Colon Cancer Stage 4
Is there any recovery from it !!!!!!!!!!
My Hematology/Oncology is telling me that I will never be cured or should I say go into remission the only thing that they can do for my cancer is to keep it stable.
It started in the colon and moved to other organs
Is this true
Comments
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I'm sure you'll be hearing from them soon
We have many stage 4's on the board who are still here and kicking. Don't be so fast to wright yourself off. I'm a stage 3 myself and I dont plan on going anywhere for a while. The stage 4's will answer soon.
Life is funny sometimes
Brooks
P.S. PM me anytime you want0 -
2006???
Your profile says you were dx'd in 2006. Is this a new dx where cc has returned and spread?
I wish you well. Like Brooks said, many of the Stage IV's will answer soon.
Diane0 -
I have basically been told
I have basically been told the same thing. So I have the same question. My cancer spread to my liver, not sure about the lungs. They think it could be sarcodosis so I have to have a biopsy to be sure. It has also spread to the lymph nodes in my abdomen area.
My last CT scan showed the liver lesion gone or at least small enough they can't see it. If my lungs do turn out to be sarcodisis, that leaves me with the abdomen.
My oncologist said I would always be on maintenance chemo like Avastin. Her hope is it will keep it stable and hopefully new things will be developed.
I have left this in the hands of God and ask his will to be done. the more I think about it the more depressed I get so I rely on the fact that God has a plan and I need to be patient.0 -
What do you believe ?
Do you believe that you can't be cured ? Is that the only Hema/Onc in the Nation ? Get a second opinion, then a third and fourth if you have to. Never ever say "uncle". Yes there are Stage 4 IVs in here that have been stage 4s for a longggg time...They are a bunch of tough birds that believe in never giving in and always believing that there can be a cure anyday...Thats why they fight so hard to move from one treatment to another until a cure is found....Join in here and you will see that we all intend to live forever...the stage IVs are the real Warriors even though we all wear head dresses....You won't find a better bunch to sit and talk with.........Buzzard0 -
Hey McSauder!!Buzzard said:What do you believe ?
Do you believe that you can't be cured ? Is that the only Hema/Onc in the Nation ? Get a second opinion, then a third and fourth if you have to. Never ever say "uncle". Yes there are Stage 4 IVs in here that have been stage 4s for a longggg time...They are a bunch of tough birds that believe in never giving in and always believing that there can be a cure anyday...Thats why they fight so hard to move from one treatment to another until a cure is found....Join in here and you will see that we all intend to live forever...the stage IVs are the real Warriors even though we all wear head dresses....You won't find a better bunch to sit and talk with.........Buzzard
Welcome to our wonderful, humble family!I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer with mets to my liver in January of 2009, this year, and going on one year since diagnosis here in a couple months. I have a temporary colostomy, and have had many surgeries due to blockages from scar tissue from the surgeries I've had, I had my sigmoid part of the colon taken out, and have been on chemo (Folfiri with Avastin) since February. I go every other week on a Wednesday and sometimes a Thursday, and am hooked up to a pump for 46 hours, and disconnected on a Friday or Saturday by a home health nurse.
My onc said we have to look at this as a chronic disease, kind of like diabetes, where we keep trying to keep it under control. There may be a cure, you never know, there could be one next week, next year, but for now, there is just hope. There are alot of Stage 4's who have been living with this for years, I'm not operable, I guess my mets are at a place where they can't get too. I may think of going for a second opinion once I talk to my onc next week, to see what exactly is going on with my liver, but for now, we just take it day by day. I live for the day, like it would end tomorrow, I have 4 children, and not ready to go anywhere yet.
Don't give up, you never know what can come out with this disease. It definitely isn't pleasant, but I could think of worse things, like it happening to my child, and thank god it isn't, and that it's me. There are anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety pills out there to help cope with the ups and downs, I am on Zoloft, which helps quite abit, and I get out alot now, which puts me in a whole new frame of mind, just live like you been living, and don't let this stop you. Keep your chin up, and am sure you'll be hearing from more Stage 4's
anytime you need to chat, we're here
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
love you *hugs*Shayenne said:Hey McSauder!!
Welcome to our wonderful, humble family!I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer with mets to my liver in January of 2009, this year, and going on one year since diagnosis here in a couple months. I have a temporary colostomy, and have had many surgeries due to blockages from scar tissue from the surgeries I've had, I had my sigmoid part of the colon taken out, and have been on chemo (Folfiri with Avastin) since February. I go every other week on a Wednesday and sometimes a Thursday, and am hooked up to a pump for 46 hours, and disconnected on a Friday or Saturday by a home health nurse.
