lungs, abdomen, and some lymphnodes. The dr wants to start xeloda again next week, indefinately. The dr. seems pretty optimistic, we are all in shock but are glad there is a plan of attack. Can anyone tell me if they have gone through this or any advice? Please help.

Comments

  • finner
    finner Member Posts: 230 Member
    #2
    Good morning Jessjakem

    So sorry to hear about recurrance. Has the onc considered avastin or erbitux. I don't know what regimen he was on before. I have liver and lung mets and went thru the whole spectrum of treatments. Sometimes shrinkage, sometimes stability, but last scan showed "activity", Am presently on Xeloda, like your dad. It is encouraging that onc seems optimistic. Sorry can't help more, but am sending your dad and yourself good vibes . Keep in touch.

    XXX
    Margo
  • finner
    finner Member Posts: 230 Member
    #3
    Good morning Jessjakem

    So sorry to hear about recurrance. Has the onc considered avastin or erbitux. I don't know what regimen he was on before. I have liver and lung mets and went thru the whole spectrum of treatments. Sometimes shrinkage, sometimes stability, but last scan showed "activity", Am presently on Xeloda, like your dad. It is encouraging that onc seems optimistic. Sorry can't help more, but am sending your dad and yourself good vibes . Keep in touch.

    XXX
    Margo
  • jessjakem
    jessjakem Member Posts: 18
    #4
    finner said:

    Good morning Jessjakem

    So sorry to hear about recurrance. Has the onc considered avastin or erbitux. I don't know what regimen he was on before. I have liver and lung mets and went thru the whole spectrum of treatments. Sometimes shrinkage, sometimes stability, but last scan showed "activity", Am presently on Xeloda, like your dad. It is encouraging that onc seems optimistic. Sorry can't help more, but am sending your dad and yourself good vibes . Keep in touch.

    XXX
    Margo

    Yes, the dr is going to add avastin with the xeloda. I guess I worried/wondering why he doesn't even want to consider surgery first. How long have you been on the treatment. Xeloda worked great the first time but I wonder if my dad will be immune to it now. Thank you, it is great to know that someone understands.

    Jessie
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #5
    Your dad is so lucky to have you!! Is the onc just going to continue YD(your dad) on chemo or use it to eventually shrink the tumors in preperation for surgery? jams
  • mindy10
    mindy10 Member Posts: 182 Member
    #6
    Hi, first of all im sorry to hear about your dad. You where asking about surgery. It might not be opertable. You need to ask the dr about that. My dad had a reoccurance in his lungs, abdomon and lymp nodes. The Dr said it was not operartable expecially because it was in the lymp nodes. I pray the chemo helps your dad. Hang in their and keep the faith. Mindy
  • valeriec
    valeriec Member Posts: 348 Member
    #7
    Good morning Jessie,
    My mom was in a similar situation. After a PET scan in August, we learned that the cancer had spread to 5 other lymph nodes and to her left adrenal gland. They would not do surgery because there were too many tumors. But her onc started her on Xeloda with Avastin, and as of now we are down to just one tumor-recent scan showed it is also dying. Now onc is planning on having that last tumor removed. It is on her adrenal gland.
    I am not sure about becoming immune to the chemo, but I do know there are a lot of different combos out there. And I am sure they will check your dad often with scans and blood test to make sure that he is responding to his treatment.
    I am glad to hear onc is optimistic. That is sooooo important. We did not have that for a while, and it was very difficult. But as my dad says-we are now getting the onc to see things our way!! I know my mom and your dad can beat this beast!!
    Have faith,
    ValerieC

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