Not the best news but still hoping

hopefulone
hopefulone Member Posts: 1,043 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hubby met with oncologist today. She says she doesn't believe that he is candidate for liver resection at this time. Says there are 5 or 6 spots on liver in different areas, but has referred us to a liver surgeon here just "in case" and because we really wanted it. In fact I insisted on it. Also wants us to think about a clinical trial using xeloda in place of infusion for 48 hrs in addition to every other week . Tomorrow they will install port. thurs is ct scans again of pelvis abdomen and chest and a ct liver biopsy . Things are moving a bit fast right now. She says he has maybe up to "2 years". I say we are going to beat those odds and we are not giving up or focusing on those statistics. I don't see the harm having a second opinion after he has chemo a while by another surgeon if this one says unresectable. I'm hoping the small mets disappear and others become resectable. I asked about the HAI pump. She wasn't "big" on it , but I want to ask the liver surgeon if he has an opinion on it . I don't think there is anyone "local " that does it, but there is a hospital in Syracuse NY . ( we are near Albany) that I've read about that does RFA etc. Please keep us in your prayers. They mean so much.

Comments

  • midnte0708
    midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
    #2
    Sorry to hear about your husband. My father also has unresectable mets. Doctor gave him 1 year to live about 16 months ago. He has several large tumors on both lobes of the liver. After my father was on chemo for 1 year (had a little shrinkage) the doctor thought he was a good candidate for liver resection ...then the liver surgeon said "no" ...
    I also had my dad ask about the HAI pump..I had read good things about it and the doctor shot that idea down and said "it has been around since the 70's and not very effective"...that was that!
    Basically he is on chemo infusions (FOLFORI + AVASTIN) every other week for the past 20 months and his cancer is still "stable" "no change."
    My dad feels good, works full time and has regained much of the strength he lost in the beginning when he was diagnosed.
    Don't think about the "2 year" thing..my father already proved his doctor wrong and I'm sure you will too. The stats are old....before the newer drugs came out.

    Good Luck,
    Sue
  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    #3
    Hi:
    My husband has been on Xeloda since MAy/06 and is having great results...he was originally on the 5FU pump for 6 months prior which didn't have great results...so..go for the xeloda esp if he has liver mets since the drug turns into 5 FU at the liver.
    Best of luck
    Bev
  • midnte0708
    midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
    #4
    Sorry to hear about your husband. My father also has unresectable mets. Doctor gave him 1 year to live about 16 months ago. He has several large tumors on both lobes of the liver. After my father was on chemo for 1 year (had a little shrinkage) the doctor thought he was a good candidate for liver resection ...then the liver surgeon said "no" ...
    I also had my dad ask about the HAI pump..I had read good things about it and the doctor shot that idea down and said "it has been around since the 70's and not very effective"...that was that!
    Basically he is on chemo infusions (FOLFORI + AVASTIN) every other week for the past 20 months and his cancer is still "stable" "no change."
    My dad feels good, works full time and has regained much of the strength he lost in the beginning when he was diagnosed.
    Don't think about the "2 year" thing..my father already proved his doctor wrong and I'm sure you will too. The stats are old....before the newer drugs came out.

    Good Luck,
    Sue
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #5
    The doctors cannot tell anyone, with any reasonable accuracy, how long one will live. There are too many unknown factors. Statistics don't tell any individual how he/she will do. It could be helpful for you and your husband to get another opinion at one of the major cancer centers, especially in regard to the many different treatments available.

    Keep us informed. We care.

    ****
  • nudgie
    nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
    #6
    I love your attitude. Keep that strong attitude going and your husband will also get the same. Welcome to the most supportive, loving and understanding family on the internet. We are hear to support and serve everyone who needs it and those who don't.

    Don't always rely on doctors and stats because sometimes the studies they use are old. Take charge of your husband's health and treatment right away and get 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions if needed and necessary and ask AS MANY questions as necessary until you are statisfied.
  • sandyjg
    sandyjg Member Posts: 71
    #7
    Dear Hopeful one,
    I would like to drop kick the doctor that told you 2 years. My husband's dx is very similar to yours, colon cancer w/many many liver mets, and many many positive lymph nodes, he was dx July 05, he has stable disease, no bigger no smaller, takex xeloda and oxciplattin (sp), he golfs, we travel, all in all our life is pretty normal. We slow down sometimes because of the chemo, but not huge. If my hubby has a bit of diarrea, then we stay close to home for that day, it rarely keeps us from doing anything we want to do. My husband looks awesome, no one that does not know his situation would ever even think he is sick. I know in my heart that his positive attitude is the key to his health. We live in the moment and plan for the future. Don't believe that 2 year crap!!!!!
  • hopefulone
    hopefulone Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #8
    sandyjg said:

    Dear Hopeful one,
    I would like to drop kick the doctor that told you 2 years. My husband's dx is very similar to yours, colon cancer w/many many liver mets, and many many positive lymph nodes, he was dx July 05, he has stable disease, no bigger no smaller, takex xeloda and oxciplattin (sp), he golfs, we travel, all in all our life is pretty normal. We slow down sometimes because of the chemo, but not huge. If my hubby has a bit of diarrea, then we stay close to home for that day, it rarely keeps us from doing anything we want to do. My husband looks awesome, no one that does not know his situation would ever even think he is sick. I know in my heart that his positive attitude is the key to his health. We live in the moment and plan for the future. Don't believe that 2 year crap!!!!!

    Thank you. Today has been a really tough day . We had a problem with insurance co. they will not approve for the clinical trial (xeloda) and we spent 5 hrs at hospital to get the port put in . Something went wrong and we were delayed so they had to double check and finally let us go. Thursday is an all day thing with the liver biopsy, which the rectal surgeon is against since he is "sure" from the pet scan results. Yesterday we spent 4 hours at oncologist, So I needed some good news and support. Thanks so much ..( to all of you) I wish you the very best. God Bless.

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