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clayjen
clayjen Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi, i'm new here and my mother was diagnosed last November with stage 4 colon cancer. Her cancer has spread to her ovaries, and a spot on her liver. She has had a colon resection, they didn't remove the tumor because it was too large at the time. Since January she has had chemo with Avastin every 3 weeks and also the chemo pills(cant remember the name) for 2 weeks after chemo. I am here because I am a little confused. The oncologist initialy said mom would have chemo for a year and then maybe some radiation. Now he is saying another year for chemo. Her stomach is very swollen...she went to the ER for this a few months back and they did a cat scan and said the cancer had spread to her abdominal wall from her ovaries. What does this mean? her oncologist has never even mentioned this. He told my mom 3 treatments ago that her cancer was "basically dried up". If her cancer is "dried up" why is her stomach continuing to swell? She now has bleeding with that as well. AND, why would a person need chemo if their cancer is "dried up"? I'm just confused. I don't expect medical knowledge...I would like to know from those of you who may have been through this or are going through this what this all means. I would like candid answers please. Thank you so much.

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  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #2
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    Welcome Clayjen
    Clayjen,

    I want to welcome you to the forum + at the same time say I am sorry that you have a need to be here. I don't have answers for your questions, but I would encourage you to clarify these issues with your mother's oncologist. Does someone go to all your mother's oncologist appointments with her? If not, I would suggest this would be a good idea. Please keep in touch with us.
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    #3
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    Hi Clayjen
    I am so sorry to hear of your mothers diagnosis and you have come to the right place. Welcome to the board.

    First and foremost, I would suggest that your mother get a 2nd opinion right away. One reason being that you should have a 2nd opinion no matter what as there are different personalities and attitudes by different doctors both in reference to bedside manner and in regard to treatements including surgeries. I have never heard a oncologist refer to the cancer as "dried up" and it may just be the way that your mother expresses it.

    The chemo pill is called Xeloda and that with avastin is a normal treatment for a stage 4 colon cancer patient. My concern would be that they haven't done any surgeries yet after this amount of time (but, remember, I don't have all the facts and am not her doctor) and her cancer is spreading. Just to let you know that sometimes stage 4 cancer requires much longer than a year of chemo and that sometimes the chemo being taken has to be changed if it is not working.

    Again Welcome and I hope that you and your mother get some good information to help you understand. Don't hesitate to go with her or at least ask her to take notes so that you have a better idea what is going on. there is a lot of new information always coming from the doctors and it can be difficult to get it all down if you don't have something to refer to after you've let things sink in.
  • bruins1971
    bruins1971 Member Posts: 227
    #4
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    Lori-S said:

    Hi Clayjen
    I am so sorry to hear of your mothers diagnosis and you have come to the right place. Welcome to the board.

    First and foremost, I would suggest that your mother get a 2nd opinion right away. One reason being that you should have a 2nd opinion no matter what as there are different personalities and attitudes by different doctors both in reference to bedside manner and in regard to treatements including surgeries. I have never heard a oncologist refer to the cancer as "dried up" and it may just be the way that your mother expresses it.

    The chemo pill is called Xeloda and that with avastin is a normal treatment for a stage 4 colon cancer patient. My concern would be that they haven't done any surgeries yet after this amount of time (but, remember, I don't have all the facts and am not her doctor) and her cancer is spreading. Just to let you know that sometimes stage 4 cancer requires much longer than a year of chemo and that sometimes the chemo being taken has to be changed if it is not working.

    Again Welcome and I hope that you and your mother get some good information to help you understand. Don't hesitate to go with her or at least ask her to take notes so that you have a better idea what is going on. there is a lot of new information always coming from the doctors and it can be difficult to get it all down if you don't have something to refer to after you've let things sink in.

    Welcome
    Clayjen I totally agree with Lori your mom needs to get a 2nd opinion asap to see what's going on. Chances are her Onc might be right on track but getting a 2nd opinion won't hurt one bit. Welcome to our board I hope you will find help here or at least maybe just peace of mind during this crazy time in your life.

    Bobby in Dallas
  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    #5
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    Hi Clayjen
    I agree with what the other 2 posters said. From experience I know that if my sister had not gone with me to the oncologist and taken notes I would have been in a mess. My mind was just not 'there'. I always had sister's notes and if I had a question I could call her to refresh my memory. If someone is already going with your Mom to her doc appts. then take a list of questions and ask away. After all you are paying him/her and you deserve answers. Also remember this, no question is too dumb or stupid. If you don't understand make the doctor repeat. I found that the oncology nurses were great at answering questions in layman terms.

    I hope you get some answers. Please update us as you can.

    Best of wishes,
    -Pat

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