Stage IV - recurrance in liver

hi
welcome to the board mouse88 l really do not have much advice to offer as l have not been in your situation.but lam sure some of our experienced members will be along to pass on some wise advice.hope you get your situation resolved with or without chemo you are in my thoughts &prayers hugs sonia

PhillieG said:

Chemo and more chemo
Sorry to hear of your recurrence. I have been on various chemo, most of them pretty intense up until the last year or so, for 5 1/2 years. So, while the "chemo thing" isn't a lot of fun it kept me going. I am on a rather reduced schedule now and have a few lung mets that are staying stable.
Also, I've had 5 operations
What type of chemo do they want to give you?
-p

Take the chemo
We have very similar stories. My 2nd liver resection was for a single met in Jan. Infection complications forced a delay in chemo. After a 5 month battle with infection my scans looked clean. I asked for chemo, my doctors said I probably didn't need it since 5 months had past with no recurrence. I buckled and in july my cancer was back in full swing, lung, liver, and lymph. I met with my oncologist today. My situation as gone from optimistic to grim. I wish I had demanded more chemo. You may not need the full six months. Maybe just 3 months but do something.

6 months of chemo
My husband had 6 months of oxlaplatin (sp) and 5fu after his surgery to remove tumor in colon and liver. The chemo was ok for the first 3 months, but the last was a task, but doable. For 1 year following the surgery he had no sign of cancer, but 18 months later he had another tumor in his liver that was surgically removed (no chemo after). His strength is improving although his cea's are rising slowlly, but he is strong and his oncologist is monitoring him closely. Good luck.

debbie

The Joy of Chemo
Unfortunately, too often people are so quick to stop chemo at the first opportunity they get. Chemo suck, no doubt about it but to have the cancer come back must suck even worse. Too often it is too soon and the cancer comes back (or never really was gone).

Choose wisely.

Hi
Hi, Take the chemo! Last year I was NED for 2 months and my onc. wanted me to do "maintanence chemo" for 6 months. At first, I was bummed out. But then I thought why not. make sure we definately got everything! I also did not have a terrible reaction to my chemo, I did 12 rounds of 5fu. I wish you the best of luck!
Karyn

robinvan said:

Bummer!
Sorry to hear about your cancer progressing. It sounds like it has been a steady dose of chemo, radiation and surgery for you for the last 2 years.

Well, off the top... it is great that they are able to do a liver resection. It is the best approach to clearing the liver of mets. Further to that... my hunch is that chemo is pretty standard after liver surgery. I had 6 months chemo after my colon amd liver surgeries in the fall of 2004.

Good luck... Rob; in Van

Liver Mets
Hi!

I also am receiving Chemo after being diagnosed with Colon and Liver Mets. I had a microwavable ablasion on my liver in July and now am undergoing my 3rd chemo treatment out of 12. What is your experience with Chemo after this type of diagnosis. Did the 6 months of Chemo work for you. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

had 12 cycles of folfiri and Avastin
HI I had 12 rounds, each 3 weeks apart of folfiri and Avastin. It put me into NED and I've there for 10 months. My onc has kept me on Xeloda + Avastin as a maintenance regimen and it's been ok. Good luck and stay positive.

Fb489 said:

stage 4
I am so sorry, this is a very tough fight, my husband was recently diagnose with colon cancer that has spread to Liver. Your case is a perfect example why my husband is hesitant to do chemo. you went through so much and the cancer keeps recurring.
This is a nightmare that will never end always having to go for CT scans and waiting for the
results is nerve recking. may god help us all to enjoy each day.

The Fight is Tough
The fight is tough. My husband has been in it for over six years and is now on Hospice. Those six years were a gift and a blessing. Granted things got hard at times. He had 4 surgeries and went through many chemo treatments and the targeted drugs. Yet in that time a new grandchild was born. We took our older grandchildren on three great trips with us, went to Hawaii for the first time, watched both sons move up in their careers, went to Disneyland with the whole family, bought a motorhome and used it, and learned to treasure every good day. My husband found the fight worth it even though we had pretty much known that he was just buying time. Time can be very precious, but each person must pick their own path. We are still treasuring our time together and with friends and family. Our faith says that God is with us on this journey and has given us several miracles. My prayers continue to be with all those who are dealing with this disease. Fay