Just found out Mom has stage 4 rectal cancer

Stefi
Stefi Member Posts: 31
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone. I am new on here and came to this site for some support. My mom, my best friend, was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer 2 weeks ago. Today she got the results of the CT scan from the oncologist and the cancer has spread to the liver (3 spots, 1 on right and 2 on the left) so I am assuming she is stage 4. We are meeting with the colorectal surgeon again tomorrow to go over the new test results and hopefully get more answers. She is going to have a PET CT in the next week and have a port (I think thats what its called) put in her chest area for the chemo). I have a few questions I am hoping to get some good opinions on. First, how do we know we have the best dr's and oncologists? Also, where should we go for a 2nd opinion? We live in Central Illinois and will consider traveling anywhere for the best care. My mom is only 61 and other than this, very healthy. This is just a hard thing to grasp and we dont really know where to begin getting all the info we can to fight this battle. I love reading all your positive stories and am so happy I have found a place I can go to talk to others who are going through this too.

Comments

  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    #2
    Welcome, Stefi!
    You've definitely come to the right place for support! There are many members here who have survived stage IV with horrible prognosises. You'll hear all the wonderful stories, and you'll feel so much better. I think you'll walk away from your computer with a new sense of strength to help your Mom fight!

    Sorry i can't help you with good cancer centers in Illinois. I'm sure someone here will know. As far as having the best doctors? You'll know right away if a doctor is no good, usually. Make sure he answers all of your questions in a clear manner, and lists treatments options. There's always more than one way of doing things. I think it's important that your Mother feels very comfortable with her doctor. Is he compassionate during your visits, or rushing to get out of the room?

    Good luck, and keep us posted!

    Hugs,
    Krista
  • Kerry S
    Kerry S Member Posts: 606 Member
    #3
    My wife is from Mt.Vernon
    If you are within 100 miles of St. Louis, I could direct you to my docs. We are also 100 miles from STL in Ozarks. My wife is from Mt.Vernon. If STL is a good option for you, send me your email address via mail on this site. I was also stage 4. Clear now(NED)for 15 months.
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #4
    Stefi
    Just wanted to say welcome to the board. My hubby's cancer was in the transverse colon so I can't really address the rectal cancer with experience. What I can tell you, in doing research for George, is that out of the gate the treatment we received was the same no matter where we went. Rectal is treated differently than colon but the chemo drugs are usually the same. Those with rectal cancer will be on to tell you their experience.

    Tere is a list of the top 100 cancer centers I just can't put my finger on it. Google around and you should be able to find it. This might assist you in seeking your second opinion, if you choose to do so at this time.

    Take care - Tina
  • sfmarie
    sfmarie Member Posts: 602
    #5
    Team Approach
    Having been through this as a caregiver, I cannot stress the importance of finding the right place with the right team. I do think it is important to find a center that has a team that can talk to one another and not send you all over the place for different opinions. If they all discuss your case together, they can make a much better decision based on their expertise.
    You are in my prayers and PM me if you have any questions. Marie
  • C Dixon
    C Dixon Member Posts: 201
    #6
    Check into The Block Center
    Check into The Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care. I think it is close to Chicago. They are not surgeons but can direct you to the best ones. They have a website and Dr. Block has written a very encouraging book for cancer patients, "Life Over Cancer".

    Catherine
  • just4Brooks
    just4Brooks Member Posts: 980 Member
    #7
    Welcome, Welcome, Welcome
    Stage 3 colorectal here... I welcome you to this wonderful board but I'm so sorry you have to be here to begain with. I'm sure you will find all of these crazy people a big help as I have. They are truly wonderful and they're like family to me. I'd start by looking up your doctors name on google and see what pops up. That's what I did and found out that my Onc was the head of all these cancer reserches all over the place and on top of that he answerd all of my question and seemed like a really nice guy. So we went with him.

    Good luck
    Brooks
  • Stefi
    Stefi Member Posts: 31
    #8
    just4Brooks said:

    Welcome, Welcome, Welcome
    Stage 3 colorectal here... I welcome you to this wonderful board but I'm so sorry you have to be here to begain with. I'm sure you will find all of these crazy people a big help as I have. They are truly wonderful and they're like family to me. I'd start by looking up your doctors name on google and see what pops up. That's what I did and found out that my Onc was the head of all these cancer reserches all over the place and on top of that he answerd all of my question and seemed like a really nice guy. So we went with him.

    Good luck
    Brooks

    Thank you all!
    Thank you all so much for you positive comments! I am so happy I have found a place I can go to share my feelings and talk with others going through this. We met with the colorectal surgeon today and he made my mom feel worse about things...but in a way gave me hope. She has a PET scan scheduled for next Wednesday and then meets with the oncologist again Friday. If the spots on the liver are cancer, which they assume they are since her CEA levels are 59, then they want to do surgery immediately to remove the rectal tumor since it is causing her problems. After that they will start her on chemo. Her oncologist we met with yesterday is taking her case to a board of oncologists at the Cancer Center here in Champaign tomorrow to discuss her case. I just pray these dr's can work a miracle here. My mom and dad seem to like the oncologist so for now I pray he will be the best! Thank you all for the prayers and thank you again for sharing everything with me!
  • dkbrothers407
    dkbrothers407 Member Posts: 5
    #9
    kristasplace said:

    Welcome, Stefi!
    You've definitely come to the right place for support! There are many members here who have survived stage IV with horrible prognosises. You'll hear all the wonderful stories, and you'll feel so much better. I think you'll walk away from your computer with a new sense of strength to help your Mom fight!

    Sorry i can't help you with good cancer centers in Illinois. I'm sure someone here will know. As far as having the best doctors? You'll know right away if a doctor is no good, usually. Make sure he answers all of your questions in a clear manner, and lists treatments options. There's always more than one way of doing things. I think it's important that your Mother feels very comfortable with her doctor. Is he compassionate during your visits, or rushing to get out of the room?

    Good luck, and keep us posted!

    Hugs,
    Krista

    COLON RECTAL CANCER
    CALL ALLEGHENY MEDICAL CENTER PITTSBURGH AND ASK FOR DR SANDRA BECK. I HAD STAGE 3B RECTAL CANCER IN APRIL 2008 AND SHE REMOVED A HUGH MASS AND I HAVE HAD MY YEARLY CHECK UP NO TREATMENT.BACK TO WORK/GOOD LUCK DORIS
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #10
    Welcome
    Welcome to the board. I'm sorry about your mom, but you will get lots of good feedback here, and soon you will feel more comfortable about this new issue in life. I promise you that you'll never like it, but you will feel stronger about dealing with it.

    *hugs*
    Gail

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