Any advice?

nursesheri · January 2012

Been fighting stage IV for over 20 months now. Decided it was time to stop all tx and enjoy life for a while. 42 and otherwise healthy (except for hypertension, blood clots and now insulin dependent diabetes, thanks cancer and chemo). Doc said 12-18 months, that was 4 months ago. Just wondering what to expect. Still working and raising the kids. Good days and bad. Doc said when it's time, should happen pretty quickly. Man I hope so!!!

John23 · January 2012

Free Advice
Get another opinion from a colorectal surgeon that is not
part of the same group or association.

You didn't say how far spread the cancer was, or where they
said it is now residing, but there are many individuals
with stage four colon cancer here on the board, with many
years behind them.

A physician's point-blank prognosis can be beneficial, if the
patient is the type of person that tends to ignore reality; sometimes
a shock can wake us up. I personally prefer to hear the truth,
and deal with it, rather than get a sugar-coated version of
"what might happen".

Re:
"Decided it was time to stop all tx and enjoy life for a while. "

I never did chemo; I took a different path. Regardless of -your-
choice, you should do something to help your body stay as
healthy as possible. Just stopping treatments leaves you wide
open for a disaster. If you're that hell-bent on not doing any more
chemo, try one (or a few), of the alternatives. There are plenty
of options to the "conventional" paths.

Actually, most all of the "alternatives" can be used along with
chemo, radiation, etc., so there's no reason to feel a "choice"
of one or the other is needed.

Get that "second opinion", though..... Do it.

Best wishes for you,

John

Brenda Bricco · January 2012

I don't like the sound of
I don't like the sound of your doc... have you had a second opinion? Of course it is your decision Sheri but just make sure it is a completely informed one. Sounds like you have everything to live for (kids). God bless you.
Brenda

plh4gail · January 2012

I like what John23 said. I
I like what John23 said. I wish you many more weeks, months, and years to share with your children!

hugs, plh4gail

steveandnat · January 2012

I hate this cancer stuff
Cancer is such an evil thing...it makes us make such hard decisions and it is so personal to each and everyone of us. I pray for everyone and only you really know what to do. Bless you.
Jeff

Annabelle41415 · January 2012

Opinion
You should get a second opinion. And if you want to give it all up, try John's suggestions on some alternatives like him using TMC. Sorry to hear that you have gotten to this point, I'm hoping you can find another direction in treating your disease.

Kim

mom_2_3 · January 2012

Sheri
I read through your bio page and was wondering where the cancer remains after the surgery and chemo that you have had. I know that everyone makes these decisions in their own time and in their own way. I completely respect that. But as John suggests, some alternative measures could be of value to you and I wondered if you have had a second opinion (surgical or otherwise). I know as a nurse you have more than likely sought out second opinions but I remember a doctor telling me I had 22-24 months and so I found another doctor with a different opinion and subsequent different method of treatment.

I wish you all the best Sheri,
Amy

WinneyPooh · January 2012

Been fighting over three years
There is no reason to believe that this can't be beat. I am as well as other are living proof, my doc said at one time I would be lucky to last a year, and I was even declared NED last april, ( cancer back now but doing and responding well) You must have a good outlook and declare yourself a victor, I alway say this will not kill me I am the energizer bunny.
I am not worried about the cancer anymore I am in good health, dispite the treatment, I keep busy and I avoid all discussion of doom and gloom. Eat healthy and stay positive keep up treat ment if that is what the docs want, and don't ever give the cancer the upper hand.
This works for me.

Play hard and be the bunny
Penny

nursesheri · January 2012

steveandnat said:
I hate this cancer stuff
Cancer is such an evil thing...it makes us make such hard decisions and it is so personal to each and everyone of us. I pray for everyone and only you really know what to do. Bless you.
Jeff

Thank You
I know people mean well, but I'm not looking for a cure anymore, just wanted to know what to expect in the end. You really understood what I was asking, and your kind words of encouragement mean a lot.

Sheri

annalexandria · January 2012

nursesheri said:
Thank You
I know people mean well, but I'm not looking for a cure anymore, just wanted to know what to expect in the end. You really understood what I was asking, and your kind words of encouragement mean a lot.