My onc said we have to look at this as a chronic disease, kind of like diabetes, where we keep trying to keep it under control. There may be a cure, you never know, there could be one next week, next year, but for now, there is just hope. There are alot of Stage 4's who have been living with this for years, I'm not operable, I guess my mets are at a place where they can't get too. I may think of going for a second opinion once I talk to my onc next week, to see what exactly is going on with my liver, but for now, we just take it day by day. I live for the day, like it would end tomorrow, I have 4 children, and not ready to go anywhere yet.
Don't give up, you never know what can come out with this disease. It definitely isn't pleasant, but I could think of worse things, like it happening to my child, and thank god it isn't, and that it's me. There are anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety pills out there to help cope with the ups and downs, I am on Zoloft, which helps quite abit, and I get out alot now, which puts me in a whole new frame of mind, just live like you been living, and don't let this stop you. Keep your chin up, and am sure you'll be hearing from more Stage 4's anytime you need to chat, we're here
Hugsss!
~Donna
love you
*hugs*
I mean, you know what I mean
you always send me the best stuff on farmville0 -
Love you as well!Patteee said:love you *hugs*
love you
*hugs*
I mean, you know what I mean
you always send me the best stuff on farmville
(((((HUGGLESSS))))
You send me good stuff, if you ever want me to send anything specific that you need for your farm, let me know!
XOXOXO
~Donna0 -
Technicality versus reality
Seems like technically your onc is right; In reality I beg to differ though and I have been surmising that the Dr.s are not all that sure either. Right now all we have to go on is data. Most of this is many years old and not updated. (Kind of like the 10 year census). New drugs are out and continue to come out, including Avastin. Above all, mindset is most important. Don't just say you can beat this; say "I HAVE BEATEN THIS CANCER". One other thing to avoid is internet research regarding survival and studies. Stuff comes up that is 5-10 years old; thus obsolete in my opinion.
Be strong. My wife is a "stage iv" w/ mets to her ovaries. After surgery she was basically rendered disease free. I believe she will be here for a lifetime; truly I do. There's too much to do here so focus on that. Don't sell yourself short.0 -
The truth (as your Oncologist sees it)
Also, birth has a horrible prognosis as Leslie(?) on the board says. From the day we are born as are on our journey to death. So now that I've cheered you up let's get down to business. I see it as semantics. Many, if not most, oncologists are wary of using the word "cured". Maybe they feel that IF the cancer does return, which it can but doesn't mean it always does, they might hear "you told me I was cured..." from people so to cover their colons they use it sparingly.
I would get another opinion if I were you. They do not sound like they have all of the possible treatments available at your hospital or that possibly they are not as knowledgeable as other oncologists might be. There are so many treatment options out there and more become available all of the time. Don't listen to one team, shop around.
-phil
(Living with Stage IV colon cancer for over 5 1/2 years.)
Yeah, I'm not CURED (yet) but I'm here and very well could be "living a more fulfilling life" than some people who do not have cancer are.0 -
Brooksjust4Brooks said:I'm sure you'll be hearing from them soon
We have many stage 4's on the board who are still here and kicking. Don't be so fast to wright yourself off. I'm a stage 3 myself and I dont plan on going anywhere for a while. The stage 4's will answer soon.
Life is funny sometimes
Brooks
P.S. PM me anytime you want
You're waiting for "us" to come out the woodwork! You know me/us well my friend!
-p0 -
Stage 4 here
I was first DX in May 2007, had it come back in Oct 2008, finished second round of chemo and now I am NED! Last few scans are all clear! I know there is a chance the cancer can come back, but there is also a chance I could be killed by a passing car, so I try not to think of it and just move forward. There was a time that I didnt believe I was going to make it, but that time is over and with God on my side, I truely feel I am clear of this beast. There is hope, so please dont give up, life is worth living, I became a grandma for the first time a few weeks ago and I just thank my God that I am here to meet him and will continue to be here to watch him grow. Lets be honest its not easy, the journey with cancer is hard for us all, but we do what we have to to get through all the crap and to live.
You have found the best board and group of people that can help you through anything and everything when it comes to support and great advice.
