Just got back from Onc. Appointment,,,

LivinginNH
LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all,

Well, Rick and I just got back from Mass. Gen.. The onc. didn't give us bad news per se,no new news actually... It's just that I got rather upset when she said that because the original colon tumor was in its advanced stage, and had broken through the abdominal wall, it meant that Rick is at a high risk for recurrence after the chemo ends in August and will be monitored closely. She must have read the expression on my face since she went on to say that his treatment has been all positive so far, he did really well after the liver resection and that he's getting the best treatment available. She also mentioned that since the FOLFOX worked incredibly well during the first four treatments, there's no reason to think that it won't for the next 8. The problem is that I've been crying for the past two hours (not really sure why, there was no new news) and only stopped after I read Craig's post to Winnie. Thanks Craig. I guess it was just an emotional let down to hear she say the word "recurrence". Intellectually I know that I shouldn't believe that everything would be a-ok after the upcoming rounds, but I suppose that I just didn't want to even think about the prospect of it coming back. So, I guess my only real question is, am I completely wrong to think that just MAYBE the liver resection and follow-up chemo might be curative? Sorry for the long posting... And Margaret, I hope that your husband got good results today. God bless you all. - Cynthia

Comments

  • abmb
    abmb Member Posts: 311
    #2
    Hi
    Hi, Cynthia. My husbands levels were extremely good. So excited today when I called and they told me his CEA was so low, I don't really want to say, because everyone here needs support and not for me to be posting the number we got today. You are your husband's main care giver and I know exactly what you are going through. Sometimes the tears just come and you can't stop them or help yourself. Mostly I was tired when that happened, extremely tired. Emotions run wild when your are trying your best to be positive and strong all the time for your husband. I never want him to worry about how I feel or what I might be thinking, he needed to stay positive and let me handle the worries. My fear is just like your's, recurrence. Everytime he coughs, is it in the lungs. I think that is the way we will live for the next few years. I just keep going to Church, praying and just talking to God and spend most of our evenings with our children and grandchildren. good luck and I will keep you in my thoughts and Prayers. God Bless. Margaret
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #3
    abmb said:

    Hi
    Hi, Cynthia. My husbands levels were extremely good. So excited today when I called and they told me his CEA was so low, I don't really want to say, because everyone here needs support and not for me to be posting the number we got today. You are your husband's main care giver and I know exactly what you are going through. Sometimes the tears just come and you can't stop them or help yourself. Mostly I was tired when that happened, extremely tired. Emotions run wild when your are trying your best to be positive and strong all the time for your husband. I never want him to worry about how I feel or what I might be thinking, he needed to stay positive and let me handle the worries. My fear is just like your's, recurrence. Everytime he coughs, is it in the lungs. I think that is the way we will live for the next few years. I just keep going to Church, praying and just talking to God and spend most of our evenings with our children and grandchildren. good luck and I will keep you in my thoughts and Prayers. God Bless. Margaret

    Hi Margaret,
    Don't ever
    Hi Margaret,

    Don't ever hesitate to post good news; I for one LOVE hearing good news about CEAs, scans, etc. It sounds like you + your husband got some good news; congratulations!
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #4
    Sorry you're down
    Cynthia,

    I'm sorry you're feeling so down right now. I understand, though. Keep in mind, though, that being at high risk for recurrence does NOT mean that it's definite. I'm praying everything will be lovely from this point on.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #5
    Hi Cynthia,Sometimes these
    Hi Cynthia,

    Sometimes these meetings with the doctors are draining emotionally, + physically. It sounds like overall, there was no bad news, hang onto that for now. The doctor may have been trying to reassure you, by saying they will watch your husband closely. Some doctors do focus more on the "what ifs" but who knows what the future holds for any of us. I hope you can celebrate the good news you heard today. Best thoughts to you + your husband.
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #6
    Focus
    Cynthia,

    Focus on the positive elements of the meeting as opposed to the negative ones...

    Your husband did really well on FOLFOX (great shrinkage), he was able to have a liver resection (those that can have liver resections are still in a small percentage), that he will be under close observation so that if something were to come back it would be caught early.

    Everyone that has had cancer theoretically can have a recurrence. And everyone that has never had cancer can have it for the first time. You need to concentrate on what you can do to support him in living well right now and enjoying right now. Tomorrow will come whether you worry about it or not. Perhaps concentrate your energies into juicing, supporting an exercise regimen he can do, researching if there are any supplements that may be appropriate during chemo (ask his DR) or after chemo ends. That's what I do with my "cancer-thought" time. How can I support my body in fighting cancer cells?

    Good thoughts to you and your family,
    Amy
  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    #7
    mom_2_3 said:

    Focus
    Cynthia,

    Focus on the positive elements of the meeting as opposed to the negative ones...

    Your husband did really well on FOLFOX (great shrinkage), he was able to have a liver resection (those that can have liver resections are still in a small percentage), that he will be under close observation so that if something were to come back it would be caught early.

    Everyone that has had cancer theoretically can have a recurrence. And everyone that has never had cancer can have it for the first time. You need to concentrate on what you can do to support him in living well right now and enjoying right now. Tomorrow will come whether you worry about it or not. Perhaps concentrate your energies into juicing, supporting an exercise regimen he can do, researching if there are any supplements that may be appropriate during chemo (ask his DR) or after chemo ends. That's what I do with my "cancer-thought" time. How can I support my body in fighting cancer cells?

    Good thoughts to you and your family,
    Amy

    Thanks everyone, I truly

    Thanks everyone, I truly appreciate your support and uplifting comments. I'm feeling better today since I'm trying to think positive and take it one day at a time. Some days it's harder than others, so I just need to focus on getting him through the next stage of chemo and keeping life as normal as possible. He is so strong, as are all of you, so I simply need to tap into that strength. God bless, and take care, Cynthia

Discussion Boards