Sheri

I understand what you're asking-
and I would want that information too when I get to that stage of the journey. I think the details tend to really vary depending on where the cancer has spread. Her situation may be different from yours, but my sister passed away from cancer several years ago, and it wasn't a terrible death. She was kept fairly comfortable with pain meds, and managed to remain somewhat clear-headed until close to the end. Her kidneys shut down, she went into a coma a few days later and died a few days after that. In retrospect, the biggest regret was not calling in hospice sooner, as she really couldn't be at home and get adequate pain management without them. If you haven't already seen it, there's a blog called penmachine.com, written by a man who died frm crc and wrote about his experiences until close to the end. He doesn't pull any punches about what he went through. It might be useful reading. You could also contact hospice and see if you could talk to one of their nurses. I'm unlikely to do anymore chemo myself because I've tried two different kinds that didn't work, and I can understand your decision. It was almost a relief to me to know that I wouldn't have to subject myself to any more poison-induced suffering. I hope that whatever time is left to you (hopefully lots!) is filled with love and peace. Hugs-Ann

Buzzard · January 2012

WinneyPooh said:
Been fighting over three years
There is no reason to believe that this can't be beat. I am as well as other are living proof, my doc said at one time I would be lucky to last a year, and I was even declared NED last april, ( cancer back now but doing and responding well) You must have a good outlook and declare yourself a victor, I alway say this will not kill me I am the energizer bunny.
I am not worried about the cancer anymore I am in good health, dispite the treatment, I keep busy and I avoid all discussion of doom and gloom. Eat healthy and stay positive keep up treat ment if that is what the docs want, and don't ever give the cancer the upper hand.
This works for me.

Play hard and be the bunny
Penny

Full of advice....................but most don't wanna hear it..
All I ask is why ?
I have been Stage 4 since diagnosis ( March 25th 2008) if you really want to get down to it. I never was cancer free, just thought I was, but it came back and this is the 3rd time with cancer in several different spots. Chemo every other week and deathly ill for a week but I get 1 for 1 and yeah its s hi tty but Im still here...
Yep, if I didn't have kids I said I would not do anymore.....well, I lied to myself, when Im doing chemo I get nasty bit c hy, so I alienate myself from my family until the week is over. I then come into a funk but its a funk my family can live with, beats the alternative...If I'm 80 it might be a different story, but I'm not, and you sure as he11 aren't.
I will not however get my families welfare in jeopardy before a change in decision is made, and my mother having lost a child to polio at 6 years old also ensures that I live at least longer than her, shes 83...
Those and the fact that I simply will never ever give up (thnx Fedester) should be enough reasoning to stay in the game.

most of all.......where will we ever see another smile like that...someone needs you....cry , kick , and scream, then please get back in the game..........my most heartfelt love and prayers to whatever path you take.........you and all the others in here will always remain a part of me and my fight........Clift ( buzz)

BTW,,,,,,,,I am now bald..........

Lifeisajourney · January 2012

I am going your route
but I am 69, don't know what I would decide if I were younger. I really think chemo can keep you alive, but at what expense. So I have made my decision. No more chemo. I still have problems, can't imagine the chemo would help my divitculitis, etc. My advice is to do what you and your family think is right. Everyone is different. I am almost embarrassed that I am still alive and look so ok. If I were on chemo, I probably would be a lot sicker. But I don't know. Just told the Dr. I wish I could try it both ways and see what happens, but that is not our power. So I really have no advice, it is a personal, private,gut renching decision and I wish you the best, may we all live till we can't....Pat

ketziah35 · January 2012

nursesheri said:
Thank You
I know people mean well, but I'm not looking for a cure anymore, just wanted to know what to expect in the end. You really understood what I was asking, and your kind words of encouragement mean a lot.

Sheri

I am completely crying when
I am completely crying when I reas your bio. I am 41 and my sister and I cried (she was 32) and screamed in the car in the garage of the hospital "I want my mommy" when we found out my mom had cancer. I can't imagine having my mom in your situation. I wonder if there is something else going on. This is the post that that I pondered not answering, but all I wanted you to know is that I am 42 and I still want my mommy; so I can't imagine being a young child without my mommy.

Many blessings to you.

Ktz

tommycat · January 2012

This was hard to read, and
This was hard to read, and very sad. God bless you Sherri~

Any advice?

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