God Bless
Beth0 -
Hi Alldorookie said:Stage 4 here
I was first DX in May 2007, had it come back in Oct 2008, finished second round of chemo and now I am NED! Last few scans are all clear! I know there is a chance the cancer can come back, but there is also a chance I could be killed by a passing car, so I try not to think of it and just move forward. There was a time that I didnt believe I was going to make it, but that time is over and with God on my side, I truely feel I am clear of this beast. There is hope, so please dont give up, life is worth living, I became a grandma for the first time a few weeks ago and I just thank my God that I am here to meet him and will continue to be here to watch him grow. Lets be honest its not easy, the journey with cancer is hard for us all, but we do what we have to to get through all the crap and to live.
You have found the best board and group of people that can help you through anything and everything when it comes to support and great advice.
God Bless
Beth
Haven't been on this
Hi All
Haven't been on this site for ages. My (now) husband was diagnosed in 2004 (age 25) with colon cancer - mets to lung and liver. Since then we got married, had a baby and have another one due in 5 weeks. Unfortunately my husband is unlikely to live to see the birth of his baby as his poor body just can't take anymore. However he has lived life to the full for the last 5 years. His liver is finally failing and the cancer has spread to his bones and stomach. I know this all sounds very depressing, but in fact he has been inspirational and until May of this year was working full-time. I wish all of you the very best of luck and plan to enjoy every precious moment of the week or two that I have left with my beloved husband.0 -
live life to the fullestjoanneire said:Hi All
Haven't been on this
Hi All
Haven't been on this site for ages. My (now) husband was diagnosed in 2004 (age 25) with colon cancer - mets to lung and liver. Since then we got married, had a baby and have another one due in 5 weeks. Unfortunately my husband is unlikely to live to see the birth of his baby as his poor body just can't take anymore. However he has lived life to the full for the last 5 years. His liver is finally failing and the cancer has spread to his bones and stomach. I know this all sounds very depressing, but in fact he has been inspirational and until May of this year was working full-time. I wish all of you the very best of luck and plan to enjoy every precious moment of the week or two that I have left with my beloved husband.
I was diagnosed stage 3 a little over two years ago and have had three recurrences this year. Two phrases in this thread are particularly meaningful to me: "just live your life the way you've been living it" (Thank you, Donna!), and "live life to the fullest."
My approach is that I can't change much about the disease; I can control how I experience it.
By focusing our attention on how we live (not on how I have a disease), even at stage 4, my partner and I live well. Differently, but every bit as well as we always have, and in some ways even better, with intensity and intention.
John0 -
I was diagnosed in mid June
I was diagnosed in mid June with stage 4 rectal cancer with small mets to brain, bones, liver & lungs. Had 15 radiation treatments to the brain right away and am now about to get the 10th out of twelve Folfox 5-FU +avastin and something for the bones every other treatment. It's a long haul and the weariness and distaste for food is seeming to not go away at all between treatments. I have also been told that there will always be cancer in my body, but it should be something that they can treat as a chronic disease and there will be a good chance for long term survival. For what it's worth-the rectal tumor doesn't show up on the scans anymore and the other lesions are all shrinking at a good rate. The dr. used the term remission as a probability for me, so I don't see why it cant be a possibility for you, as well. Hang in there and fight hard, keep a positive attitude and enjoy whatever you can to the fullest
Mike0 -
Chronic Illness Stage 4 Patient
I am Stage4 dx in April. Mets to liver and multiple lymph node involment. Both my medical and surgical oncologists tell me the same thing. There is currently no cure for this but it can be treated as a chronic illness. I choose to live with that description. I am hoping for NED within the next year. I have finished 12 weeks of FOLFOX and now taking Xeloda and Avastin treatment. So far so good. I, like others, choose to live my life saying, "my cancer is gone", not "I hope my cancer will be gone." After my dx I went for a second opinion at Dana Farber Cancer Hospital and they told me the same as my other docs, this is a chronic illness. Live each day to the fullest is my moto.
Pat0 -
Stage 4patsy1954 said:Chronic Illness Stage 4 Patient
I am Stage4 dx in April. Mets to liver and multiple lymph node involment. Both my medical and surgical oncologists tell me the same thing. There is currently no cure for this but it can be treated as a chronic illness. I choose to live with that description. I am hoping for NED within the next year. I have finished 12 weeks of FOLFOX and now taking Xeloda and Avastin treatment. So far so good. I, like others, choose to live my life saying, "my cancer is gone", not "I hope my cancer will be gone." After my dx I went for a second opinion at Dana Farber Cancer Hospital and they told me the same as my other docs, this is a chronic illness. Live each day to the fullest is my moto.
