Made the decision, Wish me luck!

impactzone
impactzone Member Posts: 551 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
For those who have been following, I am stage 4, had colectomy, moderately differentated 9/1 found 1 liver met with PET and CT. My CEA right now is 10. I went to UCSF and Stanford to get opinions. One said surgery right now the other said 3 months chemo then surgery.I have made a decision to go with the 3 month of treatment at Stanford using Xeloda, Eribitux and oxaplatin and then go for surgery. I based this difficult decision on the following factors:

1. The lesion is not located close to bile duct or artery and is still relatively small. The surgeon said he could get to it. I am getting a CT scan in 2 days and this should show growth. If it is fast then I will opt sooner for surgery
2. I would like to know if this chemo treatment has an effect on the tumor. If any response is shown to help allow for an educated treatment guess after surgery.
3. After any liver surgery, growth proteins are released by the body to repair the liver. These proteins potentially could get any micromets growing if they were not wiped out by the chemo.I have looked at some research and this is hard to measure but it does occur. I am a biochem major from UCSB so I can read some of this stuff.
4. I feel comfortable with the team approach at Stanford with both the onc and surgeon there so that if there is no change we can quickly go to surgery.
5. At 47 and healthy in all other ways, the 3 months on chemo will not hopefully wipe me out for surgery.

I know that this is a guess as most data and the medical boards shows resection immediately as the standard. I know my immediate reaction is to charge into the fight with the knife and cut, cut cut as well. I do not know if this is the smartest option in the long run. Obviously, surgical resection is the only way for a possible positive outcome but the timing of it is the key. Dr Fisher at Stanford has seen some data that will be published on 2000 patients that seems to show that in Stage 4 patients with few mets, with chemo done early and then resection it is a successful path. Only time will tell and I hope that both paths lead to the same successful end.
All my love,

Comments

  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #2
    Dear Chip,

    I wish you all the best for the treatment. You have great attitude and you will win!

    I will pray for success.

    God Bless, Eleonora
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    I am sending major, warm, fuzzy vibes to you! Wow! What an expert you are at this! I had no idea that the liver did that after surgery, I didn't even know it would regrow itself. I am a successful combatant of stage III....no far mets, so I continue to learn things. Thanks for all the info!
    PLEASE keep us posted!

    MANY MANY HUGS!
    Kathi
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #4
    Chip,

    You'll do just fine. I was stage 4 with liver mets and had the resection. All clear for 5 years as of Oct 3rd.

    Keep the hope, and the strong, positive attitude.

    Stacy
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #5
    StacyGleaso said:

    Chip,

    You'll do just fine. I was stage 4 with liver mets and had the resection. All clear for 5 years as of Oct 3rd.

    Keep the hope, and the strong, positive attitude.

    Stacy

    Happy anniversary, a few days early! Stacy, you are SUCH an inspiration!!!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • finner
    finner Member Posts: 230 Member
    #6
    You must be glad to have finally made a decision. That's out of the way now, at least. Best of luck with your treatment and I hope the chemotherapy and erbitux blast that f****R ooff the scales.

    XXXXX
    Margo
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #7
    Hi,

    I'm sure that was tough to decide but I'm sure you are glad that is over. Now you can focus on fighting the beast and keeping yourself healthy. We keep saying "one day at a time" but it is also "one thing at a time". HUGS and know that we are all here cheering for you and holding your hand to get you through this.

    Lisa F.
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #8
    Hi Chip -

    It is great you have made a decision and I think it is one you can feel good about.

    Don't be so totally sure that "obviously, surgical resection is the only way for a possible positive outcome". Yes, resection is the "textbook cure", but as my oncologist says, "the textbook needs to be updated".

    I was diagnosed Stage IV with liver met (was it one or more than one - not clear - but definitely one). Surgery in June 2005. Six cycles of Xeloda/oxaliplatin/Avastin - NED (no evidence of disease) after 2 cycles and still NED to this day. Evaluated twice at NIH and they can't find anything to ablate or resect. Will that always be the case? Who knows? But, you should not discount the possibility that your chemo may result in such a good response that surgery can be put off for a long time.

    Meanwhile, I wish you well. It sounds like you have a good medical team - best wishes for the start of your treatment.

    Betsy

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