Stage 4 and chemo

[Angiemarie2000]

I know everyone is different, but the more I research, it seems that chemo will always be a part of my life. I am on track to have chemo for the next 9 months, then my onc says we will see how it goes. So does that mean a break and if I take a break will the cancer grow?

Is there ever an end to chemo for stage 4?

[CheeseHead]

Angiemarie,

A very familiar question: I had it myself.

My onc kept telling me: one step at a time. I had colon surgery, chemo, then liver surgery (11+ mets removed), then more chemo.
Then a break of I think a year.. it should be in my signature below.
Although the cancer came back, I haven't been on chemo all the time.

You never know what's going to happen with this disease - your path may of course be completely different.

What did help me was to figure out with my drs what the options are at each step of the way and then try to relax and... be along for the ride (I won't say enjoy... although we had our share of laughter as well). That helps keep some sanity.

I can't remember what kind of procedure you had done already... colon resection perhaps? If you want to, you can go to the user control panel, and in your profile, edit your signature and write some details. This will help others to both better remember you and cuts down on asking the same question all the time (e.g. what chemo are you on).

Hoping I could help you a bit with this answer,

All the best,
Cheese

[Bev G]

Hi,

My situation, very unfortunately is not totally typical. I was diagnosed stage IV in 12/09. At that time I had a very large rectosigmoid tumor and a tangerine size tumor (just one) in my liver. I had three rounds of chemo before my liver resection in 4/10, and 7 rounds after the surgery. I have had no chemo since 3/11, and have had NO new cancer since I was diagnosed. I am very sad to say that not all of my stage IV pals have fared as well, but many have. So will you be on chemo for life...no, not necessarily at all. I think it's fair to say most of us just live scan to scan, waiting to see what, if anything, will happen next. I sure do.

Best of luck to you on this ornery journey. Glad we're all right there with you to try to help!

Bev

[thostie]

I have been on chemo pretty much non stop since diagnosis. i took a break with only Xeloda/Avastin for 5 months but my largest liver tumor started growing again so i went back on the hard stuff. I unfortunately am not ready for surgery so for now chemo for life but i do hope one day i will get some time to be chemo free to enjoy my life and children. Only in a perfect world i guess...

[RixInPhx]

I know it's unsettling and some clairvoyance would be wonderful.
Ain't gonna happen; THIS is your new world.

In 9 months, tests might indicate continuation of same chemo, or a different regimen, or possibly none for a while, might be a knife.
Nobody can predict how those liver mets will behave or what they'll be like in 3 months, much less 6 or 9.

You won't know 'til you get there. Period.

I hope your current regimen sends the buggers packing and you are NED before then, but only treatment and testing will show,
-Rick

PS: Why are you also not getting Avastin?
It's specifically made for metastatic CRC, like your liver mets.

[FatBob2012]

My experience so far has been; 4 rounds of FOLFOX + Avastin and now pending surgery later in the week to remove the tumor on the liver that has shrunk almost an inch at its widest point since first diagnosed. As far as chemo for life...no way to know at this junction what is next. Best advice, take one day at a time and enjoy it to its fullest.

[Angiemarie2000]

Thanks for the information and support. I will start the avastin in a few more weeks. They wantedme to wait a few more weeks since I had the colon surgery.

So it seems it is as I feared, my life is a series of treatments. At least I'm alive!!!!! Just seems so surreal, the reality that this is my life still has not sunk in. I keep hoping that this is just a very bad dream.

What is the quality of life after battling for months and years, will I still be able to play with my 4 year old or go shopping with my 14 year old. How bad does it get. Is there a ray of hope in this dark cloud called cancer?

[CheeseHead]

Angiemarie,

It seems like you're asking the same question in a different form now. The answer is the same: it's different for everybody.... and we can't know in advance.
As you say, the new situation may still need to sink in a bit with you. Feelings like you write of are totally normal for a while because it is a huge change and shock that you and your family need to adjust to.

As for battling... well, sometimes it felt like a battle for me. Other times I could relax. As others will tell you: it's a marathon, not a sprint. You'll probably learn to relax as well, as strange as it may sound now in a whirlwind of diagnosis, surgery, chemo, decisions, new informaton etc.

Depending on how you feel, you could look for counseling or anti depressants which may help you, as a lot of others on this forum have as well.

All the best,
Cheese

[handicap18]

As has been said, everyone is different. I'll be doing my 8th round of FOLFOX next Monday. So far I'm doing well. Side effects aren't to bad. I exercise regularly. Coach my sons baseball team. I built a new deck. I actually fell better now than I did 4-5+ months ago. I'm not working, my job is very physical and have long days. Most people look at me and don't even know I have stage 4 cancer. Most days I feel that same way.

How long this will last I don't know. I'm going with the flow and taking it as it comes. I probably will be on some sort of chemo treatment for the rest of my life, but who knows at this point how long that will be.

Keep a positive attitude and stay strong.