Pat
All i know is that some people make it some don't But i always thought angel would make it but he didn;t I don't know why but that is just the way it was for us. But never give up hope.
michelle0 -
Colon Cancer Stage 4
Hello,
I have been reading the wonderful and wise comments from folks for a while and wanted to jump in on this one. I too am Stage IV, diagnosed 5/08,treated and was NED 12/08, recurred 7/09, and still kicking hard! Like you, the cancer has spread to my liver and is considered inoperable since the recurrance is all over. I am currently lon 5FU, leucovorin, and Avastin biweekly and just had my 14th dose.
My doctor also told me that with the new drugs like Avastin that I may be able to treat this as a chronic disease for a very long time. There is a lot of research going on and who knows? maybe someone will find the magic bullet for all of us.
In the meantime, I try to focus on the present and keep as active as I can. I agree with everyone who recommended staying physically active - I find yoga and meditation helpful too. Really, when you think about it, no one knows when their time is up,and people don't really think about it much. so in an odd way, we all have an opportunity to clean up old messes and enjoy the people we love and truly be alive that not eveyone gets.
Hope this helps!0 -
never say never!
Hi,
I'm a stage IV and am definitely still full of life and kicking! I was dx'd 2-1/2 years ago as stage IV. Although I'm not yet "cured", I still have hopes to become so! I still function as a busy mom of three. I'm currently getting chemo every two weeks- I have my few down days after chemo, then I know the following week I'll be fine. I still drive my kids to and from school, go shopping, and pretty much do everything I ever did before except the 3-5 days following chemo I'm really tired.
As Phil said, if they're telling you at this point to not plan on being cured, then maybe you're not seeing an aggressive enough or knowledgeable enough oncologist. I'd go get another opinion or two and make sure those opinions are from oncologists (and surgeons if needed) who are from major cancer centers, NOT just a local small oncology office. It really is amazing how doctors can have different ideas. There are lots of new treatments on the brink and several clinical trials to look into. Personally, I'm heading to Nashville to Dr. Cantrell to try a differrent kind of therapy (check out www.neoplas.org)- I'm really excited with this & think it just may be something that could cure me (or, at the very least, be far less caustic on my body than the chemo is).
Take care- chin up, and don't give up hope- there's ALWAYS hope!!
Blessings,
Lisa0 -
you are an inspirationShayenne said:Hey McSauder!!
Welcome to our wonderful, humble family!I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer with mets to my liver in January of 2009, this year, and going on one year since diagnosis here in a couple months. I have a temporary colostomy, and have had many surgeries due to blockages from scar tissue from the surgeries I've had, I had my sigmoid part of the colon taken out, and have been on chemo (Folfiri with Avastin) since February. I go every other week on a Wednesday and sometimes a Thursday, and am hooked up to a pump for 46 hours, and disconnected on a Friday or Saturday by a home health nurse.
My onc said we have to look at this as a chronic disease, kind of like diabetes, where we keep trying to keep it under control. There may be a cure, you never know, there could be one next week, next year, but for now, there is just hope. There are alot of Stage 4's who have been living with this for years, I'm not operable, I guess my mets are at a place where they can't get too. I may think of going for a second opinion once I talk to my onc next week, to see what exactly is going on with my liver, but for now, we just take it day by day. I live for the day, like it would end tomorrow, I have 4 children, and not ready to go anywhere yet.
Don't give up, you never know what can come out with this disease. It definitely isn't pleasant, but I could think of worse things, like it happening to my child, and thank god it isn't, and that it's me. There are anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety pills out there to help cope with the ups and downs, I am on Zoloft, which helps quite abit, and I get out alot now, which puts me in a whole new frame of mind, just live like you been living, and don't let this stop you. Keep your chin up, and am sure you'll be hearing from more Stage 4's anytime you need to chat, we're here
Hugsss!
~Donna
Hi Donna,
I just read your profile and I'm so impressed with your attitude. You have been through the ringer and back and yet you are so up beat. I feel as you do that I am not ready to leave my kids so I will fight to the death! I was DX in 2006 Stage III but have since had a reocurrance to gut and lung area. I'm about to go back into treatment. I know God has a plan for me so I try to stay focused on Him. Stay strong as you are doing and keep fighting. You are amazing!!
Jill0
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