Recent Stage IV Diagnosis

mom_2_3 said:

When diagnosed
When I was diagnosed I had 5 bilobar mets that were spread apart. 3 were in the left lobe, one in the right and one between the left and right lobes. First oncologist said inoperable. Second oncologist said "close" to resection. 5 chemo treatments and then had liver resection, entire left lobe removed and 2 wedge resections for the right one and middle one. Liver re-generated in about 6-8 weeks and currently NED (although still doing adjuvant chemo).

lisa42 said:

to Pluckey
When I was first diagnosed, I had tumors in all parts of my liver & I was also told I was not a candidate for a liver resection. After 6 months of Folfox/Avastin treatment and then another 6 weeks of radiation on my original rectal tumor (which completely disappeared, by the way!), I became a liver surgery candidate. I went from the 12 or more tumors they could see in my liver on the PET scan down to "just" 3 that were still visible on my CT, but not my PET. It was then that I became a surgical candidate. I had my liver resection in May 2007. The surgeon thought he was removing 3 tumors (or possibly dead tissue- didn't know at that point), but he discovered an additional 3 liver tumors during the surgery, which had never been detected on any scan for some reason. When all 6 were biopsied after surgery, they were still all positive for cancer- glad I got them out of there!

Now, I just had a scan a couple of weeks ago that showed some activity on the PET scan in one small area along "the resection margin" in my liver again and also somewhat more extensively in my lungs again.So, I did just have to start up chemo again- Folfiri with Avastin this time. Honestly, I wondered if the liver resection would "stay" because I knew I formerly had liver tumors in the part of my liver that remained after surgery. I wondered if tiny microscopic seeds left there (which don't show up on scans) would ever start growing back again. But, even so, I believe I'm definitely better off now than if I had just left those liver tumors alone.

Anyhow, I just wanted to let you know that sometimes when a doctor says you can't have liver surgery, that it still does sometime happen if you respond well to the chemo. Sometimes just getting a different liver specialist's opinion is good- what one says can't be done, another might be willing to do.

Blessings to you,
Lisa

sfmarie said:

Devastated
Initially my sister was told she only had 2 months to live. That was the stupidity of the doctor in the er, someone who clearly did not have experience with the disease. That was in March of 09. One doctor also told her there was nothing he could do for her, and this was at UCLA! Now, we are with a fantastic team at Stanford with a liver surgeon who thinks he can resect. She did complete 4 months of chemo. That helped shrink some of the tumors, enough to operate. I liked one survivor on here, Amy, who said, she found an oncologist that said I cannot predict outcomes. Everyone reacts differently and I will treat you as aggressively as you can and want to be treated.
So-do not give up! There are so many options that I know your husband can and will beat this. It sounds like he is responding well. My sister has three children: 8, 6 and 4. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. PM if I can be of any assistance. I have found comfort in this board and the kindness of strangers here.

sfmarie said:

slamb58
No, it is not Waldo. I cannot remember his name. I would love to hear from you regarding your experience. She is also seeing Dr. Fisher. I will send you a PM.
Marie

Paula G. said:

sfmarie
We are also new to this. My husband was DX in Oct. of last year and has mets to the liver and lungs and a small spot on one of his adrenal glands. He is on treatment #11. This site has been such a help to us. We have found so many people that are living with this. So much information that has helped us. Read people's post's and their stories and I am sure you will feel better. We have learned so much about different treatments and gained many friends. Good luck to your sis.Paula G.