Any Stage IV Remission Stories? I need positive vibes for my dad

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ROSPE123
ROSPE123 Member Posts: 7
in Anal Cancer #1

Hello,

My dad was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer in June.

He was complaining of indigestion and pain in his stomach till we dragged him to the ER. After a CAT Scan, they saw a mass in his colon (the tie between the small and large colon-I'm not very good with medicine stuff). They also saw some "spots" in his liver. He had surgery to remove the tumor as it was obstructing the colon (the size of a can soda-my poor dad). It tested as cancer with 7 out of 21 lymph nodes compromised. The doc said (at first) that he had three small spots (largest one was 3mm) in his liver. After recuperating from surgery four weeks later, an MRI discovered there were more than 10 spots in his liver (not a candidate for surgery now), and some signs of the disease in one vertebrae. He started chemo right away. He's going to his fifth round on Monday and they will do another MRI and see where we are. He hasn't had any crazy side effects (the neuralsta gets him tired for a day). Any pain has gone away. I see him and I get full of hope, but then I get in my mind and I get desperate. The doc has been helpful and he is treating this as a chronic disease. He refuses to give my dad x amount of days, weeks, months, years. We like him. My dad is 66 years old.

I know we are dealing with a beast. But we need to have all the hope we can get to keep us going. My dad is being very positive and hopeful. Can I get any Stage IV remission stories, please? I've been reading and the people here seem to be very nice. Any hope is greatly appreciated!

Comments

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    edited September 2017 #2
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    ROSPE123...

    Hi, I am so sorry that even one more person has to deal with this. I will keep both your dad and yourself in my prayers for healing, health, and peace.

    There are some similarities and some differences between anal (this forum) and colo-rectal cancer, so you may get some more specifics if you check them out too. 

    I was initially dx with Stage 3b anal cancer with lymph node involvement in 2011 and in 2015 a recurrance in my lung making my dx Stage 4 as well. I was treated with a combination of surgery, chemo, and radiation, and although I deal with some side effects, all are manageable and as of today am doing well, very well really! I am a 58 year old active female wife, mother, and grandmother!

    Please continue to post and let us know how your dad is doing as he will surely be in my thoughts and prayers.

    katheryn

  • tanda
    tanda Member Posts: 174 Member
    #3
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    Rospe123

    Welcome to a place that you would rather not have a reason to be; however, you will receive a lot of support and encouragement on this forum.

      There are a number of Stage 4 survivors on this site; however, treatment choices(types of chemo) for us are fairly limited.  On the other hand, there are many different types of chemo "cocktails" and treatment options for colon cancer.  The fact that your doctor is treating this as a chronic disease is hopeful.   Most doctors will not give prognoses about time, especially not for a patient who has just begun treatment.  It sounds as if your father is in good hands.  I hope he does well.

    There are many information/support sites  for colon cancer patients, that offer excellent state-of-the-art information and support.  You might want to check out:  Colon Cancer Alliance ,Colon Club,Colon Town, acor.org (the colon cancer community), your treatment center may have some support groups for colon patients. cancer.gov(the National cancer institute's site) and sites of major cancer centers (ie Memorial Sloan Kettering, MDAnderson, etc.

  • ROSPE123
    ROSPE123 Member Posts: 7
    #4
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    eihtak said:

    ROSPE123...

    Hi, I am so sorry that even one more person has to deal with this. I will keep both your dad and yourself in my prayers for healing, health, and peace.

    There are some similarities and some differences between anal (this forum) and colo-rectal cancer, so you may get some more specifics if you check them out too. 

    I was initially dx with Stage 3b anal cancer with lymph node involvement in 2011 and in 2015 a recurrance in my lung making my dx Stage 4 as well. I was treated with a combination of surgery, chemo, and radiation, and although I deal with some side effects, all are manageable and as of today am doing well, very well really! I am a 58 year old active female wife, mother, and grandmother!

    Please continue to post and let us know how your dad is doing as he will surely be in my thoughts and prayers.

    katheryn

    Thank you so much for your

    Thank you so much for your story! My dad has a great attitude with all of it. He even got interviewed (and passed) for his US citizenship. I was so proud. I hope he beats it. There are plenty of memories we have to make!

  • ROSPE123
    ROSPE123 Member Posts: 7
    #5
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    tanda said:

    Rospe123

    Welcome to a place that you would rather not have a reason to be; however, you will receive a lot of support and encouragement on this forum.

      There are a number of Stage 4 survivors on this site; however, treatment choices(types of chemo) for us are fairly limited.  On the other hand, there are many different types of chemo "cocktails" and treatment options for colon cancer.  The fact that your doctor is treating this as a chronic disease is hopeful.   Most doctors will not give prognoses about time, especially not for a patient who has just begun treatment.  It sounds as if your father is in good hands.  I hope he does well.

    There are many information/support sites  for colon cancer patients, that offer excellent state-of-the-art information and support.  You might want to check out:  Colon Cancer Alliance ,Colon Club,Colon Town, acor.org (the colon cancer community), your treatment center may have some support groups for colon patients. cancer.gov(the National cancer institute's site) and sites of major cancer centers (ie Memorial Sloan Kettering, MDAnderson, etc.

    Thank you! I'll check them

    Thank you! I'll check them out. We are doing "Ok" but the thought is in the back of our minds.

  • Bellen
    Bellen Member Posts: 281 Member
    edited September 2017 #6
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    Colorectal site

    It sounds like your Dad may not have anal cancer, but colorectal cancer with metastasis.  There is also a "Colorectal Cancer" site on this network.  I post mainly on the colorectal site as the type of cancer I have does not have the same chemo cocktail as anal cancer patients have.  I have colorectal cancer with liver mets and I have avastin + a chemo cocktail called folfiri.  Wishing your Dad well.

  • horsepad
    horsepad Member Posts: 146 Member
    #7
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    I was diagnosed with stage 4

    I was diagnosed with stage 4 in 2011.  I had lympth node involvement and it had spread to my liver.  After chemo and radiation I had a liver resection.  I am 57, healthy, active.  I will pray for your father.

  • thrivingdaily
    thrivingdaily Member Posts: 4
    #8
    Options
    eihtak said:

    ROSPE123...

    Hi, I am so sorry that even one more person has to deal with this. I will keep both your dad and yourself in my prayers for healing, health, and peace.

    There are some similarities and some differences between anal (this forum) and colo-rectal cancer, so you may get some more specifics if you check them out too. 

    I was initially dx with Stage 3b anal cancer with lymph node involvement in 2011 and in 2015 a recurrance in my lung making my dx Stage 4 as well. I was treated with a combination of surgery, chemo, and radiation, and although I deal with some side effects, all are manageable and as of today am doing well, very well really! I am a 58 year old active female wife, mother, and grandmother!

    Please continue to post and let us know how your dad is doing as he will surely be in my thoughts and prayers.

    katheryn

    hi Katheryn (eihtak)-

    hi Katheryn (eihtak)-

    What type of surgery and chemoradiation did you have? Do you mind sharing?

    Thanks!

     

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